: has combined with this publication. The F (300d News continuation of Goop News serials will be i foundinthisnumber. # ww #2 & wo Veceeed ' a eB TWO DISTINGUISHED FRIENDS THE ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D. C., April 6, 1897. Howarb, AINSLEE & Co., Publishers of the Army and Navy Weekly, New York City. Gentlemen:—Such a publication as you propose would certainly be of much benefit to the youth of the country. A knowledge of the history of our country which is replete with glorious deeds of brave and_ patriotic men would serve to inspire them with a love of country and give them examples that they should emulate. The inculcation in the minds and hearts of our youth of love of the flag ought to be in every way encouraged. Let them become strong men physically and mentally that they may serve their country in the hour of need. To that,end | wouid en- courage athletic sports carried on with a manly and magnanimous spirit. Let our boys strive to do all they can to make the name of an American citizen a still prouder title and to be one of the best and most respected. | am, with best wishes for your success, New York City, April 20, 1897. Howarp, AINsLEE & Co., Publishers of the Army and Navy Weekly, New York City. Gentlemen:—Any publication tending to increase the patriotism of our youth is necessarily a good one. We cannot have too much love of country. Upon that foun- dation is based the very existence of the government. To-day, as in all times, the evidence of patriotism is not only in fighting for one’s country, but in upholding the law of the land.. During the revolution the farmer seized his musket and went to. the front; the sailor left his ship and took arms in the naval service. In these times our boys enter the government academies with the expecta- tion that some day they may be called upon to fight for the Republic. The two branches of the service—the Army and Navy—are distinct, but they have a common cause—the defence of the Union. The commissioned officers of the American Navy are taken from the graduates of the Naval Academy. They enter there as boys fresh from home, are taught rigorously and trained with unsparing discipline for six years, and are then commissioned as en- signs in active service. The Naval Academy is a great institution, and a lad gains there not only an education fit- ting him for the naval service but for practical business life, with the addition of manliness and a sense of obedience. The life is simple, and the location of the school an excel- lent one for the purpose. I wish you success in your new venture. fle. a Clits : Qp.b.N" Army and Navy Weekly _A WEEKLY PUBLICATION FOR OUR BOYS: Issued weekly. By subscription, $2.50 per year. Entered as Second-Class Matter at the New York Post Office HOWARD, AINSLEE & CO., 238 William Street; New York. = Editor, - - - ARTHUR SEWALE. July 10, 1897. Vol. T.- Nowa. Price, Five Cents. CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER: * Passing the Examination (Complete story), Ensign Clarke Fitch, U. S. N. Mark Mallory’s Strategem (Complete story), Lieut. Frederick Garrison, U. S. A. A Legacy of Peril (serial), Wiltet| Muncy Graydon : 5 : : ‘ Gilbert the Trapper (Serial), Capt. C. B. Ashley Boys in the Forecastle (Serial), George H. Coomer How He Won (Serial), Brooks McCormick Exercises Which Improve the Figure (Illustrated), Prof. Allison Roberts At Sea in a Torpedo Boat (Sketch), Carlton F. Scott, C. E. Editorial Chat, : : ; : 5 ; : eo : Department Correspondence Column, : : : ; : : : : Department Jokes and Jokelets Column, : ; : : ; s : Department SPECIAL FEATURES! Be Oa L NEXT week’s number of the ARMy AND Navy WEEKLY will be com- menced two departments of general interest to juvenile readers. One will be devoted to stamps and the other to athletic sports and pastimes. Each will be conducted by a writer thoroughly up in his subject. In addition to ® these a page of illustrated jokes will be introduced. PASSING THE EXAMINATION CLIFFORD FARADAY’S SUCCESS Bw, Hrisiogmnmn Clarke Mitch, U. S&. N. CHAP TAR CLIF AND HIS FRIENDS. *‘Shades of Farragut! are you still ‘boning,’ Clif?” ‘fIt looks like it, I guess, Grat.”? “But don’t you know that it is after nine???’ ‘*No odds, my dear boy. ‘To-morrow is examination cay ut Grat Wallace threw himself into a chair and slyly lighted a ciga- rette, the smoke from which he puffed-away from the figure seated at the centre table. The light from a student lamp fell full upon the face of the lat- ter, bringing into view a clear-cut outline almost classic in its con- tour: ; deep brown eyes set wide apart, a high, intelligent forehead, and a crown of crisp curly dark brown hair. The face was handsome as manly beauty goes, and it had withal proofs of a strong nature which could be both firm and kind. An open book of mathematics rested near the elbow, and scat- tered about were divers papers covered with figures. On the other side of the lamp were a couple of pamphlets, one a treatise on sea- manship and the other a green covered volume, grimly official in appearance, and bearing these words: ‘‘Regulations governing the admission of candidates into the U. 9. Naval Academy.’’ The room was one shared in common by Clifford Faraday and Grat Wallace in Mother Sprague’s boarding house in Annapolis. The house, a great frame structure near State Circle was a sort of dormitory- for the boys attending the St. James’ preparatory school for candidates. In Annapolis are two such institutions which, although not officially recognized by the Naval Academy anthorities, yet occupy a much needed position. ‘They are conducted by retired naval off- cers well qualified to prepare candidates for the preliminary exami- nation at the Academy. Clifford Faraday had won the appointment from his Congress- ionalDistrict in Hartford, Conn., ata competitive examination held the previous year and had come to Annapolis to place the finishing touches to his studies. : The sole ambition and crowning aim of his life was to become a commissioned officer in the United States Navy. A _ naval cadet, Archie Bland, a warm personal friend of a whose a ite had ete t ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. saved off the Connecticut coast, had first inspired him with the am- ‘bition. ‘Clifford had worked early and late, studied hard, and defeated a bitter enemy, Judson Greene, in the race for the appointment. It was now the night before the all-important preliminary examina- tion, and his room-mate and chum, Grat Wallace, had returned from a frolic to find him poring over his mathematics. . Grat was a careless happy-go-lucky lad with a handsome, win- ning face and a knack of making friends. He was honest to the core and a firm admirer of his chum. He was generous toa fault, but his careless nature kept him in continual hot water. During Clif’s btief intimacy with him the former had tried to keep him straight, but the task was difficult. Grat had several bad habits, not the least of them being an inordinate fondness for ciga- rettes. ‘hese he would smoke indoors and out, and at all seasons, times and places. It was rumored that he had even forgotten his surroundings in church one morning, and had calmly lighted a cigarette under the very shadow of the pulpit.” ‘he number of packages confiscated by - Clifin sundry places of concealment in the room would have stocked a small tobacco shop. On this evening, after the remarks mentioned at the opening of the chapter, Grat sat quietly for a while and watched Clif jot . down column after,column of figures. Presently his eyes wandered about until they fell upon the book with the green cover and official title. He chuckled and picked it up. “Say, Clif, did you hear what ‘Nanny’ Gote toid Professor a son in class is morning ?’’ he asked. ‘“‘No. Has Nanny been putting his foot in it again : enti Clif, glancing up with a smile. ‘Worse and more of it, ‘The ptofessor was quizzing us on his- tory, and he asked Nanny to name the latest European settlements within the present limits of the United States. And what do you think that absent-minded chump replied ?”’ ‘‘] give it up. Something ridiculous, I suppose.’’ Grat leaned back in his chair and laughed. ‘“He stood up and said—ha! ha! ha!—he said, ‘The latest European settlements within the present limits of the United States are—um !—are Mott Street, Hester Street, and Avenue B.’ Ha! ha! He thought the prof. was talking about the ‘Ginny’ settlements in New York.’? While Clif was laughing, the door opened and two lads entered, one leading the other by the ear in a playful manner. ‘The first, a tall, dark boy with a good-natured face, called out: “Hi, Clif, I’ve brought you the chumpiest chump in Chump- dom. MHere’s Nanny Gote, ready to make his bow and tell you of his new discovery regarding the latest Huropean——”’ “That's mouldy, Toggles,’’ interrupted Grat. ‘‘I’ve told Clif all about it. Come over here, Nanny, and explain yourself.’? “Don’t you mind them, my boy,’’.spoke up Ciif, rising from his seat and patting the fourth member of the party upon the back. _ ‘Don’t let them jolly you a little bit.”’ The lad, who was rather slight and grave for a youth of his age, smiled eratefully. His large dark eyes were turned to Clif with a look of admiration and trustfulness almost doglike in its intensity. ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. Lee ‘They like to have their fun,’’ he said, generously. ‘‘I guess — I did make a bad mistake. When Biofessor Carson asked me that — : oe question I was thinking——”’ ‘*Nit!? interrupted Grat, with. more force than elegance. “You never do that, Nanny. You mean your brain matter was simmering over the edge of the pan.’ ‘ohut wp, Grat, 2 a Chit. And sive Nanny a show to ex- plain. In the meantime I’ll just pee those things where aes will do the least harm.’’ As he uttered the last. ore he made a leap and was in posses- sion of a fresh package of cigarettes which Grat had just brought to light. Despite the other’s tearful protest the pat went the “ey of many previous—out the window. Toggles made a dart out of the room and was heard to scamper down the stairs. He returned a moment later and calmly entered a figure in his note book. ‘*Keep on with the good work, Clif,’’ he said, ‘‘When you have Grateconverted I'll be in possession of an assured income. That makes sixteen packages of coffin-nails I’ve picked up under the window since Sunday. I sell’ oe to that old woman who keeps a tobacco shop around the corner.’ ‘Gee, what a cheek!”’ ce Grat. “°Thats where 1 buy %em. ? ‘*T know that. She and I have a regular endless chain of it. A sort of perpetual motion. She started on twenty packages and she’s got nineteen left. You must have smoked one when Clif wasn’t looking. You buy them, Clif pitches them out of the win- dow, I pick them up and sell them to her, then you buy them , again. You area good thing.”’ He Even Nanny laughed. ‘‘Well, to-morrow is the day of days,’’ remarked Toggles, after a pause. ‘What do you think of your chances, Clif?”? *‘A nice question that,’’ said Grat. ‘‘If any one passes it’ll be Clif. Why, he’s got everything down pat. ‘The prof. said yester-,; day to-a lieutenant who was visiting the school, that Clif was the smartest——”” ‘Belay that,’ interrupted the subject of his words, shying a_ book at his head. ‘‘Let me finish. ‘The prof. said to the lieutenant that Clifford aeesay was the smartest student in ‘skinning’ lessons he’d ever seen. ‘“That’s not so,’? spoke up Nagi. ‘Novelty, “Anything Clif Faraday gets in passing an-exam. will be earned honestly.”’ ‘*Did you ever hear the truth about Judson Greene’s appoint- — ment?’’ asked Grat, searching in his pocket for a stray ‘‘smoke.”? ‘*His father got it from the President for faithful. services rend- ered to the party,’ replied Clif. **Well, it’s a bad job for the Academy that he and Chris Spendly. ate down here. If they pass they’l] demoralize no end of fellows. Last night Judson gave what he calls a ‘high-roller’ at that gin _ shop kept by Portugee Pete. They didn’t doa thing but punish a case of champagne and about ten dollars’ worth of. cigars.’ ‘‘T think his time will be short even if he does pass,’’ said Grat. ‘They have a way here of weeding out objectionable chatacters; you know.” . **T was in the Academy grounds this afternoon, i said Nanny. ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. os ‘“A big cadet hustled up to me and said, ‘Say, souny, are you an appointee?’ I told him yes, and he asked me if I knew Clif Fara- day.’? ‘(Was it Archie Bland?’ asked Clif. “No:I know Archie. ‘This fellow was a rough customer. He tried to give me a scare by his manners. He said that they were waiting for you. That they had heard that you were a h——”? “Nanny !?’ cried all three boys in a breath. ‘‘You were going to swear.”’ “Not much. He said that they had heard you were hot stuf, but they would cool you off before you had been many watches in the Academy. I guess they mean to haze you all fight. ‘Well all get it in the neck,’’ said Grat. ‘Don’t make a mis- take about that.”’ CHAP THR AL THE ANNAPOLIS NAVAL ACADEMY. The sun was not an hour high when Clifford tumbled out of bed the following morning. He refreshed himself with a bath and then took a stroll through the almost deserted streets. On his return to Mother Sprague’s he met Grat. The lad looked more sober than Clif had ever seen him. His face was act- ually mournful. “What's up now, chum?’ asked Cli, eying him curiously. ‘Sick 2)? ‘‘No. Worried.’’ ““Gorry ! is the world coming to an end ?”” ‘(It’s this exam. to-day. It has just occurred to me what it means. I’ve been awake all night thinking of the result if I fail to ass.’ : Grat was remarkably bright in his studies, and Clif smiled when he heard him express anxiety. He was safe to pass. ‘‘T guess you,are borrowing trouble, Grat,’? he said, reassur ingly. “Pm not so certain. Let’s take a walk to the Academy grounds and talk it over. Perhaps the sight of the dear old place will scare away iny fears.’’ Clif eyed his companion again. This was a new side to the lad’s character. Clif had only regarded him as a light and frivolous boy, honest and trustworthy, but with no foundation. The discovery was not displeasing. The two chums walked down the street leading to the Academy gate: The spring air was balmy and joyous. Flowers and foliage were bursting forth in riotous color on every side. Birds chirruped in the trees, and flaunted about intent on their home building. “Now, chum,’’ said Clif, as they passed the sentry at the gate with a friendly néd, ‘‘what’s ailing you ?”’ ‘(Pye got a mother and sisters and a grand old dad at home,’ ‘replied Grat, soberly. ‘‘They are watching and waiting to hear the news, ‘They believe in me and it'll break their faith if not their hearts if 1 fail. Ican’t. I mustn’t. If the worst comes to the worst, I won’t face em again. I’ll go off to sea.’? It was a short walk from the gate to the ecge of the campus. Clif did not reply until they stood out where they could see the stretch of Academy buildings outlined against the northern sky. ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. ‘Chum, I don’t blame you,’? he said, softly. ‘‘Just look at~ this scene. Is it any wonder that cadets and officers, and even visit- ors love the place??? : The two boys stood and feasted their eyes on the lovely pano- rama spread out before them. Extending in front was the broad space of campus intersected with walks silvered with the sun-filtered tracery of leaves. On each side were roadways, rambling hither and yon, and re- vealing beneath arching branches new vistas at every turn. And the trees! The place was thick with them. Noble, wide-spreading monarchs, huge with years and dignity. Their thick green wealth of foliage sereened the walks from the ar- dent sun, and made deep shadowy spots upon the trim, well-kept lawn. Bayward, miles away, was-a background of green, the wood- lands of Kent Island; lifting a barrier of emerald to the tideways of the Chesapeake. In the immediate foreground swept the Severn. River, ruffled with balmy breezes, and bearing upon its surface a whole fleet of small craft. The boys looked toward the right and saw, near the lower gate, the library—a quaint old mansion, for more than > hundred years the residence of Maryland’s colonial and state governors. It was not only the Academy library, but it also contained within its walls a number of trophies and portraits of gallant naval officers and fa- inous frigates. Stretching on either side, between the marine barracks at the southeast and the cadet’s new quarters at the northwest, are the ° chapel, officers’ quarters, and hospital. | Nearer the river front the armory and laboratory flank the steam- engineering building, and. further southward the observatory, museum, seamanship hall, and recitation hall join the old cadet quarters, now used principally as offices and apartments for the bachelor instructors. At right angles to these, and almost in line with the library, the quaint, high-dormered houses, dating from army days when the grounds formed a military reservation, look upon the spick-and- span freshness of the superintendent’s quarters. : Where the Severn meets an inlet from Chesapeake Bay, Wind- mill Point breasts with easy curve the shallow water and catries, behind the gun park at its edge, the old circular fort, now a gym- nasiuin, but once a warlike redoubt bristling with guns primed to meet the foe that never came. Beyond this extends several buildings, then comes the long pier to which is moored the old Santee, faiiliar to every cadet; and sev- eral training ships getting ready for the annual summer cruise. All these Clif and Grat saw, and their hearts beat riotously in their breasts, for they were filled with eager desire to make this -place—this grand old Academy—their home. . _. The rattling of a drum and the brazen notes: of several bugles | burst upon the silent air. Down ‘in front of the marine barracks the marines were turning out for guard mount. : Suddenly from the entrance to cadet quarters came a column of nattily uniformed lads, bound for the Santee. They marched with bodies erect, heads thrown back, and with springy step. - ‘‘We’ll go down and see them pass, *’ suggested Clif. ee The two boys took their stand near the outer walk, and watched — ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. a yearningly as the double files swept by. Clif caught a side glance from one of the cadets, and he smiled. ‘The glance, brief and fleet- ing, meant as plainly as words could tell: ‘‘Tust wait until you are one of us, my dear fellow. ‘There are. mysteries here of which you do not dream.’’ While they waited another company of cadets appeared. ‘There were fully thirty in column and they marched as one man. ‘The cadet officer in charge kept a wary eye upon his command, but he did not see the fourth cadet on the right wink roguishly at Clif and Grat. Cacia Biand is a dandy,”’ whee: Grat, grinning. ‘‘He is in mote scrapes and gets less punishment than any boy in the Academy.”’ ‘*He’s a good fellow, and there’s not a better liked boy in An- napolis. Did you hear about his latest excuse to the commandant: eo ‘“Wasn’t he caught shinning down the lightning-rod at the new quarters??? : ‘Ves, ‘The cadet officer of the day was at the bottom when he reached the ground. Archie slipped right into his arms, but it didn’t phase him a little bit. He tolled up his eyes and egtoped about as if he did not see the officer.’ ‘*What was his game??’ “Sleep walking,’ laughed Clif. ‘‘He fooled him, too. The cadet officer grasped him by the arm and Archie went all of a heap. He acted the part to such perfection that every person was deceived except the commandant. ”’ ‘*What did he say ?”’ “‘Ha!ha! ha! He told Archiethe next morning that he used to walk in his sleep down the same lightning-rod twenty years pre- viens y. He added: ‘The cure I received ought to act in your case,’ and he wrote a recipe on a piece of paper and gave it to Archie. Tt tead: e R Demerits : ; : : IO Restriction (weeks) : ; : : 4 Extra recitations. : : ; : 12 Take as directed. : ‘It won’t have the least effect,’’ grinned Grat. ‘(I’m afraid not. Let’s go to breakfast, it’s past seven, and I’ve got to bone up a little ess ten. We report to the superin- tendent at that hour, you know.’ “Gee! the very thought ae me the shivers. He’s nice enough outside, Pat Ill bet he has ten eyes and a face like a brass image in his office.’ As the boys aoe out the gate, they glanced back, and the same thought was in the mind of each: ‘‘Would they ever tread the same ground in cadet blue ?”’ The answer would be soon forthcoming. CHAPTER Il. CLIF AND HE SUPERINTENDENT. The old bell down in front of the long, Jow pisienie next to Recitation Hall was striking ‘‘four bells,’ the hour of ten, when a long line of bovs entered the Naval Academy oS and walked by twos and threes toward Wee library. ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. A stranger would have concluded from the eager, terse express- ions upon their. faces that something of vital importance was about to take place. And he would not ive been mistaken. They were appointees on their way to interview the superinten- dent prior to the preliminary examination. Chif, Grat, Toggles and Nanny were together, and not far behind them walked ‘Judson Greene and his intimate crony, Chris Spendly. The latter two boys were laughing and talking boastfully as if ‘standing exams.’’ was an every-day occurrence, but there was a certain trace of nervousness in their actions which proclaimed un- - easiness. A number of cadets passed them near the chapel and there was much good-natured bantering. One tall, lanky appointee was made the butt of the majority of the jokes, and he soon became angry. ‘*T say, Jack,’’ called out one of the mischievous lads, ‘‘get me a step-ladder, I want to see if that bean pole is cracked at ‘the top.”? ‘‘T’]] crack you,’’ retorted the lanky youth, angrily. ‘*Don’t take any guif from him,’’ insinuated Judson Greene. “‘Give him an upper cut in the nose. They can’t do anything to you yet; you’re not a cadet.’’ “You are talking pretty swell for a would-be plebe,’’? spoke up a junior, eyeing Judson with no spceial favor. . ‘‘I’ll just remember you, my hearty. If you pass, perhaps you’ll have that freshness salted out of you.” **Tt’ll take more than you to salt me,’’ returned Judson, loudly. -— ‘If you mean hazing, you’ll find that such practices don’t go nowa- days.’? The cadets exchanged glances and more than one laughed sig- nificantly. ‘The appearance of an officer in the door of the library put an end to the affair, and the cadets walked toward their quart- ers. & . ‘Judson Greene is a fool,’’? exclaimed Grat. ‘‘He ought to know better than to antagonize his future comrades like that.’’ ‘‘He will find out his mistake in good time,’’ replied Clif. ‘‘From what I’ve heard of the Academy it won’t be twenty-four hours before every cadet will have him spotted.’ The appointees finally found their way to the outer offices of the ‘superintendent, which are situated in the second story of the library building. ‘They were given seats, as many as could crowd into the room, then the arst on the list was called into the august presence. Clif glanced about the room and would have laughed had he not an equal interest in the proceedings. ‘The faces of his companions in misery reflected all kinds of emotions. The majority were rather pale and some teembled visibly. Jud- son and Chris had lost their swagger and were as uneasy as their neighbors. Nanny seemed in the last stages of palpitating terror, and even Grat looked as if he was chief mourner at the funeral of his own hopes. At last an orderly stepped into the room and called out briskly: ‘©The next on the list is Mr. Clifford Faraday.”’ ‘Here, sir,’’? replied*Clif, springing to his feet. a “Inside, please, »» said the attendant, jerking one thumb MOE the door. Clif obeyed meekly. He found an eldedy officer clad ina en S oe blouse marked with the insignia of a commodore, seated ata desk ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. neat a window. As he stepped into the room, Clif beame cognizant that he was the object of a keen scrutiny. He felt himself looked up and down and all over by a_ pair of shrewd, experienced eyes, and it made him rather uncomfortable. A kindly voice bade him approach, and the feeling passed. __ “Mr, Clifford Faraday from the —— Distict, Hartford, Conn., I believe ?’’ asked the superintendent. “Yes, sit? ‘Won your appointment in a competitive examination, I see.” Ves, sir. =. “(Humph! that’s right. That’s the proper way. The system brings us clever boys—the best in the United States. Let me see; I think I have heard of you, Mr. Faraday. Didn’t you have some- thine to do with the rescuing of one of our cadets last summer ?”’ Clif bowed modestly. The commandant searched through a pigeon-hole in his desk and produced a document. He glanced over it, then looked up at the youth before him with an approving smile. “J recall it now,’? he said, kindly. ‘‘The cadet was Archie Bland of Chicago. ‘This paper states that he was injured during a a sham battle on Foster’s Island, and that he was left behind when the crews sailed through an error. You happened along and saved his life at the risk of yourown. Mr, Faraday, I am glad to welcome you to the Academy, and I sincerely hope you will pass the exami- nation.’’ Clif stepped on air when he left the room. Such praise from an officer of the commandant’s standing and rank was sweet indeed. The orderly told him to report at the hospital for examination before the medical board. He had not walked very far before Grat overtook him. ‘(Fis nibs did not waste much time over me,’’ he said, irrever- ently. ‘‘He said a few words and then motioned me to the door. I was glad to go anyway. Now comes the first ordeal. I guess those © doctors examine you for fair.’’ ‘They are very strict,’? smiled Clif. ‘If they devote much time to each candidate it’ll take them all day to get through with us. They found the outer room of the hospital well filled with wait- ing appointees. Judson Greene and Chris Spendly were among them and they favored Clif with scowls. Clif gave them scant attention. He and Grat speedily became interested in a notice posted upon a bulletin bvard near the door. It gave in detail the various causes of rejection, and read as fol- lows: ‘“‘Candidates will be examined physically by a board composed of three medical officers of the navy at the Naval Academy. Any one of the following conditions will be sufficient to cause the rejec- tion of a candidate, viz. : : ‘‘Beeble constitution, inherited or acquired. ‘Retarded development. ‘Impaired general health. - ‘ ‘“Decided cachexia (depraved condition of the system), diathesis ot predisposition. ‘Any disease, deformity, or result of injury that would impair efficiency; such as: ‘‘Weak or disordered intellect. 10 ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. ‘Cutaneous (skin) or communicable disease. _ _‘‘Unnatural curvature of spine, torticollis (wry-neck) or other deformity. ‘Inefficiency of either of the extremities or large articulations from any cause. ‘‘Epilepsia (fits) or other convulsions within five years, ‘Impaired vision, disease of the organs of vision, imperfect color sense; visual acuteness must“not fall below fifteen-twentieths of th normal in either eye. ‘Impaired hearing, or diseases of the ear. ‘‘Chronic nasal catarrh, or great enlargement of the tonsils. ‘‘Impediment of speech to such an extent as to impair efficiency in the performance of duty. . ‘‘Disease of heart or lungs, or decided indications of liability to cardiac or pulmonary affections. ‘‘Hernia, complete or incomplete. *"Varicose (enlarged) veins. ‘‘Chronic ulcers, ingrowing nails, large bunions, or other de formity of feet. ‘‘Loss of many teeth, or teeth generally unsound. ‘‘Attention will also be paid to the stature of the candidate and — no one manifestly undersized for his age will be received at the Academy. ‘In case of doubt about the physical condition of the candidate, any marked deviation from the usual standard of height or weight will add materially to the consideration for rejection. ‘Five feet will be the minimum height for the candidate.’ ‘‘Whew! when I first read that,’’ grinned Grat, ‘‘I thought I had every one of them. Especially the cachexia and the diathesis.”’ ‘“What’s the last ?”? asked Clif, with a sly smile. “Blamed if know. But 1 had the symptoms all the same. Say, that list is enough to scare any boy.’’ ‘Would be, candidates should consult a doctor before they ask for an appointment. It would save them a lot of trouble, you Know. I knew a fellowin Hartford who was as sound asa dollar apparently. His father got him an appointment and he went all the way to Annapois to find that he wouldn’t do- because his teeth were bad.’’ ‘‘Say, there is one thing I wish for the benefit of the Academy.” ‘*What’s that?’ ‘I hope the doctors will find some cachexia or diathesis about Judson Greene and Chris Spendly.” Clif laughed, and glanced at the two worthies named. He, too, echoed the wish. ; : CHAPTER LV, JUDSON AT HIS OLD TRICKS, When Clif’s turn arrived to enter the inner room, he obeyed the summons with confidence. He had wisely undergone a strict ex- amination in Hartford, and he knew that he was physically perfect. He found the apartment tenanted by three surgeons in naval uniforms, and several attendants. ‘The room was large, well-lighted and fully equipped with modern apparatuses. He was told to strip himself of all his clothes. As he stepped ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. 