I wish we were going there to-day."
The lads were standing on a rise of ground just in front of the executive building of the Newport, R. I., training station. A long, green lawn sloped down to the water"s edge where a fleet of cutters belonging to the station, swayed idly at their moorings. On beyond, lay the old "Const.i.tution," fully rigged, a handsome craft despite the fact that more than a hundred years had elapsed since she left the hands of her builders. The boys did not know her name, but they did know that she belonged to another age. To the right, lay the "c.u.mberland," a full rigged sailing ship; the "Boxer," a barkentine, and some distance from the latter they saw moored to a wharf the "Reina Mercedes," captured during the war with Spain.
Dan"s eyes lighted up and his face glowed with pleasure.
"Beautiful!" he breathed.
"It might be if I had some breakfast inside of me," answered Sam Hickey.
"We haven"t had a thing to eat since we had that plate of ham and eggs in New York yesterday. I"m hungry enough to eat anything."
The hour was still early, and few of the apprentices of the training school were to be seen on the grounds of the station.
"Then come along. We will see whether we can find some one to direct us."
The lads started on again. As they came abreast of the flagstaff from which floated the Stars and Stripes, Dan halted. Coming to attention he saluted the Flag respectfully.
Sam Hickey grinned, but he did not salute.
"Why do you do that every time?" he questioned.
"Because it is the Flag of our country, Sam. Always salute the Flag whenever you see it. You will find that we shall be expected to do so from this time on."
"You never did that to the Flag in front of the High School at home."
"Perhaps I did not know then," answered Dan, with a smile.
They moved on, gazing about them with the keenest interest. A moment later Dan caught sight of an officer, clad completely in white, approaching them at a brisk pace.
"I"m going to ask him where we should go," said Sam.
"No; let me do that. I am afraid you will make a mess of it," laughed Dan. "Officers are very particular as to how they are addressed. Perhaps I shan"t do it right, but I think I know how it ought to be done."
Sam muttered something that his companion did not catch. In fact, Dan was not listening. His eyes were fixed on the dignified figure approaching them. When within eight or ten paces of the officer Dan halted, raising his right hand in salute as he came to attention.
The salute was answered by the officer, who, noting that the boy wished to speak to him, also halted.
"What is it, my lad?" he demanded in a sharp, incisive tone.
"We are new recruits, sir. Will you kindly direct us where to go?"
"When did you get in?"
"This morning."
"From what station?"
"We enlisted at the recruiting office in South Street, New York, sir."
The officer surveyed them inquiringly for a moment. His examination evidently was satisfying, for he nodded approvingly.
"You will go to the detention barracks first."
"Will you kindly tell me where that is, sir?"
"Follow this walk. The detention barracks is the third building on your left."
"Whom shall we ask for, sir?"
"Inquire for Chief Quartermaster Broder, if you do not see him at once.
He will probably see you first, however. You had better make haste, for the men are about ready for breakfast there."
"Yes, sir; thank you, sir," answered Dan, saluting and moving on.
"My, he"s so full of dignity it"s a wonder he doesn"t explode,"
commented Sam, after they had gone on a few steps.
"He has a right to be dignified," replied Dan.
"How so?"
"He is a captain in the United States Navy. I would rather be that than President of the United States."
"Does he earn as much money as the president does?"
"Oh, no; not by a great many thousand dollars."
"Then me for the presidency," concluded the irrepressible Sam.
"There"s the barracks."
A few minutes later the lads presented themselves at the door of the detention barracks. They were met by an officer wearing the insignia of a chief quartermaster.
"Are you Mr. Broder, sir?" asked Dan.
"Yes; who are you?"
"My name is Dan Davis. My companion is Sam Hickey. We enlisted in New York yesterday. We have come to report for instruction."
"Where are your papers?"
The lad presented them.
After reading the papers, the quartermaster turned on his heel.
"Come with me," he said.
The boys were conducted to a bathroom, where they were directed to disrobe and take a shower bath. After the bath, they were once more examined by a surgeon, who p.r.o.nounced them to be in splendid physical condition.
Sam"s face wore a smile. It was all highly amusing to him, but when the quartermaster finally conducted them to another room, where several uniforms were laid out on a table, the boy began to feel a keener interest.