"Within a hair's breadth." "Both the new gun sights and the bore sights are pointing at the white stone. The stone is over half a mile away. That means the line of the gun sights is parallel to the axis of the gun, doesn't it?" "It does, indeed," replied Lenn, much pleased with Robert's enthusiastic approval. "Let me see," insisted Peters, pushing Robert away from the breech of the gun. "Gee, but this is splendid," he called out a moment later. "Say, Bob, if you keep this quiet you'll make the gunnery record next June." "Lenn, can we prevent people from seeing these sights?" "Surely. I'll take them down when you leave; it only takes a minute to take them off the gun. I'll keep them in my storeroom when you're not using them; but, Mr. Drake, if you expect to make a good target record you'll have lots of work to do. You'll have to get your crew here day after day, for at least half an hour's drill. I'll be here to help you." "Good. And thank you, Lenn; I'll start to-morrow." And the two midshipmen left the ship. "Now, Pete," said Robert, "we must organize to win the flag. Our company is well represented in all forms of athletics; we have football and baseball stars in it; now you and I and Glassfell and a couple of others will quietly drill with this gun. And at target practice we'll spring a great surprise on everybody. Whom had we better put in the gun's crew with us?" "Well, let's see. There's young Blunt, he's a----" "Don't speak of that fellow to me," interrupted Robert savagely. "Why, Bob, what has he done; why are you so down on him?" inquired Peters, utterly surprised at Robert's vehemence. "I want nothing to do with him. I don't wish to talk about him." "All right, old man, I'll think of some one else. Will see you later." As soon as Robert saw his roommate later in the day, he began eagerly to tell him of his plans. "I'm going out to win the flag, Stone. My company stands as good a chance, better, I believe, than any other company to win it. But I'm going to make sure of it. Now you drill with my company, and what you individually do will count." "Of course. And I'll do all I can. I want you to come out for the crew, Bob; you've pulled in two winning races----" "I can't, Stone; now just listen to what I've done," and Robert told Stonewell of the new six-pounder gun sights and of what he expected to accomplish. "You see I'll not be able to come out for racing shell practice, and besides, you don't need me--my company is well represented in all athletics and if we win at target practice we'll get the flag." Here the door was thrown open and Harry Blunt entered. Robert jumped to his feet, and with flashing eyes and in angry tones asked: "What do you want, sir?"