“I—I thought——”
“What’s that? Thought? How dare you think? Shade of Farragut! What’s the service coming to? A confounded measly plebe—a worm of a function—thinking! It’s dreadful to contemplate1.”
“Please, sir, I didn’t mean——”
“You didn’t mean? Why didn’t you mean? Say, is it possible you say things without meaning them? Then you don’t tell the truth. Ergo—you can’t be trusted. A pretty naval2 officer you will make. I’ll just mark you down for report to the commanding officer.”
And Cadet Corporal Sharpe made an elaborate flourish of his pencil as he pretended to enter the item in his notebook.
“Did you ever hear the beat of that, Trolley4?” whispered Clif. “It’s simply outrageous5, the way Sharpe is carrying on. What does he take us for, a lot of dummies6? I think we’ll have to give him and the rest another lesson in manners.”
“I think so very much, Clif,” replied Trolley, in the same tone. “He what you call one dead-sure crank, eh? He bluffer7 from—from——”
“Bluffersville,” prompted Joy.
“Yes, him from Blufftown, eh? Him get a curve off him.”
There was a smile at this attempt of the Japanese youth to use American slang—a smile that was observed and sternly checked by the corporal.
“What’s that,” he exclaimed, sarcastically8. “Grinning during drill? Mean it as an insult to the service, I suppose.”
“Not exactly,” mildly replied Clif.
“Who told you to speak, Mr. Faraday. How dare you make remarks. Want to get swamped with demerits before this practice cruise of the Monongahela is over, I suppose. You haven’t nerve enough to run away, and you are afraid to resign, so you think you will misbehave yourself and get fired. I’m on to your little game, and, by Jupiter! I’ll help you.”
Out came the book, and the pencil was placed in action once more. As he closed his little book with a snap, he added:
“That means ten demerits at the very least. I see your finish, Mr. Faraday.”
Clif coolly shrugged9 his shoulders and glanced across the deck toward another group of plebes that was likewise being hazed10 by a cadet officer.
It was drill hour in the morning watch on board the Monongahela. The vessel11 was still anchored near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. It was considered necessary to allow the three classes on board to become accustomed to their new surroundings before venturing to sea, and for that reason progress was slow.
Cadet Corporal Sharpe, in charge of Clif and his chums was an expert “plebe deviler.” He had been known to drive timid and credulous12 plebes to resign in desperation. And he had driven new fourth class men with more backbone13, to open revolt, which ultimately resulted in divers14 demerits for the said “mutineers.” All this to the unbounded satisfaction and joy of the hazer and his cronies.
That morning when orders were given to teach the plebe class the various ropes and their uses, Corporal Sharpe was assigned to the group composed of Clif, Trolley, Toggles, Joy, Nanny Gote, Chris Spendly, and Judson Greene.
The two last were not chums of Clif. In fact, they hated him most cordially, and, since their entrance into the academy, had tried in many underhand ways to “down” him.
Each attempt had resulted in their own discomfiture15, and of late they had kept rather quiet. Fate had placed them in the same squad16 with Clif this day, and they were eager to see if he would get into trouble with the cadet corporal.
From the appearance of affairs at the commencement of the lesson it certainly seemed that their desires would be gratified. Clif viewed with displeasure the young officer’s deviling of Nanny, as the little lad was an especial favorite of his.
The morning lesson was to consist of instruction in the different running ropes. At the very outset Cadet Corporal Sharpe had held up a manilla line leading aloft amid a perfect maze17 of others and had sharply demanded of Nanny its name.
The lad hazarded a guess and was immediately pounced18 upon as outlined at the commencement of this chapter. After noting down Clif’s offense19 in his book, the corporal proceeded with the lesson. And it was evident from his air of complacent20 satisfaction that he thoroughly21 enjoyed the situation.
He took Clif in hand.
“You have put on more airs than an admiral since the academy was unfortunate enough to admit you,” he snarled22, “and it’s about time you found out that you do not run the whole show. You have raised the Old Nick in your own estimation, and, simply because you and your gang came out ahead in hazing23 once or twice you think you can do as you please. What’s that—talking back to a superior officer, eh?”
