With a boatswain's mate in charge, another steamer was despatched
down the bay to recover and tow home the capsized sailboat.
Examination week went through to its finish. By Saturday night
the first classmen knew who had passed. But two of the members
of the class had "bilged." Dave, Dan and all their close friends
in the class had passed and had no ordeal left at Annapolis save
to go through the display work of Graduation Week.
"You still have your two years at sea, though, before you're sure
of your commission," sighed Belle, as they rested between dances
that Saturday night.
"Any fellow who can live through four years at Annapolis can get
through the two years at sea and get his commission at last,"
laughed Dave Darrin happily. "Have no fears, Belle, about my
being an ensign, if I have the good fortune to live two years
more."
CHAPTER XXIII
GRADUATION DAY---AT LAST
Graduation Week!
Now came the time when the Naval Academy was given over to the
annual display of what could be accomplished in the training of
midshipmen.
There were drills and parades galore, with sham battles in which
the sharp crack of rifle fire was punctured by the louder, steadier
booms of field artillery. There were gun-pointing contests aboard
the monitors and other practice craft.
There were exhibitions of expert boat-handling, and less picturesque
performances at the machine shops and in the engine and dynamo
rooms.
Pages:
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182