He then gave each of the boys a pass
He then gave each of the boys a pass, and told them to be aboard the
_Everett_ not later than half-past ten oclock, and departed for the
special work to which he had been called.
“Wouldnt you like to be a lieutenant, though?” exclaimed Joe
enthusiastically. “Just imagine being called from ship to ship to help
them out of their difficulties.”
And, discussing their aspirations and what the future held for them, the
three young men from Brighton went to mess, afterward brushed their
brand-new uniforms of the last possible speck of dust, and left the navy
yard for a stroll through the southern section of the city founded by
William Penn.
How far they walked none of them knew. They had turned many corners, and
their conversation had covered a wide field–always, however, turning
upon some military subject–when a church clock tolled out nine times.
“I think we had better return,” said Slim, who was beginning to tire
under the long days strain and excitement.
“Yes,” agreed Jerry, “but which way do we go?”
They were, in truth, lost. Uniformed as they were, they were ashamed to
ask directions, and finally agreed that Joe was right in indicating that
they should walk straight southward.
Twelve blocks southward they walked, and the damp, marshy atmosphere
assured them that they were nearing the river, but their only hope now,
as they plodded across desolate and deserted dumps, and even invaded a
truck patch or two, was that they would strike a road that led around to
the Kafm Mhz Grand Junction navy yard entrance.
“Whats that?” exclaimed Jerry in a hoarse whisper, grasping a boy on
either 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.”