The manner in which Mark Merrill had shown himself both a “slugger” and a wrestler in knocking out and giving a fall to Barney Breslin, convinced the corps that there was a latent power in the youth that should not be allowed to lie dormant. He had shown himself a most clever gymnast, but always in a modest way, and when special attention was attracted to him, cadets came to understand that he was as thorough an athlete as he was a student. This became an undisputed fact when the young sailor quietly carried off the prizes from his class one day for feats of strength, and captured the gold badge as the “best-drilled man in his company.” When the warm days of spring came, a swimming match was arranged among a score of “champions,” and Mark entered the contest, while, to the surprise of all, Scott Clemmons went around among his fellows quietly taking wagers in favor of the sailor lad from Maine. The result proved his wisdom, or that he had heard the stories told of the “boy fish,” as the lad had been called at home, for as far as Mark was concerned, it was no race, as he swam nearly half the time under water, rounded the turning stake and came back home at an easy stroke, distancing all the others. Scott Clemmons smiled blandly, and said to his chum, Harbor Driggs: “I told you to go on Merrill.” “Yes, but Ferd Randall was in the race, and----” “He was not in the race with Merrill, as you now know. I tell you the fellow is a wonder in the water, and the surgeon said he must have a double pair of lungs.” “He certainly played with Ferd Randall.” “He did not show what he could do. Why, at home they called him the ‘boy fish.’” “Say, Clemmons,” said Ferd Randall suddenly. “Well?” “I wonder if he’s going to do the same way in his class at examination?” “No, for I am in the class, you know,” was the conceited response. “That’s so, I hadn’t thought of that,” replied Randall, and Clemmons wondered if he was in earnest or sarcastic. CHAPTER XXXII. THE “WATER WIZARD.” Following the swimming races came rowing and sailing matches and the fourth class pair of sculls, and four and eight barges, had the temerity to offer a challenge, open to all. They promptly found acceptances, in other classes, and it was found that Mark Merrill was one of a pair of scullers, and held a seat in the four and eight-oared barges, while he was also matched for an open to all in single sculls. “No need of betting against Merrill in single sculls, for he is a fisherman, you know, and rowed in the surf from boyhood,” said Scott Clemmons with a sneer. “You intend to bet on him, then, Clemmons?” asked Byrd Bascomb. “Of course I do, for I know what the fellow could do in a swimming match, and he is just as good with oars.” The day of the races for the championship came round and the eight-oared barge was ahead, but crowded by its nearest rival, when Mark’s oar snapped, and they were passed.