Ensign Fullerton brought in a slim, very erect young man in a
midshipman's uniform--Mr. Drake, just out of the Naval Academy.
"Our engineers are all warrant machinists or petty officers; no
commissioned officers among them," stated Fullerton. "Our highest
marine officer is Sergeant Oswald. Besides the sergeant we have
eighteen other enlisted men among the marines. Here is the ship's
complete roster," continued the Ensign, taking a document out of a
pigeon-hole over the young commander's desk. "And now, sir, shall I
pass the order for piping the crew to quarters?"
"If you will be so good," Jack nodded, rising.
At this moment Hal and Eph appeared at the doorway.
"Pardon me, gentlemen, for suggesting that you had better put your
swords on," suggested Fullerton, "Inspection of crew at quarters is
about to come off."
Hal and Eph vanished, but soon reappeared, wearing their new swords
and trying hard not to look conscious of the fact. Jack was engaged
in adjusting his own side-arm to his belt.
"I neglected to state, sir," continued Ensign Fullerton, "that we have
no medical officer at present.
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