The clever young leader and his clever companions had every reason to anticipate success, for had they not beaten the hazing2 third class at its own game many times?
They had caught the spy (one of their own class, more shame to him) sent out by the enemy, and now he was stretched, bound and gagged, in one corner of the stage with little Nanny doing valiant3 sentry-go over him.
Clif was tactician4 enough to send out scouts5 among the other cadets to ascertain6 if there were signs of a plot to break up the entertainment, but all he learned was that a number of the upper cadets had secured certain articles of a vegetable nature, also several ancient specimens7 of hen fruit.
It was an exceedingly warm evening. A light breeze which had been previously11 blowing from the northeast, died out entirely12 by dusk, leaving the old Monongahela rolling sluggishly13 upon a long heaving swell—the after effect of a gale14 in some quarter of the ocean.
The “Naval15 Academy Plebe Troupe” found it very sultry and close on the gun deck, and when the boys donned their heavy costumes they were a very warm set of youngsters indeed.
Shortly before the hour set for the performance one of the wardroom stewards16 came forward with a large wooden pail of lemonade and said it was a present from aft.
The plebes were delighted, and they lost no time in refreshing17 themselves.
“Tell them we are exceedingly obliged,” said Joy, emptying his third glass. “This is great, simply great.”
The man grinned and withdrew. Five minutes later the seats in front of the improvised18 stage began to fill up.
“To your places, fellows,” ordered Clif, who was acting19 as stage manager. “Now, remember, we’ve got a reputation to maintain. The eyes of the—er—whole world are upon us. So behave yourselves and act like—er—like——”
“James Owen O’Connor,” grinned Wallace.
A stamping of feet came from the audience. It was time for the curtain.
At a signal from Clif, the boys at the ropes promptly20 hauled up the canvas exposing to view the expectant audience.
In the front row were the captain and all the officers off duty. Back of them, seated upon benches, chairs, and ditty-boxes were the cadets and part of the crew.
As the curtain rose above the stage a low whistle was heard, and then came a perfect hail of soft potatoes, cabbages and wads of oakum soaked in slush.
But these testimonials from the envious21 upper classmen never reached their intended destination. Clif, with commendable22 foresight23, had provided a second curtain of netting.
The offering of decayed vegetables fell harmlessly to the deck and a wail24 of disappointment came from the throwers.
“This tomfoolery must stop right now,” exclaimed the captain, rising from his chair and addressing the senior classmen. “If you cannot act as gentlemen you can leave this deck.”
He sat down, looking red and indignant.
The nondescript band upon the stage broke out into a tune25 which bore a distant resemblance to the “Star Spangled Banner.” The alleged26 music wound up at last, and Clif rose to his feet.
Those in the audience saw him pass one hand across his forehead in a half-dazed manner. He swayed slightly and was seen to grasp the arm of his chair.
“Captain and officers, and cadets of the Monongahela,” he began, speaking indistinctly, “it gives me—me the greatest pleasure to in—introduce to your favorable consid—consideration this talented ag—ag——”
He turned and glanced at Joy, and that youth, ordinarily solemn and mournful in appearance, broke into a hysterical27 giggle28.
Two members of the audience—Ferguson and Bryce—exchanged glances, and covered their mouths with their hands.
“Glory! it’s working,” whispered the former.
“Just watch the old man,” was Bryce’s reply. “He smells a rat already. This is great.”
Down in front the commander of the Monongahela was eying the stage with a puzzled expression on his face. One or two of the officers were smiling.
Suddenly Nanny began to chuckle9 and hold his sides as if highly amused. He attempted to leave his chair, but toppled over against Trolley29.
“That will do,” shouted Clif, thickly. “We’ll go on with the performish. Ladies an’ gemmen, the firsh number on the pro—gramish will be rendered by the whole troupe. I’m supposed to be Father Nepchune. You all know ’m. He ish patron father of all shailors. Thatsh me. Those pecuyliar-looking animalish at each end are shea-wolves. And in th’ middle on each side—ha! ha! how’s that for Irish bull?—in the middle on each side are supposed to be mortals. Everyday ord’nary mortalish. They came down in m’—my reals—no, my realms, and now they got to amuse me before they go back to the Naval Academy.”
