“Do not speak of it,” was the ready reply, and as he could not help himself Mark’s arm was locked in that of Cadet Captain Byrd Bascomb, who gave the command as he took the head of the column:
“Column forward! march!”
Up to the commandant’s quarters they marched, a line was formed, and the “great mogul,” as the lads facetiously called their chief, supposed when he saw them that they had some grievance to complain of.
When the commandant appeared the cadets saluted, and waited for him to speak, Mark meanwhile, his face flushed with embarrassment, standing by the side of Byrd Bascomb and inwardly regretting that he had ever decided to come to the Naval Academy.
“Don’t skedaddle at the first sight of the enemy,” whispered Cadet Captain Byrd Bascomb, realizing how Mark Merrill felt at such an introduction to the commandant of the academy.
Under this advice Mark braced up, while the commandant asked in his pleasant way:
“Well, Cadet Captain Bascomb, may I ask why I am honored with this visit?”
This appealed to the young cadet officer, who prided himself upon his speech-making, and was always glad to get a chance to display his oratory, saluted, and responded:
“We are here, most respected commander, to present to you one who boarded the academy grounds by way of the harbor and over the sea wall.
“He asked the way to your quarters, and discovering in him the young hero who won his appointment to the service, which is more than any of us were guilty of, [we came as a convoy to conduct him to your presence, and I beg to introduce Mr. Mark Merrill].”