Page:Dick Hamilton's Steam Yacht.djvu/27

Rh has been burned at the stake. We're all alike, now."

"That is, we're all hungry," added Perkins, with a laugh. "Say, but this is going some; eh, fellows?"

"Talk about a grand spread!" exclaimed Ball. "This puts it all over anything I've been to since my sister had a surprise party."

"Glad you like it," remarked Dick, simply. To do him credit the banquet was really quite an elaborate affair, and he had spared no money to have it just as his cultured taste told him it should be, even if it were an informal affair.

More cadets came piling in, laughing and shouting, until the room was filled.

"Sit down, fellows," invited Dick, and when they were in their chairs he gave orders to the caterer's men to serve the spread. From then on there was heard the clatter of knives, forks and spoons, the rattle of dishes mingling with the talk and laughter of the guests.

"Dick, you've got to make a speech!" shouted Perkins. "Tell us how we won the medal."

"No speeches," mumbled Dick, his mouth half full of roast chicken.

"Speech! Speech! Speech! Speech!" yelled a score of voices. They were not to be denied, and Dick, blushing in spite of his effort to remain cool, stood up.

"All I've got to say is that it was you fellows who won the prize—not me," he said. "I'm proud