The Brighton Boys in the Radio Service | Page 9

not yet been caught,
but he cannot escape for long. And when he is captured it will be a long
time before he is free again.
"You lads have frustrated a dangerous plot by an enemy government.
The river bottom seems to be paved with those cases. They've taken out
a dozen already. One of them was opened, and, just as expected, it
proved to be a water-tight container for smokeless powder!
"The government that had those boxes hidden there undoubtedly was
scheming to have plenty of ammunition ready for use if it ever
managed to land its men on American soil.
"But you boys appeared here just in time to blow up the whole plot.
You have been in your first real action in the service of your country,
and you have come off with flying colors."
CHAPTER IV

FAREWELL, UNITED STATES
When the boys arose the following morning, each somewhat stiff and
sore from the experiences of the night before, it was with a feeling of
happy anticipation that made their physical discomforts seem like
trivial things.
For before nightfall the twin screws of the large transport Everett would
begin to churn the waters of the Delaware, her bow would be pointed
down stream, and the great voyage of adventure would be started.
But in the meantime there was much for the lads to learn. Up to the
present every moment had been occupied to the exclusion of such
instructions as were absolutely necessary to know, in order that they
might give the best service to their country.
And so they responded early to a summons from the superior officer in
charge of men in the Signal Corps at that station. By him they were
informed of the serious mission upon which they were bound, and of
the responsibilities that would fall upon them should the transport, by
any mishap, become separated from its armed convoy.
No message picked up at sea or elsewhere, he told them, was to be
repeated to anyone but the superior officer to whom it was directed;
and any calls for another vessel or station were to be ignored by them,
even if their aerial should pick the words up.
They were told of the fine loyalty demanded of men in their branch of
the service, and given some idea of the sacrifices they might be called
upon to make.
"The success of this war," said Major Briggs, "depends upon the
courage and ability with which each man in it performs the immediate
task before him. Whether the whole world shall fall under the iron hand
of a merciless tyranny, or the peoples of the various nations may
govern themselves in the freedom of democracy, now depends largely
upon the men of the United States. We must regard the responsibilities
thrust upon us as a glorious opportunity to serve all of mankind."

Thrilled with the nature of the great work ahead of them, Joe, Jerry and
Slim hurried down the long length of the navy yard to where the
Everett lay moored to her slip, the center of much activity.
Steam already was up, as they could see from the thick black clouds of
smoke that curled upward from her smokestack. Big cranes, operated
by powerful winches on the vessel and on shore, were hoisting cases of
various sizes and shapes upon the lower decks and into the hold. A
small army of men helped complete the loading of the ship, and one
group was experiencing considerable difficulty in trying to persuade
unwilling mules to board the transport for Europe.
The boys hurdled over piles of food and ammunition, wended their way
through scores of stacks of ordnance, and finally over a gang-plank to
the vessel. There they saluted and reported to the officer of the day,
who directed them to go at once to the wireless room.
As they entered there Lieutenant Mackinson was busily engaged in
"tuning up" his instruments. He stopped when he saw them and reached
into an inner pocket, from which he produced three large oblong
envelopes. One was addressed to each lad, and as they accepted them
they saw that each was closed to prying eyes by the official seal of
Uncle Sam.
Swept by various emotions, the boys stood there gazing first at the
envelopes and then at Lieutenant Mackinson.
"Well," said the lieutenant at last, with an amused smile, "do you want
me to retire while you read your communications?"
"Oh, no, not at all, sir," Joe hastened to say, and as if to prove the
statement all three envelopes were ripped open and the single sheet of
paper in each drawn forth.
Especially addressed to each lad, the letters were identical and read:
"I hereby convey to you my heartiest congratulations upon the efficient
and heroic