diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 19:58:25 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 19:58:25 -0700 |
| commit | 7055a5d6133b3529d4270ac2d27c57805da085d5 (patch) | |
| tree | 72ce8868d77257f667c28015aac1e5e32d026a85 | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 32886-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 385568 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 32886-h/32886-h.htm | 12045 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 32886-h/images/img-070.jpg | bin | 0 -> 68122 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 32886-h/images/img-136.jpg | bin | 0 -> 71117 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 32886-h/images/img-cover.jpg | bin | 0 -> 69418 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 32886-h/images/img-front.jpg | bin | 0 -> 70217 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 32886.txt | 7442 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 32886.zip | bin | 0 -> 102513 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
11 files changed, 19503 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/32886-h.zip b/32886-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0e80a21 --- /dev/null +++ b/32886-h.zip diff --git a/32886-h/32886-h.htm b/32886-h/32886-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bbff1f0 --- /dev/null +++ b/32886-h/32886-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12045 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<HTML> +<HEAD> + +<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> + +<TITLE> +The Project Gutenberg E-text of The Battleship Boys' First Step Upward, +by Frank Gee Patchin +</TITLE> + +<STYLE TYPE="text/css"> +BODY { color: Black; + background: White; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + text-align: justify } + +P {text-indent: 4% } + +P.noindent {text-indent: 0% } + +P.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; } + +P.letter {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +P.finis { font-size: larger ; + text-align: center ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +H4.h4center { margin-left: 0; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + float: none ; + clear: both ; + text-align: center } + +IMG.imgcenter { margin-left: auto; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-top: 1%; + margin-right: auto; } + +</STYLE> + +</HEAD> + +<BODY> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Battleship Boys' First Step Upward, by +Frank Gee Patchin + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Battleship Boys' First Step Upward + or, Winning Their Grades as Petty Officers + +Author: Frank Gee Patchin + +Release Date: June 18, 2010 [EBook #32886] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BATTLESHIP BOYS' FIRST STEP UPWARD *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + +</pre> + + +<BR><BR> + +<A NAME="img-cover"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-cover.jpg" ALT="Cover art" BORDER="2" WIDTH="402" HEIGHT="606"> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="img-front"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT="Dan Headed the "Oriole" for the Harbor." BORDER="2" WIDTH="410" HEIGHT="628"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 410px"> +Dan Headed the "Oriole" for the Harbor. +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +The Battleship Boys' +<BR> +First Step Upward +</H1> + +<BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +OR +</H4> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +Winning Their Grades as +<BR> +Petty Officers +</H3> + +<BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +By +</H4> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +FRANK GEE PATCHIN +</H3> + +<BR><BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +Illustrated +</H4> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY +<BR> +Akron, Ohio —— New York +</H3> + +<H5 ALIGN="center"> +Made in U. S. A. +</H5> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H6 ALIGN="center"> +Copyright MCMXI +<BR> +By THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY +<BR><BR> +PRINTED IN THE +<BR> +UNITED STATES OF AMERICA +</H6> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +CONTENTS +</H2> + +<TABLE ALIGN="center" WIDTH="80%"> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">CHAPTER</TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> </TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap01">Sighting the Shooting Star</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">Whaleboats to the Rescue</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">Bombarded by Big Guns</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">Looking Death in the Face</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">The Loss of the Tompion</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">The Red, White and Blue</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">Putting the Enemy Out</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">Sam Gets a Pig's Foot</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">Lowering the Flag</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">His Narrow Escape</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">On the Anchor Watch</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">Obeying His Orders</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">The Battle of the Dinghies</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">Ordered to the Sick Bay</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">Before the Summary Court</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap16">A Surprise, Indeed</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap17">At Torpedo Target Practice</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap18">Hard and Fast Aground</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap19">A Trying Moment</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap20">Dan Before the Board</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap21">In the Racing Gig</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap22">An Exciting Moment</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap23">The Act of a Hero</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap24">Conclusion</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +Illustrations +</H2> + +<H4> +<A HREF="#img-front"> +Dan Headed the "Oriole" for the Harbor . . . . . . <I>Frontispiece</I> +</A> +</H4> + +<H4> +<A HREF="#img-070"> +The Battleship Boys Swung Into the Chorus. +</A> +</H4> + +<H4> +<A HREF="#img-136"> +Dan Parried the Blow With the Captured Boat Hook. +</A> +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +The Battleship Boys' First Step Upward +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER I +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +SIGHTING THE SHOOTING STAR +</H4> + +<P> +"Green light off the starboard bow, sir." +</P> + +<P> +The voice came from the black void far above the navigating bridge of +the battleship "Long Island." +</P> + +<P> +"Where away?" demanded the watch officer on the bridge. +</P> + +<P> +"Two points off starboard bow, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you make her out?" +</P> + +<P> +"Don't make her out, sir," answered the red-haired Sam Hickey, who was +doing lookout duty on the platform beside the number one searchlight. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you still see her!" +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir." +</P> + +<P> +The watch officer gazed through his night glass in the direction +indicated, but was unable to pick up a light of any sort. The "Long +Island" was plunging through a great gale, which she was taking head +on. White-tipped seas, backed by solid walls of water were sweeping +the bridge more than forty feet above the level of the sea. Even the +red-haired boy clinging to the rail far above the bridge was now and +again nearly swept from his feet by the rush of water that enveloped +him. +</P> + +<P> +A sixty-mile gale was sweeping the Atlantic seaboard, with the wind +shrieking weirdly through the huge cage masts, whose tops were lost in +the darkness above the ship itself. Every man on deck was clinging to +stanchion and rail in momentary danger of being swept overboard. +</P> + +<P> +"You must have been mistaken," shouted the watch officer. +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir. It was a light all right, sir," shouted Sam Hickey in a +confident tone. +</P> + +<P> +"What did it look like?" +</P> + +<P> +"It looked like a shooting star, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"What was it?" +</P> + +<P> +"It was a shooting star, sir." +</P> + +<P> +A half articulated exclamation of disgust from the officer on the +bridge reached the ears of the lookout. +</P> + +<P> +"It shot right up from the sea, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" +</P> + +<P> +The question was hurled up at Sam with almost explosive force. +</P> + +<P> +"The star shot right up from the sea, sir." +</P> + +<P> +Now, the watch officer on the bridge of the battleship knew full well +that shooting stars shoot downward, not upward. He knew also that with +a sky overcast as was this one, with the clouds hanging low, no +shooting star could be made out, even granting that one had fallen. +</P> + +<P> +"Boatswain's mate!" roared the officer. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir," answered a hoarse voice somewhere from the depths +below. +</P> + +<P> +"Turn out the top watches. Man the tops on the jump!" +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +Loud words of command floated up from below and a moment later a group +of sailors dashed up to the bridge, rubbing their eyes sleepily. +Without awaiting a word of instruction, they began running up the iron +ladders of the cage masts and were quickly lost to view. +</P> + +<P> +The watch officer raised his megaphone, pointing it up into the air. +</P> + +<P> +"Look sharp two points to starboard. See if you can pick up a light. +Keep your eyes open. Boatswain's mate!" +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Station men all the way up the mast to pass the word down in case any +lights are made out. I'll never hear the word shouted from up there in +this howling gale." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Green light four points off the starboard bow," howled Sam Hickey. +</P> + +<P> +"Green-light-off-the-starboard-bow," sang a chorus of voices from +somewhere far up in the steel mast. +</P> + +<P> +"Man in the top says it's a rocket, sir," was passed down from mouth to +mouth. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, I saw it," answered the watch officer. "Pass the word up to +hold the watch. Messenger!" +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Run for the captain's quarters. Tell his orderly we have sighted +green rockets off the starboard bow. We have made out no other lights, +but there is a ship in trouble off there." +</P> + +<P> +The messenger saluted and was away in a twinkling, racing along the +slippery superstructure, guided only by his knowledge of the ship, for +he could not see a half dozen feet ahead of him. +</P> + +<P> +The word was passed to the commanding officer by the latter's orderly, +and in an incredibly short time the captain emerged from his cabin, +fully clothed, his uniform covered by shining black rainclothes. +</P> + +<P> +He quickly made his way to the navigator's bridge, arriving there only +a few minutes behind the messenger. +</P> + +<P> +"What's this, Mr. Brant?" he demanded sharply in the ear of the watch +officer. +</P> + +<P> +"Signal rockets, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"You are sure of this!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir. Half a dozen men aloft have sighted them. I saw one flash +myself." +</P> + +<P> +"Where away?" +</P> + +<P> +"Four points off the starboard bow the last time we sighted the light, +sir." +</P> + +<P> +"How are you heading?" +</P> + +<P> +"East southeast, three quarters, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Hold the helm steady until we see if we can make out another signal. +Up aloft, there!" +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Look sharp for lights. Report them quickly and make sure the word is +passed down. Pass the word back after it reaches me, so that you may +be sure I have it." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +An interval followed, during which only the roar and shriek of the gale +were heard. Then all at once the red-haired boy's voice sounded above +the storm. +</P> + +<P> +"Shooting star again, three points——" +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" roared the commanding officer. +</P> + +<P> +"I mean—I mean I sighted the green rocket again, sir," explained Sam +Hickey lamely. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you know——" +</P> + +<P> +"I caught the flash of it, sir," spoke the watch officer. "It was as +Seaman Hickey said, three points off the starboard bow this time." +</P> + +<P> +"Starboard, two points!" commanded the captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Starboard two points," repeated the quartermaster on duty at the +wheel, giving the steering wheel a sharp turn. "She's on the mark, +sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Hold it." +</P> + +<P> +"You think it is a wreck, sir?" questioned the watch officer. +</P> + +<P> +"I know no more about it than do you. Naturally it is some vessel in +distress, else they would not be making distress signals. You say you +caught only the flash—you did not get a sight of the rocket itself?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir. I saw the flash, that was all." +</P> + +<P> +The captain glanced up into the darkness. +</P> + +<P> +"She should be ten miles away, then. We ought to be heading about dead +on, if your sight was correct. Full speed ahead, both engines." +</P> + +<P> +The throb of the engines far below them rose to a steady purr. The +"Long Island" plunged ahead, lurching more violently than before. It +was an unsafe speed in such a sea, but perhaps there were human lives +at stake off there in that wild swirl of water, and if so it was the +first duty of an American seaman to go to their rescue, however great +the peril to himself and crew might be. +</P> + +<P> +"There she goes again," shouted the lookout up by the searchlight. +</P> + +<P> +"I caught it that time. The vessel lies dead ahead. Hold your course, +quartermaster." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Ord'ly, turn out the executive officer. Tell him to order the boat +crews and the first and second divisions out. Be quick about it." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +Boatswains' whistles trilled faintly from the depths of the battleship; +boatswains' mates roared out their commands, piping the men from their +sleep, and a few minutes later the superstructure was thronged with +half-clad figures. Every man of them was soaked to the skin the +instant he reached the deck, but unmindful of this every eye was +peering into the black mist ahead, the men anxiously questioning each +other as to the cause of their being piped out. +</P> + +<P> +No one seemed to know, but older heads shrewdly suspected that +somewhere off ahead was a sister ship in dire distress. +</P> + +<P> +"Boatswain's mate!" again came the warning call of the watch officer. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Pipe all hands to stations." +</P> + +<P> +Once again whistles trilled. The entire crew of the battleship was +being called to stations, for again the commanding officer had seen the +warning signals shooting up into the sky. Powerful glasses were being +leveled at the black abyss ahead, but as yet the officers, of whom +there was now quite a group assembled on the bridge, were unable to +make out anything on the sea, save the mountains of water that were +leaping toward them. +</P> + +<P> +"We must be nearing the place, Mr. Coates," shouted the captain in the +ear of his executive officer. "Keep a sharp lookout now. We don't +want to have a collision with an old water-logged hulk in this gale. +We should run an excellent chance of going to the bottom ourselves." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir," agreed Mr. Coates, as, raising his megaphone, he warned all +lookouts to be on their guard. +</P> + +<P> +Sam Hickey, proud in the consciousness that he had been the first to +sight the signals of distress, was scanning the troubled seas with keen +eyes, from which now and then he brushed the salt brine with an +impatient hand. +</P> + +<P> +"If I could see, I'd see," he complained to himself. "I wonder if they +have turned out Dan. He knows where I am anyway. There she blows!" +suddenly shouted the red-haired boy. +</P> + +<P> +"He's sighted a whale," laughed a young midshipman. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean?" roared the captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Light dead ahead, sir. Rocket again, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye," was the answer from the bridge. +</P> + +<P> +The officers there had plainly seen the signal rocket this time, and +the green ball seemed to shoot up into the clouds from directly beneath +the bow of the "Long Island." The battleship was at that moment riding +a mountainous swell, while the vessel from which the signal had been +fired was wallowing in the trough of the sea far below. It seemed as +if the battleship must slide down the steep wall of water and crush the +vessel laboring in the hollow so far beneath them. +</P> + +<P> +"Port your helm!" commanded the captain. "Slow speed astern, starboard +engine. Hold her there!" +</P> + +<P> +"There she is, sir," shouted the executive officer, leveling his night +glass on the sea valley. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you make of her?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not much of anything. I see faint lights aboard, but that is all." +</P> + +<P> +"Number one searchlight there," called the captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir," answered the sailor in charge of the light. +</P> + +<P> +"Throw a light off the port quarter and see if you can pick up that +ship." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +An instant later a broad shaft of light pierced the blackness of the +night. The beam of light traveled slowly about, finally coming to rest +on an object in the sea some distance ahead. On this object the +officers focused their night glasses. +</P> + +<P> +"Four-masted schooner, sir," called Sam Hickey from his elevated +position beside the searchlight. +</P> + +<P> +"All sticks standing?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"No, she has only two poles standing now, sir," spoke up the executive +officer. "She seems to be in a bad way." +</P> + +<P> +"Steady her," commanded the captain. +</P> + +<P> +"She's steady," answered the quartermaster at the wheel of the +battleship. +</P> + +<P> +"Slow both engines ahead." +</P> + +<P> +The "Long Island" was rolling more heavily than before, now and then +giving a violent lurch, forcing every person on deck to cling to +whatever support was nearest to him. Otherwise men might have been +hurled overboard and lost in the tumbling sea. +</P> + +<P> +By this time the schooner was fairly well outlined by the battleship's +searchlight, but the lookouts were unable to make out any signs of life +on board the distressed ship. They felt sure, however, that the +schooner was on its last legs, and that it was a question of moments, +perhaps, before she would take her final plunge. +</P> + +<P> +"All depends upon what she is loaded with, as to how long she lasts," +decided the captain of the battleship. +</P> + +<P> +"She is flush with the water," answered the executive officer. "I +should say she must be loaded with lumber. She would have been down +long ago, otherwise." +</P> + +<P> +"I think you are right, Mr. Coates. Hail them with the megaphone as +soon as you think you can make them hear. We are to the windward and +your voice should carry." +</P> + +<P> +"Schooner ahoy!" shouted the executive officer. +</P> + +<P> +There was no answering word from the disabled schooner. The distance +at which the battleship was compelled to keep for its own safety, to +say nothing of the roar of the gale, made communication by word of +mouth impossible. At this moment another rocket from the schooner +seemed to emphasize the necessity for immediate help. +</P> + +<P> +Turning toward the men assembled on the gun deck, the captain addressed +them: +</P> + +<P> +"Battleship crew there! A ship is sinking hard by. +</P> + +<P> +"Volunteers are wanted to man the whaleboats. It is a dangerous +mission. All who are willing to volunteer, step forward." +</P> + +<P> +Every man within hearing distance stepped forward, and a crew was +quickly chosen. Sam Hickey and Dan Davis were among the twenty-four +men who scrambled into the two boats. +</P> + +<P> +Other sailors took their places by the ropes that controlled the +raising and lowering of the life boats. The executive officer, now +standing on the superstructure, watching the sea and his own ship, was +awaiting the moment when, in his judgment, it would be most safe to +launch the whaleboats. Not a man in the two boats spoke even in a +whisper. They had cast aside their storm clothes, being clad only in +trousers and jumpers. +</P> + +<P> +"Get ready." +</P> + +<P> +"Toss oars," commanded the coxswain of each boat. +</P> + +<P> +Every man raised his oar upright. +</P> + +<P> +"Let go the falls," commanded the executive officer. +</P> + +<P> +The two whaleboats struck the sea with a mighty splash. +</P> + +<P> +"Cast off! Go!" shouted the two coxswains, at which the men fell to +their oars with a will. But those in the number two whaleboat either +had not been quick enough, or else a wave had caught them unawares. +Their frail craft was picked up on the crest of a wave and hurled with +mighty force against the side of the ship, the smaller boat instantly +going to pieces. In a second, thirteen men were struggling in the +boiling sea, fighting desperately for their lives. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER II +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +WHALEBOATS TO THE RESCUE +</H4> + +<P> +"Number one whaleboat, there! Go on! You'll be dashed to pieces if +you try to rescue them," shouted the executive officer, as the boat +holding Dan Davis turned about, bent on rescuing the drowning sailors. +</P> + +<P> +"Cast the life buoys!" +</P> + +<P> +Life lings shot over the side of the battleship, grasped by eager +hands, and one by one the unfortunate sailors were pulled on board, +some with arms or legs broken from being dashed against the iron sides +of the battleship. A quick roll call showed that every one of the +boat's crew was accounted for. +</P> + +<P> +Sam Hickey had not been injured. +</P> + +<P> +"Man the cutter with a fresh crew," commanded the captain from the +bridge, where he was directing operations. +</P> + +<P> +Sam was the first man to run up the ladder and take his place in the +boat. No effort was made to turn him out. Three others, who had been +in the unfortunate boat, were close at his heels, while the rest of the +crew was made up of fresh volunteers. +</P> + +<P> +"Man the oars more quickly this time," shouted the captain from the +bridge. +</P> + +<P> +The cutter was swung out and slowly lowered by the falls. At command +the boat was let go, striking the sloping side of a wave which carried +the boat some distance from the ship, so sure had been the judgment of +the executive officer, who had given the command to let go. +</P> + +<P> +At the command "oars out," the oars were quickly slipped into place. +There was no loss of time now in obeying orders. +</P> + +<P> +"Give way!" commanded the coxswain, at which the heavy cutter's bow +raised clear of the sea and the boat began plunging toward the disabled +schooner. The latter lay a long distance from the ship, the +battleship's commander not daring to draw closer for fear of smashing +into the sinking vessel, so strong was the sea. +</P> + +<P> +In the meantime the sailors in whaleboat number one were bending to +their task, their boat drawing slowly toward the distressed ship. It +required heroic effort to drive the boat through that sea. A greater +part of the time the craft was hidden between the great swells, the +powerful searchlight from the battleship being unable to locate them. +Then slowly the boat would rise, dripping, from the sea. It seemed +almost as if the whaleboat were shaking the brine from her shining +sides as she righted herself on the crest of some great wave, poising +there for a few brief seconds, then plunging out of sight. +</P> + +<P> +The whaleboat was the first to reach the lee side of the disabled +schooner. The windward side of a ship is the side on which the wind is +blowing; the lee side, is the opposite side, and is therefore the more +quiet. In a storm a ship is always approached, if possible, on the lee +side. +</P> + +<P> +"What ship is that?" called the officer in charge of the small boats. +</P> + +<P> +"The 'Oriole.'" +</P> + +<P> +"Where from?" +</P> + +<P> +"Rio de Janeiro. Cargo of mahogany." +</P> + +<P> +"Pass a line." +</P> + +<P> +A rope shot over the whaleboat and was quickly made secure. Slowly the +whaleboat was pulled as close to the schooner as it was safe to go. At +the command of the officer in charge, half a dozen sailors climbed up +the rope and leaped to the deck of the "Oriole." +</P> + +<P> +Dan Davis was the first man over the rail. +</P> + +<P> +"How many persons have you on board?" +</P> + +<P> +"Twenty men, a woman and a child. The latter are my wife and +daughter," the master of the craft informed him. +</P> + +<P> +The woman, lashed to the deck house, was clinging to her child, a girl +of some seven years. +</P> + +<P> +Without further questioning, Dan sprang for the deck house, at the same +time motioning to another jackie to come to his assistance. Together +they cast off the lashings; and, grasping the woman and child, led them +toward the lee quarter of the ship. +</P> + +<P> +By this time the cutter also had succeeded in making its way alongside, +and the men of the crew of the "Oriole" began clambering over the side +of the vessel in the effort to reach the life boats. +</P> + +<P> +"Stand back, you men!" commanded Dan, thrusting two sailors aside as +they crowded the woman and the little girl, nearly precipitating them +into the sea. +</P> + +<P> +One of the men attempted to strike the Battleship Boy, and was +instantly knocked down for his pains. A second man came at Dan, but at +that instant the red-haired Sam Hickey was projected at their very +feet, where he had been thrown by a lurch of the ship as he was +clambering over the rail. Sam sprang to his feet and made short work +of the second sailor. +</P> + +<P> +"Help me get the woman and child over," shouted Dan. +</P> + +<P> +The woman was first lowered into the boat by means of ropes; then came +the girl. As Dan lifted her, she laid an arm confidingly about his +neck. +</P> + +<P> +"Please, man, won't you save Tommy?" she called in his ear. +</P> + +<P> +"Tommy?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Where is he?" +</P> + +<P> +"Down in the cabin. Tommy is sick, he is. Please; that's a good man." +</P> + +<P> +"Ahoy, down there, let some one catch the girl when I throw her." +</P> + +<P> +Then, addressing the officer in charge of the boat, he said: "If you +don't mind, sir, you need not wait for me. There's someone else below, +I hear. I'll go for him and then I'll catch the other lifeboat." +</P> + +<P> +The girl was safely caught, and, acting on Dan's suggestion, the +officer ordered the oarsmen to give way together. +</P> + +<P> +"Cutter, wait for me!" cried the lad, dashing along the lee side on his +way to the cabin. The master of the "Oriole" had already gone over the +side, and was now on the way toward the battleship, with his wife and +daughter and nearly a dozen exhausted sailors from the schooner. +Unfortunately for Dan, the officer in charge of the cutter did not hear +Dan's shout, but a few moments later gave the command to return to the +battleship, Sam being in the boat. