fter the
first practice spin."

"I'm not so sure about the red-head, but I'll risk your making a mess
of anything that you try," answered the jackie addressed as Bob. "I
won't say you're lucky, for the good things generally go to them that
deserve them," continued the sailor wisely. "Leastwise, that's been my
observation. I notice not many of them have ever come my way, though.
What oars are you going to pull?"

"I can't say, Bob. That depends upon Mr. Harper."

Envious glances were directed upon the Battleship Boys from all parts
of the mess.

"I know how they happened to get in for a try-out," announced a member
of the mess. "Black and White were to row in the crew. Instead,
they'll be holding down the deck of the brig for the next thirty days."

"I was in there once," said Sam, with a grin that brought a shout of
laughter.

"A fellow doesn't know what the sailor's life is like unless he gets in
the brig."

"I think I should be satisfied without knowing, then," answered Dan.
"I came pretty close to it once. That was enough for me."

By the time the jackies had finished their breakfast the "Long Island"
was plowing into Fort Pond Bay, and an hour later her starboard anchor
was let go. The ship's prow swung into the tide. The decks were
thronged with sailors cleaning ship, while others were getting the
small boats ready for the work of the day. It was a busy scene, one in
which the Battleship Boys evinced the keenest interest, for they had
never seen torpedo practice before. Dan had some knowledge of the
operation of these weapons of modern warfare, but he was anxious to see
the torpedoes fired.

First, the two steamers were swung out and lowered to the water, where
they were made secure to the lower booms. The captain's motor boat
came next. Two officers went off in her to place the target for the
torpedo practice. This was nothing more than a bamboo fish pole with a
red flag secured to it.

The target was planted in a shallow place in the bay off near the shore
of Gardiner's Island, after they had measured off the course, a
distance of four thousand yards from the ship. It was not intended
that the torpedoes should hit the target, which was placed merely as a
guide for the ordnance officer to fire at. Coming within a hundred
feet of it, either way, would be considered pretty good shooting.

In the meantime the torpedo officer was far down in the hold of the
ship, in the torpedo room, get