"I guess they're candidates, fast enough," nodded Darrin, after briefly looking at the approaching group.
"Cheap-looking lot, most of them, aren't they?" asked Dalzell cheerfully.
"Probably they're saying the same thing about us," chuckled Dave dryly.
"Let 'em, then. Who cares?" muttered Dalzell.
"Dan, my boy, I reckon you'll need to put the soft pedal on your critical tendencies," warned Dave. "And, if you want my friendly opinion, I've a big idea that you're going to talk your way into a lot of trouble here."
"Trouble?" grinned Dalzell. "Well, I'm used to it."
In truth Dan had been victor in many a hard-fought schoolboy disagreement, as readers of the High School Boys Series are aware.
As the young men in question drew nearer they eyed Darrin and Dalzell with a disapproval that was not wholly concealed. The truth was that Dave and Dan were recognized as not being boys who had studied at one of the Naval prep. schools in Annapolis. The assumption was, therefore, that Dave and Dan had not been able to afford such a luxury.
"Good morning, gentlemen," was Dave's pleasant greeting. "You are candidates, like ourselves, I take it?"
This fact being acknowledged, Dave introduced himself and his friend, and soon some pleasant new acquaintances were being formed, for Darrin had a way that always made him popular with strangers.