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello, Tom!" shouted Dan, half running, half falling down the +companion way into the main corridor of the schooner's cabin. +</P> + +<P> +He stumbled into water that reached above his knees. +</P> + +<P> +"Tom! Tom!" he cried. +</P> + +<P> +There was no response. Dan dived into the little cuddy. The cuddy +lamp was burning, swaying widely with each roll of the ship, shedding a +faint light over the stuffy room, for everything had been closed up +tightly to keep the water that was now everywhere in the ship from +drowning out the master's quarters. +</P> + +<P> +A sewing basket, with a half-completed piece of work beside it, lay on +the table, while two bunches of bananas hung suspended from the rudder +casing. +</P> + +<P> +Dan Davis was dimly conscious of observing all these peaceful signs, +though his mind was upon other things. +</P> + +<P> +Once more he raised his voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Tom!" he shouted with all the strength of his lusty lungs. +</P> + +<P> +"Git out, you lubber!" +</P> + +<P> +Dan actually jumped. The voice had seemed to be right at his ear. The +voice was hoarse and jeering. The Battleship Boy glanced about him +quickly, but could see nothing that looked like a human being. +</P> + +<P> +"That you, Tom?" he demanded. +</P> + +<P> +A shriek of wild laughter was the answer to his question. +</P> + +<P> +Glancing up among the beams, Dan Davis gave a gasp. He understood. +</P> + +<P> +"A parrot! Hello, Tom, is that your name?" he questioned. +</P> + +<P> +The parrot laughed shrilly. +</P> + +<P> +"So you are the Tom I came down here to rescue, are you? Well, this is +a nice kettle of lobster! But you shall be rescued, just the same, Mr. +Thomas—Mr. Thomas, what's your other name?" +</P> + +<P> +"Lubber," answered the bird of brilliant plumage. +</P> + +<P> +Dan grabbed the cage. Searching hastily about, he found a skirt, which +he bound about the cage, knowing that the bird would surely be drowned +on the journey to the ship unless the cage were well protected. Tom +protested by sundry screeches and unseemly language, to all of which +Dan gave no heed. +</P> + +<P> +"We must get out of here. The boat will get tired of waiting for us, +and we're not going to stay here and drown," said Dan. +</P> + +<P> +The lad, having bound the cage to his satisfaction, ran up the +companionway. As he reached the deck a great wall of water swept over +him, a ton or more of it pouring down the open hatchway ere he could +get it closed. For a moment he held on desperately, unable to see or +hear, for the water that enveloped him. +</P> + +<P> +The wave passed and Dan staggered toward the stern, holding to the rail +that was now half submerged under a foaming sea. +</P> + +<P> +"Lifeboat, there!" he called as he neared the stern. +</P> + +<P> +There was no response to his summons. Dan repeated his call, but his +voice sounded weak and feeble in the roar of the storm. At last he +reached the stern and, during a lull in the rush of water, peered over. +The cutter was not there. Running to the other side, he looked over, +but he saw nothing but a waste of tumbling sea. +</P> + +<P> +For a moment the Battleship Boy stood clinging to the rail in a dazed +sort of a way. Then the truth dawned upon him. +</P> + +<P> +"They have gone back to the ship without me," he groaned. "I have been +left on a sinking ship. Even if they discover my absence it will no +doubt be too late to come to my rescue before this old tub goes down. +Tom Lubber, it begins to look as if you and I were bound for Davy +Jones's Locker at a twenty-knot gait." +</P> + +<P> +"Git out," jeered the parrot. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER III +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +BOMBARDED BY BIG GUNS +</H4> + +<P> +Dan was cool under the dreadful situation in which he found himself. +His mind was clear and active now. He felt no sense of fear. +</P> + +<P> +Glancing about, he finally located the battleship, though he was able +to see it only when the schooner rose on some mighty swell. The ship +appeared to be far away, but from her forward cage mast a broad beam of +light was being thrown down on the water. After a time Dan made out a +speck on the water near the warship. +</P> + +<P> +"That's the cutter," he muttered. "Thank goodness, they have not been +swamped. I wonder what became of the other boat? They must have +gotten aboard before this. But how came the cutter to go away and +leave me so soon, I cannot understand." +</P> + +<P> +Dan did not know that his warning to the cutter to wait for him had not +been heard by the coxswain of the latter boat, the lifeboat having +pulled away almost at once. The lad now shouted at the top of his +voice, but he could not have been heard a ship's length away. +</P> + +<P> +Once the big searchlight fell across the wave-swept decks of the +"Oriole," hovered there a moment, then was quickly withdrawn. +</P> + +<P> +"The boats are safe on board, I guess," decided Dan. "The ship is +moving. They are going away. I am left. I guess I had better go +below or I shall be swept into the sea. As it is, I shall not have +very long to wait for the end, judging from the way the schooner is +listing. Good-bye, old 'Long Island,'" muttered the boy, saluting, as +he fixed his eyes on the spot where he figured the stern of the +battleship should be. Then all was shut out in a blinding wave that +swept the deck of the disabled craft. +</P> + +<P> +When the wave had passed, Dan was gripping the deck house, gasping, for +he was almost choking with the salt water he had swallowed. He was +still clinging to the bird. +</P> + +<P> +"Come, Tom, we had better go below," he said, quickly raising the +hatch, letting it fall over him with a bang as he leaped down into the +corridor that led to the cuddy. But, quick as he was, a flood of salt +water poured down with him. For a moment Dan seemed to be swimming in +it. +</P> + +<P> +"Tom Lubber, it strikes me that the safest place for you, just now, +will be in your old billet up there. If you are going to be saved, I +guess some one else will have to do it. I do not seem to be an entire +success as a life saver." +</P> + +<P> +The bird-cage was placed on its hook, after which the lad stripped the +covering from it, bringing from the parrot a chorus of protests and +scornful epithets. +</P> + +<P> +Dan curled up on a bunk, leaning against a bulk-head. He was dripping +wet, but to this he gave no thought. He did not even realize that such +was the case. He was wondering how long it would be ere the old +schooner would take a plunge to the bottom of the ocean. +</P> + +<P> +"It must be a long way to the bottom," decided the Battleship Boy. "I +shan't know when we reach there, anyway, so what's the odds how far it +is? Perhaps it would be better for me to jump overboard and put a +quick end to it. Yet," he reflected, "while I am alive I am alive. I +guess that's good sense, and it gives me an idea." +</P> + +<P> +For several moments the boy was lost in deep thought. +</P> + +<P> +"If the rudder is still in place I may be able to do something that +will ease matters a little. Of course I do not know how much water +there is in the hold. Perhaps the bottom has been burst open, and all +that is keeping us together is the lumber. I'm going to make an +investigation, at any rate. I wonder if they have discovered my +absence on board the battleship?" +</P> + +<HR ALIGN="center" WIDTH="60%"> + +<P> +They had not discovered his absence. In boarding the battleship with +the rescued crew the whaleboat had been wrecked, as had its mate in +starting out. One of the rescued men was drowned in the sea just as he +was reaching for a rope that had been cast to him by a sailor on the +deck of the warship. +</P> + +<P> +For a time there was great excitement on board the battleship. At +last, however, all hands were hauled aboard. The cutter's crew and +passengers were landed without disaster, the daughter of the master of +the "Oriole" looking upon the whole affair as a most delightful +experience. +</P> + +<P> +After the rescued sailors had been cared for by their comrades on the +battleship, and the master's family made comfortable in one of the +cabins of the captain, the latter made his way to the bridge. +</P> + +<P> +"Let us get under way now, Coates," said the captain, addressing the +executive officer. "I don't like to lie near that floating hulk there +any longer than I am obliged to." +</P> + +<P> +The ship began to move. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll tell you what, Coates, I believe we had better break her up, +don't you?" +</P> + +<P> +"The schooner, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"An excellent idea. Shall I do it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. Use the seven-inch port battery." +</P> + +<P> +"Boatswain's mate!" roared the executive officer. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Turn out the seven-inch starboard gun crews. Order them to take their +stations and stand ready with six rounds of solid shot." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +The orders were quickly transmitted to the gun crews by the mate. The +men went to their stations on a run. This was an opportunity that +delighted the hearts of every jackie on board. It was something more +than the ordinary target practice. It was, in reality, battle +practice. Ammunition was quickly hoisted to the seven-inch gun turret, +and, taking a wide circle, the ship began swinging back toward the spot +where the "Oriole" had last been seen. The searchlights were playing +over the mountainous seas in search of her. +</P> + +<P> +"There she is, four points off the starboard bow, sir," shouted a +lookout. +</P> + +<P> +"What is the range, Mr. Coates?" asked the captain. +</P> + +<P> +"About four thousand yards." +</P> + +<P> +"Better make it three." +</P> + +<P> +The outlines of the schooner could be faintly made out by focusing the +searchlight upon her. +</P> + +<P> +"Within the range, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Very well, when you are ready." +</P> + +<P> +A bell buzzed in the starboard seven-inch forward turret, while an +indicator told the waiting gun crew that the doomed ship lay three +thousand yards from them. An instant later a projectile had been +shoved into the big gun, the breech closed and the gun pointer crawling +to his station, was sighting the piece on the ghostly outline of the +"Oriole." +</P> + +<P> +"Fire!" +</P> + +<P> +The battleship heeled ever so little, followed by a report as if the +ship had blown up. +</P> + +<P> +Again the bell in the turret buzzed. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir," answered the gun captain. +</P> + +<P> +"An excellent shot," came the information in the voice of the executive +officer. "You shot away the foremast. The schooner lies very low in +the water. You will have to depress your gun a little more this time, +or wait until the target rises on a swell. Drill her this time." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir; we'll drill her." +</P> + +<P> +"Boom!" roared the big seven-inch, as it hurled the second heavy +projectile straight at the unfortunate schooner. +</P> + +<P> +"Fair hit," shouted the executive officer in a tone of exultation. +</P> + +<P> +"Hit her hard, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"Dead amidships. Smash another in the same place and you'll have her +on the way to Davy Jones's ditty box." +</P> + +<P> +Again the forward starboard seven-inch spoke. +</P> + +<P> +"Miss," came the warning. "Poor work. Cease firing and give the after +turret's crew a chance." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +The after-turret's crew sprang to their work with a shout of joy. In +an incredibly short time after receiving the command, their weapon +began to roar, shot following shot, as if they were engaged in record +target practice for the silver cup. +</P> + +<P> +"Hit," came the call down the speaking tube after each shot. +Projectile after projectile landed in the hull of the doomed schooner. +</P> + +<P> +"There she goes!" cried the captain, catching a faint glimpse of the +"Oriole" as she slipped down a great sloping hill of water. "That's +the last of her." +</P> + +<P> +"Shall we give her another round, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; cease firing. She is no doubt broken to pieces by our shot by +this time. You do not see her, do you?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir. The searchlight doesn't seem able to find the schooner." +</P> + +<P> +"Then we need trouble ourselves no further about her. It's a good job, +Coates," smiled the captain, rubbing his palms together in keen +satisfaction. "We have rescued the crew of a disabled ship in one of +the worst gales that I ever saw on the Atlantic coast. We have lost +none of our own men and only one of the seamen belonging to the +schooner. Of course I'm sorry that he was lost, but we did all that +human beings could accomplish." +</P> + +<P> +"We did, sir." +</P> + +<P> +At that moment the captain's orderly approached. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" demanded the captain, observing that the orderly wished +to say something to him. +</P> + +<P> +"Seaman Sam Hickey asks permission to speak to the commanding officer, +sir." +</P> + +<P> +"What does Seaman Hickey wish to say to me?" +</P> + +<P> +"He did not say, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"I will see him." +</P> + +<P> +Sam, his red hair standing straight up, for he was hatless as well as +coatless still, approached the captain, came to attention and saluted. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, lad, what is it?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have not seen my friend Dan Davis since the boats returned, sir," he +said. +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" +</P> + +<P> +"I find that Davis did not return in either the whaleboat or the +cutter. He went back to save some one that the girl begged him to +save. I've made inquiry and learn that the somebody was a miserable +parrot." +</P> + +<P> +"Seaman Davis on that schooner?" demanded the captain in a startled +voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir, I think so, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"And we have shot the decks from under him with our seven-inch guns!" +groaned the captain. +</P> + +<P> +He immediately ordered that the searchlights try again to pick the +schooner up. But no search revealed her. By reason of the violence of +the gale, the battleship, for her own safety, had been compelled to +steam some distance away. But she lay to throughout the night, and +only when the early daylight revealed nothing of the schooner was she +headed for the Delaware Breakwater. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IV +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +LOOKING DEATH IN THE FACE +</H4> + +<P> +We left Dan curled up in a bunk, wondering how long it would be before +the schooner would go to the bottom. +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" exclaimed Dan, starting up from the narrow berth on +which he was sitting. +</P> + +<P> +He had heard a crash and felt a jar that was different from the shocks +he had been experiencing for the last half hour. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly the Battleship Boy leaped from the berth, splashing into the +water knee deep, as another shock, more violent than the other, set the +doomed schooner trembling from stem to stern. +</P> + +<P> +"Another mast has gone by the board," he groaned. +</P> + +<P> +"Bang!" +</P> + +<P> +The sound was accompanied by a ripping and rending of woodwork as if +the vessel were being torn apart by some strange, wonderful power. +</P> + +<P> +"I can't stand this any longer. I've got to go on deck and find out +what is occurring, even if I am swept overboard. I'm not going to die +down in this hole anyway. It's no way for a jackie in Uncle Sam's Navy +to end his life. Tommy, you'll have to get along the best way you can. +Good-bye if I do not see you again." +</P> + +<P> +There was a note of regret in the Battleship Boy's tone, as his glance +lingered half regretfully on the ugly face of the parrot. +</P> + +<P> +"Lubber!" retorted the indignant parrot. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess I am all you accuse me of being," answered Dan with a +mirthless laugh. +</P> + +<P> +Running up the companionway he crouched under the hatchway, listening +in order to determine whether a wave were washing over the ship or just +leaving the stern. Having decided on this, the lad quickly threw open +the hatch and sprang out on deck. +</P> + +<P> +A cold blast of salt spray smote him full in the face. Dan cleared his +eyes and glanced about him inquiringly. He was able to see but little +of deck or mast, but he felt quite sure that only one of the latter had +been left standing. +</P> + +<P> +There was a sudden angry flash off to port. +</P> + +<P> +"Lightning," muttered Dan. "We're going to have a thunderstorm to add +to my other troubles." +</P> + +<P> +No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the ship received a +shock so sudden and violent as to throw the boy flat on his face on the +deck. +</P> + +<P> +"That's the time we were struck," he cried, springing up. +</P> + +<P> +Indeed the "Oriole" had been struck, but not in the way that Dan Davis +thought. Instead of being struck by lightning another projectile from +the seven-inch gun had torn its way through the stricken schooner. +</P> + +<P> +Dan never had been under fire; in fact, he never had taken part in +target practice, so he knew little of what big-gun fire was like. +</P> + +<P> +A beam from a searchlight smote his face. +</P> + +<P> +"The 'Long Island'!" he fairly shouted. "They're coming back for me. +Tom," he yelled, poking his head in through the hatchway, "they're +coming after us. We shall yet be saved." +</P> + +<P> +"Get out!" answered the parrot in a shrill screaming voice. +</P> + +<P> +Dan dropped the hatchway, straightened up and shading his eyes as he +gazed off across the waste of waters. Just then he caught sight of +another of those sharp flashes that he had taken for lightning. This +time he saw that the flash had come directly from the battleship +itself. At the same instant he experienced another of those terrific +shocks, this one sending him staggering to the rail. +</P> + +<P> +The truth suddenly dawned upon him. +</P> + +<P> +"They are shooting at me!" he gasped. "But why are they doing that +terrible thing?" +</P> + +<P> +Dan pondered over this for a full moment. +</P> + +<P> +"I know," he cried. "They are trying to sink the schooner, to get her +out of the way, so that no other ship will run into her in the +darkness. Well, I certainly am in a fine fix. Not being able to drown +myself in a respectable way, the ship has come to my help by shooting +at me. I wonder what gun they are doing it with? It must be the +twelve-inch, judging——" +</P> + +<P> +"Bang! Crash!" +</P> + +<P> +"There she goes again." +</P> + +<P> +The schooner heeled until the lad was sure that she was going to turn +turtle. The Battleship Boy felt a shiver running up and down his spine. +</P> + +<P> +"If I had a light I might signal them and attract their attention. I +don't believe they are able to pick me up with the searchlight. If +they saw me they surely would not keep on shooting at me." +</P> + +<P> +Dan hastened to the cabin below. There was not a lantern to be found +so he grabbed up the cuddy lamp and ran to the deck with it. The +instant he reached the deck the wind blew the light out. +</P> + +<P> +The boy put the lamp down on the deck and crept over to the port rail +which was the side nearest to the distant battleship. +</P> + +<P> +Once more the seven-inch gun let go, the projectile going just a little +high and cutting a gash in the deck as it went screaming over, losing +itself in the sea off to starboard somewhere. +</P> + +<P> +"About six feet nearer, and my name would have been Dennis," muttered +the lad. +</P> + +<P> +He remembered, afterwards, that he had not experienced any feeling of +fear. The sensation of being under fire, and that with the knowledge +that a battleship was trying to sink the vessel under him, filled him +with awe and curiosity. Dan found himself wondering just how long it +would take for the guns of the warship to put the schooner under. Had +she not been loaded with lumber the schooner no doubt would have gone +down under the first projectile that struck her. +</P> + +<P> +"My, but those boys can shoot," he muttered with a feeling of pride. +"Ah, that one went too high. Lower, lower!" fairly screamed the boy. +</P> + +<P> +"Crash!" +</P> + +<P> +"That's the time you did it," he shouted exultantly, picking himself up +from the deck, his clothing torn, his body scratched from the splinters +that the projectile had rained over him in a perfect shower. "A few +more shots like that and you'll have her. But I'm glad there isn't any +flag flying here. I'd have to take it down. I couldn't stand it to +see them shooting at the Stars and Stripes." +</P> + +<P> +The next shot tore away a large section of the rail on the port side, +and seemed at the same time to have twisted the ship about. +</P> + +<P> +But Dan was clinging to a stanchion, which fact saved him from being +again thrown to the deck. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess they must have decided to cease firing," he said. "I hope +they haven't given it up. I know I shall be disappointed. How I wish +I were at that gun! Wouldn't it be fun! I believe I could shoot as +straight as they do. But——" +</P> + +<P> +Dan did not finish the sentence. There came a report more terrific +than those that had preceded it. The stanchion to which the lad bad +been clinging suddenly doubled over, striking him on the head, felling +him to the deck. The schooner lurched heavily, and, settling over on +her starboard side, slipped slowly down a great sloping hill of water +into a deep hollow of the sea. But Dan Davis lay still. The blow on +his head had been a cruel one, the iron stanchion having been struck by +a projectile from one of the seven-inch guns and bent double. +</P> + +<P> +The first gray streaks of the dawn were shooting up from the angry sea +when Dan opened his eyes again. His first sensation was that of +choking. He was, indeed, choking, for the deck on which he lay was a +river of salt water. The lad, in falling, had become wedged between +the rails, this being the only thing that had kept him from being +washed overboard. +</P> + +<P> +The lad's first thought was that he was drowning. Soon, however, he +managed to get his eyes open sufficiently to examine his surroundings. +</P> + +<P> +There was gray, turbulent water wherever the eye roamed, a waste of +foaming sea, here and there heaping itself into great dark piles that +seemed to tower higher than the masts of a ship. +</P> + +<P> +"It's a wonder I'm alive," exclaimed the Battleship Boy, as he began +extricating himself from his uncomfortable position. "The sea is not +nearly so high as it was last night, and this old craft is still on its +legs. That is the most surprising thing about the whole business." +</P> + +<P> +Dan got to his feet, but he was very unsteady. His first business was +to look over the ship and make up his mind how badly she had been hurt +by the fire of the battleship. Wreck and ruin greeted him on every +hand. The decks were a mass of tangled wreckage, broken masts, twisted +stanchions and knotted ropes. In several places the decks were ripped +wide open, the lumber beneath them split and torn into shreds. +</P> + +<P> +Peering over the side, the lad discovered a jagged hole in the hull, +through which the water rushed with every roll of the ship. +</P> + +<P> +The "Oriole" was lying well over on her side, threatening every instant +to complete the job by turning over entirely. Dan surveyed the ship +with critical eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"I see now what has saved me. It is the lumber. The schooner was so +far down in the sea, too, that the shots from the battleship could do +her little serious damage. I wonder why they ceased firing. They must +have thought we were sinking. Well, anyway, I'm still afloat, I wish I +could see the sun so I could guess where I am." +</P> + +<P> +Dan consulted the compass critically, learning that the battered hulk +was headed southeast. He tried the steering wheel, making the +discovery that the ship's rudder had not been torn off. He uttered an +exclamation. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder if I could do it?" he muttered. "The land lies somewhere to +the southwest. I know we are not far from the coast, for we sighted a +lighthouse yesterday afternoon." +</P> + +<P> +The stump of a mast was still standing, the stick having broken off +about thirty feet from the deck. +</P> + +<P> +Dan, after a moment's reflection, ran below. Wading about in the cuddy +and storeroom in water up to his armpits, he found that of which he was +in search. He staggered to the deck, dragging a jib sail after him. +It was no slight effort to carry the heavy canvas, but the lad +accomplished it. +</P> + +<P> +Now his purpose became evident. After great exertion he managed to +climb the slippery mast, carrying a block and tackle with him. The +roll of the ship made his task doubly difficult, but Dan pluckily held +on, weak and lame as he was. He knew no such word as "fail." When he +set about a certain task he did so with perfect confidence in himself. +He knew he should succeed. +</P> + +<P> +"There. I'm not a half-bad sailor, after all," he cried, dropping to +the deck. +</P> + +<P> +His next duty was to carry a rope from the sail that he had fastened to +the stump of the mast, back to the steering wheel, first having passed +the rope through tackle that he had made secure to a stanchion. Taking +it all in all, he had accomplished something that would have been a +credit to a much more experienced seaman. +</P> + +<P> +But Dan had not quite finished with his preparations. He was eyeing +the heavy mast that lay lengthwise of the deck, amidst a tangled mass +of ropes and stays. +</P> + +<P> +Procuring an axe from the deck house he cut the mast free; then, +rigging some tackle, he worked with the stick until at last he had +dumped it over the stern into the sea. Before doing so, however, he +had made fast a line to it, securing the line at the stern of the +schooner before launching the spar. The "Oriole" steadied considerably +under the influence of the dragging spar. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, for the experiment!" cried Dan almost joyously. "I don't know, +but perhaps the minute I get some wind in the sail the whole outfit +will turn turtle. At least, that will be better than waiting for the +ship to do so of her own accord." +</P> + +<P> +He drew the sail taut, after a long, comprehensive glance over the +deck, at the same time crowding the wheel over to port. Then followed +a minute of anxious suspense. The sail slowly filled, the shattered +bow gradually swung about. With a "splash, splash, splash!" the +battered hulk of the wrecked, shot-riddled "Oriole" began to move. +</P> + +<P> +"Hip, hip, hurrah!" shouted Dan Davis. "Right side up with care! Now, +if we don't get any worse weather, we'll land somewhere, even if it's +on the rocks." +</P> + +<P> +Dan decided upon the course that he would follow if he could, and, +watching the compass, held the "Oriole" to that course as closely as +possible. +</P> + +<P> +All during that day the sea continued gray and angry, the clouds hung +low and the sea gulls swept screaming by him, bound for still water. +Dan remained steadfast to his vigil, watching sea and sky and sail with +keen, observant eyes. He could not tell how fast he was traveling, but +so long as the schooner was under motion he did not care particularly. +There was no sight of land, but still he might be within three or four +miles of the coast and yet be unable to sight it, for the "Oriole" was +low in the water. +</P> + +<P> +Now and then, as the schooner rose on a swell, he would catch sight of +a wisp of smoke on the far-off horizon, showing that steamers were +working their way up or down the coast. +</P> + +<P> +Dan began to feel faint and hungry. He decided to look for food. +Lashing the wheel he went below and began his search in the dark, +water-logged interior of the ship. +</P> + +<P> +"Git out!" shrieked the parrot. