The Brighton Boys with the Submarine Fleet | Page 2

They had found themselves together that first night when the
"freshies" were lined up before the gymnasium to withstand the attack
of the "sophs" in the annual fall cane rush. Together they had fought in
that melee, and after it was all over, anointed each other with liniment
and bandaged each other's battle scars.
Jack was a spirited lad, ready always for a fight or a frolic, impetuous
and temperamental; Ted had inherited his father's quiet tastes and
philosophical views of life, looking always before he leaped, cautious
and conservative. So, when Jack came bouncing in, gasping with
excitement, Ted accepted the outburst as "just another one of chum's
fits."
"What's all the grand shebang about this time?" he queried, shoving the
algebra aside and taking up the newspaper that had been thrust upon
him.
"I'm going---I'm not going to wait another minute---all the other
fellows are going---my grandfather fought through the Civil War---it's
me for the submarine fleet---I'm off this very-----"
But before he could ramble any farther Ted took a hand in the oratory.
"What's the matter, chum? Flunked in anything, or been out to see a
new movie show, have you?"
Jack ran his finger down the newspaper column to the advertisement
for recruits.
"There you are!" he shouted. "And what's more, I'm going to sign up
this very afternoon. What's the use of waiting any longer? Here's a
great chance to get out with the submarines---think of it!---and, gee,
wouldn't that be bully? Look! Look! What do you say, old boy; are you
going with me?"

Jack's enthusiasm "got" Ted. Taking up the newspaper he read every
word of the appeal, slowly, deliberately. Then he looked up at his
chum.
"Do you mean it, Jack; are you in earnest?" he asked, after a long
pause.
"Never meant anything so much in all my life," was Jack's quick
rejoinder.
For an instant the two boys faced each other. Then out shot Ted's hand,
clasping that of his room-mate in a firm grasp.
"Well, chum, I guess we've been pretty good pals now for nearly three
years. You and I have always stuck together. That means that if you are
going in, I'm going too!"
"Great!" bellowed Jack with a whack on the back that made Ted wince.
"Let's beat it quick for the recruiting station. Are you on?"
Hat in hand he bolted for the door, but stopped short as Ted interrupted:
"Don't you think we'd better tell the home folks first?"
The impetuous Jack turned. "I hadn't thought of that."
"Of course we will," answered his chum. "We'll send them a telegram
right away, telling them we are going to enlist tomorrow."
It was agreed, and no sooner said than done.
There was not much sleep in 63 that night. Long after lights were out
the two boys were huddled together in their den, gazing out at the stars
and speculating on the new adventure for which they were heading.
The morning train into Winchester brought among its passengers two
very much perturbed mothers and two rather anxious fathers. The
Hammonds and Wainwrights had met in the spring during
commencement week festivities and had much in common this

morning as they came together in the Winchester terminal. Ted and
Jack were at breakfast when word was brought to them of the presence
of their parents in the president's reception room.
It was a joyful little reunion. Only a few minutes' conversation was
necessary, however, to prove to the parents that each of the boys was
dead in earnest in his announced intention to enlist in the navy.
"I don't suppose there is much to be said here," concluded Ted's father
after listening to the son's impassioned appeal for parental sanction.
"You seem to have decided that you owe allegiance to your country
above all other interests. I shall not interfere. As a matter of fact, my
boy, I'm proud of you, and so---here's God bless you!"
Jack's father felt the same and so expressed himself. Only the two little
"maters," their eyes dimmed with mist, held back; but they, too,
eventually were won over by the arguments of the eager lads.
It was decided that the party should have dinner together in town and
that in the afternoon the boys would present themselves for
examination at the recruiting station. The remainder of the morning
was spent in packing up belongings in 63 and preparing to vacate the
"dorms." The boys decided to wait until after they had been accepted
before breaking the news to their school chums. Each felt confident of
passing the necessary requirements. They had made the football team
together in their freshman year. Jack had played, too, on the varsity
basket-ball team for two seasons, while Ted excelled on the track in the
sprints.
Dinner