CHAPTER IV.
THE "YOUNGSTERS" WHO BECAME "SPOONS ON" It was a most critical moment in the life histories of several young men who had grown to consider themselves as future officers in the United States Navy! Such a man as Midshipman Bender was certain to report any form of hazing he detected.
Now, the usual punishment meted out to hazers at either Annapolis or West Point is dismissal from the service! True, this was not brutal hazing, but merely the light form of the sport known as "running" the new man.
Nevertheless, "all hazing looks alike" to the public, when posted by the newspapers, and the Naval Academy authorities deal severely with even "running." So, for all of the "youngsters," or third class men, who had been conducting the evening's festivities, all the elements of trouble, and perhaps of dismissal, were at hand.
But Dave Darrin had been the first to hear the soft approach of footsteps, and somehow, he had guessed at the meaning of it all.
Just in the fraction of a second before the knock had sounded at the door Dave had made a fine handspring that brought him from his topsy-turvy attitude to a position of standing on his feet.
And, at the same time, he held the washbowl in his hand without having spilled a drop of the water.

Like a flash Dave few across the room, depositing the bowl where it belonged.

With a towel he wiped his hair, then swiftly mopped his face dry.

Hair brush and comb in hand, he turned, saving: "Why, I suppose, gentlemen, Dalzell and myself were very fair athletes in the High School sense of the word.

But it's a long jump from that to aspiring to the Navy football team.