Part 9 (1/2)

”We'll tell you,” replied Frank, and at a nod from the sergeant the other seamen in the room arose, saluted and went out.

”No use telling everyone your troubles,” went on the government's representative. ”Now I'll listen to as much as you want tell, so go ahead.”

Frank acted as spokesman, and related all that was necessary concerning their change in fortunes. He related the facts of his uncle's arrest on a political charge, and, to his relief, the sergeant seemed to think lightly of it.

”Well, you certainly are up against it,” he remarked, when the story of the pocket-picking had been told. ”As for that charge against your uncle, it doesn't amount to a hill of beans in my estimation-I mean as far as any disgrace is concerned.

”Some of those little South American republics are crazy places anyhow, and they'll do anything to an American who they think has money. I don't see any reason, in what you've told me, why you shouldn't join the navy if you can pa.s.s the physical tests, and you look fit,” he added.

”Oh, I guess we're all right,” Frank said.

”And we're pretty well at home on the water, and in and about boats,”

added Ned.

”I should think you might be, having lived on Great South Bay so long.

That will be a help, too. Some of the recruits get terribly seasick, and though it doesn't last forever, still it's just as well to escape it if you can. Now I've got to ask you a lot of questions, and you'll have to answer. First, I suppose both of you are over eighteen years old.

Otherwise you'll have to get your uncle's consent.”

”I'm past nineteen and Ned is over eighteen,” said Frank.

”Then you'll come in all right. Now for the rest of it.”

The two boys who hoped soon to be doing duty on a battles.h.i.+p, answered many questions over which I will not go into details here. They had to tell of their past history, give their birthplace, the date, and many other details.

”It's a little late for the doctor to-day,” went on the sergeant, when he had written down the replies of Frank and Ned. ”You'll have to be pretty thoroughly looked over by him. Can you come back to-morrow?” he asked.

”Sure,” replied Frank.

”And now-er-I don't want to b.u.t.t in, but how are you fixed for money?

You said you were robbed, and-”

”Well, we have a little left,” said Frank.

”Now, I'll tell you what I'll do,” broke in the sergeant. ”I'll just send you to my boarding place, and be responsible for you. There is a vacant room there you can bunk in. If you are accepted you can easily pay the small charge from your wages. If you are turned down-well, I guess it won't break me to stake you to one night's lodging.”

”Oh, perhaps we have enough,” said Frank, quickly.

”Save what money you have, friend!” interrupted the officer, with a smile and a wave of his hand. ”You may need it before you begin drawing any cash from Uncle Sam. Now you can sit here until my trick is up, which will be in about two hours, or you can go out and see the town.

Come back about five-thirty, and I'll take you to my place.”

”I guess we've seen about all of the town we care to,” said Ned, significantly, patting the empty pocket where the watch had rested.

”We could go up and get our valises,” suggested Frank.

”Good idea,” the sergeant told him. ”Go ahead, and come back here, where I'll meet you.”