“Who told you to speak, Mr. Faraday. How dare you make remarks. Want to get swamped with demerits before this practice cruise of the Monongahela is over, I suppose. You haven’t nerve enough to run away, and you are afraid to resign, so you think you will misbehave yourself and get fired. I’m on to your little game, and, by Jupiter! I’ll help you.”
Out came the book, and the pencil was placed in action once more. As he closed his little book with a snap, he added:
“That means ten demerits at the very least. I see your finish, Mr. Faraday.”
Clif coolly shrugged his shoulders and glanced across the deck toward another group of plebes that was likewise being hazed by a cadet officer.
It was drill hour in the morning watch on board the Monongahela. The vessel was still anchored near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. It was considered necessary to allow the three classes on board to become accustomed to their new surroundings before venturing to sea, and for that reason progress was slow.
Cadet Corporal Sharpe, in charge of Clif and his chums was an expert “plebe deviler.” He had been known to drive timid and credulous plebes to resign in desperation. And he had driven new fourth class men with more backbone, to open revolt, which ultimately resulted in divers demerits for the said “mutineers.” All this to the unbounded satisfaction and joy of the hazer and his cronies.
That morning when orders were given to teach the plebe class the various ropes and their uses, Corporal Sharpe was assigned to the group composed of Clif, Trolley, Toggles, Joy, Nanny Gote, Chris Spendly, and Judson Greene.
The two last were not chums of Clif. In fact, they hated him most cordially, and, since their entrance into the academy, had tried in many underhand ways to “down” him.
Each attempt had resulted in their own discomfiture, and of late they had kept rather quiet. Fate had placed them in the same squad with Clif this day, and they were eager to see if he would get into trouble with the cadet corporal.
From the appearance of affairs at the commencement of the lesson it certainly seemed that their desires would be gratified. Clif viewed with displeasure the young officer’s deviling of Nanny, as the little lad was an especial favorite of his.