It
was a very comfortable place, with two soft bunks, and every
convenience usually found aboard the fastest ocean liner. When the
fellows saw it first, they could hardly believe it could all be for
them, but the officer assured them that it had been given them by the
admiral's own orders. So there was nothing for them to do but accept
the kindness, and to settle themselves down to having just as pleasant
a time as possible during the coming weeks at sea.
It was generally understood that the cruiser was to make a complete
tour around the island of Luzon, investigating every suspicious port,
and shelling towns when such action proved necessary to convince the
rebels of Uncle Sam's superiority. The voyage was expected to occupy
nearly a month, for there was no reason for them to hurry, and the
admiral said he would like to take things easy.
Neither Hickson nor Archie had ever before been aboard a war-ship, and
they both found much to interest them during the first few days at
sea. Every movement of the crew, every action of the ship, was of
great moment to them, and they found no lack of entertainment in
examining the great guns and the equipment of the vessel in the way of
firearms and ammunition. Archie became much interested, too, in the
science of navigation, and spent much time with the captain on the
bridge, or with the pilot in the lookout, learning as much as possible
about how the movement of the vessel is controlled.
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