A titter ran through the audience. It quickly grew into a roar, and then the gun deck resounded32 with shouts of laughter, catcalls, and vociferous33 applause.
The captain was plainly growing angry, but he managed to keep his temper.
“Is this part of the show?” he whispered to the first lieutenant34, who sat next to him. “If so, those boys are excellent actors.”
“I can’t make up my mind,” replied the executive officer, watching the stage narrowly. “That youngster, Faraday, is very clever. He’s apt to spring most any kind of surprise. But, as you say, if it’s part of the play——”
He was interrupted by a wild howl. Trolley had suddenly leaped to his feet and was giving a grotesque35 Japanese dance. His eyes were glittering and he giggled36 and yelled incessantly37.
“Go it, Jap!” cried Grat Wallace, clapping his hands. “Let’s show ’em wh—what we can do. Whoop38! we’re the bes’ plebes ever entered the ol’ academy! We’ve licked the third class fellows every round. Whoop! We’ll do ’em up every time.”
An answering shout came from several upper classmen in the audience at this challenge. A small coil of rope, fastened with yarn39, was hurled40 at the stage. It struck the netting, tore a great hole in it, and landed with a thump41 upon Toggles, who was evidently asleep in his chair.
Clif was seen to stagger to his feet and attempt to speak, but the uproar42 was too great. The pandemonium43 was brought to an abrupt30 ending, however, by the captain and first officer, who rose from their chairs and faced the audience.
“Go on deck, all of you,” shouted the former, sternly.
“I’ll court-martial any cadet caught down here within three minutes.”
The order had an immediate44 effect. The deck was cleared in the time specified45, then the officers, including the surgeon, took possession of the stage.
Trolley and a plebe from California had gotten into a fight over in one corner. They were quickly separated. Then the captain turned upon Clif, who was swaying back and forth46 with the greater part of his Neptune47 costume still on him.
“Mr. Faraday, what is the meaning of this?” demanded the commander, authoritatively48. “You are drunk, sir, outrageously49 drunk.”
Something like a startled expression passed over Clif’s face. He rubbed his forehead vaguely50 and muttered:
“Beg your pardon, I guess I—I feel queer. My head is all dizzy.”
“I don’t doubt it!” snapped the first lieutenant. “You have made a beast of yourself. This is intolerable.”
The surgeon placed his head close to Clif’s mouth, examined his pulse and eyes, then reported, briefly52:
“He is certainly under the influence of some strong stimulant53, but I can’t detect any odor of liquor.”
Captain Brookes turned to the executive officer, and said:
“Place all of them under close arrest. See that they do not——”
He was interrupted by a faint knocking under his feet. A couple of planks54 were lifted and Judson Greene, perspiring55 and miserable56, was lifted into view.
The rope and gag removed, he explained that he had been brutally57 set upon by Faraday and the other plebes, and thrown under the stage.
Just as he concluded his doleful tale, the surgeon, who had been poking58 about, discovered the pail which had contained the lemonade. A few cupfuls still remained in the bottom.
“What’s this?” he exclaimed, excitedly. “Hum! traces of chloral, and gin, and beer. Ye gods! what a combination! I must test the devilish mixture. Hum! no wonder the lads went crazy. Captain!”
That officer hastily joined him. Holding the pail at arm’s length, much as if it were a charge of dynamite59, the surgeon continued:
“Here’s the solution to the secret, sir. I can see it plainly. It’s a trick, a dastardly trick to disgrace these poor lads.”
The worthy60 surgeon was not a graduate of the academy, had not been an upper classman, therefore he could feel for the “miserable plebes.”
“You say the lemonade has been drugged?” asked the captain, incredulously.
“Undoubtedly. Just smell this peculiar61 odor. Can’t you trace the characteristic scents62 of gin and chloral?”
The captain could not, but he was willing to believe the surgeon, knowing that he was a very capable man who had made a hobby of drugs and narcotics63.
“If that is true, it certainly alters the case,” he said, reflectively, glancing at the members of the late “Naval Academy Plebe Troupe,” who were either asleep or showing every indication of becoming so, with the exception of Clif.
