“Yes, most new recruits do,” was the comment. “But every one can’t be a gunner. You know Uncle Sam has to have a lot of different workers on his ships. There are those who are expert in steering, others who do nothing but cook. Then there are men who handle the anchors, others who man the boats, and even stenographers and typewriters are needed. Just to mention a few I might specify clerks, waiters, nurses, copper-smiths, plumbers, boilermakers, painters and stewards.
“And to make sure that he will get the best of help in these lines of work,” went on the sergeant, “Uncle Sam trains men to fill the different positions. They are much better able to do their work with training, than they would be without.”
“And do we have to select what branch we’d like best?” asked Ned.
“Well, in a way, yes, though of course you’ll be picked for what you are best suited, or for what is most needed.”
“Well, good luck to you,” said the sergeant, with a smile. “You may get your wishes.”
Frank and Ned were now apprentice seamen, or they would be when formally passed by the medical officer at the training station. They were to leave New York with a squad of other enlisted men the next day, and that night they wrote to their uncle telling of their progress.
Frank wanted to pay Sergeant Berk for the boarding house accommodations, but the officer said there was plenty of time for that. And so, in due season, our heroes found themselves on board a train that was headed for Norfolk.
“Well, we don’t know where we’re going to land, but we’re on our way,” said Ned, slightly changing the words of the song.
“That’s right,” agreed his brother. “But I guess we’ll make out all right.”
“I’d feel a little better if I felt there was some way in which we could help Uncle Phil,” murmured Ned, musingly.
“Well, maybe we can, after we get aboard some ship, and know just what we are about,” replied Frank.
But he little realized how soon his words were to be brought to his mind again with peculiar force.
The journey to Norfolk was without notable incident, save that once Ned thought he saw one of the men who had robbed Frank. But it proved a false alarm.
“And maybe it’s just as well,” said Frank.
“Well, if we got our money back now we might not want to keep on and join the navy.”