Dave Darrin's Fourth Year at Annapolis: Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise

E-text prepared by Jim Ludwig
Headed for Graduation and the Big Cruise
CHAPTERS I. Wanted—-A Doughface! II. Some One Pushes the Tungsten III. Bad News from West Point IV. Dave's Work Goes Stale V. Dan Hands Himself Bad Money VI. The Forgot Path to Trouble VII. Dan's Eyes Jolt His Wits VIII. The Prize Trip on the Dodger IX. The Treachery of Morton X. We Belong to the Navy, Too! XI. A Quarter's Worth of Hope XII. Ready to Trim West Point XIII. When Brace Up, Army! was the Word XIV. The Navy Goat Grins XV. Dan Feels as Sold as He Looks XVI. The Day of Many Doubts XVII. Mr. Clairy Deals in Outrages XVIII. The Whole Class Takes a Hand XIX. Midshipman Darrin Has the Floor XX. Dan Steers on the Rocks Again XXI. In the Thick of Disaster XXII. The Search at the Bottom of the Bay XXIII. Graduation Day—-At Last XXIV. Conclusion
Now, then, Danny boy, we——-
First Classman Dave Darrin, midshipman at the United States Naval Academy, did not finish what he was about to say.
While speaking he had closed the door behind him and had stepped into the quarters occupied jointly by himself and by Midshipman Daniel Dalzell, also of the first or upper class.
Danny boy isn't here. Visiting, probably, mused Dave Darrin, after having glanced into the alcove bedroom at his right hand.
It was a Saturday night, early in October. The new academic year at the Naval Academy was but a week old. There being no hop that night the members of the brigade had their time to spend as they pleased. Some of the young men would need the time sadly to put in at their new studies. Dave, fortunately, did not feel under any necessity to spend his leisure in grinding over text-books.
Dave glanced at his study desk, though he barely saw the pile of text-books neatly piled up there.
No letters to write tonight, he thought I was going to loan Danny boy one of my two new novels. No matter; if he'd rather visit let him do so.
In the short interval of recreation that had followed the evening meal Dave had missed his home chum and roommate, but had thought nothing of it. Nor was Dave now really disappointed over the present prospect of having an hour or two by himself. He went to a one-shelf book rack high overhead and pulled down one of his two recent novels.