Nine weeks had passed since the occurrence of the episode related in the last chapter. That graduation day which had made Ralph Osborn’s classmates first classmen, and had seen himself dismissed from the Naval Academy was now a thing long passed and was of no further interest. It is the uncertainty of the immediate future that dominates our thoughts and actions, not the pleasant recollections of a recent past. In moments of relaxation we reminisce and talk of those grand old days of the beautiful long ago, not so much of what happened six months ago. And Bollup and I, and you and Himski, all veteran officers, laugh and talk over those exciting incidents of our midshipman days. They always remain fresh in memory, and the beautiful friendships there formed grow more precious each year.

But it is not only older officers that reminisce; midshipmen as well are great at that, only their “long ago” commences when they were fourth classmen.

“Way back in ninety ——, when I was a youngster,” commenced Bollup, and then he was surprised at an amused laugh from Himski. “What’s the matter, Himski?” he asked his comrade.

“Oh, I was laughing at that ‘way back’ of yours, seeing it was but two years ago when you were on your youngster cruise. But go on, Bol, spin us your yarn; what happened in that ‘way back’ time of only two years ago?”

“Oh, nothing special, but I was just thinking of what good times we used to have with good old Os; and isn’t it strange we never hear from him? He was so happy that last time we saw him, one could not have believed he had just been dismissed. Have you any idea what his address is, Himski?”

“Not the slightest, but I’m sure Os will write. He had something up his sleeve and I’ve imagined he has been waiting for it to materialize. Well, our first class cruise is nearly over; it’s been a fine cruise and I’ve only one regret about it and that is that Os isn’t with us. Here it is nearly the middle of August and next week we start for Annapolis; and two weeks from now we’ll commence our September leave.”

These young men were reminiscing on their “long ago.” They were making their first class practice cruise aboard the battle-ship Texas which was now swinging around her anchor at the mouth of the Thames River, below New London.

It was late Saturday afternoon and the midshipmen, having finished supper, were idling on the starboard side of the deck, near the starboard twelve-inch gun.

“Who went on liberty to-day?” asked Bollup.

“Billy Bacon, Smith, M., Warren, Taylor and quite a lot of others; why?”

“I guess New London isn’t so attractive as it was when we first anchored here. There’s some midshipman coming back in a shore boat; don’t you see that little rowboat pulling over to the ship? There’s a midshipman in blue service uniform in the stern sheets.”

“You’re right, Bol; but I imagine it isn’t a matter of the town being less attractive; probably the midshipman is broke.”

“If he were broke he wouldn’t be hiring a shore boat, would he?” inquired Bollup with convincing disdain. “I tell you the girls of New London aren’t what they used to be. Why, when we were youngsters there was the daisiest set of girls here I ever knew.”

The small boat drew near the gangway. In an idle way Himski, shading his eyes from the setting sun, and only half interested, looked at the small boat and its occupants.

Of a sudden he straightened up, and then breathlessly cried out: “Look, Bol, look! Why man, it’s Os; he’s come back to us.” And forgetting their dignified rank as first classmen Himski and Bollup uttered wild whoops of joy and ran to the quarter-deck like madmen.

Ralph paid the boatman a quarter and then walked up the gangway to the quarter-deck to report.

The officer of the deck happened to be First Classman Creelton. The regular officer of the deck was below at dinner.

“I’ve come to report to the captain, sir,” announced Ralph in a strictly official tone.

“Why, why, what are you doing here?” stammered the utterly bewildered Creelton, while Bollup and Himski, hardly able to control themselves, stood on the side, impatiently waiting for Ralph to finish his reporting.

“That’s none of your business, sir,” said Ralph savagely; “you will please send in word to the captain that First Classman Osborn, first classman, please, is here to report in obedience to orders from the superintendent.”

“The captain is at dinner with some guests, sir,” faltered Creelton, “and gave orders that no reports should be sent to him till after eight o’clock.”

“Very well; I’ll report to him then. And by the way, Mr. Creelton, should you happen to be in correspondence with the friend who took you on a yachting trip last September, you might report to him that I came aboard in your watch. And advise him that if he ever dares to touch me again I have friends that will crush him, him and his crew.”

