As he prepared to slip past the ship a sinewy hand was placed upon his
shoulder, and another equally sinewy caught him by the collar.

"Burke, suppose you return aboard ship," said "Hod," quietly. "You are
not going to hit the Bowery this time."

The Irish fireman attempted to wrench himself free, then he struck out
at "Hod" with all the force of his right arm. The quarter-back's
practice on the field came into play, and the college graduate tackled
his opponent in the latest approved style. The struggle was short and
decisive, and it resulted in Burke declaring his willingness to return
to the ship.

"The next time you try to size up a new shipmate be sure you are on to
his curves," remarked "Hod," as he escorted his prisoner over the
gangway. "You will find some of 'mama's pretty boys' rather tough nuts
to crack."

The day following this little episode found the members of the State
Naval Militia detailed to form the crew of the "Yankee" in full
possession of the cruiser which they were to sail to glory or defeat in
defense of their country. The ship's company, two hundred and
twenty-five in all, boarded the auxiliary warship without ceremony, and
were speedily set to work hoisting in provisions, removing to the yard
all unnecessary stuff with which the ship was littered, and getting her
generally in condition for sailing. The work was extremely hard, but it
was done without demur.

A naval officer attached to the yard stood near me at one time during