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to, just as soon as I find a cracker." +</P> + +<P> +The parrot shrieked with rage, which caused the Battleship Boy to laugh +almost happily. +</P> + +<P> +After some searching about the lad came upon a tin case of hard tack +that had not been water-soaked. A piece of this he gave to the parrot, +the rest being stuffed into his own pockets. Then Dan returned to his +wheel. +</P> + +<P> +It was late that afternoon when the lad caught sight of something ahead +in the distance that attracted his attention instantly. He sprang up +to the broken rail, and, supporting himself by a twisted stanchion, +peered into the midst of the spray. +</P> + +<P> +"Land ho!" he shouted. "I think I see a light house." +</P> + +<P> +Dan danced about the deck gleefully, for a moment, then grabbed the +wheel. +</P> + +<P> +"Gid-dap! You're a slow old poke," he jeered. +</P> + +<P> +After a time he was able to make out the beacon more clearly. +</P> + +<P> +"Somehow, that light house looks familiar to me," he muttered. "I know +I have seen it before. Why, of course; I know where I am now. Hurrah! +We're headed for the Delaware Breakwater. If I keep on in this way +I'll be in Philadelphia—in the course of time," he added with a broad +grin. +</P> + +<P> +As Dan Davis and his derelict craft drew nearer and nearer he +discovered something else that caused him to gaze fixedly. What he saw +was the towering cage masts of a battleship. +</P> + +<P> +"Saved!" cried the Battleship Boy. "And it's the 'Long Island.' I +know it is. Won't they be surprised to see me, though? They must have +gone in there to get out of the gale." +</P> + +<P> +The lad was swelling with pride. He had accomplished a great feat, and +he knew it. +</P> + +<P> +By this time glasses from the warship were being leveled at the strange +craft that was to be seen floundering through the sea, headed for the +harbor where the battleship was at anchor. The officer of the deck +sent word to the captain, who was below, and the captain, after one +look at the wreck approaching, sent for the executive officer. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you make of her, Mr. Coates?" he questioned. +</P> + +<P> +The executive officer took a long, searching look at the schooner, then +turned wonderingly toward his superior. +</P> + +<P> +"It's our schooner 'Oriole,' unless I am greatly mistaken, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"You don't mean it?" +</P> + +<P> +"I may be mistaken, but it looks very much like her." +</P> + +<P> +"But we smashed the hulk of the 'Oriole,' Mr. Coates. We saw her go +under." +</P> + +<P> +"If we did she has pulled herself together and come back from Davy +Jones's Locker to a certainty. There's a man at the wheel, sir. I +believe that is Seaman Davis." +</P> + +<P> +"Send a boat's crew out to meet her at once." +</P> + +<P> +A cutter was quickly launched. By this time the rails of the +battleship were crowded with jackies. The word had been passed around +that the strange craft was none other than the schooner that officers +and crew supposed they had broken to pieces in the gale the night +before. +</P> + +<P> +Officers, through their glasses, saw the cutter run alongside the +schooner. Then, with the lone mariner on board, they began the return +trip to the battleship. The cutter came alongside, a few minutes +later, and Seaman Daniel Davis ran up the sea ladder, leaped through +the rope railing and came to attention before the commander of the +battleship. +</P> + +<P> +The instant his salute was returned, Dan ran to the port side of the +after deck, where stood a child, clinging to its mother's hand. +</P> + +<P> +"Young lady," he said, "I've brought your parrot to you. But I must +say he has about the worst disposition of any parrot that I ever knew." +</P> + +<P> +Dan handed the parrot over to the eager hands of the child. +</P> + +<P> +"Lubber!" shrieked the parrot, making a vicious grab for the Battleship +Boy's hand. +</P> + +<P> +The jackies of the "Long Island" set up a mighty cheer that was heard +far off on the mainland, wafted there by the quarter gale that was +still blowing. At the same time one by one the officers strode +forward, grasping the hand of the plucky lad, showering him with +congratulations. Dan Davis had performed a feat that would be talked +of on shore as well as on the high seas for a long time to come. +</P> + +<P> +"Ord'ly," called the captain sharply. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Tell the master-at-arms to see to it that Seaman Davis gets a warm +meal, the best that the ship affords, and at once. Davis, you will +draw a suit of clothes from the canteen at my expense. Yours are +ruined. After that you will turn in and stay there till to-morrow +morning." +</P> + +<P> +Dan saluted gravely. +</P> + +<P> +As the hulk of the "Oriole" would be dangerous to navigation, she was +towed within the Delaware Breakwater and delivered to the proper +authorities, and the passengers and crew of the ill-starred schooner +went ashore. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER V +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE LOSS OF THE TOMPION +</H4> + +<P> +That night being Saturday the crew gave a banquet in honor of the +Battleship Boy, following it with an entertainment. There were songs, +buck and wing dancing, a little playlet and a lively boxing bout. +</P> + +<P> +Dan was dragged to the stage amid loud demands for a speech. +</P> + +<P> +"Tell us how you did it," shouted the jackies. "Tell us all about it." +</P> + +<P> +The Battleship Boy blushed furiously. +</P> + +<P> +"Mates, I can't do it. I—I——" then Dan fled. They found him, an +hour later, hiding in the twelve-inch gun turret. +</P> + +<P> +The officers, however, felt a keen professional interest in the lad's +accomplishment, and especially in the effect on the schooner of the big +gun-fire. Hardly a man of all that crew of eight hundred men and +officers ever had stood on the deck of a ship that was being bombarded +by heavy projectiles. +</P> + +<P> +Dan was summoned to the captain's quarters. There, in the presence of +the senior officers, he related in a clear, comprehensive manner all +that had occurred, describing in detail the shock when the projectiles +hit the schooner; giving as nearly as possible the degree of list that +had followed and the number of hits. His technical knowledge was a +surprise to the ship's officers. Such knowledge was unusual in a +seaman, showing, as it did, that the lad had used his eyes and his +brain to good purpose since he had been on shipboard. As a matter of +fact, Dan had been studying ever since his enlistment. He had spent +all his leisure moments in studying the technical works with which the +ship's library was equipped, asking questions of the petty officers, +until he had informed himself far beyond his grade. +</P> + +<P> +Both lads had by this time risen to the grade of full seamen, which +carried with it a substantial increase in pay. +</P> + +<P> +"What, in your opinion, prevented our fire from sinking the schooner?" +questioned the captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, the fact that the boat was loaded with lumber was all that kept +her afloat, sir. Then, again, her hull lay so low in the water that +the projectiles had no opportunity to do effective work. If you had +elevated the seven-inch and dropped a projectile or so on the deck of +the schooner, I might not have been here to tell you about what +happened," added Dan with a suggestive smile. +</P> + +<P> +The captain smiled at his executive officer. +</P> + +<P> +"That is most excellent logic, Mr. Coates." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"I think we shall have to make a full report of this to the Navy +Department. Prepare a statement from what Seaman Davis has told us, +together with any further technical information he may be able to give +you. At the same time full credit should be given to Seaman Davis for +his splendid work. Young man, I congratulate you. You are not unknown +to me. I well recall other fine deeds on your part performed some time +since. I trust you suffered no injury during your trying experience." +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"You are interested in guns?" +</P> + +<P> +"Very deeply interested." +</P> + +<P> +"But you have not been stationed at one of the guns?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Would you like to be? Would you prefer to be a member of a gun crew?" +</P> + +<P> +"It has been my ambition to join a gun crew, sir. I feel that I should +do well in that position." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you shall. Coates, will you be good enough to tell the ship's +writer to enter Seaman Davis as a member of the starboard seven-inch +crew?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, sir," answered the Battleship Boy, his eyes gleaming with +pleasure. "I shall try not to be a discredit to the seven-inch, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"You will not. That goes without saying." +</P> + +<P> +"May I ask a favor, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly. What is it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Will it be possible for my friend, Seaman Hickey, to have a place in +that gun squad?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think that can be arranged," answered the captain with an indulgent +smile. "Has your friend also a desire to learn to shoot?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"His desire shall be gratified. And, as for you, Davis, continue in +the way you have started and there is little doubt as to where you will +eventually bring up. I shall watch your career with deep interest. I +always take an interest in the young men who are striving to work +themselves up. If I can be of assistance to you, at any time, +communicate in the proper manner, and I shall be glad to do all I can +for you." +</P> + +<P> +Dan rose, for they had invited him to be seated when he first entered +the cabin. He came to stiff attention, saluted and, when the +commanding officer waved his hand, the Battleship Boy executed a smart +right-about-face and marched from the room. +</P> + +<P> +On the following morning Dan and Sam were marched to the quarter-deck +with the seven-inch starboard gun crew at muster. They were proud +boys, too, and, after quarters, they proceeded directly to their +station, where they spent the forenoon receiving instruction under the +captain of the gun's crew. +</P> + +<P> +Dan fondled the great gun almost affectionately. It already had become +a thing of life to him, for had not this same gun been thundering away +at him, hurling projectiles at him in a determined effort to sink the +ship under him, only a few hours before? +</P> + +<P> +"Rather be at this end than the other, wouldn't you?" questioned Sam +Hickey, with a grin. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; now that I have had time to think the matter over, I believe I +prefer this end," laughed Dan. "It was not so bad, though. You see, I +never had been under fire before, and I was interested. It was a new +experience." +</P> + +<P> +"One that few of us have had," spoke up the gun captain. +</P> + +<P> +"I know I should have run away if I had been there," decided Sam, with +a thoughtful shake of the head. +</P> + +<P> +"Where would you have run to?" demanded Dan, at which there was a laugh +all around. +</P> + +<P> +Sam was sitting on the deck of the turret, industriously at work +polishing the brass tompion with which the end of the gun is plugged to +keep out the sea water. +</P> + +<P> +Finishing his task, he turned up the tompion and sat down on it, as +with chin in hands he listened to the conversation. +</P> + +<P> +"Makes a good seat, eh?" he grinned, as he saw the eyes of the gun +captain upon him. +</P> + +<P> +"You will not think so if you damage the tompion. Get off from it. Do +you know what those things are worth?" +</P> + +<P> +"'Bout a dollar and a half," answered Sam rather contemptuously. "I +could buy enough to fit the ship with on a month's pay." +</P> + +<P> +"You could, eh?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"You will have a chance to buy one if you are not careful. Those +tompions cost twenty-five dollars apiece, and I ought to know, for I +dropped one overboard once and it was checked up against me." +</P> + +<P> +Sam uttered a low whistle of surprise, then very gingerly carried the +brass plug outside and inserted it in the muzzle of the big gun. As he +did so Sam half turned his head, finding himself looking into the eyes +of a dark-faced fellow, who was lounging against the rail. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello, Blackie," greeted the red-haired boy. +</P> + +<P> +The dark-faced boy scowled. He was one of two Hawaiians who had joined +the ship about the same time that the Battleship Boys had come aboard. +One of the Hawaiians was very dark and the other almost white, so the +jackies named them Black and White, these names being easier of +pronunciation than were the real names of the men. +</P> + +<P> +As it chanced, both Black and White had been shifted from the +seven-inch gun crew to make room for Dan and Sam, while the Pacific +Islanders were set to scrubbing decks and doing general work about the +ship. +</P> + +<P> +The men did not dare rebel, but they had been ugly ever since the +change had been made, and Sam's grin did not tend to make Black any the +less ugly. +</P> + +<P> +"I said 'hello,'" repeated Sam. +</P> + +<P> +Still the Hawaiian made no reply. He simply scowled—scowled until his +face was ridged with sharp wrinkles. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you know how to salute, my man?" urged Sam, with the superior +air that he had seen some officers employ. +</P> + +<P> +"Me know." +</P> + +<P> +"Then salute your superior." +</P> + +<P> +"No salute you. You nothing but red-head." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, that's it, is it? Because I'm a red-head you won't salute me? +Well, let me tell you, I had a sight rather have a red head than some +other colors that I know about." +</P> + +<P> +Sam turned on his heel and strode into the gun turret without another +word. He did not realize that he had made an enemy of the dark-skinned +Hawaiian, an enemy who would never forget to do him an injury. Perhaps +Sam would not have cared had he known. +</P> + +<P> +A few moments later the gun captain emerged from the turret and stood +leaning over the rail of the ship, looking into the water, one hand +resting lightly on the muzzle of the seven-inch gun. Suddenly his hand +slipped and went right into the muzzle. +</P> + +<P> +The gun captain withdrew the hand with a surprised look on his face. +</P> + +<P> +"What's this?" he muttered. "What did that red-head do with the +tompion, I wonder!" +</P> + +<P> +He glanced about the deck, and, failing to discover the brass gun plug, +hurriedly entered the turret where Sam was now engaged in polishing the +bright work on the gun butt. +</P> + +<P> +"Hickey!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"What did you do with that tompion after you polished it?" +</P> + +<P> +"The plug, you mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, I put it back where it belongs." +</P> + +<P> +"Where, I asked you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I stuck it in the gun." +</P> + +<P> +"Come out here." +</P> + +<P> +The gun captain led Sam to the outer deck, and, taking hold of the +boy's arm, pointed to the muzzle of the seven-inch. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you see any tompion in that gun?" he demanded. +</P> + +<P> +"N-n-n-no," answered Sam hesitatingly. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, tell me where you put it." +</P> + +<P> +"I told you once. I put it in the muzzle. Where did you think I put +it!" +</P> + +<P> +"I did not think. But it is now my opinion that you dropped it +overboard." +</P> + +<P> +"I did nothing of the sort," protested Hickey indignantly. +</P> + +<P> +"You were the last man to handle the plug, were you not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Y-e-s." +</P> + +<P> +"Where is it?" +</P> + +<P> +"I—I don't know." +</P> + +<P> +"That will cost you twenty-five, young man. You will no doubt be put +on the list for a reprimand, if not worse. That's all I've got to say +to you." +</P> + +<P> +Sam stood with both hands thrust in his trousers' pockets, gazing +absently off to sea. +</P> + +<P> +"Almost a whole month's pay gone to grass," he muttered. "Shoot the +whole business!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VI +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE +</H4> + +<P> +An hour later Sam Hickey ran across the fellow Black on the +superstructure. +</P> + +<P> +"See here, Blackie." +</P> + +<P> +Black moved on as if he had not heard. A second later Sam had him by +the collar. +</P> + +<P> +"You wait a minute. I've got something to say to you." +</P> + +<P> +Black halted because the grip on his collar forced him to do so, but he +turned an angry face on the Battleship Boy. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm in a fix, Blackie, and you've got to help me out." +</P> + +<P> +Black grunted. +</P> + +<P> +"You were standing outside the seven-inch port when I came out on deck +a while ago, weren't you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"You saw me put that tompion in the muzzle of the gun there, didn't +you?" +</P> + +<P> +Black shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"You didn't?" +</P> + +<P> +"Me not see." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you remember, I was just putting the plug in when I said 'hello' +to you, and you wrinkled up your face as if you had a colic, or some +other kind of pain in your stomach?" urged Hickey. +</P> + +<P> +Black shook his head again. +</P> + +<P> +"Me see nothing," he declared sullenly. +</P> + +<P> +Sam surveyed him half suspiciously. +</P> + +<P> +"You're a thick-head, that's what you are. Here I am in a fix, and you +won't even try to help me out. You just wait until you get in trouble, +and see how quickly I will come to your rescue—not! I'll lose my +memory entirely so far as what you want me to remember is concerned. +Go on; I don't want anything more to do with you," added the red-haired +boy, giving the other a shove. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the trouble, Sam?" demanded Dan Davis, who was passing along +the deck at that moment. +</P> + +<P> +Sam explained briefly. +</P> + +<P> +"You are sure you put the tompion in the gun?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure? Of course I'm sure. I couldn't possibly be mistaken about a +thing like that, could I?" +</P> + +<P> +"I should think not." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course I couldn't." +</P> + +<P> +"Then it must have fallen out and gone overboard. Evidently you did +not put it in tightly. I can't see but that you were negligent, so +take your medicine like a man, Sam. In other words, grin and bear it," +advised Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"Huh!" grunted Hickey in a tone of disgust. "Twenty-five dollars' +worth, eh? All right; I'll bear it, but I'll not grin." +</P> + +<P> +While this conversation was taking place another was being held in the +cabin of the captain, who was in consultation with Mr. Coates, his +executive officer. +</P> + +<P> +"I have just received an order by wireless from the admiral to put +ashore six signalmen to be used for landing practice up in Gardiner's +Bay. They are going ashore this afternoon, when we move up near enough +to put them off," said the captain. "How many signalmen will that +leave us for our work?" +</P> + +<P> +"Let me see," mused the executive officer. "It will leave us three +men. I presume you wish to send the most expert signalmen to the +admiral?" +</P> + +<P> +"By all means." +</P> + +<P> +"That will leave us very short. We shall be practically without a +signal corps. Three of our fellows are merely novices, and can hardly +be depended upon." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I shall have to wire the admiral that we cannot spare the men. I +dislike very much to do that, for we should have plenty of men on board +who are experts with the wig-wag flags." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that is so. It would be rather humiliating to have to confess +our weakness. Is there no other way out of it? Perhaps we could get +along without a signal corps for the present." +</P> + +<P> +"Wait a minute. I have an idea," exclaimed the commanding officer, his +face lighting with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Is not that young seaman, Dan Davis, handy with the flags?" +</P> + +<P> +"Right you are, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Was he not one of the signalmen who did such fine work when we were +laying mines, the time Bill Kester was rescued by this same boy?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir. Both boys took part in that rescue, if you recall the +incident." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I remember. That will leave us in fine shape. You will see to +it that the signal corps is put ashore this afternoon." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"And, by the way, I think it might be a good idea to have Davis drill +in some other men while we are about it. I want to see what we can do. +He strikes me as being a most likely lad." +</P> + +<P> +"Both of them are, sir, though Davis is built of a little finer +material than his companion. Have I your instructions to order him to +go ahead with the instruction?" +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly." +</P> + +<P> +"How many men shall we try out?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, say a dozen. From the dozen we shall be able to pick at least six +likely ones." +</P> + +<P> +"Shall we assign the men?" +</P> + +<P> +The captain reflected. +</P> + +<P> +"No, let Seaman Davis do that. If he chooses any men we cannot spare +you will so advise him. I want to see what sort of material he will +choose." +</P> + +<P> +"Very good, sir; I will attend to the matter at once." +</P> + +<P> +Shortly after that Dan received orders to report to the executive +officer. The latter explained briefly what was wanted of him. +</P> + +<P> +"For the purpose of the instruction you are clothed with the authority +of a petty officer," said Mr. Coates. "Your orders will be obeyed. +When you have chosen your men hand me the list, and I will pass upon +it." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"You are relieved from further duty for the present." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +Dan made a dignified salute, and walked away with his shoulders a +little more erect than usual. But the moment he was sure he had gotten +out of sight of the officer, he started off on a run to carry the good +news to Sam Hickey. Sam was not over enthusiastic. He was still +grumbling over the loss of the tompion, which meant also the loss of +twenty-five dollars to himself. +</P> + +<P> +Within the hour he had handed in the list of names of the men chosen +for signal duty. This list was approved by the executive officer and +the captain, and that afternoon Dan assembled his class on the forward +deck for their first lesson. Not a man of them had ever before had +signal instruction. +</P> + +<P> +In military formation the Battleship Boy marched his class up and out +to the forward deck. +</P> + +<P> +"Halt!" he commanded. "Left face! Right dress! Front!" +</P> + +<P> +"Coates, that was pretty well done, eh?" chuckled the captain, who, +with his executive officer, was leaning over the bridge railing, +watching the proceedings. +</P> + +<P> +"Open order, march!" +</P> + +<P> +The men of the class spread out so that there was plenty of open space +in front of each man. +</P> + +<P> +The Battleship Boy gave the men a brief talk on the general subject of +signaling, impressing upon them the need of accuracy. +</P> + +<P> +"Do not try to be fast. Speed will come in good time, but make it your +ambition both to send and to read messages with absolute accuracy. We +will now begin with the code, which is as follows:" +</P> + +<P> +Davis ran through the code, signaling out each letter slowly in order +to show the men how the movements were executed. +</P> + +<P> +The wig-wag code, as used in the United States Navy, consists of a +series of numbers that represent the letters of the alphabet. They are +delivered by a red flag bearing a white square in its center. The code +that Dan spelled out is as follows: +</P> + +<PRE> + A .................. 22 O .................. 21 + B .................. 2112 P .................. 1212 + C .................. 121 Q .................. 1211 + D .................. 222 R .................. 211 + E .................. 12 S .................. 212 + F .................. 2221 T .................. 2 + G .................. 2211 U .................. 112 + H .................. 122 V .................. 1222 + I .................. 1 W .................. 1121 + J .................. 1122 X .................. 2122 + K .................. 2121 Y .................. 111 + L .................. 221 Z .................. 2222 + M .................. 1221 End of word ........ 3 + N .................. 11 End of sentence .... 33 +</PRE> + +<BR> + +<P> +The flag with which the numbers are made is attached to a staff just +long enough to handle easily. Before beginning the message the flag +staff is held perpendicularly in front of the operator. Dipping the +flag once to the left, at right angles to the body, indicates the +figure two. Dipping it once to the right indicates the figure one. +Dipping it forward once, away from the body means the figure three. +For instance, if the flag be dipped twice to the left, the operator +will have made the signal "twenty-two," meaning A. +</P> + +<P> +"I will now spell the words 'Battleship Boy,';' he said, beginning a +slow movement of the wig-wag flag, making the following figures: +</P> + +<P> +"2112, 22, 2, 2, 221, 12, 212, 122, 1, 1212, 3, 2112, 21, 111, 212." +</P> + +<P> +"We will now begin practicing the code in groups of three letters," +said the instructor. +</P> + +<P> +For a full hour he put the young jackies through their paces. By the +time the bugle blew his class had learned nearly half the signal +alphabet. +</P> + +<P> +"If you will practice these movements, using your hands in place of +flags, this evening, you will have fixed the numbers and the letters +that they represent so firmly in your minds that you will not be likely +to forget them. Do it at every opportunity before turning in to-night. +I shall expect each of you to be letter-perfect in the morning. Once +more, now, call the letters as I make them. I will give you only what +you have had this afternoon. Begin with the first man in line." +</P> + +<A NAME="img-070"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-070.jpg" ALT="The Battleship Boys Swung Into the Chorus." BORDER="2" WIDTH="408" HEIGHT="630"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 408px"> +The Battleship Boys Swung Into the Chorus. +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<P> +The Battleship Boy made the figures, wigwagging slowly. Among the men +on the forward deck there were only three who were not quick to read +the signals. These Dan ordered to step forward. A few minutes proved, +to his own satisfaction, that their minds were too sluggish to enable +them to make very good signalmen. +</P> + +<P> +"You three men need not report to-morrow," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"That boy is bound to command, Coates," announced the captain with +emphasis. "Davis!" +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir," answered Dan, turning and saluting. +</P> + +<P> +"You and your friend, Seaman Hickey, turn to and give an exhibition of +wig-wagging. It will be instructive, as well as entertaining, to all +of us." +</P> + +<P> +Dan's eyes lighted with pleasure. +</P> + +<P> +"'Red, White and Blue,'" he said, as he passed a flag to Sam. "Follow +me giving the next lines." +</P> + +<P> +"Will that save my twenty-five?" +</P> + +<P> +"It may." +</P> + +<P> +"All right, I'll take a chance on it. Go ahead." +</P> + +<P> +Dan stationed himself on one side of the deck, while Sam walked briskly +to the opposite side. +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"Oh, Columbia, the gem of the ocean,<BR> +The home of the brave and the free,"<BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +wig-wagged Dan. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"The shrine of each patriot's devotion,<BR> +A world offers homage to thee,"<BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +continued Sam Hickey, his red flag flashing up and down forming the +letters of the code with such swiftness that few of the officers were +able to follow. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"Thy mandates make heroes assemble,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">When Liberty's form stands in view;</SPAN><BR> +Thy banners make tyranny tremble,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">When borne by the red, white and blue."</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +The instant Dan's swift strokes with flag had ended the verse, both the +Battleship Boys swung into the chorus, +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"When borne by the red, white and blue,<BR> +When borne by the red, white and blue,<BR> +Thy banners make tyranny tremble,<BR> +When borne by the red, white and blue."<BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +"Thirty-three, thirty-three," finished the lads, bringing the butts of +their flag staffs to the deck with a click that sounded as one. +</P> + +<P> +A perfect storm of applause from the officers rewarded the splendid +performance of the Battleship Boys. The jackies on the deck, though +few of them had been able to make out the message, the words of the +beautiful anthem, realized that they were watching the work of two +masters with the wig-wag flags, so they, too, added their quota to the +applause. They did not do so by hand applause. The jackies threw up +their hats and set up a loud cheer. +</P> + +<P> +"The most remarkable performance of its kind that I ever saw," +announced the captain. +</P> + +<P> +"I never saw anything like it myself," agreed the executive officer. +"It's lucky we happened to think of those boys." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed it is." +</P> + +<P> +"Anything further, sir?" questioned Dan, saluting. +</P> + +<P> +"That will be sufficient. Thank you, my lads." +</P> + +<P> +The boys saluted, then marched from the forecastle, proud and happy, +but not forgetting their dignity in their excitement and pleasure. +</P> + +<P> +"Three cheers for the Battleship Boys," shouted one of the bluejackets +the instant the officers had left the bridge. "Hurrah for little +Dynamite!" That last was Dan's nickname. And the cheers were given +with a will. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +PUTTING THE ENEMY OUT +</H4> + +<P> +By this time every officer and man on the battleship "Long Island" knew +Dan Davis and Sam Hickey by name as well as by sight. But the lads +bore their honors well. Neither of the boys sought to take advantage +of the favor he had gained. If anything, the boys toiled harder than +ever. They worked with the formidable seven-inch gun during all the +hours that were allotted to this work. +</P> + +<P> +During the rest hour Dan and his companion would ordinarily be found in +the turret, examining the gun and its carriage, quizzing each other to +test their knowledge, committing to memory the name and use of every +part of these complicated instruments of war. +</P> + +<P> +Late one afternoon, when the men were supposed to be at play on the +forward deck, the captain was passing through on his way to his +quarters, when he heard voices in the turret and peered in there. +</P> + +<P> +He saw Dan and Sam stripped to their undershirts, working the big gun +and going through with their own examination. Dan was trying to +explain to his companion the theory and practice of +range-finding—learning the distance and location of the enemy. From +that they drifted into the question of sighting the big guns, elevation +and other technical subjects beyond their years and experience. +</P> + +<P> +The ship's commander smiled proudly. After a few moments of listening, +he stepped inside. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, lads, do you never rest?" he questioned, in a kindly tone, for +the commanding officer of the "Long Island" was a humane man, one who +had the interests of his men at heart to a degree possessed by few +commanding officers in the service. +</P> + +<P> +The lads saluted but made no reply, as an answer was not expected to +the question. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you studying—I mean in books?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir," replied Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"Where do you get your books?" +</P> + +<P> +"From the ship's library, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"I am afraid you are in need of some more advanced works than you will +find in the crew's library. If you will come to my quarters, this +evening after your mess, I will see what I can find for you. I think I +have some books that will be of use to you. By the way, I heard you +mention electricity once or twice. Do you know anything about that +branch?" +</P> + +<P> +"A little, sir, but we are studying that as well," Dan replied. +</P> + +<P> +"From books?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes, sir. Besides this we are taking a course in electricity with +a correspondence school." +</P> + +<P> +The eyes of the commanding officer twinkled. +</P> + +<P> +"You are two very industrious boys. I am afraid not many of our boys +are following your example." +</P> + +<P> +"Quite a few of them are, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"May I ask what you are seeking to accomplish?" +</P> + +<P> +Dan glanced up inquiringly. +</P> + +<P> +"I mean as to the future. What do you hope to do with yourself?" asked +the captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Naturally, sir, I hope to gain promotion when I have earned it," was +Dan's answer. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, yes; to be sure. You have ambitions to become petty officers. +Well, your prospects are good, young men, if you keep on in that way +you have been going. You will come below for the books as I suggested, +will you not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir; thank you, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"As I have said before, whenever you wish advice or assistance, come to +me, through your immediate superiors, and you will find me ever ready +to aid you." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, sir," acknowledged the boys, in chorus. The captain +saluted in answer to theirs; then, turning on his heel, left the turret. +</P> + +<P> +"That's what I call a right smart gentleman," announced Sam Hickey, +with an emphatic nod of the head. +</P> + +<P> +"The captain is a magnificent man. We are lucky, old fellow, in being +under such a commander. I'd face powder and bullets any day for him." +</P> + +<P> +"Say, Dan." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"He invited us to call on him, didn't he?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, yes; something like that, though not in a social sense. That +would be impossible." +</P> + +<P> +Sam pondered. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know I'd give a month's pay if the rest of the bunch could see +me sitting in one of those mahogany chairs in the Old Man's quarters, +with my feet on his dining room table." +</P> + +<P> +"Sam Hickey, I am ashamed of you. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, +to say a thing like that! Suppose the commanding officer had overheard +those words, instead of what he did overhear. What would you have done +then?" +</P> + +<P> +"What would I have done? Why, I'd have slipped out through the gun +port, and left you to square things with him," answered the resourceful +Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"You're hopeless," muttered Dan. "And, another thing, before you talk +of giving a month's pay remember that you have nearly a month's pay +charged against you for the loss of the tompion." +</P> + +<P> +"That's so. I'm going to ask the captain about that. Maybe, when he +hears my side of the case, he will remit the fine. It's a shame to +make me pay it." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't be a baby. Be a man and take your medicine like a man," advised +Dan, as he pulled on his jacket and prepared to leave the turret. +</P> + +<P> +That evening they reported at the captain's quarters, as they had been +directed. While, in this instance, the lads remained standing, their +commanding officer talked with them as if they were really his equals; +that is, as if there were no social barriers erected between them. +</P> + +<P> +The longer they remained in the service the more the Battleship Boys +came to realize that the gulf between officers and men was not nearly +so wide as it had been painted. The officer worked by the side of his +men in the grime and dirt, and at all times made the comfort of the +jackies his personal care. Strict forms, however, had to be lived up +to for the sake of discipline. +</P> + +<P> +On the following morning, when the two boys reported to turret number +four, where they were stationed, the gun captain lined up his men and +looked them over after roll call. +</P> + +<P> +"What we need in this crew, just now, is gun pointers. Those of you +who have tried that work aren't worth the powder to blow you through a +ventilator. What we are going to do I'll confess I don't know. Here +we are, within four weeks of battle practice, and not one of you could +sight a gun so that it would send a ball through a barn if the barn +were leaned up against the muzzle. Do any of you who haven't tried +think you can sight a seven-inch gun!" +</P> + +<P> +"I used to shoot woodchucks with a shotgun, sir," Sam Hickey informed +the gun captain. +</P> + +<P> +The gun crew laughed loudly. +</P> + +<P> +"Bosh!" exploded the gun captain. +</P> + +<P> +"I can shoot, sir," insisted Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"I'd be afraid to have you get near a bag of powder with that fiery +head. It's a wonder you don't blow up with spontaneous combustion. +You will, one of these times, if you don't look sharp." +</P> + +<P> +A pugnacious look flashed into Sam Hickey's eyes, but he dared not make +a retort to the gun captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Davis, do you think you could learn to sight a gun?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir; I think so." +</P> + +<P> +"You'll get the chance. We will give you a try-out this morning. All +hands line up for dotter practice." +</P> + +<P> +"What's dotter practice?" asked Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"Sh-h-h," warned Dan. "Haven't you learned what that is yet?" +</P> + +<P> +"No." +</P> + +<P> +"Dotter practice is target work in miniature. Listen! The gun captain +is going to explain it to us." +</P> + +<P> +"Some of you understand the dotter," began the gun captain. "For the +benefit of those of you who do not I will explain. The dotter is a +little contrivance on the gun, which enables you to shoot at a target +and proves your marksmanship. By looking through the finder you will +see a little target that moves up and down like a ship at sea. When +the crossed wires of your finder are right on the target you pull the +trigger. A black spot will appear on the target—a dot, showing where +your shot struck if you have hit the target at all. We call it a +dotter because it makes a dot where it hits." +</P> + +<P> +"And the dotter makes you dotty," muttered Sam under his breath, yet +loudly enough so that the man next to him heard it. The fellow laughed +aloud, bringing down a sharp rebuke from the gun captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Hickey, try your hand at the dotter." +</P> + +<P> +Sam climbed up to the little platform on the right side of the gun, +winking at his companions as he did so. +</P> + +<P> +"What shall I do now?" he questioned, taking his place. +</P> + +<P> +"Sight through the finder. I'll set the target going." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I see it. I'm afraid that thing will make me seasick if I keep +on looking at it," declared Hickey, looking up at the instructor. +</P> + +<P> +"Attend to your practice!" +</P> + +<P> +"Bang!" +</P> + +<P> +Sam leaped up into the air. His head came into violent contact with +the deck above him. +</P> + +<P> +"Ouch!" yelled the red-headed boy, as he collapsed in a heap on the +deck. +</P> + +<P> +Sam had unwittingly pulled the trigger, firing the cap that bad been +provided to explode the dotter, thus making the miniature target work +the more realistic. +</P> + +<P> +"Did something hit me? I—I thought the seven-inch had gone off," +stammered the boy, pulling himself to his feet and rubbing his head +where it had hit the ceiling. +</P> + +<P> +"Just like a landlubber," growled the gun captain. "You'll make a fine +gun pointer, you will." +</P> + +<P> +"I—I didn't know the thing was going off," complained Hickey. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose, if we were to fire the piece in earnest, you would jump +overboard," sneered the captain. "Get up there, now, and do it right, +if you want to stay in this division." +</P> + +<P> +Sam took his place once more, the gun captain giving him suggestions +and directions as to how to catch the moving target when it was moving +upward as a ship does in riding a great swell. +</P> + +<P> +"Bang!" +</P> + +<P> +Sam had pulled the trigger, but this time he had done so intentionally. +Instinctively the lad jumped, grinning sheepishly as he noted the +smiles on the faces of his companions of the gun crew. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what is your score?" +</P> + +<P> +"Score?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. Did you hit the target?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know." +</P> + +<P> +"Look at the target." +</P> + +<P> +"I see a fly speck over by the edge of the target," spoke up Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"That is where your shot struck. Had you been shooting at a battleship +you might have raked her stern, but I reckon you would not have done +her very great damage. However, it was not a half-bad shot for a +landlubber. Number three, take your place." +</P> + +<P> +The man indicated made an even worse shot than had Hickey, though he +had been practising with the dotter for three weeks. +</P> + +<P> +"You never will do at this work," decided the gun captain. "About all +you will be good for will be to clean bright work and pass along +ammunition. Davis, let's see what you can do." +</P> + +<P> +Dan was all expectation. He could hardly wait for his turn at the gun. +</P> + +<P> +"You understand how to work it?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think so." +</P> + +<P> +"Take your time. Make sure of your mark, then let go quickly. You +will find in actual target work, or in shooting at an enemy, that a +fraction of a second's delay will ordinarily roll the target out of +your range. Better to shoot a second too soon than a second too late." +</P> + +<P> +Dan was peering through the sights, his eye fixed on the pin-head +opening. One hand crept slowly to the trigger. It rested there for a +few seconds without a tremor. His nerves were steady and true. +</P> + +<P> +"Bang!" +</P> + +<P> +"What luck?" +</P> + +<P> +"Squarely in the center. That's what I should call a bull's eye," +announced Dan Davis triumphantly. "Am I right, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; you hit the mark all right. It may have been a chance shot." +</P> + +<P> +"I think not, sir. I will see if I can do it again." +</P> + +<P> +Dan applied his eye to the finder. An instant's hesitation, then there +followed the sharp report of the dotter. +</P> + +<P> +"Once more in the center, sir. Shall I fire again?" +</P> + +<P> +"No. You've sunk the ship, young man. You have put the enemy out of +business. You are not only going to make a splendid gunner, but you +are far above the average already." +</P> + +<P> +Ere Dan could express his thanks the bugle blew, piping gun crews down +to other duties. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VIII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +SAM GETS A PIG'S FOOT +</H4> + +<P> +The "Long Island" was still lying inside the breakwater when the lads +were piped to their gun station the following morning. +</P> + +<P> +"Seaman Dan Davis and Sam Hickey will hereafter act as gun pointers in +number four turret," said the gun captain. "You will get your rating +badges at the canteen, meaning the ship's storeroom. See that you have +them before the afternoon practice at four bells." +</P> + +<P> +The Battleship Boys looked at each other triumphantly, and Sam winked +wisely at his companion. How the lads did go through their work that +day, performing each duty with a snap that drew nods of approval from +the gun captain and wondering looks from their companions. +</P> + +<P> +After the noon meal they hastened to the canteen, where they procured +the rating badges. This was a square of blue cloth on which was a +white circle with two fine lines drawn across the circle at right +angles to each other, representing the crossed sights such as one finds +in a telescope rifle. +</P> + +<P> +The boys lost no time in sewing them on their sleeves, after which they +paraded the forward deck, doing their best to look unconcerned. Their +efforts in this direction were failures. +</P> + +<P> +"Hello, Dynamite! I see you've got your hash marks," greeted a +companion. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, you mean this," answered Dan, with glowing face, as he held up his +arm. +</P> + +<P> +"I've got one, too, even if I couldn't hit the side of a barn," spoke +up the red-headed Hickey. "I told the captain of number four how I had +plugged woodchucks back home, though, and I guess that convinced him +that I could shoot big guns." +</P> + +<P> +"Say, Hickey, speaking of hash marks, have you got any on you yet?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm just telling you I have one here. I'm a gun pointer. If you +don't believe it, come over to the turret and I'll point one at you. +It'll make you jump when the pop-gun goes off, I'll bet." +</P> + +<P> +"No, no; I don't mean that kind of a hash mark," laughed his companion. +</P> + +<P> +"What kind, then?" +</P> + +<P> +"Tattoo marks. We call them hash marks." +</P> + +<P> +"I get tattooed—is that what you mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course; every sailor—every real sailor—has that done." +</P> + +<P> +"What for?" +</P> + +<P> +"Just to be the real thing; that's all." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. I hadn't thought of it." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll take you over to Needle Johnson, if you want to have it done." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I don't know," reflected Sam. "Does it hurt?" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course it doesn't. You will not even feel it. Doesn't hurt half +as much as the sting of a Jersey mosquito." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll go and talk with What's-his-name——" +</P> + +<P> +"Needle Johnson." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. Where's Dan?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think he has gone below. You come along, and he'll be surprised and +envious when he finds you have had the job done," continued the boy's +shipmate with a wink at some of the others standing by. +</P> + +<P> +Sam somewhat reluctantly followed the jackie below, where, after some +searching about, they finally located Needle Johnson. Needle was an +old-time sea dog, wearing a heavy crop of whiskers and with a voice +that would have done credit to a boatswain's mate. +</P> + +<P> +"Here's a lad who hasn't had a hash mark put on his skin, and he's been +on board for three months." +</P> + +<P> +Needle gazed at the red-headed boy pityingly. +</P> + +<P> +"You don't mean it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. I told him he wouldn't be a real sailor until he had some paint +stuck under his hide." +</P> + +<P> +"That's the sure thing, my lad, and I'm the salt that can give you the +purtiest hashings you ever set eyes on. Where did you reckon you +wanted the marks put?" +</P> + +<P> +"I hadn't reckoned anything about it. I guess I don't want any of +those hash marks, as you call them," Sam returned. +</P> + +<P> +"What? Not want them? Of course you do." +</P> + +<P> +Sam reflected a moment, then gave a reluctant consent. +</P> + +<P> +"What kind of a tattoo would you suggest?" +</P> + +<P> +"A pig's foot, by all means, matey. That's the latest and most +fashionable decoration that a gentleman can wear. How'll you have it!" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll take mine pickled, if it's all the same to you," answered Sam +soberly. +</P> + +<P> +The jackies roared. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you take me for—a sea-cook?" growled Johnson. "Take off your +right shoe if you want to do business with me." +</P> + +<P> +"What for?" +</P> + +<P> +"For the hash. You wouldn't have a pig's foot anywhere else, would +you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I—I don't know." +</P> + +<P> +"That's the only place to put it, and it will bring you luck." +</P> + +<P> +In the meantime Needle Johnson had gotten out his case of needles and +his coloring matter. +</P> + +<P> +"You are sure it won't hurt?" asked Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"You won't feel a thing. Now, hold perfectly still. If you jerked, or +anything, I might make a pig's tail instead of a pig's foot. That +would be tough, wouldn't it, matey?" +</P> + +<P> +"It might be tough for you. Ou-u-u-uch!" +</P> + +<P> +Sam Hickey's foot came up with such suddenness that Needle was unable +to dodge it. The foot caught Needle fairly on the nose, bowling him +over to the deck, while all hands were shrieking with delight over his +discomfiture. +</P> + +<P> +"What—what do you mean, you—you lubber?" demanded Needle angrily, +rubbing the injured member, then shaking a fist under the red-headed +boy's nose. +</P> + +<P> +"You—you said it wouldn't hurt." +</P> + +<P> +"Hurt nothing!" +</P> + +<P> +"I should say it did hurt. What are you trying to do—drill a hole all +the way through my foot? I don't want any hash marks. I'll get along +with just my natural skin, whether I have any luck or not. Give me +that shoe." +</P> + +<P> +"Say, fellows," spoke up a jackie. "I reckon Red-head had better have +a pig's foot, eh!" +</P> + +<P> +"You bet he had," chorused the others. +</P> + +<P> +"And he won't do it of his own free will." +</P> + +<P> +"So he says." +</P> + +<P> +"Then it seems to be our solemn duty to take the job into our own +hands, does it not, mates?" +</P> + +<P> +"It is." +</P> + +<P> +"All right, then. Seaman Hickey, do we get it straight that you defy +the rules of our profession by refusing to wear the badge of that +profession?" +</P> + +<P> +"Call it what you want to. I'm not going to have any heathen rites +performed over me, or my skin pricked full of holes." +</P> + +<P> +"Then, shipmate, you'll have to take your medicine. Jump on him, boys!" +</P> + +<P> +Black and White, the two Hawaiians who had been standing by grinning, +made a concerted rush for Hickey. He wheeled just as they threw +themselves upon him. But the Pacific Islanders were reckoning without +the cost. +</P> + +<P> +"So that's the game, is it?" gritted Sam. +</P> + +<P> +Grabbing Black by the collar and one leg, he pitched the fellow half +way across the deck, standing the Hawaiian on his head. White +followed. He, too, was sailing through the air before Black struck. +Both landed on the same spot, and instantly were fighting each other in +their efforts to get clear. +</P> + +<P> +But the admiring jackies had no time to spare. They would have liked +nothing better than to have let that affair go on to a finish. +Instead, the whole crowd, fifteen or twenty of them, fell upon the +red-haired boy, hand and foot. Sam went down in a heap. He was not +angry, but he was giving these fellows all they wanted in their +attempts to hold him down. +</P> + +<P> +"Grab the foot!" shouted one. +</P> + +<P> +The jackie did so, but was promptly knocked over by a kick on the nose, +causing that member to bleed freely. +</P> + +<P> +This time two sailors grasped the Battleship Boy's naked foot and +straightened it out. +</P> + +<P> +"Get your tools out, Needle. Here's your foot." +</P> + +<P> +Despite their efforts, the foot was working back and forth so fast that +Johnson was unable to do anything with it. +</P> + +<P> +"Pass a rope around it. That's the way we used to rope cattle out +west. That's the idea." +</P> + +<P> +A line was passed about Hickey's ankle and made fast to a stanchion. +</P> + +<P> +"All right, Needle, drive the color in deep, so it won't wash out." +</P> + +<P> +"Give him two pig's feet," suggested another. "He'll have better luck +if you do." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll trim the whole bunch of you for this," growled a voice from the +bottom of the pile. +</P> + +<P> +The jackies laughed loudly. +</P> + +<P> +"Me fix him, me fix him," snarled Black, at that instant jumping into +the pile, his face contorted with rage. +</P> + +<P> +"You get out and mind your own business," advised one of the men. "You +got yours; now run along and be good. Take your white friend along +with you, while you are about it, or we'll paint both of you." +</P> + +<P> +While this conversation was going on Johnson was plying his needle +industriously, and under his hand Sam Hickey's foot was undergoing a +great change. Little by little the outline of a pig's foot was +appearing. The pig's foot was done in red, while the toe nails of the +foot were in blue. +</P> + +<P> +"There; you can let the broncho up now," announced Johnson, after +putting the final touches to his artistic achievement. +</P> + +<P> +The sailors piled off, while one of their number released the rope that +held the foot. Sam struggled to a sitting posture, much the worse for +wear, his hair standing up, his clothes soiled and disordered. But it +was the foot that attracted his attention. He surveyed it dubiously, +then his eyes wandered about the circle of laughing faces. +</P> + +<P> +Sam grinned a sheepish grin. +</P> + +<P> +"Fellows, you've insulted an officer and a gentleman, and I've got to +get even with you—no; I'll have you before the mast, every one of you, +so——" +</P> + +<P> +All hands began grunting in imitation of a herd of pigs. +</P> + +<P> +"I see I am not the only pig in the sty, after all," announced Seaman +Hickey cuttingly, as he calmly began pulling on his shoe over the sore +foot. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IX +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +LOWERING THE FLAG +</H4> + +<P> +"Colors! Fall in for colors!" shouted petty officers in different +parts of the ship as the bugle blew its warning notes. +</P> + +<P> +Sam Hickey limped into place with the gun squad, and awaited the order +to march. +</P> + +<P> +"Colors," means the formalities that are observed at sunset on +shipboard, consisting of impressive ceremonies when the Stars and +Strips are lowered from the after flagstaff. The ceremony of colors, +however, is never observed when the ship is under motion, but only when +the vessel is at anchor. +</P> + +<P> +Just before the moment when the sun was to set, the different +divisions, in charge of midshipmen and ensigns, were marched to the +quarterdeck with measured step; then, facing toward amidships, they +banked themselves on each side of the deck. Behind the jackies, next +to the starboard and port rails, were the marines, carrying their +rifles. +</P> + +<P> +Grouped aft on the starboard side was the band, its members resplendent +in white and gold uniforms. +</P> + +<P> +Between these lines of color stood the captain and his executive +officer, facing the Flag that was lazily fluttering in the soft evening +breeze. +</P> + +<P> +All was silence, the only sound being the water lapping the steel sides +of the battleship. +</P> + +<P> +"Attention!" +</P> + +<P> +The bugle blew a few short notes. The Flag began creeping slowly down +the after flagstaff, with every eye fixed on the ensign as it fluttered +toward the deck. +</P> + +<P> +Instantly upon the Flag's reaching the deck, the band broke forth into +"The Star Spangled Banner." The hearts of the Battleship Boys swelled +with patriotism, and the strains of the national anthem seemed to bring +a deeper shade to the rows of tanned, manly faces lined up in solid +ranks on the quarter-deck of the battleship "Long Island." +</P> + +<P> +"Attention! First division, right face! Forward march!" +</P> + +<P> +The command was repeated for the other divisions. Snare drums rolled, +the band changed to a livelier tune, to which each division marched off +in steady lines, one division following the other. Soon all had +disappeared, save a group of officers who remained chatting on the +quarter-deck. These, too, soon turned and went below for the evening +mess. +</P> + +<P> +The day's work was done for all except those who were to go on watch +duty for a two-hour trick. +</P> + +<P> +Mess finished, Sam went out to the forward deck to growl at the jackies +who had been responsible for the pig's foot on his own right foot. The +pig's foot hurt him, and the lad limped painfully. +</P> + +<P> +While Sam was forward Dan got out his ditty box, to which, by this +time, he had become as much attached as were the other sailors to +theirs. From the box he drew a recent letter from his mother, which +the Battleship Boy, sitting on the steel deck under a wall lamp in a +corridor, read over several times. It seemed a long time to Dan since +he had left her at Piedmont, and had gone on to New York to enlist in +the service of his country. +</P> + +<P> +"I think I must know this letter by heart," mused Dan, folding the +letter and tenderly laying it away in the precious ditty box. Then, +fixing up his fountain pen, he began writing industriously, using his +elevated knees for a desk, on which he had laid his writing pad. +</P> + +<P> +"I have written in more comfortable places than this, but I never had +more to say than I have this time," he said. +</P> + +<P> +Mails were not very regular on shipboard, and sometimes it was a matter +of weeks before a single mail was put over the side. +</P> + +<P> +Dan was still writing, an hour later, when Sam came along looking for +him. