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."