From all quarters naval cadets were advancing stealthily upon them.  Something in the very attitude and poise of the young men told the submarine boys that these naval cadets were out for mischief.

“We’re in for it!” breathed Jack, in an undertone.  “We’re in for something real and startling, I reckon.  Fellows, brace up and take your medicine, whatever it is, like men!”

CHAPTER XI:  BUT SOMETHING HAPPENED!

Nor was Jack’s guess in the least wrong.

Even had the submarine boys attempted to bolt they would have found it impossible.  They were surrounded.

The cadets closed quickly in upon them.  There were more than thirty of these budding young naval officers.

It was Cadet Merriam who stepped straight up to Jack, giving him a grotesque and exaggerated salute, as he rumbled out: 

“Good evening, SIR!”

Like a flash Jack Benson comprehended.  These cadets intended fully to even up matters for having been obliged to say “sir” to these very youthful “civilian instructors.”

“Good evening,” Jack smiled.

“You have come to see the camelroorelephant, SIR?”

“We’ve been told that we might have that pleasure,” Jack responded, still smiling.

“Perhaps you may,” retorted Cadet Merriam, “though, first of all, it will be necessary to prove yourselves worthy of the privilege, SIR.”

“Anything within our power,” promised Jack.

“Then, SIR, let me see you all three stand ‘at attention.’”

“At attention” is the rigid attitude taken by a United States soldier or sailor when in the presence of his officers.  Jack had already seen men in that attitude, and did his best to imitate it in smart military manner.  Eph and Hal did likewise.

“No, no, no, you dense blockheads!” uttered Cadet Midshipman Merriam. “’At attention’ upside down—­on your hands!”

The other cadet midshipmen now hemmed in closely about the three.  Jack thought he caught the idea.  He bent over, throwing his feet up in the air and resting on his hands.  Unable to keep his balance, he walked two or three steps.

“I didn’t tell you to walk your post, blockhead!” scowled Mr. Merriam.  “Stand still when at attention.”

Jack tried, but of course made a ludicrous failure of standing still on his hands.  So did Hal and Eph.  The latter, truth to tell, didn’t try very hard, for his freckled temper was coming a bit to the surface.

“You’re the rawest recruits, the worst landlubbers I’ve ever seen,” declared Cadet Midshipman Merriam, with severe dignity.  “Rest, before you try it any further.”

The smile had all but left Jack Benson’s lips, though he tried to keep it there.  Hal Hastings made the most successful attempt at looking wholly unconcerned.  Eph’s face was growing redder every minute.  It is a regrettable fact that Eph was really beginning to want to fight.