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, here you are, eh?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Writing a book?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I'm writing to mother. Is there any word you would like to send +to the folks at Piedmont?" +</P> + +<P> +"You might say hello to Mrs. Davis for me. If they'd let a fellow +change his mind in this business, you'd see me back there to-morrow. +What are you writing to her?" +</P> + +<P> +Dan smiled quizzically. +</P> + +<P> +"If it were anyone else who asked me that question I might tell him it +was none of his business." +</P> + +<P> +"But you don't dare tell me that, hey?" +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe, Sam," answered Dan with a good-natured laugh. +</P> + +<P> +"All right; what you are telling her?" +</P> + +<P> +"Want to know very much?" +</P> + +<P> +"I shouldn't have asked you if I didn't." +</P> + +<P> +"Very well; I'll tell you, You know I have something more than two +hundred dollars laid up with the paymaster——" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; aren't you afraid the Jack-o'-the-Dust will run away with it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Hardly. Even if he does, the Government would make the amount good." +</P> + +<P> +"What you going to do with the money?" +</P> + +<P> +"I was about to tell you. That is what I am writing to mother about. +I am sending the money to her." +</P> + +<P> +"All of it?" interrupted Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, of course. Why not?" +</P> + +<P> +"You're a good sport, you are." +</P> + +<P> +"I am telling her to go buy a lot out on the Perkins road. That amount +will just about purchase one. Then, as fast as I earn more money, I +tell her, I will send it to her, and by next summer she will have +enough to go on and build a house. Mother will have a home of her own +then, and I'll feel much better when she has." +</P> + +<P> +"How much does a house cost in that neck-o'-the-woods?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I should say that eight hundred dollars will put up a very fair +place. At least, it will satisfy us. Why do you ask?" +</P> + +<P> +"I was thinking. Say, did you hear about my pig's foot?" +</P> + +<P> +"Your pig's foot?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know what you mean." +</P> + +<P> +"I've got one on my right foot." +</P> + +<P> +"I haven't the least idea what you are talking about." +</P> + +<P> +"You would have, if you'd got a pig's foot. It's a lot different from +a rabbit's foot, and don't you make any mistake about that." +</P> + +<P> +"Somebody gave you a pig's foot, for luck, eh? I never heard they were +lucky." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes; they gave it to me, all right. Here, look at this." +</P> + +<P> +Sam pulled off a shoe and stocking, exhibiting his freshly tattooed +foot. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what do you think of that?" marveled Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"Not much," growled Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"Who did it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Old Pin Head—No, I mean old Needle Johnson." +</P> + +<P> +"Why did you let him do that, Sam?" +</P> + +<P> +"Let him? I didn't. The whole forecastle sat on me, and tied my foot +up to a stanchion, while the head butcher performed the operation. I +can hardly walk. But I forgot to tell you. Those black-faced fellows +from the other side of the world sailed into me as if they wanted to +eat me up. I don't like that pair a little bit, Dan." +</P> + +<P> +"Imagination, Sam. Just because they are a little darker than we are, +you do not like them. That is foolish." +</P> + +<P> +"That's just the trouble. If it was only skin deep I wouldn't give a +rap. The trouble with those fellows is that the black goes all the way +through. I'll bet they are black clear to the bones. If Pills ever +has to cut either of them open for anything I'm going to take a peek." +</P> + +<P> +"I am surprised at you, Sam," chided Davis. +</P> + +<P> +"You needn't be. You'll find, one of these days, that I am right. But +how about that house and lot?" +</P> + +<P> +"If you keep on talking to me, hammocks will be piped up before I +finish my letter." +</P> + +<P> +"Go on with your writing. I'm mum." Sam sat down and was soon lost in +deep thought. +</P> + +<P> +"There," announced Dan finally. "I guess that's all I can write +to-night. I've done eight pages. That's pretty good for a sailor." +</P> + +<P> +"I never wrote as much as that in all my life—that is, I never wrote +as much as that in letters. Say, Dan." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you mind if I say a few words to Mother Davis at the end of your +letter!" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course, you may. Mother will be delighted." +</P> + +<P> +"All right. You go outside and take a walk for your health. I can't +write with anybody looking at me. It makes me nervous." +</P> + +<P> +"Too bad about your sensitive nerves," retorted the other with a laugh. +"All right; I'll go out. Do not be long, for it is nearly hammock +time." +</P> + +<P> +Leaving Sam grumbling about having to go to bed at nine o'clock, Dan +strolled out on the deck. +</P> + +<P> +"Dear Mother Davis," began Sam, "I want to tell you that your Dan isn't +the only jackie who has money. I've got two hundred dollars, too. But +I haven't any mother. The two hundred isn't any good to me. I've been +thinking of giving it to the government some of these times, for they +could use it where it would do some good. I've got a new idea, now. +I'm going to send the two hundred to you, along with Dan's. You start +that house right away, and, by the time all the money is used up, Dan +and I will have some more for you. We're getting too rich. If Dan +kicks about it, you know how to stop him. P. S. I'm a real sailor, +now. I've got a rating and a pig's foot. The rating made me glad, but +the pig's foot hurt worse than having a tooth pulled. Lovingly, Sam." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER X +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +HIS NARROW ESCAPE +</H4> + +<P> +Leaving Sam in the throes of composition, Dan walked out on deck. A +few moments later he uttered a sharp exclamation and clapped a hand to +his left ear, through which he felt a sudden, sharp pain. As he +brought the hand away, the fingers felt wet. +</P> + +<P> +Dan stepped up under a port light that opened out to the deck, and, +holding up the fingers, peered at them. +</P> + +<P> +"Blood, eh! Well, that's funny. Something must have hit me." +</P> + +<P> +He glanced about him. He was almost alone; there were not a half dozen +sailors on deck, and these lay stretched out, sleeping soundly in the +cool evening air. +</P> + +<P> +"That is strange," wondered the lad, trying to stanch the flow of blood +with his handkerchief. He had been about to turn back and rejoin Sam +when the incident occurred. +</P> + +<P> +Dan paused to think over just what had happened. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I remember, now. I heard something strike the deck. That must +have been after it hit me. I'll see if I can find out what it was." +</P> + +<P> +Stepping carefully along over the deck, feeling with his toes, the boy +almost tripped over some object which he knew did not belong there. +</P> + +<P> +With an exclamation Dan stooped over. His hand came in contact with a +piece of cold steel. The instant his fingers touched it he knew what +he had found. +</P> + +<P> +"A marline spike," breathed Dan. "No wonder it hurt." +</P> + +<P> +The missile that had hit him is used for twisting the strands of rope +apart. It is of steel, about eight inches long, and tapers to a needle +point. It makes a most dangerous weapon. +</P> + +<P> +Dan carried this to the light, examining it carefully. Its point was +still moist where it had caught him. +</P> + +<P> +"Somebody must have tried to kill me," he muttered. "An inch further, +and I certainly should have been a dead one. Who could have done such +a dastardly thing? I can't understand it at all." +</P> + +<P> +The lad hurried back to where he had left his companion. Sam started +to speak, but he saw something in the face of Dan Davis that suddenly +checked his levity. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, what's the matter?" he cried. +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing, except that some one tried to kill me just now." +</P> + +<P> +"Tried to kill you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; look here." +</P> + +<P> +Dan removed the handkerchief, and Sam, with gentle fingers, made a +careful examination of the wound. +</P> + +<P> +"Punched a hole right through the lobe of your ear. Who did that?" he +demanded in a low, tense voice. +</P> + +<P> +"I wish I knew." +</P> + +<P> +"How did they do it? It looks as if you had been shot." +</P> + +<P> +"They did it with this, Sam," answered Dan, exhibiting the marline +spike. +</P> + +<P> +Sam uttered a low growl, as he took the pointed spike, holding it in +his hand reflectively. +</P> + +<P> +"You must have that dressed, right away. Come along. We'll go to see +Pills. There is time, if we hurry." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I guess it had better be attended to. I shall have such a big +ear to-morrow that they will not have me on deck." +</P> + +<P> +"Worse cauliflower ear than you gave Bill Kester," laughed Sam. "We'll +look into this business in the morning. We shan't have time to-night, +I'm sorry to say." +</P> + +<P> +On their way to the sick bay, where they were hurrying to have the +wound dressed, the boys were obliged to pass the quarters of the +master-at-arms, the minor official who is responsible for the behavior +of all hands on shipboard. +</P> + +<P> +Ere Dan could protest, Sam had rapped on the door casing, and an +instant later was dragging his companion in through the curtained +doorway. +</P> + +<P> +"Now what do you think of that, sir?" exclaimed the red-headed boy. +</P> + +<P> +"Seaman Davis got hurt, eh?" questioned the petty officer, noting the +blood on Dan's cheek. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir. I am on my way to see the surgeon. If I have to be a few +moments late in reporting for hammocks, will you excuse me?" +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly. I will give you a half hour's leeway. How did you get +that wound?" +</P> + +<P> +"Somebody handed him a marline spike, sir," interrupted Hickey. +</P> + +<P> +"A marline spike?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, they did." +</P> + +<P> +The master-at-arms turned inquiringly on Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"Is this true?" +</P> + +<P> +Dad nodded half reluctantly. +</P> + +<P> +"Tell me how it occurred." +</P> + +<P> +The boy did so briefly. +</P> + +<P> +"You have no idea who threw the spike?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not the slightest, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Where were you, Hickey?" +</P> + +<P> +"Below, writing a letter. I knew nothing about it, until my chum came +below and I saw the blood on his face." +</P> + +<P> +"Have you any enemies on board?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not that I know of, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Was anyone except yourself on deck at the time?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; a few of the men were asleep further forward. I saw no one +moving about." +</P> + +<P> +"Come with me." +</P> + +<P> +The master-at-arms conducted Dan to the surgeon, where a quick +examination was made of the wound, after which the surgeon dressed it +and put in several stitches. Dan did not even wince, though the pain +was severe. Sam's face was pale, and the perspiration stood out on his +forehead as he watched the stitching of the ragged ear-lobe. +</P> + +<P> +"Anybody would think you were being operated upon by the looks of you," +laughed Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"I feel as if I were," answered Sam rather weakly. +</P> + +<P> +The wound attended to, the petty officer directed the boys to follow +him, which they did, going directly to the forward deck. +</P> + +<P> +"Show me where and how you were standing at the time of the accident, +Davis." +</P> + +<P> +Dan took the place, as nearly as he could, where he had been standing +when the marline spike struck him. +</P> + +<P> +"Which way were you facing?" +</P> + +<P> +"Forward, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"The spike was thrown from behind you then?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir, it must have been." +</P> + +<P> +"Here is where it hit the deck, sir," called Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you recall how it appeared when you took hold of it?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think the head of the spike was leaning aft. I should say it had +about a forty-degree lean." +</P> + +<P> +The master-at-arms nodded. +</P> + +<P> +"It is quite clear that the spike was thrown at you from the +superstructure. By the way, where's the spike?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have it," said Sam, extending the spike to the petty officer. +</P> + +<P> +"I will take care of this. Say nothing about what has occurred, but +keep your eyes open. If you have reason to suspect any one, let me +know at once. I can hardly believe that we have a man on board the +'Long Island' desperate enough to attempt a crime like this. If ever +there was an attempted murder this is one. Go to your quarters now." +</P> + +<P> +In the excitement following the attempt on his life, Dan had forgotten +all about the letter he had written to his mother. It did not occur to +him until the boys were at gun practice with the seven-inch piece the +following morning. He turned to Sam at the first opportunity. +</P> + +<P> +"What did you do with my letter?" he demanded. +</P> + +<P> +"I put it in my ditty box last night. I was too excited to remember +that it belonged to you. I'll give it to you when we are piped down +for mess." +</P> + +<P> +"All right; I want to add something to it." +</P> + +<P> +"Say, Dynamite," said a companion, "where did you get the game ear?" +</P> + +<P> +"It was hurt," answered Dan evasively. +</P> + +<P> +"It looks as if a bulldog had been chewing at it. You never did that +of your own accord, did you?" +</P> + +<P> +"That is a foolish question. It isn't likely that I would tear half my +ear off, just for the fun of the thing, is it?" +</P> + +<P> +Further conversation was interrupted by an order from the gun captain +to resume dotter practice. For the next hour the attention of the boys +was wholly taken up by this fascinating work. +</P> + +<P> +After mess Dan asked for his letter. Sam got out his ditty box and +handed the letter back rather sheepishly; after which he busied himself +with pawing over the articles in his box. +</P> + +<P> +"Am I to read what you have written?" questioned Dan with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +"You may read it, if you want to," answered Sam, growing very red. "I +didn't figure on your doing so, though." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you insisted on knowing what I had written to mother, so I guess +you will have to take the same medicine," retorted Dan with a laugh, as +he opened the sheet on which his companion had written his message to +Mrs. Davis. +</P> + +<P> +Dan's face sobered as he read, but he made no comment until he had gone +through the letter. He glanced up with swimming eyes. Sam was not +looking at him. The red-headed boy was deeply absorbed in his ditty +box at that moment. +</P> + +<P> +"Sam Hickey, look at me," commanded Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm looking at you." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you mean that you want to give your two hundred dollars to mother?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that's what I mean," answered Sam, defiantly. "I haven't any +mother. Why shouldn't I give your mother my money? I haven't any use +for it, except what I need for clothes, and I reckon I've got clothes +enough to last me to the end of the cruise. By that time I'll have +another wad. Don't you say a word. I've made up my mind. Maybe your +mother would fix up a place in the garret where I could sleep when I go +back home again." +</P> + +<P> +"In the garret? Well, I should think not. The best bedroom in the +house will be none too good for you, Sam Hickey, and that without your +contributing to the house fund either. I can't have it. I——" +</P> + +<P> +"Then I'll sling my hammock in the back yard and roost with the hens. +That will be as good as some places I have had to sleep in since I +joined the Navy." +</P> + +<P> +"I can't have it, Sam," answered Dan firmly. "No, I cannot accept your +gift. Remember, old fellow," added Dan, grasping his companion by the +hand, "you owe so much to yourself that you have no business to be +generous." +</P> + +<P> +"There's the captain's orderly," interrupted Sam. "I guess he is +looking for us. I hope nothing is wrong." +</P> + +<P> +"Are you Seaman Davis?" asked the orderly, who on this occasion was one +of the marines. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"The captain wishes to see you in his office before you are piped up to +work again." +</P> + +<P> +"I will be there at once. Sam, we'll talk this matter over later. +But, remember, I shall not listen to your doing what you have planned, +but I'll send your letter to mother so she may know what a great +big-hearted fellow you are. I must go now." +</P> + +<P> +Sam had his way, however, and the money went with the letter. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XI +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +ON THE ANCHOR WATCH +</H4> + +<P> +Dan hurried aft, without delay, for a summons from the captain meant +that no unnecessary delay would be tolerated. +</P> + +<P> +Dan reported and the orderly announced him. The lad entered the +captain's office, which was also used as a dining room and stood +waiting for his superior to speak. +</P> + +<P> +Dan's ear was done up in adhesive plaster, and a bandage had been wound +under his chin and up over his head, giving him the appearance of being +much worse off than he really was. +</P> + +<P> +"Davis, I hear you have had an accident?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir; a slight one, sir. It is of no great consequence, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"I understand differently. I should say that it is of greater +consequence than you imagine. The master-at-arms is quite sure that an +attempt has been made to do you serious injury, if not worse." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps it was not so bad as that, sir. It was a pretty close call, +just the same. I am sorry to have been the cause of so much +disturbance on board, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"I am sorry, too, but not for that reason. I am sorry, deeply grieved +that there is a man on board the 'Long Island' base enough to commit, +or attempt to commit, such a crime. It is quite evident that you had a +very narrow escape. I trust you are not suffering greatly from the +wound?" +</P> + +<P> +"Very little, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"I am glad of that." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"In view of the fact that you are the person most directly interested, +outside of myself, I have sent for you to direct you to devote every +effort toward learning who your assailant was. It is of vital +importance that we locate the man and send him up for general +court-martial. Of course, he will be severely punished and then +dismissed from the service. You have no suspicions?" +</P> + +<P> +"None at all, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Have you had any difficulty with any of the men?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not that I can recall at the present moment, sir. I would not +intentionally give any man cause for such enmity." +</P> + +<P> +"I am sure of that, lad. Have you watched the men who might possibly +have been implicated in this?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have not had an opportunity, sir. And, besides, I should not know +whom to watch. I am wholly at a loss to account for the attempt." +</P> + +<P> +"I understand. But keep your eyes open. You will be the best person +to find the man. You will feel instinctively that you have the right +man, before any of the rest of us could have a suspicion. Have your +friend do a little investigating also. I have an idea that he is a +very shrewd boy. If either of you need any leisure time in which to +make your investigations, then inform the master-at-arms, and say that +I told you to do so. I trust to your good sense to carry on this +investigation in a discreet manner." +</P> + +<P> +"I think you may trust us, sir. I am as anxious as anyone to find the +man who did this to me," touching his ear gingerly. +</P> + +<P> +"How are you getting along with your work on the seven-inch?" +</P> + +<P> +"Fairly, sir. I find there is a great deal to learn. May I ask your +advice, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"Go on, lad. I am listening." +</P> + +<P> +"I have been thinking that I should like to take a course in one of the +seaman-gunner classes at the Torpedo Station in Newport. Will you tell +me, sir, what to do to enter such a class?" +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly. Your ambition is a laudable one. However, you have not +been in the service long enough for that as yet. I should advise you +to continue your duties on shipboard for a year longer. Then you will +be well fitted for the gunner class. Your marks on shipboard must +average seventy-five per cent. That will entitle you to admission. +The course is six months. In it you will learn the assembling of guns +and everything to do with the practical part of ordnance. I can give +you some further books along this line, if you wish." +</P> + +<P> +"I do, indeed, sir. I find I have considerable leisure time in which +to study. I am working for promotion." +</P> + +<P> +"With your ability, my lad, you will get promotion eventually without +going to the school. But it will be an excellent idea for you to go. +There you will learn theory as well as practice. After you have served +a year, then, it might not be a bad idea to take the eight months' +course at the Torpedo Station, where you will learn all about torpedoes +and mines. If you hope to rise in the service you will have to know +all this, and more. Do you know anything of navigation?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir; I am studying that now." +</P> + +<P> +"Excellent. Who is teaching you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am teaching myself." +</P> + +<P> +"I would suggest that you have one of the quartermasters help you. He +will do so gladly, and you will possibly avoid falling into errors that +you will find troublesome later in your course." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"That will be all. The bugle is piping gun crews up, so you had better +go to your station. Ord'ly!" +</P> + +<P> +The orderly stepped in and saluted. +</P> + +<P> +"Tell the chief quartermaster that I wish to see him when he is at +leisure." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +Dan hastened to his station, more proud than ever. He could hardly +wait until the crew was piped down again to tell Hickey of the +encouragement he had received from the commanding officer. Dan +determined that Sam should go with him when the time came to go to the +gunners' class at Newport, and, with that in view, he had a long talk +with his chum that afternoon, urging him to study and work hard that he +might be far enough advanced to take the course. +</P> + +<P> +At quarters that night Dan Davis's name was called among those who were +to go on watch. He was to take the anchor watch, which would place him +on the quarter-deck from eight until twelve o'clock. Both lads had had +other watches, but this was the first time either had been on anchor +watch, the watch that is always set when the vessel is in port or at +anchor. +</P> + +<P> +The Battleship Boy was pleased. Only those men in whom their superiors +had confidence, were ever chosen for these duties, for no little +responsibility rests on the watch, especially at night. +</P> + +<P> +The lad's superior on this watch was a midshipman named Carter, a +clean-cut, bright young officer who had on several occasions had +opportunity to speak to Dan complimenting him on certain well-performed +duties. +</P> + +<P> +"Davis, are you on watch to-night?" he asked as Dan approached, +saluting. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"How is your wound?" +</P> + +<P> +"Improving, sir, thank you." +</P> + +<P> +"Seeing you are on anchor watch with me, I will let you take charge of +the extra-duty squad." +</P> + +<P> +This squad is obliged to remain on duty after the regular hours of work +because of some trifling offences. In such cases it is customary to +give the squad some light work to do. Now and then the men would be +obliged to stand at attention with their rifles for half an hour at a +time. Different officers employ different methods with their +extra-duty squads. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir," answered Dan, his heart giving a jump, for this was to +be his first real command. To all intents he was an officer. He was +to command this unhappy squad of shipmates and assist in their +punishment. When this thought came to him the boy did not feel half so +elated as he had been a moment before. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you wish me to do with them, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"I will leave that to you. They are not doing anything just now. +Perhaps you had better march them about the deck for a time. However, +do as you think best." +</P> + +<P> +Dan walked over to where the six delinquents were standing ruefully, +with guns over their shoulders. +</P> + +<P> +"Men, I am to have charge of you during this watch. How long are you +to be on duty?" +</P> + +<P> +"Two hours, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"You are to be released at ten o'clock, then?