Dave Darrin at Vera Cruz | Page 5

like this, doesn't it?"
asked Danny Grin.
"It does, indeed," Dave answered. Then, his bewilderment increasing,
he turned to a marine who stood at a distance of some sixty feet from
where he had halted.
"My man!" Dave called.
Instantly the marine wheeled about. Noting the suit cases, with the
swords strapped to them, the marine recognized these young men in
civilian attire as naval officers. Promptly his hand sought his cap visor
in clean-cut salute, which both young ensigns as promptly returned.
"Be good enough to direct me to the `Long Island,'" Darrin requested.
"Yes, sir," and the marine, stepping closer, led the way past three large
buildings.

"There she is, over there, sir," said the marine, a minute later, pointing.
"Shall I carry your suit cases, sir, to the deck?"
"It won't be necessary, thank you," Darrin replied.
"Very good, sir," and again the marine saluted. Returning the salute, the
two young officers hurried forward. As they strode along, their eyes
feasting on the strong, proud lines of the dreadnought on which they
were to serve, their staunch young hearts swelled with pride. And there,
over the battleship's stern, floated the Flag, which they had taken most
solemn oath to defend with their lives and with their honor, whether at
home, or on the other side of the world.
In both breasts stirred the same emotions of love of country. Just then
neither felt like speaking. They hastened on in silence. Up the
gang-plank they strode. At a word from the officer on deck, two young
sailors, serving as messengers, darted down the plank, saluting, then
relieving the young officers of their suit cases.
Up the gang-plank, and aboard, walked the young ensigns. First the
eyes of Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell sought the Flag. Bringing their
heels together, standing erect, they faced the Stars and Stripes, flying at
the stern, bringing their hands up smartly in salute. The officer of the
deck returned to the youngsters the salute on behalf of the Flag.
Then Darrin and Dalzell approached the officer of the deck.
"I am Ensign Darrin, and I report having come aboard, sir," said Dave.
Dan reported his own arrival in similar terms.
"My name is Trent," replied the officer of the deck, as he extended his
right hand to each, in turn. "I hope you will like all of us; I know we
shall like you."
Then to the messengers Lieutenant Trent gave the order to carry the
suit cases to the rooms assigned to the two new ensigns. Dave and Dan
followed the messengers through a corridor that led past the ward-room.
The messengers halted before the curtained doorways of adjoining

rooms, bags in left hands, their right hands up in salute.
"This is your room, sir," announced the messenger, in the precise tones
of the service, while Dan's messenger indicated the other room.
"Some kind fate must have given us adjoining rooms," laughed Dave,
when he realized that the two doors stood side by side.
As Darrin passed into his new quarters his first glance rested lovingly
on the breech of a huge gun that pierced the armored side of the
dreadnought.
"That's great!" thought the young ensign, jubilantly. "I shall have an
emblem and a constant reminder of my duty to the United States!"
His second glance took in the polished top of a desk, over which hung
an electric light.
There is no door to an officer's room; instead, a curtain hangs in place,
screening the room from outside view. At one side, in the cabin, was
another curtain, this screening the alcove in which lay the berth.
But Darrin did not stop to study his new quarters just then. There was a
duty first to be performed. Opening his suit case, he took out the
trousers and blouse of the blue undress uniform. Into this he changed as
rapidly as he could, after which he brushed his hair before the little
mirror, then put on his cap.
Next he fastened on his sword belt, after which he hung his sword at
his side. An anxious head-to-foot glance followed, and Ensign Darrin
found himself spick and span.
Now he stepped to Dan's door, calling in:
"May I come in, old fellow?"
"I'll be in a strange state of mind if you don't," Danny Grin answered.
Ensign Dalzell was putting the finishing touches to his own rapid toilet.

"I'm going to help myself to your card case," announced Dave, who
already held a card of his own. Adding Dan's to that, Ensign Darrin
stepped to the doorway, glancing quickly about him.
"Sentry!" Dave called.
"Sir!" answered a marine, stepping forward and giving the customary
salute.
"Pass the word for a messenger, sentry!"
"Aye, aye, sir."
In a twinkling the messenger arrived, saluting.
"Take these cards to