CHAPTER II
INTO THE SERVICE--A SPY
A brilliant October morning was just breaking when a final bump of thetrain ended the none too musical snoring of Slim Goodwin and he came toa sitting posture, his first yawn almost instantly to give way to anexclamation of surprise.
It was strange scenery he was gazing upon, and for the moment he hadforgotten where he was. The grinning faces of Joe and Jerry, whom he hadawakened half an hour before with his sawmill sleeping serenade, broughthim to a realization of his surroundings.
"Where are we?" he asked, now fully awake.
"I imagine it's Philadelphia," answered Joe, "although I've never beenthere."
"Well, let's climb out and see," was a suggestion from Jerry which foundready response in the other two; and a moment later, while half thepassengers were still asleep, they were investigating the mysteries ofWashington Avenue, near Broad Street, in the Quaker City.
Strings of freight cars were stretched out on the sidings, and eitherside of the railroad yard was flanked by large manufacturing buildings,which already were showing preliminary signs of industrial activity.
"You are enlisted men, sirs?" queried a deep voice just behind them, andall three turned, somewhat startled to find they were not alone.
They faced a young giant of a fellow, who wore the khaki uniform ofUncle Sam, with a sergeant's stripes upon his sleeve. He was unablewholly to suppress a smile as Slim came to a difficult and not entirelyregulation salute.
"We are," answered Joe. "We just stepped off that train to get a breathof fresh air and to learn where we were."
"No harm done," the sergeant responded in a friendly tone. "You are inPhiladelphia, and the only restriction upon you now is that you are notto stroll too far away. We leave here in a short while for the navyyard, where mess will be served."
"Mess? That's breakfast, ain't--isn't it?" asked Slim anxiously.
"Yes," the sergeant replied, "and a good one, too."
Each boy touched his cap respectfully as the non-commissioned officerturned to return to the train.
"Hope we have sausage," said Jerry in an undertone; "but I'm hungryenough to eat anything they give me."
"Same with me," Slim added in melancholy tones; "but I guess I'll haveto diet some until I'm sure, certain, and solidified in the service."
At that instant the shrill blast of a whistle brought their attentionback to the train, where the sergeant was signaling them to return.Three automobiles had arrived, and into these our three friends and theother fifteen recently enlisted men climbed, for the trip to LeagueIsland, where is located one of the Nation's largest and most importantnavy yards.
Down wide, asphalted Broad Street the party sped, past solid rows ofhandsome dwellings, and then across the stretch of beautiful park thatwas once a mosquito-ridden marshland, and to the gates of the navy yard.
Here the detachment of marines on guard gave the boys their first closeassociation with the spirit of war. As they swung through the gates avirtual wonderland of the machinery of sea battles greeted theireyes--powerful battleships, lithe and speedy cruisers, spider-likedestroyers, tremendous colliers capable of carrying thousands of tons ofcoal to the fleets at sea, and in the distance a transport, waiting totake on its human freight of Uncle Sam's fighters for foreignbattlefields.
On the parade ground several companies of marines were going throughmaneuvers, while on every ship bluejackets were engaged in varioustasks, and activities were in full sway in the many large manufacturingbuildings at the lower end of the yard, near the waterfront.
It was a scene to inspire the lads with a full appreciation of the greatmilitary and naval service of which they were to become a part, and intheir patriotic enthusiasm they forgot even their healthy youngappetites.
Mess was in one of the big barracks, where they mingled with hundreds ofothers, some of whom were raw rookies like themselves, others of longerexperience, and some of previous service in Haiti and elsewhere.
The big sergeant, whose name they learned was Martin, brought theentire eighteen together immediately after the meal, and they joined ascore of others who had arrived a few days before. All were then marchedto another building, where their instructions began, and they wereinformed that before night they would be uniformed.
This was welcome information, indeed. To get into the uniform of UncleSam! Every young man in the group breathed a little deeper and drewhimself up a little straighter at the thought.
