seven o'clock
Midshipmen enjoy these last months of the school year . Out of town friends by the hundreds come to Annapolis , and after drills and on Saturdays and Sundays , the Naval Academy grounds are thronged with pretty girls , each flanked by at least one midshipman , and some by ten . Every afternoon saw the midshipmen at their infantry or artillery drills , marching and executing military movements with precision that betokened much practice ; or if not on the parade grounds the young men were to be seen in the steam launches , or else in the shops . After drill hours till seven o'clock four racing shells were out on the Severn River . The athletic field was sure to be crowded by baseball players ; the tennis-courts always had a waiting list . And far off on the superstructure deck of the `` Nevada , '' unknown and unseen by other midshipmen , were Robert Drake and four classmates , practicing loading and aiming with a six-pounder gun . Day after day this drill went on , always in recreation times .