It was all ludicrously absurd, to see Dave and Dan bending to their tasks as seriously as though they were rowing real craft with actual oars.
One of the visiting plebes was stupid enough to giggle.
"Go over and stand by the window in arrest, mister," ordered Midshipman Hayes.

"You shall be tried later!" Then the "boat race" continued.

It soon proved to be more than absurd; it was decidedly fatiguing.

Both Dave and Dan found that their strained positions, and the motions required of them, made backs and shoulders ache.

Their legs, too, began to suffer from cramp.
It was not until both showed signs of decided weariness that the race was brought to an end.
Then the cadet who had giggled was called forward, ordered to half fill one of the washbowls and to stand on his head in it.
While this was going on there was not a smile from anyone.