two
o'clock
Word was passed that our enlistment papers -- for we were to regularly enter Uncle Sam 's naval service -- would be made out , and that our freedom and liberty , as some of the boys put it , would cease from that hour . The latter statement made little impression . We had entered the Naval Reserves for business , if business was required , and we expected hardships as well as fun . A navy-yard tug , sent by the Commandant , steamed alongside at two o'clock , and the company was marched on board without delay . The boys were eager to enter on this , their first real detail , and , in the rush to gain the deck of the tug , young Potter slipped from the rail and fell with a mighty splash into the water . `` Man overboard ! '' bawled his nearest mate , and `` Man overboard ! ''