Out came the book once more. Making an entry, the corporal restored it to his pocket.
Clif had not spoken, but that fact made little difference. The hazer was out for trouble.
Those standing near Clif saw two round, red spots appear upon his cheeks, but he was still apparently25 cool.
Trolley and Toggles looked their disgust, but they had too wholesome26 a respect for discipline to interfere27.
Little Nanny—he was barely within the limits of size at the entrance examination—seemed troubled and excited. He was not a lad of very strong character, but he had one attribute, and that was faithful affection.
He liked Clif exceedingly. He admired him for his manliness28, and looked upon him as ideal in every particular. His friendship for the sturdy plebe was that of the faithful dog for his master.
Now, while the cadet corporal was doing his utmost to provoke Clif into some breach29 of discipline, Nanny watched and listened with a growing purpose in his heart.
Cadet Corporal Sharpe finally exhausted30 his vocabulary of invectives, and was forced to resume the instruction. The group was gathered about the forward pin rail to which a portion of the running rigging leads.
The young non-commissioned officer knew his business, however overbearing and tyrannical he might be. The maze of ropes leading here and there was not a maze to him.
“This is the fore-to-’gallant halliards. What is it’s use, sir?”
“Humph! it’s a wonder you knew that. Who told you? Where did you read it? Humph! I guess you don’t know much more. Now, what’s this?”
He touched a thin manilla rope apparently twisted with several others. Clif looked aloft trying to follow it with his eye.
Greene and Spendly exchanged grins. Clif’s face reddened slightly, and a peculiar34 smile, ominous35 and dangerous, crossed his lips.
“I must confess I do not recognize it,” he began. “But I think——”
“Think!” Corporal Sharpe cried. “We want no thinking here. You confess, eh? Why don’t you confess the truth—that you are a dunce, a blamed idiot. A——”
There was a startling interruption.
Before he could finish the sentence Nanny sprang from the group and flung himself upon the young officer. There was a sharp clasp, a second blow, then the corporal staggered back with his assailant clinging to his throat.
The sudden attack was conceived and made in the twinkling of an eye. It was a complete surprise to Cadet Corporal Sharpe and to all who witnessed it. Clif and his friends stared in open-mouthed wonder for a moment, then the former sprang forward to separate the two.
By that time, however, the cadet corporal, who was much stronger than Nanny, had shaken him off. Sharpe was white with rage.
He drew back his clinched37 fist to strike the younger lad, but his wrist was grasped firmly, and a cool voice said:
“Don’t touch him, sir. If he is to be punished, let the proper persons attend to it.”
“Mind your own business, Faraday,” snapped Sharpe, jerking his wrist from Clif’s grasp. “I’ll have you soaked for interfering38. As for that crazy plebe, he’ll be fired for this.”
Just then the officer of the deck and Lieutenant39 Watson, the executive officer, who had been attracted by the commotion40, came hurrying forward.
Nanny, who seemed in a daze41, caught sight of them. Fear for his rash action and a vague idea of the punishment he had incurred42, sent the color from his cheeks.
“Hi! Stop!” called out the first lieutenant.
“Catch him, some one,” ordered the officer of the deck.
A rush was made after the lad, in which both Spendly and Judson Greene took active part, but they were a second too late.
Nanny’s lack of experience was more than overbalanced by his fear, and he flew up the ratlines like a reefer.
The pursuers were on the point of crowding into the rigging when a stern command came from Lieutenant Watson.
“It is a new fourth class man, sir. His name is Gote, Mr. Nanny Gote, sir.”
As “Nanny” was simply a nickname given the lad by the cadets, this method of putting it provoked a laugh among the spectators. But Lieutenant Watson quickly checked it.
“This is no variety show,” he exclaimed. “I want to know the meaning of this disgraceful scene. What is that cadet doing up there?”
“He ran away, sir.”
“Why?”
“Afraid of what?”
Only small persons in this world—small in nature—bully those under them. Corporal Sharpe was possessed46 of an extremely small and narrow spirit, and he delighted in showing his petty authority and in doing his utmost to make life unpleasant for those over whom he could exercise his will.
