e
change from uniform to citizen's dress, commonly called "cits."

Promptly the launch left the "Hudson's" side, but both young ensigns
were aboard. At least a dozen other officers and a score of seamen
were also aboard the launch, which was to return for forty more seamen
who held the coveted shore leave.

Yet the reader is not to suppose that either officers or men were
going ashore with any notion of gambling. An American naval officer,
with his status of "officer and gentleman," would risk a severe
rebuke from his commanding officer if he were to seat himself to play
in any gambling resort. As for the enlisted men, the "jackies," they
are not of the same piece of cloth as the jovial, carousing seamen of
the old-time Navy. The "jackies" of to-day are nearly all extremely
youthful; they are clean-cut, able, ambitious young fellows, much more
inclined to study than to waste their time in improper resorts.

So, while most of the officers and men now going ashore were likely to
drop in at the Casino, for the sake of seeing the sights there, it was
not in the least to be feared that any would engage in the gambling
games.

When the launch landed in the little harbor, drivers of automobiles
and carriages clamored for fares.

"Are we going to ride up to the Casino?" Dan asked his chum.

"If you'd rather," Dave assented. "But, unless you feel tired, let us
stroll along and see every bit of the way."

"These natives are all jabbering French," complained Dalzell, as the
chums set out to walk over the steep, well-worn roads, "but it isn't
the kind of French we were taught at Annapolis."

"Can't you understand them?" asked Dave.

"Hardly a word."

"If you have to talk with any of the natives," Dave advised, "speak
your French slowly, and ask the person you're addressing to do the
same."

Though the way was steep, it was not a long road. Dave and Dan soon
reached the upper, rocky plain, edged by cliffs, on which the Casino
and some of the hotels and other buildings stand.

"If it weren't for the gambling," murmured Dan to his friend, "I'd
call this a beautiful enough spot to live and die in."

"As it is, a good many men and women manage to die here," Darrin
returned gravely.

The Casino was surrounded by beautiful gardens, in which were many
rare tropical trees and shrubs. From the Casino came the sound of
orchestral music. Throngs moved about on the verandas; couples or
little groups strolled through the garde