11 out in front of the examining surgéons an exclamation of ap- proval came from the eldest. ‘‘A promising subject,’’ added another, eying Clif’s chest and biceps. ‘‘Where are you from, youn® man ?’’ ‘‘Hartford, Connecticug, sir.’? ‘‘Humph! I thought you were.a country lad. We don’t often find such material in the cities. You must have taken care of your- self. Member of a gymnasium ?’’ ‘Ves, sir? ‘‘Fond of football and other outdoor sports?’ Clif’s eyes kindled as he replied in the affirmative. He had been captain and full-back of the High Schooleleven forthree years, In the interscholastic matches he had won renown more than once. The three surgeons smiled as they watched him. ‘Tf you pass you will find ample opportunities to cultivate your taste for such sports,’’ remarked the junior surgeon. ‘We won’t waste much time on this candidate,’’ laughed the elder. Nevertheless they gave Clif the strictest examination he had ever undergone. He was tested in every possible manner. He was thumped and compelled to run up and down the apartment until his heart beat a tattoo in his breast, then all three surgeons pounced upon him and listened intently. His throat, eyes and ears were inspected. He was compelled to select different hues of woolen yarns from a number of skeins. He was made to listen to whispers and to stop one ear while a fara- way voice muttered to him. His fingers were stretched and bent; his joints carefully ex- amined, and as a final record the assistants took his height, weight and chest expansion; the color of his eyes, and the location of the marks and scars he had received»during his boyhood. When it was all over he tried to read his sentence in the faces of his examiners, but they were as expressionless asso many wooden Indians. As he left the room, however, he thought he caught a twinkle in the eyes of the younger surgeon. It gave him hope enough to confront Grat and the rest with a careless mien. : “YU bet a dollar you passed with flying colors,’’ exclaimed Grat. ‘‘You wotildn’t look like that otherwise. Say, do they over- haul you fore and aft?” *‘¥es, and from keel to truck, too,’ freplied -Clif.. ‘‘There are three of them, and they don’t doa thing but hold an autopsy over every little defect. You might as well lower your colors now, old boy.”’ ‘Ouit your jollying, Clif,’’ begged Grat. ‘‘I’m in a state of funk, and my heart is going a mile a minute. If those saw- _ bones——”’ ‘*Mr. G. R. Wallace next,’ called out an attendant. ‘‘Oh, Lord, I’m a dead duck,’’ groaned the lad as he moved to watd the door. ‘‘Wait for me, Clif, that’s a good fellow. I want someone to mingle my tears with.’’ He found no occasion to shed any as he was treated with "due -consideration.- He rejoined Clif outside the hospital and the two lads wended their way across the campus toward the wharf. The appointees had been notified that the mental examination would be held in what is known as the ‘‘boat-house,’’ a large, 12 ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. brown painted building situated at the commencement of the long pier jutting out from the eastern corner of the grounds. Clif and Grat, with several others who-had passed the physical examination, among whom wefe Toggles and Nanny, skirted the - band stand to the old Lyceum and warkets gleisurely down the path bordering Seamanship Hall, and the old cadet quarters. ‘“Judson Greene came out as I left the hospital,’’ said Toggles. ‘‘Did he look pleased ?”’ asked Clif, with some eagerness. ‘‘I’m sorry to say that he did. Chris Spendly got a raking over, you know.” “Is that so??? ‘‘Ves, J heard him tell Judson that the doctors criticized his teeth and his general appearance. ‘They warned him that he was smoking and dissipating entirely too much, and that he would be dropped if he kept it up.’’ “Then they didn’t reject him ?’’ ‘No. More’s the pity.’’ “Here they come now,’’ said Nanny, glancing backward. ‘They walk as if they own the place.”’ : Judson and Chris caught up with the others just as they reached the boathouse. Both seemed highly elated, and they swaggered along as if an admiral’s commission were in their grasp. ‘‘Did you see that young fellow from Maine, Chris?’ exclaimed : Judson, producing a silver cigarette case from lis: pocket. “He looked as pale as death when he left the hospital. I guess he failed, ”’ ‘‘Ves, he got it in the neck,’’ replied Spendly. ‘‘He left the grounds at once. There are others who should have taken the same course.”’ Here he cast a glance in Clif’s direction. ‘‘Right you are, my hearty,’’ said*Judson, striking a match and lighting his cigarette. ‘‘There are others, as you say. They may have passed the physical examination, but it's dollars to doughnuts that they’ll trip up on the mental. Have a nail?” Chris declined the proffered cigarette, and placed a cigar be- tween his lips. The boys had stopped in front of the boathouse to wait until they were summoned to the examining rooms which were located in the upper story. Clifford watched Judson and Chris for a moment, then he turned to Grat and said loud enough to be heard by those around him: ‘I think there is a strict rule against smoking in the Academy grounds.’ ‘Tf you meant that remark for me, I’ll thank you to mind your own business,’’ called out Judson, angrily. ‘‘I can smoke if I want to, you don’t pay for them. Andif 1am caught it won’t be your — Tineral.”’ ‘‘No, neither will I be a mourner,’’ retorted Clif, evenly. ‘‘I only made the observation to warn you, but you needn’t take any notice of it, you know.”’ ae won't, ’? spoke up Chris Spendly, with a/-sucet. 7 * Don’t fret about that.’’ : ‘‘Here comes an officer,’’ suddenly whispered Nanny. ‘‘He is. looking at them.”’ A lieutenant was approaching from the Santee, the training- ship moored at the end of the pier. He gave Judson and Chris a © keen glance as he passed. _ pon later he was seen to stop Ae . d ee ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. | 13 say something to.a marine sentry marching back and forth near the gas house. The latter immediately started toward the group of boys in front of the boathouse. Judson and Chris were seized with a panic and instantly disposed of their ‘‘sinokes’’ by tossing them to the ground. Judson’s cigarette fell at Clif’s feet. As it lay with the smoke cutling up in a tiny ribbon, the sentry came to a halt in front of the group. He instantly espied the tell-tale cigarette and confronted Clif with an accusing air. ‘(See here, young fellow,’’ he said, gruffly, ‘‘you’ve been smok- ing here. It’s strictly against the rules and I must take you to the guatd-house. Come along!?’ ent ne CHAPTER V. DOUBTS AND FEARS. ‘Take me to the guard-house?’’ echoed Clif, drawing back to escape the sentry’s hand. ‘‘I guess you have made a mistake.’’ “1 don’t think so,’? was the prompt reply. ‘‘You’ve been smoking, and it’s against the rules. If you are a candidate it’ll go hard with you, young fellow. ‘There are plenty of notices posted about the grounds, and you must have deliberately broken the rule. Come along.’’ “But he was not smoking,’’ spoke up Grat, eagerly. ‘“‘It was ‘that fellow over there. He threw the cigarette in front of my friend here. Isn’t that so, fellows?’ Grat pointed toward Judson, then appealed to Nanny and Tog- gles. Both nodded assent. Judson and Chris, looking rather alarmed, started toward the pier, but a word from the marine stopped them. “Ts that true?’ he asked the former, authoritatively. “TJ don’t know anything about any—any cigarette,’’ stam- mered Judson. ‘‘It must have been someone——”’ “It was you, and you know it,’’ interrupted Grat. ‘Turning to Clif, he added vehemently: ‘Are you going to let them saddle you with it? They are per- fectly willing to see you punished. Why don’t you deny it to the sentry ?”’ Clif was reluctant to see any person in trouble. He had an in- stinctive dislike to the role of tattle-tale, but he had nc intention of suffering for another’s sins, and that other his worst enemy. ‘‘Sentry,’’ he said with dignity, ‘‘to the best of my belief that fellow there is the culprit. But,’’? he added, generously, ‘?”? “I don’t know. I never: thought so, but he certainly did go through those exams in great style. He was the first fellow done with each paper.”’ ‘‘He’ll pass! He’ll pass!’ groaned Wicks, lugubriously. ‘‘But oh, if he does, won’t we get our revenge, though! Whoop! Harry, we’ll make him the sickest plebe that ever struck West Point, just to get square.’? ‘“That’s small comfort for me,’’ laughed Mark. ‘‘For he seems to be awfully studious. I wish I weren’t an alternate. But what is that drumming?’ ‘Drum ?’? echoed Wickes. ‘‘Sure enough! It’s dinner. Come on, Harry.”” And the two turned and dashed up the hill. ‘‘Good-by,’’ shouted Wicks. ‘‘See you later! We've got to be there on time.’ ‘“Good-by,’’? answered Mark; and then he set out to follow slowly. “I’m here!’ he muttered, joyfully, as he gazed up the slope. ‘I’m here at last. But will I stay? Aye, that’s the rub.” oe eae CHAP PER: D1: THE CANDIDATES AT THE FALLS. West Point, as Mark had seen it before, had been tinged with the colors of early autumn. Now it was fresh with the brighter green of spring. For it was nearly the middle of June now, lacking scarcely a week. ' Mark’s heart was beating high as he went up the hill, but not from the exertion of the climb. As he gazed about at the well- remembered picture he felt that this was a moment he had dreamed of for many aday. He had fought for it, too; and now at last it had come. | Near the summit of the bluff the road turned sharply to the left. Mark stopped for a moment to look at a heavy stone building to the north. The Riding Hall, half covered by clinging vines; then quitting the road he followed a footpath up over the smooth 22 ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. grassy terrace to the top; and then once more West Point lay before him! Northward ran a wide road or street, leading out to the parade ground and the cavalry plain. On the left of the street and right before Mark was the Headquarters Building, where he was soon to report. North and beyond it was the little chapel, and to its right the three towered library. On the left hand side the tall, gray- stone Academy building stood out in the sunlight. South of it and just across the road from Mark was the Mess Hall, silent and empty ; but up the broad flight of steps in the centre the open doors were waiting for the crowd that was soon to come. It was dinner-time, and Mark looked up the street expectantly, just as he turned a couple of quick, sharp orders broke the silence, and then a ringing echo of marching feet. The cadets were coming. Mark crossed the road and stood beneath the treés in front of the Mess Hall to wait. A moment later the first file of the battalion shot out from the sally port of the Academy Building, wheeled sharply and came toward him. Line after line, four abreast after them came Company A; nearer, and then past him they swept to the door. In response to the order, *'Column fight!) the line swung round to the steps and there breaking, each man for himself sprang up and vanished into the building. Platoon after platoon they passed him, erect, firmly-stepping . figures in spotless white and gray and gold, The mess hall began to ring with their echoing laughter, and the clatter of chairs and plates; then the great doors swung to and Mark went on, sighing. Once more he had seen the famous West Point Battalion, the object of all his ambition; and once more his heart was throbbing with excitement. Mark had started southward toward Highland Falls. He meant — to stop at a hotel there; the one at the Point was too expensive for him. Ordinarily candidates report at once at the Headquarters Building; but Mark had come a week ahead of time at Wicks Merritt’s invitation, ‘‘so as to look round and get used to things.” He had gone but a few steps when a jingling butcher’s wagon passed him. “Going to the Falls?’ shouted the driver. “‘Hop i” Mark hopped; and a moment later was rattling down the road. “This is better than walking,’’ he remarked. “So I thought,’? responded the other. ‘That's why I asked you. . He was a jolly-looking, fat little man; he was industriously humming a tune, and clucking to his horse between lines. “Von a candidate?’ he inquired, by way of making talke “How did you guess that?’ asked Mark, looking at him in surprise. ‘Tell you a story,’’ said the other, chuckling merrily. ‘“‘A clever story, too—deuced clever! Old farmer came to town—that is New York, you know. Hada green umbrella—git up, Bess—a regular parachute, a yard or two wide: also a carpet bag, cowhide boots, sombrero, and a wife. Newsboys began to shout, teasin’ him, you know, ‘Hi, Rube!’—Git up, Bess. Then the old farmer ‘urned to his’ wife--Samanthy, her mame was. ‘See yere, Samanthy,’ sez he, ‘how d’ye s’pose them boys knowed my name was Rube? That's the story—git up, Bess! See the point?” ‘Partially,’ laughed Mark. ‘‘How do I look like a candidate?” ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. 23 ‘‘Young man, age about seventeen. Looks nervous and over-. studied. Comes up here—June 1—and begins to stare ’round. Now say! How did I know you wete a candidate?” _ **T see,’’ said Mark. ‘‘Ain’t goin’ to school down to the Falls, be you ?”” ‘“School!’? echoed Mark. ‘‘No. Didn’t know there was any.”’ ‘‘ There is, and whole packs 0’ candidates, thirty or forty. ‘They ptepare ’em for the exams. Is this the first time they’ve seen you?”? ‘“The candidates? Yes, of course. Why ??’? ‘‘Reckon they’ll haze you then.’’ | Haze me!’ ‘Sure. They haze all the new ones they catch.’ Mark whistled. ‘‘What do you suppose they’ll do??? he asked. "Oh, put you through all sorts o’ monkey shines and tricks, and then may be dump you into the river.”? ‘*But suppose I won’t let ’em?”? Can teint. The candidate said nothing for a short while; he was calcu- lating. ‘“‘I suppose I'll let the cadets haze me,’’ he thought. . “That’s the custom. But candidates same as myself! No, by George! that’s too much! I’m not afraid of candidates.’ ‘“There’s going to be some fun,’’ he said, aloud, ‘‘if those fel- lows try it on mie.”’ ‘*You’d better be careful,’’ said the other. ‘‘Honest! ‘There are some scrappers down among those boys. There’s a chap from Texas, a cowboy just fresh from a ranch. ‘They call him the Texas Whirlwind. He’s a mighty nice fellow, but don’t you get into trouble with him. Don’t try it.” Mark doubled up his fist and his arm. ‘'Feel that muscle,’’ he said, quietly. The other ‘‘felt,’’ and laughed. ‘“Try it,’’ he said, laconically, and fell to chuckling to himself. By this time the wagon had reached a turn in the road about half way to their destination, the place known as ‘‘Cadet Limits,’? or the end of the Government property beyond which the cadets are forbidden to go. Mark and his companion were chatting merrily, but they stopped with some suddenness as a half-smothered cry reached their ears. Stop! Let me go, Isay! Help!’ It sounded like a woman’s voice, and Mark looked at his com- panion in surprise. “What the deuce was that,’? cried the butcher. ‘‘Git up, Bess,’ he added bringing down his whip upon the horse’s back and causing the animal to break into a gallop. The next moment the wagon swung round a sharp turn and down the road at the foot of the hill a startling scene came into view. There were two figures—one of them a young girl and the other a man in grey. Mark stared at the figure in amazement; it was a cadet! He held the girl roughly by the wrist, and she was struggling to free herself. The cries that the two in the wagon had heard had come from her. The butcher, with an exclamation of surprise and anger, lashed his horse into a run, and almost before the two knew it the wagon was close to them. 24 ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. ‘‘Help me! Help me!’’ screamed the girl, still struggling to free herself. Mark sprang hastily from the wagon, and as he did so the cadet wheeled and faced him. Mark gave an exclamation of surprise as he looked at him; he had seen that cadet before. The young fellow still maintained his grip upon the arm of the - frightened girl, even when he saw Mark in front of him. She had turned her head away in.shame and vexation, and was crying with alarm. (Help mel)” she ced, ‘‘Just let her go,’? commanded Mark, sternly, by way of answer. ‘(Ves, by Jingo,’’ cried the butcher, springing from his wagon with alacrity. ‘‘Yes, by Jingo, and if you don’t 1’ll ask you why. Somebody ought to tear that uniform off you, you big bully.”’ ‘(Mind your own business,’’ retorted the cadet, sullenly. | The butcher seized his whip and was about to use it vigor- ously. As he snapped it behind him, however, the tip caught his horse on the flank, and quick as a wink the horse started and dashed away down the road. The asiver turned in dismay. ‘‘Vou go catch it,’’? said Mark. ‘‘Ill tend to this fellow.”’ And then he turned to the cadet, who still clung to the sobbing girl. He was a big, burly fellow; his face was flushed with anger as he gazed at Mark, for he recognized him. The cadet was the one who had been the leader of a crowd that had tried, rather unsuccessfully, to haze Mark when Mark had been at West Point last. ‘The recollection served to increase his present rage. ‘‘Now let her go.’’ said Mark. ‘‘T won’t,’’ retorted the other. ‘‘I don’t care for you.’’ How it was done he did not quite comprehend. Mark’s fist shot out anda moment later he was sprawling on his back in the road. He sprang to his feet again and glared at Mark angrily; but Mark had Arend) turned to the girl. CHAPTER. TV, THE TEXAS WHIRLWIND. He had scarcely looked at her before; now that he did he observed that she was exceedingly pretty. She was clad in a neat- fitting bicycle suit and her bicycle lay on the road near by. The girl had jet-black hair and eyes, and her cheeks were red with embarrassment as she stammered out her thanks to Mark. ‘(Tl am really very much obliged to you,’’ she said. ‘‘He was— he was horribly rude.”’ “T think he wants to quarrel some more,’’ commented Mark as he glanced at the sullen cadet. . ; “T think I had better go, then,’’ said the girl, in evident. alarm. ‘‘But I want to thank you. Are you a candidate here?’ ‘‘Ves, I am,’’ he answered. ‘Well, I hope you’ll get in,’’? she said. ‘‘I should like to meet you again.’ She gave Mark a smile of gratitude as she turned away. It was a bewitching smile, and it set Mark’s heart throbbing with a rather new sensation. A moment more and the girl had sprung upon her bicycle and disappeared around the turn. ~ ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. 25 Then Mark wheeled, and faced the ‘cadet, who was glaring at him in fury. ‘You shall pay for this,’’ he growled. ‘Tm ready to pay for it now or any time you wish,’’ said Mark, easily. ‘‘You ought to pay for what you’ve done with that uniform.’ ‘You played the hero very well,’’ sneered the other. ‘‘Rescuing impérilled women. Perhaps you wouldn’t have been so ready to try it if you knew her more.”’ “Tf you want to get hit some more,’’ said Mark. ‘‘You just begin to talk about her. If there’s anything wrong I don’t want to know it from you.’’ The other said nothing for a moment; he evidently was not inclined to fight. ‘‘Vou re a fine candidate you are!’’ he exclaimed, at last. ‘‘And you’re a fine cadet,’’ retorted Mark. “Well, you’ll pay for this trick if you’re admitted. You'll be the sickest plebe that ever struck the place.”’ ‘You'll have to show more wit than you did last time you hazed me,’’ laughed Mark, ‘‘but I guess I can stand it, especially if _ they’re all like you.’’ “111 fix that,’ snarled the other ““J’ll settle you.’ ‘‘Doubtless,’’ laughed Mark. ‘‘Practice on women meanwhile.”’ He turned away and strolled off, leaving the cadet behind him. ‘“That’s one enemy,’’ he mused. ‘‘And I suppose when I get up to the Academy that’ll mean war. Still, I'll forget all about that now. ‘Time enough when the time comes. I’ve got the candi- dates to lick meanwhile for exercise.’ A minute or so later he reached ‘‘the Falls,’? a small village about a mile south of the Point. He entered the hotel— ptevens’./? ‘(Want some dinner,’’ he announced, briefly setting down his bag. , ‘‘Candidate?’? was the proprietor’s response. ‘‘Want some dinner,’’ answered Mark, laughing. ‘‘Yes, Ima candidate. ’’ : ‘‘Dinner’s ready now,’’ said the other. ‘*Walk in.”’ Mark entered the dining-room, and glanced about him. ‘There was one table in the room, and two diners at the table. They were boys, both busy; but they glanced up as Mark entered. A thought flashed across Mark and flashed across them at the same instant. ‘‘Candidates!’’? thought our hero, as he sat down. : “‘Candidate,’’? thought the other two, and winking slyly and went on eating. ‘“There’s going to be sport to-night,’ thought they. ‘(There is,’’? thought Mark. There was. ‘(T’]] have some soup,’’ said Mark to the waitress. ‘(And Texas wants some more pie,’’ chimed in one of the two. ‘Texas! Mark started back as he heard the name; then he turned quickly to look. , Texas meanwhile was busily eating. He was about Mark’s age, tall, rather slender and stoop shouldered. He had a pleasant 26 ARMY AND NAVY WHEKLY, face and keen gray eyes that looked as if there might be something back of them. ‘‘So this is the great immortal Texas!’ thought Mark. ‘Well, we’ll»see. And who’s the other chap? He’s quite a character, too.”’ His name was ‘‘Indian,’’ or at least Texas called him that. He was short and rosy, and rather fat. His little nose was turned up in a most un-Indian like fashion. i ‘TL bet he’s fun,’’ mused Mark. eBay, vende. began Indian, in a little round, bubbly voice that sounded as its owne1 looked. ‘Say, Texas, did vou ever get shot ??? Phere times.” -'The fat boy opened his eyes in amazement and alarm. ‘“Heavens! In what place?’ he asked. bexas. 3 ‘ ‘‘Oh, bother! I don’t mean that way. I mean whereabouts in your body.”’ ‘‘Nowhere. Once in the hand, once in the laig, and once in the seat o? my trousers.’’ ‘You try to be so full of fun,’ growled the fat boy. “T was full o’ buckshot then,” laughed Texas, (but ‘twarn? t o’ my tryin.’ ‘“‘All this is evidently meant for me,’’ mused Mark. ‘‘’They want to awe me at the start.’? ‘Texas’ voice was the most interesting thing about him to Mark. It was a regular way-down-South-in-Dixie voice that cannot be imitated or written without caricaturing. Its charm lay in a deep melodious tone with a very pronounced suspicion of the ‘‘darky.”’ This was the first time Mark had ever heard a real downright Southern drawl, and he sat and listened with interest, while Texas fold: stones ‘or 7! tail rabbit.’’ ‘“The last time I was up here,’’ thought Mark, ‘‘I fooled the cadets by pretending I was a candidate when I wasn’t, I think this time I'll pretend not to be just to see their disappointment. I’m going to get into this conversation right now.”’ The talk had come round to West Point somehow. **You fellows are candidates, aren’t you ?’’ said Mark. Texas and the fat boy assented and showed themselves ready to be sociable. ‘‘I wish I were,’’ said Mark (which was true). He could hardly keep a straight face as he watched the other two. There were never two more thoroughly disgusted men on earth. : ‘The deuce!’ cried Indian, the corners of his mouth dropping. ‘“Durn!? said Texas. And then there was silence. ‘Oh, say!’ exclaimed Texas at last. ‘‘I was just feedin’ on the fun that was comin’.”’ ‘‘You were going to haze me??? asked Mark. *“Were we!”’ he groaned. ‘Were we!’’ echoed Indian. ‘‘Oh, were we!’ ‘‘And what were you going to do?”’ ‘“We were going to show you that. Bah!”’ There was a disconsolate silence after that, and during it Mark annelope,’’ and cowboys, and ‘‘a little ole cotton- ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. 27 was doing corisiderable thinking. He had been looking forward to fun when those candidates tried to haze him; he meant that they should try; he was wondering how he could bring it about. He got an idea at last. 5 ‘Ryen though I’m not a candidate I’m half dying to be hazed,’’ | he said. ‘What!’ cried Indian. ‘Why ??’ cried Texas. CTistfor fun.” ‘Wall say naow, stranger!’ It was the Southerner who spoke. “Say, naow! If you want to git hazed, straight, jist all you got to do is jog down to ‘school an’ tell ’em you’re a candidate. If they doan’t haze you, durn if I won’t myself!’’ It was evident that Texas was a little riled. The ‘‘durn foolish- ness’? of a fellow who wanted to be hazed was more than he could stand. But Mark was itching for fun. ‘(How many fellows are there?’ he asked. ‘(Dhirty, an’ every durn one kin fight.”’ “Mhat’s too many,’’ laughed Mark. “Stranger, ’tis! Jist you take my word forit. I tried; an’ I know. I kin clean out some crowds, and some lcan’t. ‘Thirty’s three or fo’ too many.”’ Mark was silent for a moment. “Now, if] had a gun,’’ he began at last, musingly, and then he chanced to look up and catch the Texan’s eye; and he stopped. Texas was staring at him with a curious look. The same idea had dawned upon Mark; and each was thinking and wondering. Then suddenly ‘Texas caught a twinkle in the other’s eye; with a yell, he leaped up and stretched his hand across the table. “Stranger!’’ he cried. /‘‘Will vou doit? Dare you? Air you scar’ t 2!” Mark seized his hand. ‘By thunder!’’ he shouted, ‘‘I will!” And the two did a war dance about the room, friends from that instant. CHAPTER VY. PAVING: AU BLOd, It took Texas just about one minute to drag Mark out of the dining-room, through the hall, and upstairs to his room, the aston- ished Indian puffing along behind. Mark had forgotten all about his dinner; and Texas was chuckling and muttering exclamations to himself. “Say. you fellows!’’ panted Indian. ‘‘What’s all this about?” ‘Test yo’ wait an’see,’’ replied Texas, with a grin. Meanwhile he was hastily trying to unlock the door of his room. Once inside he made a dive for his trunk. ““Git holt the other end o’ that tray. Indian!’’ he roared.’ “Why do you call him Indian?’ asked Mark, curiously. ‘Because he comes from Indianapolis, ’’ responded Texas, diving down into the trunk.”’ The next moment he reappeared, holding in each hand a re- volver. One was a great old-fashioned army pistol; and the other a little pearl-handled twenty-two. Foor Indian shrunk back into the corner. ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. ‘‘How’ll they do?” asked ‘Texas. pee ‘‘First rate,’? said Mark. ‘‘Just what I want.” ‘‘Wait,’’ said the other, coolly. ‘I’ve got some more.”? He lifted up another pair, one a great shining bull-dog revolver | even larger than the first. : “How’s that? Like it, hey? But wait a while and take your pick of the rest.”? ‘Good gracious!’’ laughed Mark. ‘‘Pray how many have you??? Texas answered in an offhand, matter-of-fact way and with not a ghost of a smile. His answer nearly took Mark off his feet. ‘‘Seventeen,’? he said. ‘Seventeen!’ fairly roared Mark. ‘‘Seventeen! Heavens and earth, man, what the deuce do you want with seventeen revolvers??? Oh, they’re handy to have round,” said ‘Texas, solemnly. ‘‘] don’t see what surprises you so. I thought up to a military place like this I might need ’em.”’ ‘‘But you won’t,’? expostulated Mark. ‘I know I haven’t yet, but you can’t tell. I always feel safer on the safe side. Durn if I kin git used, to this Eastern way, anyhow. Don’t it seem funny to you, naow, goin’ roun’ town 'thout a gun. Don’t it?” This from anybody else Mark would have taken for chaff. But he looked into the other’s honest gray eyes and saw there was no joking there. ‘Texas really meant all he said; and the funniest part about him was the earnest way he said it. Two by two he brought out his glittering arsenal and deposited the weapons on the bed. Poor Indian was about ready to run, and Mark could hardly keep from convulsions. ‘Ain't that a little beauty?” began the Southerner, solemnly. “Ain’t it naow, honest? (The ‘‘little beauty’? was about a foot long). It’s many an ole annelope I stopped with this,” He cons tinued, musingly, pulling the trigger affectionately. ‘‘I—I—excuse me please—but I doan’ think I kin let you take this.” ‘‘I can make out with the other sixteen,’’ said Mark. But what on earth are you going to do?” cried Indian. Mark winked slyly and turned toward him. __ “Pll tell you what I’m going to do!’ he muttered, savagely. “Pm going to shoot the crowd dead that tries to haze me! Texas, give me your biggest and load her up! Whoop! I’d like to see the man that can haze me!”? Indian sank down on the bed. ‘And now,’? said Texas, ‘‘let’s be serious. For I must go back to school soon. Let’s arrange things.’? ‘Can you bring the fellows here ?’’ asked Mark. ‘‘Tell you what I’ll do. I'll let on to ’em I’ve got a friend from Texas that says he won’t be hazed. That?ll fetch em a runnin’. There’s nothin’ they like more’n a B. J. candidate. ?? “‘B. J.?’? is West Point dialect for ‘‘fresh.?? Before June ex- plains it. ‘Give me some blanks for the little 22,’’ said Mark. ‘And be sure they are blanks, for I don’t* want to bore holes in the walls.’ Indian breathed again. ‘“They’ll be round about 3,’’ said Texas. ‘‘Put that biggest gun unloaded in the other pocket; and I’ll bet when you draw that theyll run. Golly, what fun!” me ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY 29 “Tt won’t be any fun,’’ chimed in Indian, lugubriously, ‘‘if one of those fellows whangs a poker at your head.” ‘There are two pokers in this room,’? said Mark, quietly. And then the two took their departure. During the next two hours Mark wandered about impatiently, inspecting the candidates’ room and especially the bureau, which was littered with everything from spurs and cartridges to hair brushes and books and shoes. Mark laughed when he compared that room to a cadet camp. He was impatient and anxious; he had felt the two revolvers for the hundredth time, and calcuiated just where he should stand that the sun might shine on them effectively, before at last he heard a noise outside. He sprang up to listen. There were shuffling feet and whispering voices, and Mark’s heart began to thump with excite- ment. It was the hazers! CHAPTER. V1. THE HAZING OF THE HAZERS. Mark ruffled up his hair and turned up his coat collar so as to look ‘‘tough.’’? Then, as there came a knock on the door, he slung his feet up onto the bureau, put a book in front of him and called, ‘Coie int?’ They came. Big boys and small boys, round boys and thin boys, rich boys and poor boys, handsome boys and ugly boys, all in a motley mob that surged in with arush! Mark of course sprang to his feet in surprise; he sprang backward, too, in alarm, but also because the sunlight was in that corner. ‘What in thunder does this mean?’ he cried, indignantly. The room was full by this timé: nobody spoke; all gazed at Mark. At the head of the crowd was a big burly, tough-iooking fellow, and ‘Texas was beside him. ‘The former was evidently the leader. "Candidate !’’ he roared in a voice that ‘‘made’’ Mark jump. ‘Candidate!’ echoed the crowd, staring curiously and grinning. “Oh, I see,’’ said Mark, a sudden light breaking in upon him. ‘You are going to haze me? Well, I refuse to be hazed.” _A toar of laughter greeted this bold announcement. “Let the criminal tell the executioner he tefuses to be killed,’ growled the spokesman. ‘‘Candidate, you do as you’re told!”? “Give him the oath,’’ roared the mob. ‘The oath!” ‘‘Candidate, the oath! Do you solemnly swear by all the odors which emanate from -the decadent carcass of a superannuated rodent——”’ ‘‘Rats!’? said Mark. “B. J.! B. J.!? howled the,crowd. “Shame! Kill him! B. Je candidate!’ ‘ “I told you he was B. J.,’’? remarked Texas, as Mark only laughed. : “B. J. candidate!’ growled the spokesman. ‘“Wipe off that smile.’ “Tf that’s all you want,’’ said Mark, easily, ‘‘I’1l do it.”? “Throw it under the bed!’’ was the next order. 30 ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. Mark threw it. “Now go under and get it!” Texas winked; it was about time to strike. ““T)ve a new one instead,’’ said Mark, laughing to prove it. ‘Candidate!’ shouted the leader. ‘‘Go under the bed and get Go! Go——”’ ‘Vo the deuce lic ‘“Sergeants-at-arms, advance!’ cried the spokesman, angrily. ‘The ‘sergeants’? did advance, three of them, great burly, strapping fellows, the biggest in the crowd. In response to the hazer’s orders they proceeded‘to put Mark under the bed. They might easier have put the bureau under; for Mark broke loose just then. As one of the fellows grasped him by the arm—— ‘““Wow 1)? ¢ : He let out a yell that might have been heard at the Point. He ruffled up his hair and showed his teeth, and then, springing for- ward, still shouting furiously, he seized one of his assailants by the neck and flung him headlong into the crowd. Back went his hands to his hips, out came the huge cow pistol and the little one. Bang! Bang! The two weapons flashed in the smoky sunlight as Mark danced about and howled and fired into the air. Bang! Bang! Wow! Whoop! Texas turned and fled at the first shot, shrieking, and the rest followed like so many panic-stricken sheep. Before Mark could empty the revolver the room was deserted, with only an echo of shouts and hurrying feet, and a cloud of dust to tell what had happened. And then Mark flung himself onto the bed and howled. Texas burst into the room a moment later, and the two did a fandango. “Oh! oh! he shouted. ‘‘They haven’t stopped running yet! Oh! I can’teven cuss.”’ ‘“And now,?? said Mark, ten minutes later when they had half stopped laughing. ‘‘And now I'll tell you something. ’”’ "OWN Hat ar til aan aecandidate.”/ And then they howled some mote. [THE END. | In the next number (5) of the Army and Navy Weekly will be published ‘‘In West Point at Last; or, Mark Mallory’s Triumph, ’’ by Lieutenant Frederick Garrison, U. 5. A. A LEGACY OF PERIL; OR, Leslie Tryon’s Strange Quest. . By WILLIAM MURRAY GRAYDON. : SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. Panl Coureei. a lad of eighteen, wealthy and well-educated, is brought up by his uncle under the name of Leslie Tryon. The uncle dies suddenly while writing a letter explaining to Leslie his real name and the story of his father’s death in America while fighting for his adopted country. The letter states that a mystery exists about the elder Cour- cel’s previous life in France, where he was born, and Leslie is bidden to go to Paris to fathom the mystery, also to ascertain, if possible, if aught can be found of Leslie’s elder brother who had disappeared at the age of five. ANC It was that eventful year in French history, 1793, when the whole empire was torn and While journeying at night in a coach towards Paris, another vehicle overtakes the one in which delay Leslie travels to France. reft with revolution. Leslie is seated. A. disturbance is going on inside and a pistol is fired. We shall be smashed to bits!” “Mon Dieu! they are closing the barrier! CHAPTER IV. A MAN OF MARK. Cm HE struggle in the strange carriage, the 1 | shrill-voiced denunciation, the flash and crack of the fire-arm and then the hoarse cry of fright from the postilion it was light- ning-like sequence of tragic events, and the last was the one that roused Leslie, dazed and horrified as he was, to a sense of his own peril. A great clamor and din rang in his ears as he thrust his head from the window to the right, and he saw instantly what it all meant. A short dis- tance in front, where flashing lights shone on dark forms, a wooden gate had just been swung shut across the road. And straight for this perilous barrier both teams of horses were plunging with the vehicles at their heels. Crash! crash! There was a splitting and rending of beams, and four maddened and agonized horses were down ina heap. Another crash, and the strange car- riage was overturned in the water and mire of the road; from a score of throats came excited yells. Sick at heart, and dazed by the prospect of im- mediate death, Leslie reeled back from the window. He heard the postilions shouting, and knew that they must be trying to check the horses in time. Then, amid a medley of harsh noises, his carriage suddenly lurched, spun partly around on two wheels, and toppled over on its side with tremendous force. Leslie was flung allin a heap, and sprinkled with chips of broken glass. But fortunately he sustained no worse hurt than a few bruises and scratches, and though he was a little stunned and dizzy he lost no time in: wrenching open the door above his head and climbing out of his uncomfortable prison. .Hor a moment he stood ankle-deep in mud, gazing around him with a sense of gratitude for his escape, and of wonder and horror at what he saw. The night was noisy with shouting and running feet, lurid with the waving lights of torches and lanterns. The double accident had happened at the very commencement of the high street of Beauvais, and amid the wreckage of the shattered gate lay the horses of the strange trav- eler, two motionless, and two squirming and neighing with the pain of broken limbs. The carriage was a ruin, several of its wheels being off and the top and side crushed in. The other team had fared better, the postilions having pluckily jerked their horses to one side just before the inevitable collision. The rear steeds were standing quietly, perspiring and trembling, with the harness dangling about them. Of the foremost one lay dead, and it’s mate had galloped unhurt into a neighboring yard. As yet, so brief a time had elapsed since the disas- ter, there was no attempt on the part of the inhabitants of Beauvais to render assistance, Beyond the wrecked gate the street was filled with people, all clamoring and shouting at once. Leslie glanced at them briefly, and then his searching eyes discovered one of the postilions lying still and bleeding in the mud, and the other rue- fully rubbing his knees by the roadside. He was about to approach the former when he heard a voice calling loudly for help behind him, and turning around he saw * After some Just then one of Leslie’s postillions cries out: an arm waving from the capsized vehicle of the strange traveler. f With his eagerness ’whetted by the remembrance of the struggle he had lately witnessed, Leslie hurried at once to the spot, evading one of the kicking horse that lay in the way. ‘‘One moment, monsieur!?’’ tience!’’ At first the broken and misplaced door defied his efforts, but he quickly wrenched it open by main force. Immediately, out of the shattered carriage, there climbed with an air of unconcern a tall, strongly-built man. He seemed to have escaped even a scratch ora bruise, and his clothing, though muchawry, was of the finest—silk stockings, plum-colored breeches, ruffled linen, and coat and waistcoat of black broadcloth. On his bosom was a spattering of blood, but that it was not his own blood Leslie well knew. ‘*Monsieur, [ thank you,’’ he said, looking hard and keenly at the lad, and then making a courtly bow. ‘‘I was on the wrong side of the door, and but for your assistance I should still be a prisoner.’’ ‘*T am glad to have been of serviceto you, sir,’’ Les- lie answered in French. ‘‘I trust. you are not injured?”’ ‘*Not in the least, thank you. I have beenindeed for- tunate. And you? I fear I am _ responsible for your mishap, since my runaway horses evidently started yours in their mad flight.’’ ‘*On the contrary, | am the one to blame,’’ said Les- lie, ‘‘and I scarcely deserve to have escaped so well as yourself. { did not know that your horses were running away, and I urged my postilions to win the race to Beauvais——’’ ‘‘Yes, I see,’’? broke inthe stranger, with an ominous glitter in his eyes. ‘‘So if was a race, monsieur. Well, I do not blame you. It was the fault of the idiot who closed the barrier. We have at least afforded some amusement to the good people of the town—they seem to be gloating over our misfortunes yonder.’’ With that he stepped aside and began to brush and smooth his garments, meanwhile shooting covert glances at the lad. These Leslie detected and understood, and being as yet undecided how to act he was careful to keep his face in shadow and to refrain from turning his eyes on the carriage. But he took advantage of the op- portunity to get a good look at hiscompanion, who was in range of a ray of light from a nearby lamp-post. The stranger was indeed a man of remarkable ap- pearance, and one to be observed among a thousand. His face was smooth-shayen, and in age he might have pea anywhere from sixty to seventy—possibly even older. A man of strong character, evidently, and of good birth. The cut of his chin, the mold of his thin nostrils, the set of his fine mouth—these gave him an expression that was at once proud and aristocratic, handsome and cynical, cruel, relentless and fierce. The ruddy tint of his cheeks unmistakably meant rouge, and his bushy wig of iron-gray hair fitted asthough it was glued tight on. Altogether, he was an individual to be feared and respected. Leslie formed the above shrewd estimate of the trav- eley in the space of a few seconds, aided, perhaps, by the angry words he had heard from the wrecked ecar- riage, and which invested that vehicle with such a he cried. ‘‘Have pa- 39 a ARMY AND NAVY WEEKLY. dread interest for him. And, indeed, asthereader must remember, but little more than a minute had passed since carriages and horses came to grief against the barrier. . Now, just when the lad was about to turn his atten- tion to the dead or unconscious postilion lying in the - mud, the assembled populace of Beauyais concluded that it was time to do something, and acted on that conclusion by swarming with much outcry and confu- _ sion over the debris of the gate. In a moment Leslie and the stranger were surrounded by a curious and ill- natured crowd of ragged peasants, petty shop-keepers, women and children, and brutal-faced citizen-patriots wearing rough red caps and armed with pikes and mus- kets. And it was a sign of the times that sympathy for the accident was merged in savage and ready suspicion. ‘‘Hmigrants!’’ howled the mob. emigrants!?’ ‘‘Killthem!’’ ‘‘Off with their heads!’’ CHAPTER V. THE MYSTERY OF ROGER CLYDE. It was an ominous moment, and the demonstration was so threatening—so unexpected in its hostility—that Leslie’s presence of mind half deserted him, and he glanced anxiously this way and that. in search of a loophole of escape; the. truth is, he was unnerved by what he had recently gone through. The strange trav- eler, however, seemed to be in nowise discomposed or alarmed. Hesurveyed the crowd with a supercilious smile in which contempt was scarcely veiled, and thrust one arm at them. : ‘Stand back, my good people,’’? he drawled loudly. ‘¢Have you no respect for trusty ciitzens of the repub- lic? Do we look like emigrants? And is this the sort of hospitality you are accustomed to show to strangers in misfortune? For shame!’? To Leslie he added: ‘‘Face them boldly. Don’t betray any fear.’’ There was a stir in the crowd, and several voices spoke up for moderation and forbearance. But more voices growled and murmured, and the savage shouts broke out afresh. Weapons were brandished, and a for- ward movement began. Then, just when the danger of bloodshed was most imminent an unshaven, sullen- browed officer: wearing the national uniform elbowed his way through the press; he was followed by two red-capped soldiers with muskets and sabres. ‘¢‘Stand aside!’? he cried, harshly. ‘‘Make room here! ll have no nonsense, remember! Blockheads, is it likely these men are emigrants? Would such dare to venture on French soil in these times? And no matter what they may be, they must be judged before they are condemned.’’ The crowd reluctantly edged away and became com- paratively quiet, and the officer turned to Leslie and his companion. ‘(Who are you?’’? he demanded, sourly. ‘¢Your pa- pers? And what do you mean by smashing the gate yonder?—you will have some pretty damages to pay. ‘Tis seldom travelers are in such haste to reach Paris.’’ “That may be, citizen-officer,’? replied the stranger, but, I for my part, cannot arrive there too soon. And as for the broken gate, 1 beg to be informed why it was thrown shut in front of’ my runaway horses. It was a piece of cursed stupidity, and you see the result——”’ ‘Silence, citizen !’’ snapped the officer, ‘*Do you dare to question the authority of the republic? The gate was closed by my orders—travelers must be stopped at all barriers before they can pass through. And now your papers? Quick, both of you Mee , ; The stranger, with a protesting shrug of his shoul- ders by way of reply, began to leisurely search the pockets of his clothing. He was so long about it that Leslie was first to produce his credentials and hand them tothe guard. The latter opened and read the doc- uments, and his stern and suspicious expression grad- ually relaxed. Gg in i ‘“‘Very good,’? he said, approvingly. Monsieur Leslie Tryon, citizen of the United States of America, bound to Paris on business not harmful to the cause of the republic. Correct and satisfactory !’’ . He returned the passport and the letter addressed to the advocate Verneville, and held out his hand to the other traveler. : S “Your turn, citizen,’’ he said, sharply. The stranger had by this time brought to light a cou- ple of parchments, which he handed with a bow to the officer. ‘(They are cursed _4 “JT heard nothing else,’ the postilion answered sulk--; ‘‘My name is George Barrington,’’ he volunteered. ‘‘T am an Englishman, and am on my way from Lon- don to Paris on business counected with the finances of the French republic. My credentials will explain all, and you will assuredly find no cause for complaint or suspicion.’’ At this there was a murmur of approval from the “ crowd, who were as fickle and changeable as French mobs always are, and the officer’s manner savored of respect as he opened the documents. They were covered with close writing, and he started with the evident de- termination of reading them through. A husb fell, and it was a wierd and impressive scene _that the flickering lamps and torches shone upon—the cordon of savage faces upturned to the drizzling rain, the travelers and their grim guards standing in the mud of the road, the injured horses kicking with pain amid the ruins of the barrier, and in the background the narrow housetops of Beauvais. The dead orstunned postilion had been picked up and taken away, and his more fortunate companion, covered with bruises and mire, was standing with an interested face on the verge of the crowd. In the meantime, while the officer proceeded slowly with his task, Leslie kept watching alternately the shattered carriage of Mr. George Barrington and the inscrutable countenance of that individual himself, And he wondered, with a puzzled and anxious mind, what would be the result of the terrible discovery that must soon be made. “It’s an ugly lookout for some one,’’ the lad re- flected. ‘‘I don’t believe this Mr. George Barrington is an Englishman, or that he is going to Paris on business for the French republic—his papers are likely a blind to cover his real purpose. He must be one of the hated emigrants—a marquis who has ventured back to France in disguise. Yes, I am sure of it. That awful denuncia- tion from the carriage was a clear proof—‘I know you, marquis!—I know you and denounce you! The ax awaits your neck!’ I can never forget the voice and the words, the scream and the pistol-shot.’’ if fearfully at the over- Leslie shivered, and glanced turned vehicle. ; ‘‘Tt’s deep,’’? he went on to himself, ‘‘but one thing seems clear. The man who cried out was murdered by this’George Barrington. He must have been traveling with him, and accidentally recognized Barrington as the marquis. Then they fought, and the denouncer— he was a Frenchman, for he spoke in that tongue—was shot to death. Well, I can’t blamé Barrington, and I’m not going te make things worse for him than they will be when the body is found. If he really isa French noble, and I tell what I heard, it will end in his neck going under the guillotine. He is a cool and brave man, andif my silence will help him—— Ah, but what about the postilion yonder? Could he too have heard the shout?) No, I don’t so. He was several yards in front, and all his attention was given to checking the horses. And, besides, if he had heard he would have denounced the traveler before this. But how can the man explain the tragedy? It’s amazing how calmly he bears himself——’’ Just then the officer finished reading, the parchments, and folding them up he gave them back to the owner, ‘‘Quite correct,’’ he said. ‘‘ Your credentials are be- yond dispute. You may goon your way, Citizen Bar- rington, and may your mission prosper to the good of the republic!” ‘*But one moment, citizen-officer,’’ cried an eager voice. ‘‘I have a word to say.?’ There was a stir, and the bedraggled postilion limped forward from the crowd. ‘‘Search this traveler’s carriage, and you will find a dead body,’’ he added’shrilly. ‘‘There were two men in the vehicle, and just before the crash I saw _them struggling. Then I heard a scream and a pistol shot. It may be all right, but it has a queer look. And where were the traveler’s postilions?,’ A hoarse murmur came from, the crowd, Officer turned to the accused man. ‘