, emblem of officer's rank, and encased in chamois-skin.

Going below, the pair breakfasted, glancing, in the meantime,
over morning newspapers.

Just before nine-thirty that same morning, our young naval officers,
bent on joining their ship, stepped along briskly through the
Brooklyn Navy Yard.

It was really an inspiring place. Sailors, marines and officers,
too, were in evidence.

In the machine shops and about the docks thousands of men were
performing what once would have passed for the work of giants.
Huge pieces of steel were being shaped; heavy drays carried these
pieces of steel; monster cranes hoisted them aboard ships lying
at the docks or standing shored up in the dry docks. There was
noise in the air; the spirit of work and accomplishment pervaded
the place, for word had come from Washington that many ships might
soon be needed in Mexican waters.

Eight dreadnoughts lay at their berths. Even as the boys crossed
the great yard a cruiser was being warped in, after an eighteen-thousand
mile voyage.

Alongside floating stages in the basins lay submarines and torpedo
boat destroyers. A naval collier was being coaled. A Navy launch
was in sight and coming closer, bearing a draft of marines bound
for duty on one of the battleships.

Every sight spoke proudly of the naval might of a great nation,
yet that might was not at all in proportion with the naval needs
of such a vast country.

"It does an American good, just to be in a place 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 stro