CHAPTER XXIII.
A SECRET FOE.
Of course Scott Clemmons became a mortal enemy of Herbert Nazro after his first drill in the awkward squad, under the command of that most efficient young officer.
He dared not come out in open rebellion, as he well knew what that would mean to him; but he treasured up for Nazro a bitter feeling and a hope of revenge in the future when the chance should come in his way.
To be rebuked before Mark Merrill cut him deeper than if it had been before the entire corps, for he had tried to impress Mark with his importance.
He had watched Mark’s face for some sign of rejoicing, but even his ill-nature had failed to detect there any expression of triumph.
Fisher lad though Mark Merrill had been, the spoiled and petted child of fortune, Scott Clemmons, was intensely jealous of him.
He feared the reserve power of the youth who had gotten an appointment to the naval school by his own acts, when, with all his father’s influence, he had found it no easy task to accomplish it.
Then, too, Mark had entered with a kind of hurrah, and more, he had passed the surgeon and examining committee under flying colors, while his first drill had been marked by no grave error upon his part.
There were lads at the academy to toady to the riches and influence of Scott Clemmons, and so that youth at once found a following among them.