The petty officer glanced over the display of clothes, then picking out two suits, handed them to the lads.
"Put these on," he said, "then report to me."
It did not take the boys long to get into their new white uniforms.
"I wish I had a looking gla.s.s," grumbled Sam.
"What for? I can tell you how you look."
"How do I look?"
"Well, barring the freckles, you look as if you might be a jackie some day. But don"t stand there with your shoulders slouched forward. Stand up and act as if you were proud of the uniform you are wearing. Here, we haven"t put on our leggins yet."
"Leggins? Do we wear those things?"
"Yes. Otherwise we shall be dressed just like the sailors on the war ships."
At that moment the quartermaster entered. He stood surveying them critically.
"What shall we do with our citizen clothes?" asked Dan.
"Leave them. I will have them taken care of. Do you wish them sent to your homes?"
"No, sir; it is not necessary. I presume we shall be permitted to take them aboard ship with us when we leave here?"
"That depends upon what ship you join."
"What are we to do now, sir?"
"In the first place I will instruct you about your clothing. These bags here will answer for your trunks. All your belongings will be kept in them," said the quartermaster, exhibiting two canvas bags, about three feet long, and on which the names of the boys had been stamped with a stencil. "Each piece of clothing must be folded neatly, rolled up tightly and secured with a white cotton stop two inches from the end of the roll."
Sam measured off what he thought to be two inches with his fingers.
"The clothes are to be stowed in the bags in layers of three pieces, each layer at right angles to the one below it."
"What"s all that for? Why not stuff them in till the bag"s full?"
interrupted Sam.
The petty officer fixed him with a stern eye.
"Don"t ask unnecessary questions, young man," rebuked the officer, whereat Sam subsided.
"Is there any system, other than what you have spoken of, for stowing the clothes, sir?" questioned Dan respectfully.
"Yes. I"ll explain. Place the blue clothes and cap in the bottom of the bag, white clothes and hats next, small bags, socks and other articles on top. Secure the bag with two turns of the lanyard as close down on the contents as possible-this way. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir; thank you, sir."
"That will be all for the present. Have you had your breakfast?"
"No, sir, and we"re half starved," spoke up Sam Hickey quickly. "I could eat a horse."
"No comments, please. Remember, men, you are now full fledged rookies.
You are in the service of the United States Government and you must remember to conduct yourselves accordingly. I will see that you get further instruction after breakfast."
The bugle was blowing the breakfast call at that moment. The quartermaster conducted the lads outside the building and around into another apartment where a group of white-uniformed young fellows were standing about waiting for the command to seat themselves at the tables.
"Fall to!" commanded the officer.
There followed a rattling of dishes and a sc.r.a.ping of feet as the apprentices seated themselves at the long table, each with a keen zest for his morning meal.
CHAPTER III-WHO THREW THE PIE?
The breakfast consisted of creamed chipped beef, potatoes and hot corn bread, topped off with apple pie.
"This looks good to me," muttered Sam Hickey in a low tone, because out of the corners of his eyes he saw the quartermaster observing him attentively.
After they were well started on the meal, the officer left the room in order that the new boys might get acquainted, which would not be likely as long as he was in the room.
"Hullo, red-head!" greeted an apprentice across the table from Sam.
"What might be your name?"
"It might be "most anything, only it isn"t. I"m Sam Hickey; who are you?"
"Louis Flink. Where you from?"
"Piedmont. Where do you live when you are at home?"
"Pennsylvania."
"Then you must be a Pennsylvania Dutchman. I"ve heard of that kind before, but you"re the first one I ever saw."
There was a t.i.tter at this, and Flink"s dark face flushed.
"Sam, you shouldn"t have said that," warned Dan. "It was not very courteous."
"Neither is he. I don"t like him."
"I"ll lick you for that when we get outside," growled Flink. "You"re too fresh."
Sam was about to make a retort when Dan pinched him sharply.
"Keep still. You will get into trouble."