"I understand what you have said, Dick, but what has it to do with the new battleships?"
"Why, I was wondering if another old Navy custom is going out of vogue, that's all. For in these new ships the officers are going to change places with the crew--their living space is going to be the forecastle instead of the stern. Question: What will they do with the marines?"
"When did you say that custom started, Dick?"
"Oh, I don't know, Hank; way back in the days of bi-remes and tri-remes, I guess."
"Then all I have to say is that it's high time a change was made; allow the officers a chance to take care of themselves--we marines have nursed them altogether too long," said Henry, and they were yet laughing at the remark when Police Sergeant Bruckner came along the deck seeking them.
"The 'Top'[#] says you boys should go with me to the storeroom and draw rifles, so come right along and get 'em."
[#] "Top"--Top sergeant--first sergeant, or also applied to the highest ranking sergeant at a post.
"Get rifles?" questioned Dick. "What are we going to do with rifles, I'd like to know?"
"Ask the Top; don't bother me with your questions;" and Bruckner led the way below.
"They're brand new shooting irons, and you will have some job getting off the cosmoline, so I adwise you to get busy before you report to the First Sergeant," cautioned Bruckner, whose German origin accounted for the manner in which he pronounced his letter "V" on occasions. He had come to the United States as a lad of fifteen years and after ten years spoke, with this exception, almost like a native-born citizen. Six of these ten years he had spent in the Marines.