"We're safe, then!" retorted Page. "Darry won't lead us into any trouble!"
The realization that Midshipman Dave Darrin was assured leader of the second class was not long in coming to most of the other men of the class.
Yet Dave did not seek the post, nor did he attempt to do any actual leading. He still considered himself as possessing one voice, and one only, in the class councils.
If Dave was leader, Dan Dalzell, both by reflected glory and by virtue of his own sterling merits as well, shared the leadership with Dave to a great extent. Dan's power might have gone further than it did had it not been for the fact that he was so full of mischief as to leave his comrades often in doubt as to whether he were really serious in what he said and did.
CHAPTER XXIII
"BAGGED," AND NO MISTAKE
"Plebes Flint and Austin are having a good many callers," remarked Dave
Darrin, halting by the door of quarters before he and Dan entered.
"Sure! Aren't you wise?" inquired Dan, with a wink.
"I think so," murmured Dave. "The callers all seem to be third classmen."
"Of course; they're putting the rookies through their paces."