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Very good. We will now have a few moments in the manual of arms. +Attention! Present arms! Carry arms! Port arms! Right face! Carry +arms! Forward march!" +</P> + +<P> +The midshipman smiled as the measured tramp of feet attracted his +attention, the extra-duty squad in single file marching steadily toward +the stern of the vessel. +</P> + +<P> +"Column right, march! Column right, march! Halt!" +</P> + +<P> +The men halted. They were now facing the superstructure. +</P> + +<P> +"Right face!" +</P> + +<P> +"Men, I am going to form you into a guard. Count off." +</P> + +<P> +"One, two, three, four, five, six," counted the men. +</P> + +<P> +"Numbers one and two will take the forward end of the deck, three and +four the port and starboard sides respectively, with numbers five and +six at the stern. Each set will march back and forth from opposite +ends of their stations, patroling their beats. You will carry +yourselves like soldiers. Remember, you are on guard duty. You are +responsible for this part of the ship. Let no person pass unless he is +halted, and then gives the countersign." +</P> + +<P> +"What is the countersign, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +Dan reflected. He had not thought of that. It would not do to let +them see that he was at a loss to answer the question. +</P> + +<P> +"I think, men," said Dan, with a smile, "that a pretty good countersign +for you will be 'Never again.' Yes, that is the countersign. To your +posts, forward march!" +</P> + +<P> +Six faces, reflecting as many grins of appreciation, marched to their +posts, which they began patroling, marching back and forth in opposite +directions. +</P> + +<P> +The midshipman, officer of the deck, halted in his leisurely pacing up +and down the deck, glancing at the sentries with a puzzled look. +</P> + +<P> +"Now what is that boy Davis up to, I should like to know?" he wondered. +"Ah, I see. He has turned out a guard. Not a half-bad idea, at that. +He will do. He ought to be an officer, with such resourcefulness as he +shows on every occasion." +</P> + +<P> +The officer of the deck resumed his walk, forgetting all about the +formation for which Dan was responsible. But it was brought to his +notice in a most forcible manner half an hour later. +</P> + +<P> +The night was moonless, and heavy clouds had settled down, enshrouding +the ship in a gloom that was broken here and there by the faint rays +from a port hole. +</P> + +<P> +Shortly after nine o'clock the captain came up from below for a look at +the weather and a breath of fresh air before turning in. He paused at +the top of the hatchway, glanced about the deck, then started pacing up +and down as was the midshipman doing on the opposite side. +</P> + +<P> +"Halt!" ordered a voice sternly. +</P> + +<P> +The captain glanced up in surprise. He found himself facing a Krag +rifle. +</P> + +<P> +"What—what——" +</P> + +<P> +"Who goes there?" +</P> + +<P> +"A friend," he answered instinctively. +</P> + +<P> +"Advance, friend, and give the countersign." +</P> + +<P> +Something of the truth began to dawn upon the quick mind of the +commanding officer. +</P> + +<P> +"I do not know the countersign, my man. But I am the commander of this +ship." +</P> + +<P> +"Officer of the deck, sir," called the sentry. +</P> + +<P> +The officer of the deck hastened to the spot. +</P> + +<P> +"Sir, stranger without the countersign." +</P> + +<P> +"Man, what do you mean? This is the captain of this ship whom you have +halted. What do you mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"Orders, sir, to let no one pass unless he has the countersign." +</P> + +<P> +"Who is responsible for this?" demanded the captain in a half amused +tone. +</P> + +<P> +"I let young Davis take charge of the extra-duty squad, and he formed +the men into a guard. They had been patroling the deck for the last +hour. I did not interfere, not having any idea the affair would be +carried this far, sir. I'm sorry, sir. Man, lower your gun." +</P> + +<P> +"Wait, wait!" exclaimed the captain, raising a restraining hand. "This +man has his orders. He is quite right. It is a most excellent idea. +Fine training for these young men. What is the countersign, Carter?" +</P> + +<P> +"I—I don't know, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"What, you the officer of the deck and not know the countersign? I am +surprised, sir. Where is Seaman Davis?" +</P> + +<P> +"He was here a moment ago." +</P> + +<P> +Dan at that moment was peering from behind the twelve-inch-gun turret, +fairly aghast at the situation in which his efforts to do something +original had involved them. +</P> + +<P> +"Davis!" called the officer of the deck, in a sharp voice. +</P> + +<P> +"This is where I get it!" muttered the boy. "Aye, aye, sir," he +answered promptly, stepping from behind the turret and hastening toward +the group. +</P> + +<P> +"What does this farce mean, sir?" demanded the midshipman. +</P> + +<P> +"I will attend to this, Mr. Carter. Davis, these are your men, are +they not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ye—yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"You ordered them to let no one pass unless he had the countersign?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"My man, you did quite right," announced the captain, addressing the +sentry. "Davis, will you be good enough to give me the countersign?" +</P> + +<P> +"'Never again,'" whispered Dan in the ear of his commanding officer. +</P> + +<P> +"What's that? I asked you for the countersign." +</P> + +<P> +"The countersign is 'never again.'" +</P> + +<P> +For a moment the captain stared, then he roared with laughter. +</P> + +<P> +"'Never again,' my man," he said, whereat the sentry instantly lowered +his rifle. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, if that doesn't beat anything I ever heard!" chuckled the +captain, grasping Dan by the arm and leading him over to the starboard +side of the deck. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +OBEYING HIS ORDERS +</H4> + +<P> +"Davis, that was a stroke of genius on your part." +</P> + +<P> +"I—I beg your pardon, sir. I did not think how far my thoughtlessness +might carry us. I am very sorry, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"You need not be, my lad. If some of our men had as much good sense as +you have, there would be fewer extra-duty squads on the quarter-deck. +The effect on those men will be most excellent. Besides learning to +obey orders, they will carry the memory of that countersign with them +for many a day, and unless they are beyond hope of reform, you will not +see them on an extra-duty tour again for a long time. I commend you, +Davis. You may dismiss the squad now. They need no further lessons +for to-night." +</P> + +<P> +"Captain's orders, sir, to dismiss the squad," announced Dan, stepping +up before the officer of the deck and saluting. +</P> + +<P> +"Very well. Get my raincoat if you will, then, for I think it is going +to rain before the end of the watch." +</P> + +<P> +Dan saluted and hurried away below to fetch the officer's rain clothes. +A light sprinkle set in that soon covered everything, making the decks +slippery; it became hard to keep one's footing. Both the officer of +the deck and the anchor watch pulled their rubber coats more closely +about them, and, with lowered heads to protect their faces from the +drizzle, began walking back and forth. +</P> + +<P> +Eleven o'clock, six bells, rang out; then silence settled over the ship +again. Cautiously a head was thrust above the hatch of the upper deck. +No one was in sight, save the dark figures of the midshipman and the +anchor watch, far aft on the quarter-deck. +</P> + +<P> +The head lengthened out into a dark figure, which was drawn up through +the hatch opening. Without a sound the man slunk across the deck. He +appeared to be perfectly familiar with his way, but crouched low, +probably so that his moving figure might not catch the watchful eyes of +the officer of the deck, or of the anchor watch far below him. +</P> + +<P> +About this time Dan Davis climbed the ladder to the superstructure, +took a long, sweeping observation of the upper deck, then descended to +the quarter-deck again. +</P> + +<P> +"I thought I heard something up there," he muttered. "It must have +been a chain shifting with the roll of the ship." +</P> + +<P> +In the meantime the figure had flattened itself on the deck. When sure +that the anchor watch had gone aft, the man rose and crept silently +toward the side of the ship. +</P> + +<P> +He was safe now. He knew that the watch was not likely to come to the +superstructure for the next hour at least. The fellow had stumbled +over a chain. The sound, faint and far away as it had been, caught +Dan's ear instantly, leading him to mount the superstructure for an +observation. +</P> + +<P> +"Everything secure above there?" demanded the officer of the deck. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought perhaps you heard something, from the way you went up." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought so, too, sir, but I must have been mistaken. I saw no one." +</P> + +<P> +Reaching the side of the ship the figure hesitated a moment, then +quickly climbed through the rail. He was just opposite the lower boom, +the long, strong pole along which the sailors step to get down into the +small boats. +</P> + +<P> +Trailing from a long rope at the end of the lower boat rode the ship's +dinghy, where she had been left for the night, as had other boats on +the opposite or starboard side. +</P> + +<P> +Now a second figure seemed to rise directly out of the deck, and an +instant later it too had crept out on the lower boom. The men on the +quarter-deck could not see forward to the lower boom without leaning +out over the ship's rail, so the two men were unobserved. +</P> + +<P> +Reaching the end of the boom, the men quickly let themselves down the +Jacob's ladder, dropping noiselessly into the dinghy. They had some +little trouble in casting the boat off, it having been made doubly +secure for the night. +</P> + +<P> +Unluckily one of them dropped an oar, which fell to the bottom of the +boat with a loud clatter. +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" demanded the officer of the deck sharply. +</P> + +<P> +"It sounded like an oar in a small boat, sir," answered Dan, making for +the topside, which, he reached in a few swift bounds. +</P> + +<P> +"Something going on down there, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Where away?" +</P> + +<P> +"Just aft of the port boom, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Can you see the dinghy?" +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir. Just make her out." +</P> + +<P> +"Is she all right?" +</P> + +<P> +"She looks to be, sir. I can't quite tell from here. I'll get over +that way; I'll go further forward, sir, and let you know. I see two +dinghies now. The port and starboard dinghies are moored to the port +boom, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Watch them while I turn out the guard." +</P> + +<P> +"The dinghy is moving, sir. I think there is some one in her." +</P> + +<P> +"Dinghy, there, ahoy!" bellowed the officer of the deck. +</P> + +<P> +There was no reply from the men in the dinghy, who, by this time, were +making more frantic efforts to free themselves. +</P> + +<P> +"Dinghy, there!" shouted Dan. "What are you doing down there?" +</P> + +<P> +Dan's hail, like that of the midshipman, met with no response. +</P> + +<P> +"Lay forward, anchor watch!" shouted the officer of the deck. +</P> + +<P> +A quartermaster came running to the quarterdeck. +</P> + +<P> +"Lower away the first whaleboat. Turn out your men in a hurry. +Boatswain's mate!" +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir," bellowed a deep voice somewhere down one of the +corridors leading off from the quarter-deck. +</P> + +<P> +"Turn out the coxswain of the second whaleboat. Look alive, everybody." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir," chorused several voices. +</P> + +<P> +"Anchor watch!" +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"What are they doing?" +</P> + +<P> +"Casting off, I think, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"How many men?" +</P> + +<P> +"Two, I think, sir." +</P> + +<P> +The officer of the deck shouted a warning to the men and ordered them +to return instantly to the ship; and then, addressing Dan, he shouted: +</P> + +<P> +"Stop them, if you can!" +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +Dan's raincoat and hat were off in a twinkling. These dropped one by +one to the deck, as he sped along, bounding over obstructions that he +did not even see, so familiar was he with the course he was following. +</P> + +<P> +"They're rowing away, sir. I'll get them," shouted the Battleship Boy +confidently. +</P> + +<P> +He darted out on the lower boom, grasping the life line strung along +its length for protection to the sailors passing over the boom. +</P> + +<P> +"Boat ahoy!" cried Dan. +</P> + +<P> +The men bent to their oars; that is, one of them did, for there is but +one pair of oars in a dinghy. +</P> + +<P> +"It'll be the worse for you men, down there, if you try to get away. +The whaleboats are being turned out to go for you, and I'm after you +myself." +</P> + +<P> +His warning had no effect, unless it were to hasten the work of the man +at the oars. In his excitement the fellow let an oar slip from its +fastening, keeling him over on his back in the boat. A muttered +exclamation reached the boy on the boom. +</P> + +<P> +Without an instant's hesitation Dan crouched down on the boom, letting +himself down until he hung suspended over the sea by his hands. +</P> + +<P> +For a brief instant he peered down into the sea some thirty feet below +him, taking mental measurement of the distance, figuring just how near +he would come to hitting the dinghy were he to let himself go. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll chance it," he muttered. "It's my duty to try. I am under +orders to stop them, and stop them I will!" +</P> + +<P> +The Battleship Boy let go. +</P> + +<P> +His body shot downward, striking the water with a splash that was heard +far back on the quarter-deck. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE BATTLE OF THE DINGHIES +</H4> + +<P> +"Man overboard, off the port boom!" +</P> + +<P> +"Stand by the falls. Whaleboat number one!" cried the officer of the +deck. +</P> + +<P> +"What's this, what's this?" shouted the captain, running to the deck in +his pajamas. +</P> + +<P> +"Two men leaving ship in the port dinghy, sir," answered the officer of +the deck. +</P> + +<P> +"Step lively there, lads. What does all this mean, Mr. Officer of the +deck?" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know, sir. The anchor watch discovered that there was +something wrong. He's gone after them, sir." +</P> + +<P> +By this time the captain was leaning over the port rail, training his +night glasses on the dark sea. +</P> + +<P> +"I make them out. Who is the anchor watch?" +</P> + +<P> +"Seaman Davis, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"You say the lad went after them?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir, so it seems." +</P> + +<P> +"How?" +</P> + +<P> +"He must have gone over the side, for someone just called man +overboard." +</P> + +<P> +"The boy will be drowned! Have you ordered any one after him?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Hurry, lads. The man may be drowning." +</P> + +<P> +Meantime, Dan was doing his best to overtake the fugitives. The moment +he struck the water he threw out his hands to check his descent. This +prevented his going under very far. He shot up, and, shaking the water +from nose and eyes, struck out for the dinghy that was still moored to +the port boom. +</P> + +<P> +He was clambering into the boat within the next minute. His knife, +attached to the knife lanyard, was in his hands almost the instant he +pulled himself into the boat. One swift stroke severed the line that +held the dinghy to the boom. +</P> + +<P> +Dan sprang to the oars; throwing them into place in the locks, he sent +the little boat through the water with long, swift strokes. +</P> + +<P> +"Dinghy number two, there!" shouted a voice from the deck. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir," answered Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"You all right?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Better come back. The whaleboats will overhaul the other dinghy." +</P> + +<P> +"The whaleboats are on the other side of the ship. By the time they +get around here the men will be out of sight. I'm under orders to get +them, sir," answered the plucky lad, putting more force into his +strokes. +</P> + +<P> +His frail little boat cut the water with a swish and a splash, as the +swells slapped its sides, sending showers of spray over him. +</P> + +<P> +Dan now and then turned in his seat, to get the location of the other +boat. He could but faintly make it out in the gloom of the night. He +was unable to say, as yet, whether he were gaining on the fugitives or +not. If he were gaining, it was but slowly. +</P> + +<P> +The whaleboats had not yet rounded the bow of the "Long Island." It +seemed to take the boat crews a long time to launch the boats. The +captain thought so too, for he was now shouting out his orders with +explosive force, having taken command of the operations himself. +</P> + +<P> +"Have an officer go in that boat," he commanded. "Here, ensign," as an +officer came up from below on the run, "take charge of those two boats. +If you don't make haste there you'll lose the dinghies and the men. +Remember, one man is out there in a little boat chasing two, perhaps, +desperate characters." +</P> + +<P> +"Shall we hail Seaman Davis, and order him back to ship?" asked the +executive officer. +</P> + +<P> +"That boy would not hear us, even if we were to blow the siren for him. +He is obeying orders, Coates. He'll do what he was sent to do, no +matter what the cost to himself. But the whaleboats should catch up +with him in time to be on hand if he comes up with the others. I let +him go on because, in that way, we shall keep track of the other boat. +If he does that he will be doing his full duty." +</P> + +<P> +Dan was keeping the other dinghy in sight very well, indeed. He was +doing more than that, he was gaining rapidly now. He could hear the +splash of the oars in the other boat. The lad smiled grimly, for he +knew that the others were rowing badly, perhaps because they were +excited. Dan himself was an expert oarsman and every stroke in the +race was made to tell. +</P> + +<P> +"Dinghy ahoy, there!" he called when within hailing distance. +</P> + +<P> +The fleeing men made no reply to his hail. +</P> + +<P> +"They are bound to get away. I wonder what it means? It may be that +some one has been on board from the shore to steal. No; that cannot be +it. It must be men from the ship, for they took a ship's boat. I'll +bet they are deserters." +</P> + +<P> +He was now within a boat's length of the other dinghy, directly in its +wake. Observing this, the Battleship Boy swung out a little, so as to +come alongside of the other boat with several feet of water between the +two boats. +</P> + +<P> +"Halt!" he commanded. "You're caught. I demand that you surrender and +cease rowing." +</P> + +<P> +"No surrender. You go back if you know what is good for you." +</P> + +<P> +The voice sounded strangely familiar to Dan Davis. +</P> + +<P> +"I know you!" he shouted exultingly. "I know you now. You're Blackie. +I'll bet that's White in the boat with you. Boys, stop rowing and go +back to the ship. It's the only thing that will save you. I do not +know why you have done this thing, but your punishment will be much +less severe if you turn about and return at once." +</P> + +<P> +A jeering laugh answered him. +</P> + +<P> +"Then I shall have to take you back, and somebody is liable to get hurt +in that operation, I am thinking." +</P> + +<P> +The boy gave his dinghy a sudden quick turn, and with one powerful +stroke sent it dashing up to within half a boat length of the other +craft. +</P> + +<P> +As he neared it he caught the swing of a body in the first dinghy. Dan +ducked, flattening himself in his own frail craft just in time to avoid +a vicious swing of the other's boat hook. The gunwales of his boat +saved him from the blow. +</P> + +<P> +Quick as a flash Davis grabbed the boat hook. He gave a violent, sharp +pull and the boat hook was in his possession. +</P> + +<P> +"So that's your game, is it? I'll show you that two can play that sort +of game. You look out, or you'll get the pole over your own heads." +</P> + +<P> +He drove his boat right alongside the other. At that moment Blackie +straightened up with an angry exclamation. At the same time he grabbed +an oar from the hands of his companion, making a vicious swing at Dan, +who, by this time, was half standing in his own boat. +</P> + +<P> +But Dan had been on the watch for just such villainy. He parried the +blow with the captured boat hook. +</P> + +<A NAME="img-136"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-136.jpg" ALT="Dan Parried the Blow With the Captured Boat Hook." BORDER="2" WIDTH="413" HEIGHT="630"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 413px"> +Dan Parried the Blow With the Captured Boat Hook. +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<P> +"Smack, smack, smack!" boat hook and oar came together again and again. +The battle waged so furiously that for the moment the lad forgot all +about the other man in the boat. White was stealthily rising to his +feet, watching the Battleship Boy with keen, menacing eyes. +</P> + +<P> +All at once he swung his oar. Dan heard it as it cut the air, but at +that instant he was powerless to dodge the blow, being busy parrying +one from Black. +</P> + +<P> +White's oar caught Dan on the head. The Battleship Boy wavered for a +brief instant, seeking vainly to catch his balance; then he toppled +over backwards into the sea. +</P> + +<P> +Fortunately for him, the blow had been a glancing one. +</P> + +<P> +"Row, row!" cried Black. His companion fell to the oars. The men, as +they well knew, were now in a desperate situation. +</P> + +<P> +Dan twisted his body about in the water, his fingers closing over the +gunwale of his own boat. The blow had dazed him, though he still had +plenty of fight left in him. +</P> + +<P> +He clambered back into his own boat with no little effort, for his +clothes were soaked and weighed him down, this being the second wetting +he had had within a very short time. +</P> + +<P> +The other dinghy now had a slight start of him, but when the Hawaiians +looked back a moment later, they saw Dan again in their wake. +</P> + +<P> +The Battleship Boy's jaws were set. His fighting blood was up. He +would give no quarter now. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll get those heathens at any cost," he growled. +</P> + +<P> +He had forgotten all about the whaleboats that had been sent for the +men. Perhaps they had lost their quarry on the dark waters. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm after you," shouted Dan. "This time I'm going to get you, you +miserable deserters! Things like you deserve to be drowned without the +formality of court-martial. Do you surrender?" +</P> + +<P> +"No." +</P> + +<P> +No sooner were the words out of the Hawaiian's mouth than Dan drove his +dinghy bow-on against the other boat. So sudden and unexpected had +been the movement that the islanders were taken wholly off their guard. +Black fell forward, nearly going into the sea, while White, who was at +the oars, lost his grip on them for the moment. +</P> + +<P> +A crunching sound accompanied the collision. The bow of Dan's boat was +crushed in the thin planking of the other dinghy. The hurt was not +deep enough to sink the little craft, but it made an opening through +which the seas slopped persistently. +</P> + +<P> +Dan sought to swing his boat alongside the other, when a sea +unexpectedly threw him off. A full minute of valuable time was thus +lost. Still Dan persisted. He was working at high speed now. +</P> + +<P> +This time he drove his boat right up beside the other, so close that +the two boats smashed together with a force that threatened to break in +their gunwales. +</P> + +<P> +Black, in the time that it took Dan to get closer, had recovered +himself and grasped an oar from his companion. Ere the Battleship Boy +could ship his oars the enemy had swung an oar. It caught Dan a +glancing blow on the forehead, the sharp edge of the oar cutting a deep +gash there. The blood was in the lad's eyes instantly. He brushed his +eyes clear with an exclamation of impatience. +</P> + +<P> +The oar was raised for another blow. Davis did not stand still to wait +for it to land this time. With a bound he was in the other boat. He +had jumped from the seat of his own dinghy, measuring the distance well. +</P> + +<P> +Black was taken by surprise. He had no time to dodge. Dan landed full +upon him, the two falling to the bottom of the boat with a crash and a +jolt that threatened to overturn the little craft. +</P> + +<P> +For a few seconds the men struggled desperately, Black squirming and +twisting in his efforts to get his hands up. +</P> + +<P> +"He's trying to get his knife," was the Battleship Boy's swift +conclusion. "I hate to do it, but I've got to, or they will have me in +the sea." +</P> + +<P> +He raised Black's head, giving it two sharp thumps against the ribs of +the boat. That settled Black for the time being. The Hawaiian +straightened out and lay still. But Dan had been none too quick. +White was standing over him with raised oar ready to bring it down at +the first opportunity. He had not dared to strike before, not being +able to make out his enemy as the two figures struggled at the bottom +of the dinghy. +</P> + +<P> +The instant that he saw Dan scrambling up he brought the oar down. Dan +dodged the blow cleverly, the blade of the oar landing on the side of +Black's head, thus finishing the work that the Battleship Boy had begun. +</P> + +<P> +The two men sprang at each other at the same instant. This time the +boy found that in White he had a far different antagonist. White met +him with a swift blow which barely grazed Dan's head. Dan countered as +best he could, planting a blow on the Hawaiian's chest, staggering the +fellow and at the same time well-nigh upsetting the boat. +</P> + +<P> +Blow after blow was struck in the rocking boat, now and then each of +the contestants landing a staggering punch on his adversary's head. +All at once Dan lost his footing and fell. As he did so, he stretched +forth a hand, and by desperate effort succeeded in fastening his hold +upon the Hawaiian's arm. +</P> + +<P> +White lost his balance and pitched forward. +</P> + +<P> +Both men fell half over the side of the dinghy with heads and shoulders +in the sea. For the next few seconds a desperate struggle followed. +Dan held to his man, knowing full well that, were his adversary to get +the upper hand now, it would go hard with Dan Davis. Using their free +hands, the men managed to pull themselves back into the boat. +</P> + +<P> +By this time both were well-nigh exhausted. Their efforts were +attended with little success compared with what they had done earlier +in the battle. White was struggling to get his adversary overboard, +while Dan was seeking to overcome the Hawaiian without doing him +serious injury. +</P> + +<P> +All at once the men stumbled over a seat. Dan fell prone upon the +prostrate Black, with White on top of him. And there the gladiators +lay, breathing hard, gasping for breath, half suffocated with the salt +water that was dashing into their faces. +</P> + +<P> +Everything about him seemed to Dan suddenly to grow blacker than +before. He felt his head swimming. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm going to faint," he gasped. +</P> + +<P> +With one final supreme effort he threw the weight of White's body from +him, and, rolling over, wrapped his arms about the Hawaiian, crushing +the fellow down with all his strength. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIV +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +ORDERED TO THE SICK BAY +</H4> + +<P> +A light came dancing over the long, even swells, sending up a shower of +spray as it smashed into the white crests of the swells. +</P> + +<P> +It was whaleboat number one from the battleship. +</P> + +<P> +"Sing out!" commanded the officer in charge of the boat. +</P> + +<P> +"Dinghy, ahoy!" shouted the seaman who was standing braced in the bow +of the whaleboat, scanning the waters ahead. +</P> + +<P> +There was no response to his hail. +</P> + +<P> +The seaman put down the megaphone that he had been using, and, raising +his telescope, swept the waters. +</P> + +<P> +"Boat, sir, two points off the port bow," sang the lookout. +</P> + +<P> +"Coxswain, lay your course two points to port." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +The whaleboat headed for the speck that the lookout had made out +through his glass. In a few minutes the whaleboat had drawn up +alongside. +</P> + +<P> +"She's empty, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you make out the other boat?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"I think I see her," said the officer. "Train your glass dead abeam to +starboard." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir, that's the other dinghy. She's drifting." +</P> + +<P> +"Then something has happened to those men. Lay to, men. Pull for all +you're worth. They may be drowning while we are lying here. Coxswain, +look alive." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +The oars hit the water as one, and the heavy, sharp-pointed whaleboat +sprang away, taking a long leap over the waves with every powerful +stroke of the oars. +</P> + +<P> +"Her side is stove in, I think, sir," announced the lookout. +</P> + +<P> +The officer in charge made no reply. He was gazing at the bobbing +dinghy through his night glasses. +</P> + +<P> +"Steady there, coxswain. We don't want to run her down. Come up on +the lee side and draw in slowly. She rides as if she were loaded. We +shall find men aboard the dinghy, unless I am much mistaken." +</P> + +<P> +They drew alongside slowly. +</P> + +<P> +"Out boat hooks!" +</P> + +<P> +The whaleboat made fast to the drifting dinghy. No sooner had they +done so than the officer leaped lightly aboard. +</P> + +<P> +"Here they are. Lend a hand here, men. Be careful you don't upset +her. The dinghy is half full of water." +</P> + +<P> +Willing hands quickly transferred Dan Davis and the two Hawaiians to +the whaleboat. Dan was half unconscious, while his two prisoners were +wholly so. +</P> + +<P> +"Take the dinghy in tow. Pick up the other one on your way, but be +quick. Seaman Davis is wounded. I don't know how seriously, but he +looks to be in pretty bad shape." +</P> + +<P> +The men needed no further urging. In a few minutes they were on their +way back to the ship, towing both small boats behind them. +</P> + +<P> +"There's the other whaleboat, sir," announced the lookout. +</P> + +<P> +"Hail them. Tell them to turn about and return to ship," directed the +officer. +</P> + +<P> +The lookout did so. +</P> + +<P> +As they approached the side the battleship's rails were seen to be +lined with officers and men. Dan, by this time, was sitting up and the +prisoners were coming around slowly. +</P> + +<P> +"Did you get them all?" called the executive officer. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Are they all right?" +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty well knocked out, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Pull alongside the starboard gangway. Need any help?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir; I think we can manage them. But we need the doctor right +away. Seaman Davis is hurt." +</P> + +<P> +"No, no," protested Dan. "I'm all right. I want to report. I'm not a +baby, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"I should say you are not." +</P> + +<P> +Dan was permitted to stand up as the whaleboat drew up to the starboard +gangway. Waiting until the boat rose on a swell he grasped a +stanchion, swinging himself to the platform of the gangway by sheer +grit, for he had little strength left. He poised on the landing +planking, still clinging to the stanchion. A jackie ran down the +gangway, extending a helping hand. +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind me. I'm all right, shipmate," said the boy pluckily. +</P> + +<P> +Directing all his strength to the task, the Battleship Boy climbed the +gangway. Never before had the stairs seemed so long to him. At last +he reached the quarter-deck. +</P> + +<P> +"You are hurt, my lad," exclaimed the captain, starting forward. +"Surgeon, here!" +</P> + +<P> +Dan's face was covered with blood, while the white jacket was stained a +deep crimson clear down to his duck trousers. +</P> + +<P> +All at once he started forward unsteadily. He had espied the officer +of the deck, the one whose command he had nearly lost his life in +obeying. +</P> + +<P> +"Sir, I beg to report that I have overhauled the dinghy and captured +the men." +</P> + +<P> +The boy came to attention, saluting stiffly, for it hurt him to raise +his hand to his forehead. +</P> + +<P> +"Very good, Seaman Davis." +</P> + +<P> +"Take that man to the sick bay," commanded the captain. "Don't you see +that he is barely able to stand on his feet? How about those other +men? Are they seriously hurt?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think not, sir," answered the surgeon, who had made a quick +examination of the Hawaiians. +</P> + +<P> +"Then give them attention. Master-at-arms, if the surgeon decides that +they are fit, lock them in the brig. As soon as all hands are in +condition we will have a quick examination." +</P> + +<P> +The islanders proved to be in a more serious condition than had at +first been supposed. Acting upon the surgeon's orders, they were taken +to the sick bay, where their wounds were dressed and they were put to +bed, with a guard placed over them. +</P> + +<P> +Dan's wounds were washed and dressed and his head bandaged. The cut on +his forehead where the sharp edge of the oar had struck it was deep and +wide, the oar blade having gone clear to the bone, while the lad +himself was weak from loss of blood. +</P> + +<P> +"You are lucky that you did not sustain a fracture," decided the +surgeon, as, with nimble fingers, he sewed the flesh together. "You +will turn in and sleep here to-night." +</P> + +<P> +"I can't do that, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am on the anchor watch, sir. I'm under orders." +</P> + +<P> +"Anchor watch nothing; you'll remain here." +</P> + +<P> +"I am sorry, sir, but I cannot do so until I am relieved at eight +bells. If they do not want me on watch they will tell me so. I am all +right now. I feel fine." +</P> + +<P> +The surgeon grunted. +</P> + +<P> +"Very well; but I shall tell the captain that you are unfit for duty. +You have lost more blood than is good for you." +</P> + +<P> +Dan left the sick bay, the surgeon watching his unsteady steps as the +boy made his way down the dimly lighted corridor. +</P> + +<P> +A group of officers were gathered on the quarter-deck discussing the +exciting incidents of the evening, when the Battleship Boy made his +appearance there. +</P> + +<P> +"I report for duty, sir. I am ready to finish my watch, sir," he said, +saluting the officer of the deck. +</P> + +<P> +The officer of the deck looked the boy over, who, with bandaged head +and pale face, presented a woebegone appearance. +</P> + +<P> +"I thought you were ordered to the sick bay?" +</P> + +<P> +"I was, sir, to have my wounds dressed." +</P> + +<P> +"From your appearance I should say that was the place for you, not the +quarter-deck." +</P> + +<P> +At that juncture the captain strode across the deck. +</P> + +<P> +"Davis, what are you doing here?" he demanded. +</P> + +<P> +"Finishing my watch, sir," answered the boy, saluting. +</P> + +<P> +"Did I not order you to the sick bay?" +</P> + +<P> +"You did, sir, but you did not order me to stay there." +</P> + +<P> +"I do so now, then. You will report at the sick bay at once, and +remain there until you are released by the surgeon." The command was +delivered sternly. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir," answered the Battleship Boy, saluting. +</P> + +<P> +"Boatswain's mate, order out another man to take Seaman Davis' watch +until eight bells. Come here, my lad." +</P> + +<P> +Dan had started away to obey the captain's command. At that he turned, +retracing his steps. +</P> + +<P> +The captain laid a hand on his shoulder. +</P> + +<P> +"My lad, I am proud of you. I know you would much prefer to remain on +deck and do your duty as you see it. There is another side to this +matter, however. Your duty just now lies in getting yourself into +shape for the morrow. You are in no condition to work. You have done +quite enough for one day." +</P> + +<P> +"I feel perfectly well, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"I know you think you do, but turn in and get a good night's rest. I +shall require your services further in this matter, if you are able to +get up in the morning. That will be all." +</P> + +<P> +Dan saluted and walked off, but it was evident, from his hesitating +steps, that he was reluctant to do so. +</P> + +<P> +"That boy is all nerve," nodded the captain. "He has more pluck than +any two men on this ship, and that is saying a good deal. Ord'ly, tell +the surgeon I desire to speak with him when he is at leisure." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," agreed the executive officer. "Davis and his red-headed friend +are both a credit to the service." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XV +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +BEFORE THE SUMMARY COURT +</H4> + +<P> +Dan was released from the sick bay late on the following afternoon. In +the evening of the same day Black and White were removed to the brig, +and a marine sentry placed in front of their cells to see that they +were properly looked after. +</P> + +<P> +Dan wondered what would be done in their case. Being unfamiliar with +forms on shipboard, he did not understand that punishments are not +inflicted hastily. +</P> + +<P> +On the morning of the second day, after quarters, there was a stir +below decks. Dan had rejoined the crew of the seven-inch gun when he +was informed by the captain's orderly that his presence would be +required in the captain's quarters promptly at ten o'clock. +</P> + +<P> +"I wish I were you to-day," whispered Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"Why?" +</P> + +<P> +"'Cause there's going to be a court-martial—a summary court-martial!" +</P> + +<P> +"What for?" +</P> + +<P> +"They're going to try Black and White. How I'd like to help soak those +heathens." +</P> + +<P> +A few minutes before the hour named, Dan went below. He found the +corridor of the captain's office thronged with shipmates. In front of +the door stood a marine sentry. +</P> + +<P> +"Am I to go in?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you a witness?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"I guess you may enter, then." +</P> + +<P> +Dan did so. At one side of the room he espied Black and White, in +charge of the master-at-arms; and the midshipman who had been officer +of the deck the night the men escaped, together with two coxswains. +</P> + +<P> +Dan walked to the opposite side of the room, where he leaned against a +bulkhead. +</P> + +<P> +The captain's dining-room table had been cleared and stood in the +center of the room, four chairs having been placed around it. +Presently three commissioned officers filed in, the executive officer +of the ship taking his place at the head of the table as president of +the court. It was his duty to swear in the judge advocate, who, in +this instance, was a lieutenant. Following this the judge advocate +swore in the others of the court and then proceeded to read the +specifications, which were as follows: +</P> + +<P> +"'That on the 25th of August, 19—, while the United States battleship +"Long Island" lay at anchor inside the Delaware Breakwater, after +tattoo, when all hands had turned in for the night, save those on +regular duty, among them being Ordinary Seaman Charlie Vavitao and +Ordinary Seaman William Takaroa, the said men did secretly leave their +billets and without permission take to one of the ship's dinghies, in +which they rowed away from the ship with intent to desert. Secondly, +it is charged that the said men did make a felonious assault on Seaman +Daniel Davis while he was carrying out the orders of his superior +officer, resulting in the seaman's disability, from which he has not +yet wholly recovered.' How do you plead!" +</P> + +<P> +The prisoners pleaded "not guilty." All witnesses were then excluded +from the room. Midshipman Carter, who had been the officer of the deck +on the night in question, was called to testify. He was questioned by +the judge advocate, who acted as the prosecutor and the attorney for +the defence at the same time. +</P> + +<P> +The midshipman related briefly all that had come under his observation. +He had but little information that was of value to the court, and he so +told the court. +</P> + +<P> +"Seaman Davis, then, is the witness who knows the whole story?" +questioned the judge advocate. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Call Seaman Daniel Davis to the witness chair." +</P> + +<P> +Dan was summoned by the sentry. The boy's face was still bandaged; his +face was pale and there was a livid mark across the right cheek where +an oar blade had struck him. +</P> + +<P> +Dan gave his name, age and date of enlistment, together with his +station on shipboard. +</P> + +<P> +"You were on the anchor watch on the evening of the twenty-fifth of +August, were you not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"State what occurred." +</P> + +<P> +The witness related briefly the incidents leading up to the escape of +the two ordinary seamen. +</P> + +<P> +"You discovered them going over the side of the ship, did you not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Did you try to stop them?" +</P> + +<P> +"I did." +</P> + +<P> +"On whose orders?" +</P> + +<P> +"On the orders of the officer of the deck, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Midshipman Carter?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"State what occurred." +</P> + +<P> +"I followed them, and after a time succeeded in overhauling the dinghy +in which they were rowing away. I ordered them to surrender when I +drew alongside. Black attempted to strike me with the boat hook, but I +got it away from him. Black later hit me with an oar, at about the +time I rammed them with the starboard dinghy." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, what else?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not much, sir. We mixed it up a little. I got Black, but I had a +hard time with White. He almost got the better of me. I am not quite +sure that he did not do so wholly." +</P> + +<P> +Dan had related his story in a simple, straight-forward manner, without +the slightest trace of bravado. He really had done a plucky thing in +attempting to capture the two men in a frail boat out on the rolling +waters, but he did not seem to think he had accomplished anything very +remarkable. +</P> + +<P> +"Did either man attempt to do more than defend himself?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, it seemed so to me, sir," answered the Battleship Boy, with a +faint smile. +</P> + +<P> +"Use a knife or anything of that sort?" +</P> + +<P> +"Black appeared to be seeking to get at his knife. Of course I could +not say for sure, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Did either man say anything?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not that I can recall now, sir, except that they refused to surrender +to me." +</P> + +<P> +"You did not hear them say anything that would lead you to believe that +they were deserting?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, no, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"You can think of nothing else that will aid us in getting at the facts +in this case?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir. I have told you all I know about it." +</P> + +<P> +"Very good; that will be all." +</P> + +<P> +Black, who was believed to be the leader in the escape, was called up +and given permission to relate his side of the story. He assured the +court that neither he nor White had had the least intention of +deserting. They had been on board for a long time. They said they had +a friend not far from where the ship was lying, and they thought they +could get away to go to see him and be back before morning. +</P> + +<P> +Asked the name of the friend, they gave it without the least hesitation. +</P> + +<P> +White also told a straightforward story. +</P> + +<P> +"If you were not deserting, why did you make such a murderous assault +on Seaman Davis?" demanded the judge advocate sharply. +</P> + +<P> +"We get excited," answered White. "We want to get away then." +</P> + +<P> +"And had you gotten away, at that time, you would not have returned to +the ship, eh?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, no; we come back," insisted the Hawaiian. +</P> + +<P> +"Have these men ever been up on charges before?" asked the judge +advocate. +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir," replied the clerk of the court. "There are no marks against +them. Their records are good, so far as the papers show." +</P> + +<P> +"Then we will close the case here." +</P> + +<P> +The court was cleared for deliberation. They found the accused men +guilty of absenting themselves from the ship without leave, and also on +the second count accusing them of felonious assault on Seaman Daniel +Davis. +</P> + +<P> +The court decided that the charge of desertion had not been fully +established, and this alone saved the men from a long term of +imprisonment. Perhaps they were swayed in their verdict by the fact +that the government was making a strong effort in every way to win the +regard of the Hawaiian Islanders. To have carried out the punishment +in its extreme form might, it was thought, have served only to embitter +the Hawaiian people. The punishment was severe enough as it was. The +recommendations of the court were that Black and White be locked up in +the brig for thirty days, with rations of bread and water, with a full +ration every third day. +</P> + +<P> +This peculiar sentence was on account of the regulation that forbids a +prisoner on shipboard from being kept on bread and water for more than +five consecutive days. By giving a full ration once in every five days +the men can be kept under punishment for three months. The court also +decided that both men should suffer a loss of two months' pay. +</P> + +<P> +The commanding officer approved the findings of the court, after +reading them over, and duly affixed his signature. +</P> + +<P> +The prisoners did not know as yet what their punishment was to be. +This was made known to them at muster that evening, when all hands were +piped to quarters, the charges and findings being read before the +ship's company. +</P> + +<P> +"Men," said the captain after the executive officer had read the +verdict of the court, "I am of the opinion that both of you should be +dismissed from the service. The evidence, however, did not fully +warrant the court in finding for that. It appears to be your first +offence, but remember, this is your first enlistment also, which gives +me the right to discharge you dishonorably from the service. I shall +do so upon the next serious breach of discipline hereafter. You may +consider that you have had a very lucky escape from long imprisonment +and from dismissal as well." +</P> + +<P> +"And, as for Seaman Davis, I desire to commend him thus publicly for +his pluck, his faithful obedience of orders and the masterful way in +which he has carried out his orders. Such men are a credit to the +United States Navy. They make one forget that, now and then, we have +some of the other sort among us. Davis, you will be mentioned in my +communication to the department." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap16"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVI +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +A SURPRISE, INDEED +</H4> + +<P> +"I expect you'll be getting your whole head knocked off some of these +days," growled Sam Hickey. +</P> + +<P> +"It has not been knocked off yet," answered Dan with a laugh, "though +it has had a considerable list to starboard on occasions." +</P> + +<P> +"I should say it had. I'm glad those niggers are in the brig. +They——" +</P> + +<P> +"Don't use that word, please. I never liked it. And, besides, they +are not Africans; they are Hawaiians." +</P> + +<P> +"They ought to have been shot. Anyhow, all black looks the same color +to me." +</P> + +<P> +The lads were lounging on deck in the forecastle. It was Wednesday +afternoon, when all hands ordinarily take a half holiday, except those +who are on duty. The battleship "Long Island" was plowing up the +waters off the coast—"coasting," they call it on shipboard. The +officers on the bridge were taking sights at the ranges—light +houses—with their sextants, while the young midshipmen, under the +direction of the ship's navigator, were mathematically working out the +ship's position. +</P> + +<P> +"I never could understand why they have to go to all that trouble," +said Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"They are figuring out our position—they are trying to find out where +we are." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't we know where we are?" +</P> + +<P> +"We don't. Perhaps the officers do." +</P> + +<P> +"Pooh! I know where we are, and I don't have to get a sextant and a +lot of other junk to tell me, either," scoffed the red-headed boy. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, where are we, Mr. Smarty, if you know so much?" +</P> + +<P> +"We're off Atlantic City. That's the Absecon light off the port bow. +I could knock the top of it off with the seven-inch if I had half a +chance." +</P> + +<P> +"That may be true, Sam, but suppose there were a fog, or the lights on +shore went out, or one of many things were to occur—supposing we were +hundreds of miles out at sea and—well, how would you find out where +you were, if you had no instruments with which to take your +observations, or did not know how to use those you had?" +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on; that's enough. Don't put on any more trimmings. I'd do +without 'em, even if it were as bad as you say, and I'd never miss 'em, +either." +</P> + +<P> +"What would you do?" +</P> + +<P> +"Do? I'd just keep going by the compass." +</P> + +<P> +"But supposing the compass were wrong?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'd keep going, just the same, till I got somewhere—till I plumped up +against something solid; then I'd sing out, 'full speed astern, both +engines,' just like the 'Old Man' does up there, when the man in the +chains sings out 'by the mark five.' He's awful afraid the old ship +will scrape over a sand bar. Between you and me it would be good for +her. Why, don't you see, it would scrape the barnacles off her so she +wouldn't have to go into dry dock and cost the government all that +money. I know something about ships, I do." +</P> + +<P> +"And what you do not know would sink all the ships in the Navy," +answered Dan, emphasizing his reply by several nods of his head. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you believe it." +</P> + +<P> +"Here comes the boatswain's mate. I think he is looking for us. Yes, +he's coming this way. I reckon we shall have to turn out for some +duty." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll run and hide, then. I am not going to work this afternoon. He +can't get me interested in any of his patriotic games to-day. No, +siree!" +</P> + +<P> +But Sam was destined to become greatly interested in the work that the +boatswain's mate had come to talk with them about. +</P> + +<P> +"Good afternoon, boys," he greeted them. "How is your head, Davis?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I had almost forgotten that I had a head," laughed Dan, +instinctively laying a hand on the bandage that was bound about his +wound. +</P> + +<P> +"You did pretty well the other night in overhauling that boat. Have +you done much rowing!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes; considerable on the river at home. I have rowed in races +there—small rowboat races—and so has my friend Sam." +</P> + +<P> +"I thought you were pretty handy about small boats. It is a good thing +for a seaman to know boats." +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder what he's getting at?" muttered Sam, eyeing the boatswain's +mate suspiciously. "He isn't here for any good, I am sure of that." +</P> + +<P> +The boy had noted that the boatswain's mate was eyeing them closely, +tilting his head to one side and squinting out of one eye as if he were +sighting a big gun. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't shoot," laughed Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing, only I thought you were getting ready to shoot, the way you +were squinting at me." +</P> + +<P> +"We are going to have some races ourselves in about three weeks." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that so?" exclaimed Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"Out here on the ocean?" demanded Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"Not exactly out here, but in some bay along the coast. These races +are a big thing and arouse a lot of interest." +</P> + +<P> +"Whom do you race with?" asked Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"With crews from the other ships. We race for silver cups and the +rivalry is very keen. You have seen our racing gig, have you not, +boys?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes; that's so. I had forgotten about the gig. It's up on the +upper deck, starboard side, isn't it?" queried Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; that's the boat. She's one of the slickest boats in the service." +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty heavy for racing, isn't she?" questioned Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"They have to be for sea racing. You see, we frequently run into some +foul weather. No paper shells for that kind of racing. It's a man's +game, every inch of it," announced the boatswain's mate, Joe Harper by +name. +</P> + +<P> +"I should think it must be. What grand sport," breathed Dan. "How +many men do you have in the boat?" +</P> + +<P> +"Twelve, including the coxswain. We have some likely material on board +this season." +</P> + +<P> +"Who has charge of the race? Who is the captain of the crew?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am. That is, I am the coxswain, and have full charge of the boat +and the picking of the crew." +</P> + +<P> +Sam was eyeing the boatswain's mate with new interest now. This time +it was Sam Hickey who was squinting out of the corner of one eye. He +was trying to figure out, in his own mind, what the boatswain's mate +was getting at. As yet he had not been able to decide in his own mind. +</P> + +<P> +"There's a colored gentleman in the woodpile for sure," he muttered. +"He'll show his woolly head in a minute or so, or my name's not Sam +Hickey." +</P> + +<P> +The colored gentleman fulfilled Sam's expectations very soon after that. +</P> + +<P> +"Unfortunately, two of our men have been, taken away from us. I say +unfortunately, though I don't exactly mean it in that way. I'm mighty +glad we are rid of them, only that it makes necessary a change of +plans." +</P> + +<P> +"Who are they, Mr. Harper?" +</P> + +<P> +"Those two islanders, Black and White. They are a fine pair of birds, +but they certainly could pull an oar. Would you boys like to come up +and look over the boat?" +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed we should," answered Dan enthusiastically. +</P> + +<P> +They made their way to the upper deck. Two sailors had stripped the +canvas from the racing gig, and were preparing to go over it with +sandpaper to smooth its sides down. +</P> + +<P> +"Why do you do that; to make it smoother?" asked Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"That is the idea exactly," answered the boatswain's mate, patting the +gig affectionately. "We shall be working over this little craft for +the next few weeks on every possible occasion." +</P> + +<P> +"You do not have sliding seats?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, no. It would not be advisable in this kind of a racing craft. +You will observe, however, that the foot rests for the men's feet are +made of old shoes. They slip their feet into these, which gives them a +great purchase. They can release their feet at any instant, should we +get upset in a heavy sea." +</P> + +<P> +"Each man pulls one oar, of course?" +</P> + +<P> +"One oar only," nodded the mate. "That is about all one healthy man +could sit up and accomplish. None but the strongest and pluckiest can +stand the kind of a race we run." +</P> + +<P> +"How long a course do you cover?" +</P> + +<P> +"Four miles. Two miles out to the stake boat and return. As I was +saying, we have lost Black and White, and there are two vacancies on +the crew at present." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir," answered Dan in an unusually respectful tone. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir," added the red-haired boy. "What about it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, as I said, there are two vacancies," replied the mate, with a +significant smile. +</P> + +<P> +There followed a pause, during which Sam walked over to the rail, gazed +off across the waters, apparently without being conscious of having +seen them at all, then slowly returning to the gig, leaned up against +it, gently smoothing the gunwale with his hand. +</P> + +<P> +"It is considered a great honor to be a member of a racing crew, +especially a winning crew, boys." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir; I should think it would be," agreed Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"How would you lads like to try out for the crew?" +</P> + +<P> +"We join the racing crew?" questioned Dan, his eyes opening wide in +amazement. "W—we——" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. You and your friend may try for the places vacated by Black and +White. They will, of course, be out before the races come off, but +their punishment forfeits their right to row with us. I have been +looking you two lads over, and I am sure you have good material in you. +I know you have the pluck. You have shown that you have, both of you, +on more than one occasion. What do you say?" +</P> + +<P> +"What do I say?" answered Dan with glowing countenance. "I say that, +if I could get on the racing crew, I should be the happiest boy in +Uncle Sam's Navy." +</P> + +<P> +"That's me," nodded Sam in approval of his companion's sentiments. "I +knew you were up here for something. The colored gentleman is out of +the woodpile." +</P> + +<P> +"Say, Dan," remarked Sam as the boatswain's mate walked away, "speaking +of Black and White, I've got an idea. I'll bet that fellow Black threw +that seven-inch tompion overboard. I'll bet also that he's the black +scoundrel who plugged your ear with a marline spike." +</P> + +<P> +Dan made no reply, but walked thoughtfully away. