Dr. Wentworth is a man of tact, great tact, and he explained that the ailments occurred nowhere else than in Neptune's domain and, therefore, he thought it was best to have them treated by Neptune's own specialists who were familiar with the newest developments and the best treatment.
While the initiations were going on Neptune ordered this message semaphored to Admiral Evans, the Commander in Chief:
Admiral R. D. Evans, U. S. Atlantic Fleet.
I am happy to inform you that your son and the son of the captain of your noble flagship have this day declared their allegiance as my loyal subjects.
Neptune Rex.
Lieuts. F. T. Evans and H. W. Osterhaus are attached to the Louisiana and occasionally they have to take a good deal of chaffing and no favors when an "unofficial message" from "father" comes over the signals. This was the reply that Neptune received from the flagship:
Neptune Rex:
We are delighted that our sons are at last real sailors. They have served a long time. Soak 'em, boys!
Evans and Osterhaus.
Young Evans and young Osterhaus were soaked all right.