The Brighton Boys in the Radio Service | Page 5

little deeper and
drew himself up a little straighter at the thought.
We will not trace Joe, Jerry and Slim through their initial instruction,
for it had lasted less than an hour, when an orderly hastily entered the
room, saluted the officer who was acting as instructor, and then talked
to him for a moment in an undertone.
The officer's countenance underwent a curious change. Finally he
turned toward the youths before him.
"Are there any men here who are already telegraphers?" he asked.

Instantly Joe, Jerry, and two others arose, while Slim tried to, but had
great difficulty getting himself out of the small, school-child's sort of
desk at which he was seated. Finally he managed it by sliding out
sidewise, the way he had entered, instead of attempting a direct upward
rise.
"How many of you can use the international code?" the officer
continued.
Thanks to good old Burton, Joe, Jerry and Slim were as familiar with
that as they were with the Morse American code. The other two men
resumed their seats. Sergeant Martin had entered the room. Apparently
he was not at all displeased to find the three polite young men whom he
had addressed earlier in the day, now able to show greater capabilities
than the other men in the detachment.
"You are excused from further instruction here at this time," the officer
announced to the trio. "You will accompany Sergeant Martin for
further orders."
And they hurried from the room with the non-com., who they
instinctively knew was their friend.
What was this new experience that lay before them? They were not
long in learning, and the information almost carried them beyond the
restraints of good discipline and to the indulgence in three ripping good
cheers.
Sergeant Martin could be a hard taskmaster when it was necessary to be
so, but, like the headmaster of Brighton, he did not believe in needless
red tape, nor did he delude himself that the stripes upon his sleeve
made him a better man--except in official authority--than the one who
wore none at all. He realized the curiosity that must be consuming the
three lads, and he was not averse to satisfying it.
"Selected for service aboard a transport bound for Europe," he
announced briefly.

"Thank you, sir," said Joe, not entirely able to control the happiness in
his voice, while Slim's excess stomach almost entirely disappeared in
the abnormal expansion of his chest. Jerry could find no other dignified
way of expressing his great pleasure than by quietly poking Slim under
the ribs, to the entire undoing of that young man's military attitude.
"Do we go at once, sir?" inquired Joe deferentially.
"Probably to-morrow evening," said Sergeant Martin, as they arrived at
the building housing the captain and staff in charge of men of the
Signal Corps then stationed at the navy yard.
It was the busiest office the three boys had ever seen. Typewriters were
clicking, telegraph instruments were at work, orderlies were hurrying
about, and every man in the place was engrossed in his own particular
task.
Sergeant Martin guided them to an inner office. Here they confronted
an austere gentleman whose uniform denoted that he was a captain, and
whose whole bearing bespoke military service.
The three boys were dumbfounded to learn that he already had their
names on a card before him. They were getting a new idea of the
efficiency of Uncle Sam's service.
The captain made numerous notes as he questioned them about their
experience, general knowledge, and extent of their education. He eyed
Slim shrewdly as he inquired whether they thought they might be
subject to seasickness.
"Young men," he said abruptly, "this country is engaged in the greatest
war in all history. Considering your youth and present lack of
experience, yours is to be a part of great responsibility. You look like
capable and courageous young Americans, and I believe you are. I have
confidence that you will bear your share of the burdens of war with
credit to yourselves and glory to your country. With one other man of
more experience, you will be placed in charge of the wireless and other
signal apparatus aboard the transport Everett, leaving within thirty-six

hours. Sergeant Martin will now aid you in procuring your uniforms."
The three boys came to full military salute, the captain returned it, they
swung upon their heels like seasoned soldiers and departed behind their
friend, the young giant of a sergeant.
An hour later, fully uniformed, they were taken to the Everett and down
into the wonders of the transport's wireless room, where they were
introduced to Second Lieutenant Gerald Mackinson, who was to be
their superior officer on the perilous trip.
Lieutenant Mackinson was a square-jawed young fellow with keen eyes,
bushy hair and a good breadth of