The clever young leader and his clever companions had every reason to anticipate success, for had they not beaten the hazing 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 valiant sentry-go over him.
Clif was tactician enough to send out scouts among the other cadets to ascertain 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 specimens of hen fruit.
“They think this is a barn-storming troupe, eh?” he said. “Well, we will fool them.”
It was an exceedingly warm evening. A light breeze which had been previously blowing from the northeast, died out entirely by dusk, leaving the old _Monongahela_ rolling sluggishly upon a long heaving swell--the after effect of a gale in some quarter of the ocean.
The “Naval 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 stewards 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 refreshing 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 improvised stage began to fill up.
“To your places, fellows,” ordered Clif, who was acting 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----”
A stamping of feet came from the audience. It was time for the curtain.
At a signal from Clif, the boys at the ropes promptly 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.