de
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 roo