Good-by and good luck to the poor rookies who will come under your notice to-morrow! Deal in a befitting manner with them all. See to it especially that the newspaper man gets his.
Fore Top, O R. O. H. M. G. M. N. R. R. R. D.
The names of about a dozen well known sea lawyers of the ship were posted immediately upon the scuttlebutt and the newspaper man "got his" later.
That afternoon Capt. Wainwright and his executive officer, Mr. Eberle, being sticklers for the preservation of as many of the old time naval and sea traditions in modern warships as possible, took official notice of what was going on and this order was published to the ship:
U. S. S. Louisiana,
At Sea, Lat. 1'-30' N., Long. 39-10 W.
January 5, 1908.
Order.
1. Official notification has been received that his Majesty, Neptunus Rex, will visit this ship in state at 9 a.m. on the 6th day of January, 1908.
2. His Majesty will be received with due ceremony at the time appointed. At 8:45 a. m. the divisions will be called to quarters, after which "all hands will be called to muster" to receive his Majesty in a manner befitting his high rank. The boatswain and eight boys will attend the side. When his Majesty reaches the quarterdeck the officers and crew will salute, the band will play a march and the Royal Standard of Neptune will be hoisted at the main.