“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 strode 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 room from outside view.  At one side, in the cabin, was another curtain, this screening the alcove in which lay the berth.

But Darrin did not stop to study his new quarters just then.  There was a duty first to be performed.  Opening his suit case, he took out the trousers and blouse of the blue undress uniform.  Into this he changed as rapidly as he could, after which he brushed his hair before the little mirror, then put on his cap.