le night. Three days
later the unfortunate young man's father arrived and had his son
conveyed from Annapolis. It may interest the reader to know that,
two years later, the ex-midshipman fully recovered his reason, and
is now successfully engaged in business.

Spring now rapidly turned into early summer. The baseball squad
had been at work for some time. Both Darrin and Dalzell had been
urged to join.

"Let's go into the nine, if we can make it---and we ought to,"
urged Dan.

"You go ahead, Danny boy, if you're so inclined," replied Dave.

"Aren't you going in?"

"I have decided not to."

"You're a great patriot for the Naval Academy, Davy."

"I'm looking out for myself, I'll admit. I want to graduate as
high in my class as I can, Danny. Yet I'd sacrifice my own desires
if the Naval Academy needed me on the nine. However, I'm not
needed. There are several men on the nine who play ball better
than I but don't let me keep you off the nine, Dan."

"If you stay off I guess I will," replied Dalzell. "If the nine
doesn't need you then it doesn't need me."

"But I thought you wanted to play."

"Not unless you and I could be the battery, David, little giant.
I'd like to catch your pitching, but I don't want to stop any
other fellow's pitching."

So far the nine had gone on without them. Realizing how much
Dan wanted to play with the Navy team in this, their last year,
Dave changed his mind, and both joined. A very creditable showing
was made after their entrance into the nine. That year the Navy
captured more than half the games played, though the Navy was
fated to lose to the Army by a score of four to three. This game
is described in detail in "_Dick Prescott's Fourth Year At West
Point_."

With the approach of graduation time Dave's heart was gladdened
by the arrival in Annapolis of Belle Meade and her mother, who
stopped at the Maryland House. Dave saw them on the only days
when it was possible---that is to say, on Saturdays and Sundays.
He had many glimpses of his sweetheart, however, at other times,
for Belle, filled with the fascination of Naval life, came often
with her mother to watch the outdoor drills.

When Dave saw her at such times, however, he was obliged to act as
though he did not. Not by look or sign could he convey any
intimation that he was doing anything but pay the strictest heed
to duty.

Then came the Saturday before examination. Dave Darrin, released
after dinner, w