The latter was evidently making a desperate effort to throw off the effect of the drugs. His eyes were brightening, and he stood erect64.
“Just take them to the sick bay, doctor, and keep them there until morning. I’ll hold a strict investigation65 then,” said Captain Brookes.
Clif attempted to speak, but the kind-hearted officer told him to keep his story until the next day. The “troupe” was escorted by the master-at-arms and assistants to the surgeon’s quarters and a number of the crew placed at work clearing away the stage.
It was some time after pipedown before the excitement died out. Ferguson, Bryce and several others in the secret, discussed the affair rather gloomily. They were not afraid of discovery, as they felt assured neither Clif nor the others concerned would turn informer; but they were disappointed at the outcome of the plot.
Ferguson voiced the sentiments of his companions when he said, with emphasis:
“I wish that confounded sawbones had kept his poky nose out of that pail. If he hadn’t smelled the gin and stuff we’d had Faraday dead to rights. As it is now, they’ll clear him and shelve the affair among the other hazing mysteries.”
And that is just what happened. Captain Brookes held a consultation66 with the executive officer and surgeon; sent for Clif and asked him a few questions, which the lad cleverly evaded67, then the affair was dropped.
The gallant68 commander had passed through the mill himself, so to speak, and he had no intention of pressing the matter. For which all concerned were truly thankful.
For several days, Clif and his fellow-plebes were compelled to endure many sly allusions69 to their escapade.
Upper class cadets would give elaborate imitations of the various stages of intoxication70 on seeing them; and cadet corporals would speak thickly when giving orders.
To all of which Clif would grimly compress his lips and nod his head as if intimating that the war was not yet over.
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1
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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2
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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3
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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4
tactician
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| n. 战术家, 策士 | |
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5
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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6
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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7
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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8
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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9
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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troupe
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| n.剧团，戏班；杂技团；马戏团 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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12
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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13
sluggishly
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| adv.懒惰地；缓慢地 | |
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14
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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15
naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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16
stewards
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| （轮船、飞机等的）乘务员( steward的名词复数 )； （俱乐部、旅馆、工会等的）管理员； （大型活动的）组织者； （私人家中的）管家 | |
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17
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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18
improvised
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| a.即席而作的,即兴的 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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20
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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21
envious
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| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
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22
commendable
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| adj.值得称赞的 | |
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foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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24
wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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26
alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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hysterical
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| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
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giggle
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| n.痴笑，咯咯地笑；v.咯咯地笑着说 | |
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29
trolley
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| n.手推车，台车；无轨电车；有轨电车 | |
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abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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31
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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32
resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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33
vociferous
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| adj.喧哗的，大叫大嚷的 | |
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34
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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grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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giggled
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| v.咯咯地笑( giggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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38
whoop
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| n.大叫，呐喊，喘息声；v.叫喊，喘息 | |
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39
yarn
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| n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事 | |
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40
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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41
thump
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| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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42
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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43
pandemonium
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| n.喧嚣，大混乱 | |
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44
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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45
specified
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| adj.特定的 | |
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46
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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47
Neptune
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| n.海王星 | |
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48
authoritatively
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| 命令式地，有权威地，可信地 | |
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49
outrageously
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| 凶残地； 肆无忌惮地； 令人不能容忍地； 不寻常地 | |
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50
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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51
curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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52
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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53
stimulant
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| n.刺激物，兴奋剂 | |
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54
planks
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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55
perspiring
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| v.出汗，流汗( perspire的现在分词 ) | |
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56
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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57
brutally
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| adv.残忍地，野蛮地，冷酷无情地 | |
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58
poking
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| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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59
dynamite
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| n./vt.(用)炸药(爆破) | |
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60
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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61
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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62
scents
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| n.香水( scent的名词复数 )；气味；（动物的）臭迹；（尤指狗的）嗅觉 | |
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63
narcotics
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| n.麻醉药( narcotic的名词复数 )；毒品；毒 | |
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64
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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65
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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66
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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67
evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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68
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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69
allusions
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| 暗指，间接提到( allusion的名词复数 ) | |
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70
intoxication
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| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
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