We will not trace Joe, Jerry and Slim through their initial instruction,for it had lasted less than an hour, when an orderly hastily entered theroom, saluted the officer who was acting as instructor, and then talkedto him for a moment in an undertone.
The officer's countenance underwent a curious change. Finally he turnedtoward the youths before him.
"Are there any men here who are already telegraphers?" he asked.
Instantly Joe, Jerry, and two others arose, while Slim tried to, but hadgreat difficulty getting himself out of the small, school-child's sortof desk at which he was seated. Finally he managed it by sliding outsidewise, the way he had entered, instead of attempting a direct upwardrise.
"How many of you can use the international code?" the officer continued.
Thanks to good old Burton, Joe, Jerry and Slim were as familiar withthat as they were with the Morse American code. The other two menresumed their seats. Sergeant Martin had entered the room. Apparently hewas not at all displeased to find the three polite young men whom he hadaddressed earlier in the day, now able to show greater capabilities thanthe other men in the detachment.
"You are excused from further instruction here at this time," theofficer announced to the trio. "You will accompany Sergeant Martin forfurther orders."
And they hurried from the room with the non-com., who they instinctivelyknew was their friend.
What was this new experience that lay before them? They were not long inlearning, and the information almost carried them beyond the restraintsof good discipline and to the indulgence in three ripping good cheers.
Sergeant Martin could be a hard taskmaster when it was necessary to beso, but, like the headmaster of Brighton, he did not believe in needlessred tape, nor did he delude himself that the stripes upon his sleevemade him a better man--except in official authority--than the one whowore none at all. He realized the curiosity that must be consuming thethree lads, and he was not averse to satisfying it.
"Selected for service aboard a transport bound for Europe," he announcedbriefly.
"Thank you, sir," said Joe, not entirely able to control the happinessin his voice, while Slim's excess stomach almost entirely disappeared inthe abnormal expansion of his chest. Jerry could find no other dignifiedway of expressing his great pleasure than by quietly poking Slim underthe ribs, to the entire undoing of that young man's military attitude.
"Do we go at once, sir?" inquired Joe deferentially.
"Probably to-morrow evening," said Sergeant Martin, as they arrived atthe building housing the captain and staff in charge of men of theSignal Corps then stationed at the navy yard.
It was the busiest office the three boys had ever seen. Typewriterswere clicking, telegraph instruments were at work, orderlies werehurrying about, and every man in the place was engrossed in his ownparticular task.
Sergeant Martin guided them to an inner office. Here they confronted anaustere gentleman whose uniform denoted that he was a captain, and whosewhole bearing bespoke military service.
The three boys were dumbfounded to learn that he already had their nameson a card before him. They were getting a new idea of the efficiency ofUncle Sam's service.
The captain made numerous notes as he questioned them about theirexperience, general knowledge, and extent of their education. He eyedSlim shrewdly as he inquired whether they thought they might be subjectto seasickness.
"Young men," he said abruptly, "this country is engaged in the greatestwar in all history. Considering your youth and present lack ofe
xperience, yours is to be a part of great responsibility. You look likecapable and courageous young Americans, and I believe you are. I haveconfidence that you will bear your share of the burdens of war withcredit to yourselves and glory to your country. With one other man ofmore experience, you will be placed in charge of the wireless and othersignal apparatus aboard the transport _Everett_, leaving withinthirty-six hours. Sergeant Martin will now aid you in procuring youruniforms."
The three boys came to full military salute, the captain returned it,they swung upon their heels like seasoned soldiers and departed behindtheir friend, the young giant of a sergeant.
An hour later, fully uniformed, they were taken to the _Everett_ anddown into the wonders of the transport's wireless room, where they wereintroduced to Second Lieutenant Gerald Mackinson, who was to be theirsuperior officer on the perilous trip.
