Acting on word from the Navy Department the superintendent of the Naval Academy had the first class men ordered out for rowing drills. All who showed sufficient skill were released from such drills. The others were sent to drill with the fourth class men.
Four of Dave's boat crew of fourth class men were transferred to another crew, their places being taken by four first class men who had been found sadly deficient in rowing drill.
"Will one of the first class men serve as crew captain, sir?" asked Darrin.
"Certainly not," replied Lieutenant Edgecombe. "You will still keep command of your crew, Mr. Darrin. And you will be expected to see that these first class men are most thoroughly grounded in the boat drill. Do no spare any of them in the least because they are upper class men."
"Very good, sir," Darrin answered, saluting.
Midshipman Henley was one of the four assigned to Dave's crew.
There was a deep scowl on Henley's face when he reported for the first boat drill under a plebe crew captain.
As the boat was pushed off, after the crew had embarked, Darrin was alert only to his duty as the man in charge of the boat.
Before the boat had gone a hundred yard Dave called crisply:
"Number four, handle your oar with more energy and precision!