Back in the same waiting room the two young men lingered until
nearly eleven o'clock. More than two score of candidates had
passed the medical examiners by this time, and some others had
failed to pass. Yet many of these successful candidates had yet
to take their scholastic examinations over in Academic Hall, and
so did not wait with Dave and Dan, who had now passed in everything.

By eleven there were fully a dozen young men who, like Dave and
Dan, were ready to be sworn in. These were now led to the commandant's
office. Here each signed a paper agreeing to serve in the United
States Navy for a term of eight years, unless sooner legally discharged.
Each also signed a statement to the effect that he took this step
with the full permission of parents or guardian.

Then the commandant of cadets ordered them to form in a line facing
his desk. A notary appeared, who administered to them the oath
of loyalty and obedience. These young men were at last actual
members of the brigade of midshipmen.

Commander Jephson now delivered a short address to the lined-up
dozen. He pointed out where the lines of their duty lay, and
exhorted them to seek their duty and to perform it at all times.
In closing the commandant put emphasis on these words:

"One word more, young gentlemen. Until this moment perhaps all
of you have been wont to look upon yourself as boys. That time
has passed. From the moment that you were sworn into the Navy
of the United State--remember--you became men. All of your
superior officers will now look to you to realize most fully that
you are men--men in word, deed, thought and judgment."