"You can spruce up now, or after you have had your grub," said Striker. "I'd rather spruce up afterwards, for you might have an accident at the table if the Olympia should happen to give an extra heavy roll, and you want to keep that new suit mighty clean, or the division officer will be after you, especially on a ship that is carryin' Commodore Dewey. You can go it a bit slack on some other craft, but it won't do on a flagship—which is the model for all."
It was nearly nine o'clock when quarters sounded throughout the big ship. Again Larry looked at Striker inquiringly.
"Roll call, my lad—what I told you to spruce up for. Come ahead," and with this reply Striker led the way to the main deck, where sailors, gunners, marines, and others were arranging themselves in long lines, to answer to their names, and to pass inspection by their captain, while Commodore Dewey stood on the bridge above, looking on.
After quarters had reached an end, and while Larry was wondering what would come next, it was announced that a gun drill would be had, and for nearly two hours they were kept at it below decks, working the monster to which they had been
