True Blue: Stirring Stories of Naval Academy Life — page 28: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

—— . - a eee - (alll: mmm ase _ ili 26 TRUE BLUE. “Cadets will be cadets!” “Good!” muttered Clif under his breath. “That's some- thing—it was the De Lawncey crowd. Then, aloud, he added : “They won't long, assaulting peacably inclined citi- zens, “Oh, come now !” “You come! and out with the truth. quick, sharp and unadorned, or you may have a taste of the law you won't fancy!” observed Clif, and his auditor looked pretty bad- ly scared. “Where are the three cadets who julst wore those three suits of clothes?” “Bless me, if I can tell!” What did you assault me for just now ?” Me or them?” propounded the man. “You.” “Because I was hired to.” “Rent yourself out for that measly kind of business, do you?” The man looked-ashamed. “Now then?” “You mean Why did they assault me?” “I don’t know; honor bright, cadet. I don’t! See here, ‘7 don’t look at me that way! What's the harm done ?” “What!” cried Clif, “you don’t call it harm scaring a fellow to death ?” The man gave Clif a puzzling look. “Say,” he half chuckled, “you scairt !” Clif had to smile—it was a rude but graceful compli- ment. “Well, I am pretty curious, at least.” he proceeded. All nght, and I'll squarely confess my share in it.” “Do so.” “As I say, I was only hired.” When ?”’ ~ This morning.” ~ By three cadets ?” “Yes.” ~ What did they want ?” “l run a farm. They wanted me to provide three dis- guises and rig up four masks. I was to help them.’ ~ To do what, did they say ?”