"Are you in, Danny boy?"
Swift as a flash Hepson and Farley leaped forward, fairly snatching
Jetson, who was still half dazed, to his feet.
In the same instant Page called out cheerily:
"Come in under full steam, whatever craft is outside!"
"Brace up? Jetson! Don't look silly or dazed,", warned Hepson, in a stern whisper. "That rap was the signal of the approach of the O.C."
Farley was industriously brushing the signs of dust from Jetson's uniform.
"I tell you, fellows," boomed Hepson's tranquil, earnest voice, "we've got to hustle every minute of practice time. Nothing else will give us a chance to win."
"We haven't even a chance if Darry isn't soon back on the gridiron," argued Farley.
"Oh, he'll be all right soon," broke in Dan Dalzell eagerly.
Joyce had already stepped into the room, leaving the door open. Now, as though by instinct, the midshipmen seemed aware that the O.C., who to-day happened to be Lieutenant Cotton, U.S.N., was standing in front of the doorway gazing in.