Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1919 edition. Excerpt: ...I hung up and walked past several of the above mentioned race of people, who eyed me with venom. I must keep Polly away from the Ensigns at all cost. No matter how white your tapes are, gold lace has the edge. Dec. 7th.--A personal and unconditional triumph in the grim, continuous battle between myself and my superiors. Early in the afternoon we were told to go out on the parade ground and brush up a bit on our semaphore. "Brush up!" thinks I to myself. "How are you going to brush up when there ain't anything to brush. The ship that depended on me for signalling would remain deaf and dumb." I thought this, but to myself. The only letter I felt sure about was A and I didn't remember quite whether it was optional which hand you used. With the utmost confidence, however, I took my flags and proceeded to the middle of the parade ground where I hid myself behind the huge figure of Tim and began to wave my arms about in an aimless manner. Aside from becoming a trifle tired I was getting away fine until a C. P. O. hotchels up to me and stands observing my movements with horrified, dilated eyes. This made me so nervous, that my arms began swinging around convulsively at a tremendous speed. I looked like a gaudy, but conscientious electric fan. Perspiration streamed down my face and neck, and still he watched. His expression gave way from horror to amazement and from that to fury. "Time!" he shouted suddenly. "Time! Stop what you're doing, whatever it may be." I threw myself into low and gradually slowed down to a neutral. "What," asked the Chief with much deliberation, "what in the world do you think you've been doing?" "Semaphoring, Chief," says I promptly. "Ah, ..".