This last was uttered just as Midshipman Pennington stepped into line at the supper formation.
"I wish I could see Darrin's face now!" Pen repeated to himself.
Seldom has a wish been more quickly gratified. For, just in the nick of time to avoid being reported, Midshipmen Darrin, Dalzell and Farley came into sight, falling into their respective places.
At that instant it was Midshipman Pennington's face, not Dave Darrin's, that was really worth studying.
"Now how did the shameless greaser work this!" Pennington pondered uneasily.
But, of course, he couldn't ask. He could only hope that, presently, he would hear the whole story from some other man in the class.
CHAPTER VIII
THE TRAGEDY OF THE GALE
There is altogether too much to the summer practice cruise for it to be related in detail.
Nor would the telling of it prove interesting to the reader. When at sea, save on Sundays, the midshipman's day is one of hard toil.
It is no life for the indolent young man. He is routed out early in the morning and put at hard work.