Now another midshipman, a cadet petty officer, appeared and conducted
the new members of the brigade outside.

"Fall in by twos," he directed. "When I give the word, move forward
as well as you can, in the idea of marching."

It was, indeed, a busy hour that followed. The young men were
led before the midshipmen's pay officer, with whom each deposited
the sum of two hundred and sixty-four dollars and ninety-eight
cents. This amount from each new midshipman is required by law.
Of this sum sixty dollars is applied to the purchase of books
needed by the new midshipman. The balance of the sum goes to
pay for uniforms, articles of equipment, etc. From this it would
seem that an absolutely poor boy had no chance to enter the Naval
Academy. It usually happens, however, that, when a very poor
boy is appointed to the Naval Academy, his Congressman, or some
of his friends or fellow townsmen will loan him the money, returnable
after he enters the service as an officer.

In addition to the amount required by law to be deposited with
the Academy authorities each midshipman is ordered to turn over
any other money that may be in his possession, this extra amount
to be credited to him. A midshipman, on entering the service,
receives a salary of six hundred dollars a year. Nearly all of
this, however, is required to pay his ordinary expenses. Each
midshipman is allowed a very small amount of spending money, with,
however, a more liberal allowance when visiting ports during a
cruise.