Dave Darrin's First Year at Annapolis by H. Irving (Harrie Irving) Hancock
page 58 of 233 (24%)
page 58 of 233 (24%)
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was reflected in his crew of classmates. The cutter was manned
badly at that moment. "Mr. Dalzell!" rasped out the voice of Lieutenant Fenton, the instructor, from a near-by boat. Dan straightened up as though shot. But the Navy officer's voice continued sternly: "Sit up in a more seamanlike manner. Pay close attention to the work of your boat crew. Be alert for the best performance of duty in the boat that you command. For your inattention, and worse, of a moment ago, Mr. Dalzell, you will put yourself on the conduct report." The next morning, at breakfast formation, Dan's name was read from the "pap." He had been given five demerits. This was below the gravity of his offense, but he had been let off lightly the first time. "You've got to stick to duty, and keep it always in mind," Darrin admonished his chum. "I don't intend to turn preachy, Dan; but you'll surely discover that the man who lets his indolence or sense of fun get away with him is much better off out of the Naval Academy." "Pooh! A lot of the fellows have frapped the pap," retorted Dalzell. "Demerits don't do any harm, unless you get enough of 'em to cause you to be dropped." |
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