Part 13 (2/2)

”Well, we're off!” exclaimed Ned, as he and Frank, with the others of the crew, stood on deck, while the _Georgetown_ steamed slowly out of New York harbor one day. ”We're off!”

”And I wonder what will happen before we get back again!” suggested Frank.

”Maybe there'll be a war!” cried Ned, his eyes sparkling.

Frank shook his head.

”I don't believe I want one,” he said slowly. ”I'm not afraid, but-”

”Yes, I know,” answered his brother.

Though Frank and Ned did not actually take part in a war, they were destined to see some fighting, and to see the destructive work of the big guns when fired at what really was an enemy. But of that, more later.

And so, out to sea went the battles.h.i.+p, with our friends aboard. Now began the real work of a man-o'-warsman. Reveille was sounded on a bugle at 5:30 every morning. That meant that every enlisted man who had not been on guard the night before, must jump out of his hammock, lash it up, and prepare himself for breakfast. There was no lagging-no taking a few more ”winks,” for only fifteen minutes was allowed for clearing the decks of hammocks. Then coffee or cocoa was served, with bread, or, if the men preferred it, hardtack. And very good this was, too, not like the kind you read of in old-fas.h.i.+oned books, mouldy and full of worms.

It was clean and sweet.

Half an hour was allowed for this early meal, and it could be followed by a smoke for those who indulged in tobacco. Frank and Ned did not, however.

At 6:30 all hands were summoned to clean s.h.i.+p. It might seem that this need not be done every day, but it has to be attended to, for a battles.h.i.+p is almost like a small town, and there is always something to be done. The men are told off into divisions, and each man has a certain ”station,” the cleanliness of which he is responsible for. Each division, or squad, of men has a certain specified amount of work to do in cleaning s.h.i.+p. One division may have to scrub part of the deck, another will be given boats to clean and make s.h.i.+p-shape, and another will have paint work or bra.s.s or copper fittings to polish.

It might be mentioned that following the early morning cup of coffee each man is required to wash his own clothes, for cleanliness is one of the cardinal points in the navy. And matters are so arranged that the cleaning of the s.h.i.+p stops in time for the men to make themselves neat for the breakfast, which is served from 7:30 to 8:15 A. M. For this the men are always in uniform, the nature of their clothing depending on the climate they are cruising in.

As was mentioned, the two brothers had their hammocks slung near that of Hank Dell. Nine o'clock is the hour when all blue-jackets must be in their hammocks, unless allowed to stay up for some entertainment, of which there are many aboard the s.h.i.+ps.

At 7:30 A.M. on the first day out, when Frank and Ned went to sling their beds, in readiness for the night, Frank saw Hank near Ned's lashed hammock.

”Guess you're making a mistake, aren't you?” said Frank. ”That isn't yours.”

”Oh, that's so!” exclaimed Hank, with affected surprise. ”I'm a bit green about things here. Mine's over on this side,” and he went to his own sleeping quarters.

Frank thought no more about it at the time, but slung his own hammock.

Ned, coming down a few minutes afterward, did the same. Then, as the time was free up to nine o'clock, the brothers went on deck to enjoy the air, for the day had been hot.

”Say, it's simply great, isn't it?” remarked Ned, as he gazed off over the heaving waters, silvered by the moon.

”Couldn't be better,” declared Frank. ”It's the best life ever!”

The signal came for turning in, and the men, rather regretfully perhaps, went below.

As Ned sprang up into his hammock it gave way with him, and down he came with a crash, turning over so that he fell on deck, off the mattress, bruising himself painfully.

”Hurt?” asked Frank, hurrying to his brother's side.

”Oh, not so much but that I can stand it,” was the grim answer.

Some little commotion was caused by this accident, and a number of the men laughed, Hank seeming to find much pleasure in the occurrence. An officer came along.

<script>