“I shall try hard to pass, Mr. Clemmons, for I came here to fight hard to win my way against all odds that I know are before me. Pardon me for disturbing you. I did not know but that you might wish to see Captain Crane and his boys, and send some word by them.” “No, I do not associate with them at home, you know, and the telegraph and mails will answer my wants.” Mark turned away, for he felt that he could not much longer listen to Scott Clemmons’ insulting words and patronizing manner. “So he offered his friendship simply to blind the commandant, did he? I wondered how he could be guilty of such an act of manliness as he professed; but it was for a purpose, not meant. Well, I know what to expect from him now, and will govern myself accordingly; but I have not forgotten a voice I heard one night before I left home, when a net was set to drown me. I think I shall send Silly Sam a letter by Captain Crane, for the poor fellow is to be trusted, and is keen enough in mind when he has an object in view.” So Mark went on board his schooner to write his letters and give the joyful news to his mother that she could address his letters to: “CADET MIDSHIPMAN MARK MERRILL, U. S. NAVAL ACADEMY ANNAPOLIS, M. D.” CHAPTER XXI. SHAKING HANDS WITH THE PAST. “Well, Master Mark, I congratulate you with all my heart,” said Captain Jasper Crane, when the youth told him that he had stood the first test, and crossed the rubicon of his hopes and fears. The two sons of the skipper also offered their congratulations in their honest way, and the skipper added: “Well, it means we must sail back alone, and that we’ll not see you for many a long day, Master Mark?” “Not until my graduation leave, Captain Crane, unless business may call you to this port or Baltimore some time, when you must surely give me a call.” “You won’t be too proud to wish to see an old coast skipper, then, after you get your brass buttons on?” said the skipper slyly. “If I thought becoming an officer of the navy would change my nature so as to make me forget old friends, captain, I’d go back with you now and stick to the life I have been always leading at home. No, my nature won’t change, I assure you; but I hope the schooner will earn a fair livelihood for you and mother, for I hope to have her run on here with old Peggy some day to see me, as I know she will wish to do.” “I know she will, and I’ll make the schooner pay every dollar she can; but there was a sailor here to see you, Master Mark, and yonder comes a boat, and I guess he’s coming back, for he said he would, as he wished to see you.” Mark turned to the gangway as the boat ran alongside, and called out heartily: “Jack Judson, my sailor friend of B----, how are you?” The sailor grasped the extended hand, and said, warmly: “Well, Master Mark Merrill, and glad to see you again. I recognized you at the helm of the schooner as she ran in, and I never saw a craft better handled. Going to stay in port long, young mate?”