True Blue: Stirring Stories of Naval Academy Life — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

> TRUE BLUE. Both were superbly mounted, approaching the end of a “through by twilight” dash from the institution in ques-"_ tion. their destination was the banks of thé Paturent river. where the fourth Class, just landed from a practice ship cruise, was making camp. \ oices, a vague radiance as of a lantern, Clif had taken in through a screen of vines at the: side of the dusk- haunted bridle path they were pursuing. Hannibal, slightly in advance, had witnessed something more clearly,-however, it was evident. With a shocked cry of affright he had crouched low in the saddle; lifted his whip,«slashed the horse into action with a spring. the voices were promptly hushed, the light obliterated. Clif did notlinger to investigate why. Hannibal had bolted as if, indeed, “horned demons” were pursuing him. Losing all control of himself. and his steed, he had scared the latter into runaway frenzy. “Stop, I tell you!” commanded Clif. urging up. ~“Cawn t—now!” quavered Hannibal a ying streak, whip and bridle dropped, both arms clasped about the ani- mals neck. ihe naval cadet—a skilled horseman—gave his splen- did steed a guiding spur—it gained to the flanks of its leader. \ second masterly admonition brought the two animals fairly abreast. ire Clif could reach out and seize the dangling bridle of the atfrighted runaway, however. it veered. sprang aside with a snort, made a wheel and came to a halt abreast a tinck wall of saplings, but riderless \ circling human rocket, Hannibal had been torn loose irom neck and mane. \ sort of whistling moan accompanied his parabola Curye through the air. then with a very fair imitation. of the exploding “plunk!” of a real rocket, he landed. set down in a nest, of soft marsh mud as neatly as if aimed for it purposely. “W hoof !” was - knocked out of him in a frantic gasp. Clif momentarily left him rubbing his kinky wool in a dazed, uncertain way. :