“If you have no more ship’s spirit than that, you can go hang,” replied Marshall, much nettled at Phil’s stubbornness.
Sydney allowed his name to be written on the entry sheet for several events, but the sheet went back to Lieutenant-Commander Penfield, the executive officer, without Phil’s name for a single event.
“What’s the matter with you, Phil?” demanded Sydney, in their room after dinner. “Why should you refuse when you know you are in excellent condition and could win the majority of your races? Is it because Lazar has entered?”
“Yes, if you must know,” he replied in a tone of finality. “I’d sooner stay away and retain my peace of mind. Our relations are strained enough already. I have no wish to incur his further enmity. We would hotly contest each event, and if I won, his treatment of me would not be improved.”
Sydney’s further persuasions fell on barren soil. Phil held to his point and would not be moved.
Great preparations were being made for the coming struggle. Enthusiasm waxed high in the fleet, and all longed for the day to arrive when each could test his prowess.
The day of the meet finally came; the sun shone from a cloudless pure sky; the cool sea breeze swept over the athletic grounds, invigorating the hundreds of sailor athletes with its salty crispness. This was an event new in the annals of the navy, and had aroused intense interest, so when the lads arrived with their party of contestants from the “Connecticut,” they found an audience had collected from the surrounding country. The grand stands, erected by the carpenters of the ships of the fleet, were packed to overflowing, while the field, which had been turned into an arena for the many contests, was gay with the uniformed sailormen who had come to cheer their champions.
On a bulletin-board at the entrance to the grounds the lists of those to compete in the several events was posted.
So much pressure had been brought to bear upon Phil that he had finally been prevailed upon to enter the short runs. The executive officer and even the captain had upbraided him so severely for what they thought was his lack of ship’s spirit, that he had, much against his inclinations, allowed his name to be put on the list before it was sent to the flag-ship.
Our two boys stopped to read the names of the competitors. Many of those entering were strangers, but an occasional name would evoke a remark of surprise or pleasure from one or the other of the readers.