Lieutenant Mackinson was a square-jawed young fellow with keen eyes,bushy hair and a good breadth of shoulders. He had been an electricalengineer prior to entering the service, and had gained his promotionthree months before strictly upon his merit and knowledge, which werethe qualities he demanded in others. He already had been "across" threetimes, and he knew the many problems and dangers that would confrontthem.
Satisfied by his questioning that the three young men who were toaccompany him "had the stuff in them," Lieutenant Mackinson then beganinstructing them in the elementaries of the radio.
It seemed, though, that that day was destined to be one ofinterruptions, but not, however, of the sort to be of disadvantage tothe three boys from Brighton. For, just as the sudden ending of theirinstructions in class in the morning had led to their assignment to atransport, to start overseas within thirty-six hours, so the call nowwhich required Lieutenant Mackinson's presence elsewhere, indirectly ledto a new and thrilling experience for the lads.
"I am ordered to report to aid in the repairs to the wireless of anothervessel," said the lieutenant, after perusing the order that a privatehad brought to him. "It will require until late to-night to finish.Inasmuch as this is probably the last night that you lads will spend onland for some time, you might as well see a little of the city, if youcare to, but be sure that you are within the gates of the yard beforeten o'clock."
He then gave each of the boys a pass, and told them to be aboard the_Everett_ not later than half-past ten o'clock, and departed for thespecial work to which he had been called.
"Wouldn't you like to be a lieutenant, though?" exclaimed Joeenthusiastically. "Just imagine being called from ship to ship to helpthem out of their difficulties."
And, discussing their aspirations and what the future held for them, thethree young men from Brighton went to mess, afterward brushed theirbrand-new uniforms of the last possible speck of dust, and left the navyyard for a stroll through the southern section of the city founded byWilliam Penn.
How far they walked none of them knew. They had turned many corners, andtheir conversation had covered a wide field--always, however, turningupon some military subject--when a church clock tolled out nine times.
"I think we had better return," said Slim, who was beginning to tireunder the long day's strain and excitement.
"Yes," agreed Jerry, "but which way do we go?"
They were, in truth, lost. Uniformed as they were, they were ashamed toask directions, and finally agreed that Joe was right in indicating thatthey should walk straight southward.
Twelve blocks southward they walked, and the damp, marshy atmosphereassured them that they were nearing the river, but their only hope now,as they plodded across desolate and deserted dumps, and even invaded atruck patch or two, was that they would strike a road that led around tothe navy yard entrance.
"What's that?" exclaimed Jerry in a hoarse whisper, grasping a boy oneither side of him by the arm. "Did you hear?"
"I thought I heard something," averred Slim, also lowering his voice."What did it sound like to you?"
"We are almost upon the river bank," said Joe. "It was someone rowing,but it sounded to me as though they were using muffled oars."
While the boys stopped to listen, the rowing began again, very slowly,very cautiously, and then there was a muffled splash.
At the same instant a great flashlight to the south began playing firstupon the sky, and then, in a slow arc, down the river and then inlandtoward themselves.
Although they did not come quite within its radius, the boat they hadheard was between them and the light! It was a row boat, evidentlyheavily laden, for it rode low in the water, and it was occupied by oneman, who was crouching in the bottom as though to avoid discovery!
Just as suddenly as it had appeared, the searchlight was obscured, andthe blackness of the night was more intense by contrast.
"That light was at the navy yard," said Joe, beginning to peel off hiscoat. "Jerry, you're a fast runner. By heading straight in the way I'mlooking you ought to be able to get to the yard in ten minutes. Do it asquickly as you can. Slim will stay here."
By this time Joe had stripped off his shirt and preparing to unlace hisshoes.
"And you," blurted Jerry and Slim, almost at the same instant, but stillin guarded tones, "what are you going to do?"
"I'm as safe as a duck in the water, and almost as noiseless," respondedJoe calmly. "I'm going to swim out and see what is going on. That manout there is a spy!"