Sam Hickey nodded and started after his companion across the street. A moment later the lads stood before the picture that had attracted their attention. In the foreground of the picture stood a sailor clad in the uniform of a seaman in Uncle Sam’s Navy, while on beyond him, in the distant background, lay a white battleship, the Stars and Stripes floating from her after staff, a line of signal flags fluttering from the signal halyard just aft of the battleship’s navigating bridge. Palm trees and similar foliage showed it to be a tropical scene. For several moments the lads stood gazing on the picture with fascinated interest. Each seemed unable to withdraw his gaze from it. At last, with a deep sigh, Dan turned his shining eyes upon his young companion. “Isn’t it beautiful, Sam?” he breathed. “What, the sailor?” “I was not thinking of the sailor; I was thinking of the ship—the battleship—and that Flag floating there, the most beautiful Flag in the world. At least I guess it must be. I’ve never seen any of the other flags, except in pictures, but that one is handsome enough for me. Shall we go upstairs to the recruiting office now?” “Don’t be in a hurry,” objected Sam. “I want to look at the picture some more.” “We can do that afterwards. The first thing is to see whether we shall be able to enlist. This letter that I got from the station says we have to be examined, though I don’t know just what sort of examination they will give us.” Sam Hickey still lingered. “Are you coming, Sam?” “No.” “Not coming?” “No; I’ve changed my mind.” “I don’t understand,” rejoined Dan, a puzzled expression in his eyes. “I guess I do not want to enlist. I think I shall go back home to Piedmont.” “Look here, Sam Hickey, you will do nothing of the sort! We came down here to enlist in the Navy and that is exactly what we are going to do, providing they will have us. You say you are going back home. How do you expect to get there?” “The way we came—on a train, of course.” Dan smiled grimly. “I guess not. You forget that we have no money left—that is, not more than enough with which to buy one more meal.” “I can walk,” grumbled Sam. “No, you cannot. We are three hundred miles from Piedmont. Why do you wish to back out at this late hour? You were so anxious to enlist, and now you are talking the other way. Why?” “I’ve changed my mind; that’s all.” Dan grasped his companion firmly by the arm. “You come along with me! You have changed your mind too late this time.” Sam hesitated, then reluctantly accompanied his companion up the stairs. A few moments later, they were knocking at the door of the recruiting office. Sam Hickey felt a strong inclination to bolt, and no doubt he would have done so had it not been for the firm grip on his arm. He ran one hand nervously through his shock of red hair, shifted his weight from one foot to the other and muttered something that was unintelligible to his companion.