CHAPTER XIX.
The Collision on the Chesapeake The weeks slipped by quickly now.
Athletics cannot occupy as prominent a place at Annapolis as at the universities and colleges, for the midshipmen must, above all, be sure that they stand high enough in their academic work.
Dave and Dan were both invited out for baseball try-out, but both asked to be excused.
Dan, by himself, would have gone in for the Navy nine, and doubtless would have made it.
It was Darrin, the cautious, who dissuaded Dalzell.
"Better shy away from athletics, Danny boy, until you've made your academic footing secure," was Dave's advice.
"You didn't talk that way in the High School," argued Dan.
"No; there the athletics were more necessary, if we were to keep in condition.

Here athletics may be regarded as the luxury, which we are not yet entitled.

Here, with the gym work, the fencing, the drills under arms and the boat drills, we're kept in the pink of physical condition without need for special training." "Next year, when we feel absolutely solid in our marks, we can go in for athletics, if we wish, Dan." So Dalzell gave in.

He was beginning to realize that his chum had a "long" head and that his advice was always good.
With the coming of spring the boat drills were resumed in earnest.
Dave, standing well in "grease," now, became captain of one of the boat crews, for he had developed unusual skill in boat handling.
One bright afternoon in the latter part of April, while half of the brigade marched off to instruction on shore, the other half marched down to the docks beyond the seamanship building.
Here the members of the third class embarked in the steam launches each craft representing a war vessel--for fleet drill.
The fourth class men embarked, by crews, in the sailboats.
As each captain gave the order to shove clear of the dock the mainsail was hoisted.

Then each crew captain kept one eye on the watch for the signals of the instructor, who was aboard a boat designated as the flagship.
The sail was downstream.