Frank only partly enjoyed the trip.
But for that seemingly impenetrable mystery, the trip to Sandy Hook, with the visit of inspection which followed, would have been jolly. However, there was so much to be happy and thankful for, anyway, that the spirits of the party partook largely of the brightness of the day.
The run of the speedy launch up the coast was pleasant, and at Sandy Hook they found their fellow students awaiting them, and were given a right royal welcome by Captain Isaac Heath, the officer in charge of the proving-grounds.
"Say, fellows, this is great!" Danny warbled, as Captain Heath escorted them to where the big guns were. "I always did like big guns!"
"You're such a big gun yourself!" sneered Bink, under his breath.
"Binky, if my brain caliber required no more than a number five hat, as yours does, I'd sing low about big guns!"
"Number five hat? Why——"
"This ten-inch breech-loading rifle takes a charge of one hundred and ten pounds of Dupont smokeless powder and a projectile weighing five hundred and seventy-five pounds," Captain Heath was explaining, as they stopped in front of the big seacoast defender.
"Say, they're going to fire it!" Bink gasped.
"Of course, you idiot! Did you think it was going to fire them?"