Sam took his box under his arm. He seemed to be doubtful as to just what he was expected to do with the box, but at the moment he had no opportunity to ask, for once more the master-at-arms was beckoning the boys to follow him. “There he goes again. Another sprinting match,” muttered Hickey. “I shall have an appetite when I get through with this race.” “You don’t need exercise to give you an appetite,” retorted Dan. “That’s one of the things you always have with you.” They were going forward through the interior of the ship, though by this time Sam had lost his bearings entirely. He could not have told whether they were going forward or aft. “Two recruits just come aboard, sir,” announced the master-at-arms. This time it was to the boatswain’s mate that they were introduced. “Come in, lads,” he said in a voice that Sam afterwards decided must have come from the boatswain’s boots. The voice was deep and hoarse and fearsome, but the smile that followed the words was entirely reassuring. “He isn’t half as fierce as he looks,” muttered Hickey in a whisper so loud and plain as to reach the ears of the boatswain’s mate. The latter smiled broadly. “No; you need not be afraid of me, my lads. The boatswain’s mate is supposed to be a sort of father and mother, all in one, to the raw recruit. I suppose you have learned everything there is to know since you have been at the Newport station, have you not?” “We have learned some things, but I fear there are still many things for us to learn,” replied Dan, with a half smile. “Just so. You have learned to make all the various knots that a sailor is supposed to be familiar with?” “Yes, sir,” answered the boys in chorus. “And belay a fall?” “Yes, sir; we know how to take a turn on a cleat with a rope. “Very good. Hickey, my lad, now that you know how to belay a fall, I will ask if you can pass a stopper?” A blank expression appeared on Sam’s face, while a twinkle showed in the eyes of the boatswain’s mate. “I—I don’t know, sir. If the stopper were good to eat I don’t think I should pass it unless I were walking in my sleep.” The boatswain’s mate leaned back and laughed uproariously. “Passing a stopper, my lad, means to wrap a rope about a fall while another belays it. There are a lot of these sea terms that you will learn as you go along. I see you have been assigned to the deck. What branch of the service would you prefer to be in, or haven’t you thought about the matter seriously?” “I think we should prefer to be on one of the guns—in a gun squad, sir.” “That’s my idea, too; but, first of all, serve some time on deck. You will learn a great deal there. I will instruct you carefully in your duties and show you your billet, after which you will go forward and get acquainted with your shipmates.” “Will you tell me, sir, what I do with this casket?” inquired Sam. “The ditty box?” “Yes, I guess that is what the other man called it.” The boatswain’s mate smiled good-naturedly.