failed to pass. Yet many of these successful candidates had yet
to take their scholastic examinations over in Academic Hall, and
so did not wait with Dave and Dan, who had now passed in everything.

By eleven there were fully a dozen young men who, like Dave and
Dan, were ready to be sworn in. These were now led to the commandant's
office. Here each signed a paper agreeing to serve in the United
States Navy for a term of eight years, unless sooner legally discharged.
Each also signed a statement to the effect that he took this step
with the full permission of parents or guardian.

Then the commandant of cadets ordered them to form in a line facing
his desk. A notary appeared, who administered to them the oath
of loyalty and obedience. These young men were at last actual
members of the brigade of midshipmen.

Commander Jephson now delivered a short address to the lined-up
dozen. He pointed out where the lines of their duty lay, and
exhorted them to seek their duty and to perform it at all times.
In closing the commandant put emphasis on these words:

"One word more, young gentlemen. Until this moment perhaps all
of you have been wont to look upon yourself as boys. That time
has passed. From the moment that you were sworn into the Navy
of the United State--remember--you became men. All of your
superior officers will now look to you to realize most fully that
you are men--men in word, deed, thought and judgment."

Now another midshipman, a cadet petty officer, appeared and conducted
the new members of the brigade outside.

"Fall in by twos," he directed. "When I give the word, move forward
as well as you can, in the idea of marching."

It was, indeed, a busy hour that followed. The young men were
led before the midshipmen's pay officer, with whom each deposited
the sum of two hundred and sixty-four dollars and ninety-eight
cents. This amount from each new midshipman is required by law.
Of this sum sixty dollars is applied to the purchase of books
needed by the new midshipman. The balance of the sum goes to
pay for uniforms, articles of equipment, etc. From this it would
seem that an absolutely poor boy had no chance to enter the Naval
Academy. It usually happens, however, that, when a very poor
boy is appointed to the Naval Academy, his Congressman, or some
of his friends or fellow townsmen will loan him the money, returnable
after he enters the service as an officer.

In addition to the amount r