His reputation as a “plebe hazer” was well established among the cadets themselves, but it had not reached the ears of his superior officers. He knew that, and he lost no time in taking advantage of the fact.
“I’ll tell you all about it, sir,” he said, boldly. “I was giving this squad of plebes—er—new fourth class men instructions in seamanship when Mr. Gote, not liking47 a rebuke48 caused by his own inattention, made an entirely49 unprovoked assault on me.”
A murmur50, faint but distinct, ran through the group of plebes, and Clif stepped forward as if with the intention of speaking. Before he could commence, Sharpe pointed51 him out, and added, triumphantly52: “And that cadet helped him, sir. His name is Mr. Faraday, and he is as guilty as the other.”
The speaker glanced toward Judson Greene and Chris Spendly as if seeking confirmation53. Their hatred54 of Clif was an old story to the cadets of the Naval Academy. He was not disappointed in his anticipations55.
“That’s right,” said Greene, audibly.
“Do you mean to tell me they actually attacked you while you were on duty over them?” exclaimed the executive officer, in amazement56.
“Yes, sir. And it was entirely unprovoked,” glibly57 replied Corporal Sharpe. “They are troublesome pupils, sir. This isn’t the first time they have broken the rules.”
“Nor is it the first time you have told a deliberate lie, Cadet Corporal Sharpe!”
The words came like the snap of a whip from Clif’s lips. Stepping forward, he placed himself directly before the young non-commissioned officer.
His face was calm, but a peculiar, mirthless smile hovered58 about the corners of his mouth. It was a smile known to his intimate friends as a certain indication of strong emotion.
“What is that, sir?” cried the executive officer. “How dare you give the lie to a superior officer? Lieutenant Masters, place him under arrest, and notify the captain!”
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收听单词发音
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1
contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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3
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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trolley
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| n.手推车，台车；无轨电车；有轨电车 | |
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5
outrageous
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| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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6
dummies
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| n.仿制品( dummy的名词复数 )；橡皮奶头；笨蛋；假传球 | |
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7
bluffer
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| n.用假像骗人的人 | |
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sarcastically
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| adv.挖苦地，讽刺地 | |
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9
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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10
hazed
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| v.（使）笼罩在薄雾中( haze的过去式和过去分词 )；戏弄，欺凌（新生等，有时作为加入美国大学生联谊会的条件） | |
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11
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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12
credulous
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| adj.轻信的，易信的 | |
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13
backbone
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| n.脊骨，脊柱，骨干；刚毅，骨气 | |
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divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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15
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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16
squad
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| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
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maze
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| n.迷宫，八阵图，混乱，迷惑 | |
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18
pounced
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| v.突然袭击( pounce的过去式和过去分词 )；猛扑；一眼看出；抓住机会（进行抨击） | |
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19
offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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20
complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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21
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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22
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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23
hazing
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| n.受辱，被欺侮v.（使）笼罩在薄雾中( haze的现在分词 )；戏弄，欺凌（新生等，有时作为加入美国大学生联谊会的条件） | |
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24
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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25
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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26
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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27
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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28
manliness
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| 刚毅 | |
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29
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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30
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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31
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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32
hoist
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| n.升高，起重机，推动；v.升起，升高，举起 | |
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33
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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34
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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36
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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37
clinched
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| v.（尤指两人）互相紧紧抱[扭]住( clinch的过去式和过去分词 )；解决（争端、交易），达成（协议） | |
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38
interfering
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| adj. 妨碍的 动词interfere的现在分词 | |
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39
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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40
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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41
daze
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| v.(使)茫然，(使)发昏 | |
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42
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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43
shrouds
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| n.裹尸布( shroud的名词复数 )；寿衣；遮蔽物；覆盖物v.隐瞒( shroud的第三人称单数 )；保密 | |
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44
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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45
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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47
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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48
rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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49
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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50
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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51
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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52
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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53
confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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54
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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55
anticipations
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| 预期( anticipation的名词复数 )； 预测； （信托财产收益的）预支； 预期的事物 | |
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56
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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57
glibly
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| adv.流利地，流畅地；满口 | |
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58
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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