The chief boatswain's mate was a far more awe-inspiring officer, in the boys' eyes, than any they had so far met. They both knew enough of the navy to realize that he and his subordinate were the class of petty officer with whom they would come most in contact during their early period of enlistment.
This dignitary on the Manhattan was a fierce-looking personage, but the boys were to learn that as the sailors say, his "bark was worse than his bite."
"Hum, recruits," he said as he looked the two boys over.
"He certainly is giving us a sizing-up," whispered Herc.
The ears of the boatswain's mate were sharper than the boys had imagined.
"Yes, I am sizing you up," he said with emphasis. "I'm thinking that you look like pretty good material."
"We mean to do our best, sir," rejoined Ned.
"That's right. That sort of ambition will carry you far. But are you not the two boys who fell overboard a short time ago?"
"I fell, and he jumped after me," corrected Herc.
"How did it happen? An accident, wasn't it?"