The Dreadnought Boys in Home Waters

rd. They entered Miller's Haven with their commissions on new, crackly parchm

r's Haven, their commander, Captain Dunham, of the Dreadnought Manhattan, had sent for them. Both lad

gship, was to have the task of attacking the harbor at the gates of Long Island Sound. The Blue squadron was to have the defense of the port. Final arrangements for the biggest na

duplicate as perfectly as possible conditions of a real attack. The newspapers had been carrying

Uncle Sam's carefully guarded naval secrets from leaking out.[Pg 16] In this connection, what practically amounted to a Secret Service had been established, both on boa

ilities" which prevailed, when to Ned and Herc came the

he Red fleet. Jackies, every one of them with an alert and keen pride in his work, were dismantling and fitting the big craft till everything about her grim, slate-co

g

arters were missing. The cabin had been stripped and everything breakable packed away, just as would have been the case had the Manhattan been going to steam out and engage an ac

smartly at attention, trim heels together, bright eyes looking straight in front o

ray in his dark hair, was seated near the[Pg 18] commander. He eyed the boys interestedly with the crit

eared to spell approval. As a matter of fact, the assistant secretary of the navy, for such was the office of

ervice of Uncle Sam and deeded their lives to the flag, Ne

re, and also their conspicuous bravery in the panic that followed a disastrous "flare-back" in a thirteen-inch[Pg 19] turret,

he big, drab sea-fighters, we followed the lads through a long siege of mystery and intrigue, interm

duty on board her. In the midst of a revolution, involving the lives and property of American citizens, they played their parts right well, and by a display of clever strategy turned a defeat, which had seemed imminent to the

of old ocean was related, and their many adventures were faithfully set forth. As in previous chapters of their lives, the boys were not found wanting when perils and dangers called f

e signing of a grim paper[Pg 21] which absolved the government of all responsibility for the naval aviator's life. As might be expected, the lads found things by no means tame in the aero squad. Ned's grea

both Ned and Herc righted themselves and were vindicated from a severe charge which had resulted from the machinations of those who disliked them. This book, which was called "The Dreadnought Boys

e Dreadnought Boys' World Cruise." As petty officers of the first rank, Ned and Herc found many opportunities to distinguish themselves. Jack ashore is sometimes a difficult proposition to handle, and Ned, as a non-commi

raltar, when, through the stupidity of an over-officious British army sergeant,[Pg 23] they were compelled to spend some hours in a dungeon excavated in

necessary digression, just why it was that they were admired and loved by their shipmates and respected by their officers;