Dan had started into the room, and Dave was about to follow, when he heard an unusually loud thud at the further end of the deck.
"Danny boy, the plebes must be getting it hard to-night."
"I'd like to see the fun," muttered Dalzell, his eyes snapping with mischief. "But it doesn't seem to be any of our business. Hazing work is left in charge of the youngster crowd."
"Yes; a second classman shouldn't interfere," assented Dave. "Well, study for ours."
"I'm afraid I'm not as studious as I was a minute ago," contended Dan, with a grin.
Dave looked almost startled as he seized his chum by the arm.
"Inside with you, Danny boy!"
"Not under compulsion," laughed Midshipman Dalzell.
"I'll condescend to coaxing, then. But don't anger the youngsters by butting in."
"And why not? An upper classman has a right to step in, if he wishes."