“Hoorah!” screamed Bollup, unable to stand any more of this. “Bully for you, Os,” and Ralph found himself seized in the arms of Himski and Bollup, and the latter two, shouting and yelling like Indians, rushed him forward. Cheer after cheer from forward greeted the ears of the aghast Creelton, who, not knowing what had happened, and fearful of what might have been discovered, was in a paroxysm of fright.

Ralph had never before appreciated how popular he was. He was actually battered with the enthusiastic hugging he received and his arm was nearly wrenched off. And one of the most delighted of all was Plebe Chappell.

Everybody was wild with joy at seeing the unexpected Osborn with them again, and hundreds of questions were shouted at him.

“Tell us all about it, Os; how did you get back? A midshipman bilged for hazing isn’t eligible to reinstatement. It’s against the laws of Congress. Tell us about it this minute, Os, or I’ll bust,” shouted Bollup.

Ralph was indeed happy at the outburst of joy which his sudden reappearance created. “Give me a chance, fellows, and I’ll tell you all about it,” he cried. “Here, Himski, get upon that carpenter’s bench and read this paper; it explains everything.”

Himski snatched the paper from Ralph’s hand and commenced to read as follows:

Admiral Brown might also have included in his list of titles “and brother-in-law and dear friend of Captain Waddell,” but as Himski read the letter this additional definition of his place in the world did not appear, though wise ones may have a notion, incorrect of course, that these latter unexpressed titles may have had something to do with the alacrity by which Ralph’s case was rushed through the attorney-general’s office.

Judging by the cheers that greeted the reading of the letter it may be safely said they all heartily approved of the attorney-general.

Ralph soon went aft and was directed to enter the captain’s cabin. Here he expected and was prepared to receive a lecture, but was amazed as well as pleased to be most cordially received.

The captain shook hands with him and told him he was glad to see him, and Ralph enjoyed the short talk he had with him. He left the cabin a little after eight, and with some uneasiness saw that the officer of the deck, who was pacing up and down, was none other than his relentless prosecutor, Lieutenant Colton, the judge-advocate of his court martial.

Ralph started to walk by rapidly, but Lieutenant Colton met him with outstretched hand. “By George, Osborn,” he exclaimed, “I can’t express the pleasure I experience in seeing you back with us. I never had such disagreeable duty as that of prosecuting you. I congratulate you; I’m delighted you’re back with us.”

“Why, Mr. Colton,” said Ralph much pleased, “why, I’m surprised; I was afraid you’d be disappointed to see me back.”

“Disappointed! Why, my dear boy, I’m really happy that you’re back!”

“You certainly acted as if you wanted to have me dismissed,” remarked Ralph with some spirit.

“Hum, perhaps I did. But I really wasn’t working for that. You see a judge-advocate always has his own reputation at stake; it wasn’t that I wanted to see you dismissed, but it was vitally necessary that the government’s case against you should be properly presented, that was all.”

“Then you really feel friendly to me, Mr. Colton?”

“Indeed I do. My only disappointment is that you’ll probably get a clean sleeve for your first class year and you ought to have four stripes.”

“Thank you, Mr. Colton; I am so glad the officers are not disappointed that I am back. The captain was awfully kind to me, and when I reported to the superintendent he was like a father. Good-night, sir.”

“Good-night, Osborn. Come up to me some time when I have a mid-watch and we’ll have a talk.”

Ralph quickly settled down to ship’s ways. He was detailed to different duties with the rest of his class just as if he had not missed most of his cruise. But no words of the pen can express the joy he felt at being really a midshipman once more, and of his heartfelt happiness in being with his beloved comrades, Himski and Bollup.

The two weeks aboard the Texas passed swiftly and without special incident, and on August 28th all midshipmen were once more assembled at Annapolis and immediately dispersed to their homes; First Classman Osborn was soon on his way to Toledo, his program being to spend two weeks there and three weeks at Hampden Grove with Bollup.