“Of course he was, beginning with the pie he threw at us. But what are we going to do with the marks against us? We were no more to blame for the things we were disciplined for than we are for having our jackets ruined.”
“We shall have to take our medicine; that is all,” answered Dan ruefully.
Two days later, the boys were summoned to the office of the executive officer. They went rather apprehensively, wondering what could be the reason for the unusual summons.
Arriving at the executive office the lads stated their business to the sentry, and were admitted after a little delay, coming to a halt and saluting as they reached Lieutenant Commander Devall’s desk.
The salute was quickly answered, after which the boys stood at attention, hats in hands.
“I presume you would like to join a ship, would you not?” he asked.
“Join a ship? Indeed we should,” answered Dan, his eyes glowing with pleasure.
“You boys, I believe, joined from the same place?”
“Yes, sir.”
“H-m-m-m!” mused the executive officer, consulting the enlistment record of the two apprentices. “Piedmont?”