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap17"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +AT TORPEDO TARGET PRACTICE +</H4> + +<P> +"Hello, Dan." +</P> + +<P> +Sam Hickey peered over the edge of his hammock in the early morning. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" answered Davis sleepily. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder whether we have missed reveille." +</P> + +<P> +"What's that?" Dan sat up very suddenly. +</P> + +<P> +"I thought that would fetch you awake in a hurry," chuckled the +red-headed boy, snuggling down under his bedclothes, one eye peering +over at his companion. +</P> + +<P> +"That's mean of you, to wake me up so early in the morning," grumbled +Dan. "I was having such a fine sleep, too. I was dreaming——" +</P> + +<P> +"I was dreaming. I'll bet I had a better dream than you did. I +dreamed I was the captain of the 'Long Island,' with four gold stripes +around my sleeve. Then I woke up. That was too fine a dream to sleep +over very long at a time." +</P> + +<P> +"Pipe down the guff," growled several voices from the depths of other +hammocks. "What do you think this is—a pink tea?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; it's a deck picnic," answered Sam, as the bugle blew the reveille, +summoning all hands from their hammocks. The men in the corridor with +the Battleship Boys scrambled down from their hammocks in no enviable +frame of mind, for Hickey had spoiled at least five minutes of their +sleep, which was of no small consequence at that hour of the morning. +Sam seized his clothes and ran for the shower bath, anxious to get his +bath over before the men of his division got there. They were not in a +pleasant frame of mind, and the boy considered it prudent to keep clear +of them until they "got their eyes open," as he expressed it to himself. +</P> + +<P> +The early morning work was finished up and then came breakfast. By +this time the battleship was swinging along past Fire Island light. +The sea was fairly calm and the sun was shining brightly. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder what we are going to do up here?" questioned a jackie, as +they were at their breakfast. +</P> + +<P> +"Up here? Where are we headed for!" demanded Sam. "Looks to me as if +we were going to butt into a sand bank, the way the ship was headed +when I came below." +</P> + +<P> +"I think we are going into Fort Pond Bay," answered someone. +</P> + +<P> +"Never heard of the place. Is it a pond?" asked Hickey innocently. +</P> + +<P> +"Hear the landlubber talk. Yes, red-head, it's a pond; a +sloppy-weather pond with the current so swift at times that if you were +to go swimming in it, you'd want your port and starboard anchors out +all the time." +</P> + +<P> +"What are we going to do in the pond?" +</P> + +<P> +"The Old Man hasn't taken me into his confidence yet," scoffed a +sailor. "I am expecting to hear from him most any time now." +</P> + +<P> +"Ordering you to appear at mast court, eh?" questioned Sam maliciously. +</P> + +<P> +"That'll be about all for you, red-head." +</P> + +<P> +"Better look out or Dynamite will be mixing it up with you," warned +another. "Won't you, Dynamite?" nodding at Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"I think I have had all the mixing-up that I want," answered Davis, +with a short laugh. "If you don't believe it, just look at this +bandage on my head." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Dynamite's a sore head," suggested a shipmate. "I'd be willing +to trade heads with you, if what's in yours could go with it." +</P> + +<P> +At this there was a laugh all around the table. Dan blushed. He did +not like these broad compliments. But, to Dan Davis' credit, be it +said that, instead of making him conceited, they served quite the +opposite purpose. They made him the more determined to merit the good +things that were said of him. +</P> + +<P> +"Torpedo practice to-day," announced a sailor, coming in at that +juncture from his watch on deck. +</P> + +<P> +"What range?" asked some one. +</P> + +<P> +"I hear it is a four-thousand-yard range." +</P> + +<P> +"That will give us all a chance to go out for a row." +</P> + +<P> +"For what?" questioned Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"For the exercise, red-head. We jackies never have anything to do, you +know, so they have to send us out for a row, now and then." +</P> + +<P> +"We don't have to row in a common whaleboat or a cutter. We've got +something better in which to row," retorted Hickey. +</P> + +<P> +"Got something better?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Maybe you're going to run the captain's motor boat." +</P> + +<P> +"No; not yet. Maybe we'll be doing that later. Just now we're going +to content ourselves with the gig." +</P> + +<P> +"The gig!" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure thing." +</P> + +<P> +"What are you talking about?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm talking about the racing gig. Didn't you know Dan and myself were +members of the racing crew now?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; I didn't know anything of the sort. You kids on the crew? That's +a joke. If we fellows who have been in the service a year or two get +on the crew we think we're lucky." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that right, Davis?" spoke up one of the men further down the table. +</P> + +<P> +"Partly, Bob. We have been chosen for a tryout. We may make such a +miserable failure of it that they will put us out of the boat after the +first practice spin." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm not so sure about the red-head, but I'll risk your making a mess +of anything that you try," answered the jackie addressed as Bob. "I +won't say you're lucky, for the good things generally go to them that +deserve them," continued the sailor wisely. "Leastwise, that's been my +observation. I notice not many of them have ever come my way, though. +What oars are you going to pull?" +</P> + +<P> +"I can't say, Bob. That depends upon Mr. Harper." +</P> + +<P> +Envious glances were directed upon the Battleship Boys from all parts +of the mess. +</P> + +<P> +"I know how they happened to get in for a try-out," announced a member +of the mess. "Black and White were to row in the crew. Instead, +they'll be holding down the deck of the brig for the next thirty days." +</P> + +<P> +"I was in there once," said Sam, with a grin that brought a shout of +laughter. +</P> + +<P> +"A fellow doesn't know what the sailor's life is like unless he gets in +the brig." +</P> + +<P> +"I think I should be satisfied without knowing, then," answered Dan. +"I came pretty close to it once. That was enough for me." +</P> + +<P> +By the time the jackies had finished their breakfast the "Long Island" +was plowing into Fort Pond Bay, and an hour later her starboard anchor +was let go. The ship's prow swung into the tide. The decks were +thronged with sailors cleaning ship, while others were getting the +small boats ready for the work of the day. It was a busy scene, one in +which the Battleship Boys evinced the keenest interest, for they had +never seen torpedo practice before. Dan had some knowledge of the +operation of these weapons of modern warfare, but he was anxious to see +the torpedoes fired. +</P> + +<P> +First, the two steamers were swung out and lowered to the water, where +they were made secure to the lower booms. The captain's motor boat +came next. Two officers went off in her to place the target for the +torpedo practice. This was nothing more than a bamboo fish pole with a +red flag secured to it. +</P> + +<P> +The target was planted in a shallow place in the bay off near the shore +of Gardiner's Island, after they had measured off the course, a +distance of four thousand yards from the ship. It was not intended +that the torpedoes should hit the target, which was placed merely as a +guide for the ordnance officer to fire at. Coming within a hundred +feet of it, either way, would be considered pretty good shooting. +</P> + +<P> +In the meantime the torpedo officer was far down in the hold of the +ship, in the torpedo room, getting ready the huge, fish-like monsters +for the flight they were soon to take. There were six of the deadly +instruments of warfare down there. Dan would have liked to go below to +see how the torpedoes were fired by compressed air, but his duties +would not permit him to do so. +</P> + +<P> +"Seaman Hickey and Davis report for signal duty!" called a boatswain's +mate. +</P> + +<P> +"That's us," nodded Dan. "I guess we are going out. That will be +fine." +</P> + +<P> +"Man the small boats and patrol the torpedo course," commanded an +officer from the bridge. "Davis, you will go out with the motor boat. +Hickey, remain on board for signal duty here. We will put some of your +class in the small boats, and distribute them along the course," +ordered a quartermaster. +</P> + +<P> +Dan's class in wig-wag work had made marvelous progress. They were now +nearly as proficient in signal work as had been the regular signal +corps, who were working on one of the other ships some five miles to +the northeast from where the "Long Island" lay. None of Dan's men had +worked at such long range before. He was glad, therefore, that he had +been assigned to go out on the range, for he could keep a watchful eye +on his men. He had perfect confidence in Sam. The station Hickey had +was very important, for he was to receive messages and to send messages +to all the small boats of the fleet. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, all small boats keep clear of the torpedo course, so that none of +you get hit. Don't fall in too soon after the torpedo goes by. We +want the course kept clear so that we can follow it with our glasses. +Take your places on the range." +</P> + +<P> +The two steamers whistled shrilly, as, with a procession of small boats +in tow, they started out over the course. +</P> + +<P> +"Hickey, take your place abaft of the bridge, within hailing distance +of the commanding officer," ordered the quartermaster. +</P> + +<P> +Sam stationed himself by the side of the box where the signal flags +were kept, and, leaning against it, focused his spyglass on the rapidly +receding small boats. +</P> + +<P> +"Up starboard anchor!" commanded the executive officer. +</P> + +<P> +Anchor chains rattled as the huge anchor was slowly raised from the +sandy bottom of the bay. The torpedoes were to be fired while the ship +was under full speed. +</P> + +<P> +"Once over the course, then fire on the return," ordered the captain. +"Port, fire first." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +The battleship completed her course at right angles to the course over +which the torpedo was to be fired, then swung about. +</P> + +<P> +"Full speed ahead, both engines. Raise the red flag." +</P> + +<P> +The firing signal was hoisted to the peak. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you ready, Mr. Ordnance Officer?" +</P> + +<P> +"All ready, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Sound a long blast on the siren." +</P> + +<P> +The weird voice of the siren shrieked its warning over the waters, +while the prow of the battleship was rolling up a great white wave as +the ship raced along at full speed. +</P> + +<P> +"Fire!" came the quick word of command. +</P> + +<P> +The ordnance officer pressed a button, his eyes on the target. +</P> + +<P> +A dull, muffled explosion followed. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap18"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVIII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +HARD AND FAST AGROUND +</H4> + +<P> +"Wow!" +</P> + +<P> +Sam, who had climbed to the top of the signal box for a better view of +sea, was so startled that he lost his footing in leaping to one side. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out below!" he howled. "I'm coming!" +</P> + +<P> +"Gangway!" cried half a dozen sailors at once, as, with quick +intuition, they discovered what was occurring. +</P> + +<P> +Hickey, in attempting to right himself, had plunged head foremost from +the signal box. In his descent he caught a signal halyard. He bounded +up into the air like a tight-rope walker. The next instant he struck a +chain that had been rigged as a railing on the companionway to the +lower bridge. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out below!" bellowed a voice. "Torpedo coming your way." +</P> + +<P> +Sam balanced, for one awful second, on the companionway chain, then +pitched downward through the open hatchway. He disappeared in the +direction of the gun deck. From the commotion below it was evident to +those on the lower bridge that he had reached his destination. +</P> + +<P> +"What's all that racket?" demanded the captain, looking aft from the +navigator's bridge. +</P> + +<P> +"Signalman fell off, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Fell off where?" +</P> + +<P> +"Off the signal box, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Where is he?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think the gun deck stopped him, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Get another man up there to attend to the signaling. We cannot bother +with such clumsy lubbers." +</P> + +<P> +"No other signalmen on board, sir." +</P> + +<P> +The captain uttered an exclamation of impatience. +</P> + +<P> +"Find out if he is hurt. Watch that torpedo, Mr. Coates." +</P> + +<P> +"We're watching it, sir. It is following a very straight course." +</P> + +<P> +For a few seconds after leaving the torpedo tube, far below the surface +of the water, the torpedo wavered as if uncertain what course it should +follow. +</P> + +<P> +All at once it straightened out and darted away off toward Gardiner's +Island, where the target could be faintly made out through the +officer's powerful glasses. The gyroscope, with which all torpedoes +are equipped, caused the projectile to right itself. At its rear end +might be seen, in that brief glance, a propeller whirling so rapidly as +to cause the water to boil, the propeller being operated by a +compressed-air engine within the shell of the torpedo itself. +</P> + +<P> +After righting itself the torpedo dived under the water several feet, +but its course could be followed by the foam it left in its path. +</P> + +<P> +One of the dinghies, far out, lay too close to the course, the captain +thought. +</P> + +<P> +"Signalman—where's that signalman?" he shouted. +</P> + +<P> +"He's coming, sir." +</P> + +<P> +Hickey's red head appeared through the open hatchway, followed by the +body of the limping Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"Get on your station!" commanded the captain. "What's the matter with +you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I got shot off the signal box, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Shot off the signal box!" grumbled the commanding officer, in a tone +of disgust. "Are you able to use the flag?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Then signal that dinghy that they are in the path of the torpedo." +</P> + +<P> +By the time Hickey had clambered clumsily to the signal box again, he +was too late to be of service. Fortunately the men in the dinghy had +seen the torpedo just in time. A quick pull at the oars had turned the +boat in such a way that the projectile shot past with only a few feet +to spare. +</P> + +<P> +"She's heading very straight, sir," the executive officer informed his +superior. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; that's a fine run. But it isn't the fault of our signalman that +the torpedo didn't run down the dinghy. Hickey, that was about the +worst performance of its kind that I ever saw. See that you do not let +it happen again. If you do, I shall take you off signal work entirely." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir," answered the Battleship Boy, whose face was now redder +than the shock of fiery hair that was standing straight up on his head. +</P> + +<P> +"I'll show him," muttered Sam. "I'm a clumsy lummox, but I know my +business just as well as he does his. Wait till I get a chance to +wiggle this flag! I'll make those fellows out in the small boats think +they're getting struck by lightning. I'll——" +</P> + +<P> +"Ask them if they can see the torpedo," broke in the voice of the +captain. +</P> + +<P> +Sam set his flag dancing. The moment he began to work with it all his +nervousness left him. The red-headed boy was himself again. +</P> + +<P> +"Steamer number one says they are after it, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Do they know where it is?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir; they have it located." +</P> + +<P> +"Did you see the way that man Hickey, handled the signal flag, Coates?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir; I observed him." +</P> + +<P> +"The boy is all right, in spite of his clumsiness. Can you make out +the torpedo, Coates?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; but I see the whaleboat putting off for it. The water there is +evidently too shallow for the steamer to get in." +</P> + +<P> +Sam's glass was at his eye, as he balanced himself lightly on the iron +railing surrounding the signal box. +</P> + +<P> +"Whaleboat number one signals that they have the torpedo, sir," sang +out Sam Hickey. +</P> + +<P> +"Very good. You will fire the starboard torpedo next, will you not?" +asked the captain of the ordnance officer. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir, as soon as the men get that one on board." +</P> + +<P> +The whaleboat made fast a rope to the torpedo, and then the steamer, +taking the smaller boat in tow, headed for the ship, towing the monster +in their wake. Beaching the ship, the torpedo was hauled aboard with a +derrick and placed on the deck, to be taken apart and shipped back to +the torpedo room below. +</P> + +<P> +It had made a splendid flight, and all hands were pleased with the +first shot. It had been fired exactly as it would be in war time, +except that it carried no explosive on the practice flight. +</P> + +<P> +Dan, out on the water, was now improving his opportunity to put his +signal corps through a series of practice messages. He was drilling +the men of the signal corps in quick reading. First he would wig-wag a +message to the fleet of small boats; then they would repeat it back to +him as fast as they were able to operate the flags. +</P> + +<P> +"They're signaling out there, sir," said the executive officer to the +captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Signalman, attention! Attend to your business." +</P> + +<P> +Hickey looked up to the bridge in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Don't you see them signaling to you out there?" demanded the captain. +</P> + +<P> +"I see them signaling, yes, sir. I've been watching them for the past +ten minutes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"What do they want?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Then what are they wig-wagging for?" +</P> + +<P> +"Seaman Davis is drilling the squad, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh!" +</P> + +<P> +The captain turned on his heel, giving the boy a view of his broad back. +</P> + +<P> +"Mebby that one didn't land under the belt!" chuckled the red-headed +Battleship Boy. "I guess I know my business, I do." +</P> + +<P> +The ordnance officer announced that he was ready for another shot. +</P> + +<P> +"Very well; we will get under way," announced the captain, the ship +having laid to while the torpedo was being shipped aboard. "Pull over +pretty close to that shore there before you swing. Chains, there!" +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir," answered the men in the chains, the little platform +from which the lead is cast to determine the depth of water under the +ship. +</P> + +<P> +"How much water have you?" +</P> + +<P> +The leadsman made a cast. +</P> + +<P> +"By the mark, ten," he called in a sing-song voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Keep it going." +</P> + +<P> +The ship was slowly drawing near a high, sandy bluff. +</P> + +<P> +"By the mark, seven." +</P> + +<P> +"Slow down both engines," commanded the captain. "Give us another +sounding." +</P> + +<P> +"By the deep, six.... And a quarter, five." +</P> + +<P> +"Seaman Davis signaling, sir," called Sam Hickey. +</P> + +<P> +"What does he say?" +</P> + +<P> +"Begging the captain's pardon, when he went out on the range he crossed +your present course. He says there is shoal water less than a fathom +deep three ship's lengths ahead of you, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"How's your lead?" thundered the captain, turning to the men in the +chains below him. +</P> + +<P> +"Quarter less ten," was the answer. +</P> + +<P> +"That is plenty of water. No cause for alarm there. Tell the engineer +to go ahead." +</P> + +<P> +The "Long Island" took a bone in her teeth at once, and began forging +ahead. +</P> + +<P> +"Signals again, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Signalman wig-wags that there is a deep hole about where you are now. +On the other side of it is shoal water." +</P> + +<P> +"Back both engines, full speed!" commanded the captain with almost +explosive force. "Keep casting your lead! Tell me when she begins to +go astern." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you know of any shoal in here, Lieutenant Douglas?" questioned the +captain of the navigator. +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir; there is nothing on the chart to show it. I guess the boy is +in error." +</P> + +<P> +"If so, it is the first time I ever knew him to be. Ah! What's that?" +</P> + +<P> +There came a slight jolt, then a steadying of the ship. +</P> + +<P> +"She's stopped, sir," called the man with the lead. "And a half, two." +</P> + +<P> +"Is she backing?" The captain's voice showed deep concern. +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir. She's aground, sir." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap19"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIX +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +A TRYING MOMENT +</H4> + +<P> +"Keep those engines going full speed astern!" +</P> + +<P> +There was an anxious look on the face of the commanding officer of the +battleship "Long Island," for it is a serious matter to run a ship of +the Navy aground. +</P> + +<P> +Fortunately, however, owing to Dan Davis' timely warning, the ship had +drifted very slowly on the sand bar. Had it not been for that warning +the battleship would have dashed full speed into the shoal water, where +she would have stuck fast for many a day, even if she did not in the +end prove a total loss. +</P> + +<P> +"We seem to be fast and hard, sir," announced the executive officer. +</P> + +<P> +"I am afraid we are, Coates. It's too bad. How's the tide?" +</P> + +<P> +"About at the turn now, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Is she making any headway astern?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'll ascertain, sir. Chains, there!" +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Is she going astern any?" +</P> + +<P> +"She is standing still, sir. She hasn't moved." +</P> + +<P> +"Keep your lead line out. Sing out the instant the ship begins to go +astern," ordered the captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid she is swinging to port, sir," announced the executive. +</P> + +<P> +The captain took a shore bearing and glanced along his ship toward the +stern. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, this won't do at all. We'll be on the shoal broadside in a +moment. Put out the starboard stern anchor. Draw her up tight. Be +quick about it!" +</P> + +<P> +A splash far aft told them that the anchor had gone overboard. +</P> + +<P> +"Is she holding, Coates?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think so, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Watch her. When the tide turns she may shift the other way, but I +think that, by drawing the anchor chains taut, we can hold the ship +where she is now." +</P> + +<P> +"I do not think she is very far on. We ought to float at high tide, +sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; we should, but you cannot always tell. This is too bad, though +we did all we could. I hope this mishap has not injured her in any +way." +</P> + +<P> +"I do not see how that could be possible, sir. It is soft ground into +which she has poked her nose." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I could tell that by the way she went aground. Sandy bottom. +Signalman!" +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Send a general recall to the boats. No need to keep them out there +any longer. Besides, we shall need the boats here. Boatswain's mate!" +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Have the divers made ready to go down." +</P> + +<P> +"Had we not best stop the engines now, sir?" asked the executive. +</P> + +<P> +"No; keep them going. But watch her closely. In case they pull her +off we shall have to be careful that we do not back into the anchor +chain and foul the propellers." +</P> + +<P> +"Very good, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Are the boats returning, signalman?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir; they are all returning, sir." +</P> + +<P> +The noon hour had arrived, and the crew was piped down to mess just as +if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. As the captain's motor +boat drew alongside the captain called over to the boat to pull up by +the starboard gangway. In a few moments he joined the boat there and +boarded her. +</P> + +<P> +"Run up under the bow of the ship," he commanded. +</P> + +<P> +A few revolutions of the propeller brought them to the spot indicated. +</P> + +<P> +"Is this the place you signaled about, Davis?" he demanded sharply. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +The bottom, shining and white, lay in plain sight. One had only to +glance over the side of the motor boat to see it. +</P> + +<P> +"Pass a lead line over the side." +</P> + +<P> +A line was dropped to them and at the captain's command Dan Davis took +a sounding. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you make it?" +</P> + +<P> +"By the deep, one, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"As you signaled." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"A close guess. You have a sharp eye, Davis." +</P> + +<P> +The captain peered down. He could, by getting between the sun and the +bow of the ship, look down to where the prow of the battleship +disappeared in the white sand on the bottom of the bay. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you want the divers over, sir?" called the executive officer. +</P> + +<P> +"I think not, just now. It will be useless until we get her nose out +of the sand. They cannot tell us any more than we know now." +</P> + +<P> +The motor boat then made a tour of the ship, the captain surveying her +from all points of view. The "Long Island" appeared to be resting +easily, and the sea was comparatively smooth. A glance at the skies +told the commanding officer that good weather might reasonably be +expected for the rest of the day. +</P> + +<P> +"Return to the starboard gangway," he commanded tersely. +</P> + +<P> +The captain forgot to go to his luncheon that day. He paced the +quarter-deck, watching the weather, receiving frequent reports from the +forward end of the ship and having frequent tests made to determine the +state of the tide. +</P> + +<P> +The afternoon was well along before the welcome intelligence was +brought to him that the tide was flowing strong and would be high +within the next thirty minutes. +</P> + +<P> +"Tell the engineer to stand by to go astern full speed," he said. "All +hands not on necessary duty will gather on the quarter-deck, so that we +may get all the weight possible aft. Pipe all hands aft, Mr. Coates." +</P> + +<P> +The boatswain's whistle trilled here and there, and was finally lost in +the depths of the ship. Soon the sailors began marching to the +quarter-deck until that part of the ship was packed with them. +</P> + +<P> +The captain, with his executive officer, went forward to the bridge. +</P> + +<P> +"I think we had better try it now, Coates," he said. "Give orders to +have the anchor shipped." +</P> + +<P> +"Stand by the starboard anchor," commanded the executive. +</P> + +<P> +A few minutes of waiting followed. +</P> + +<P> +"Ship the starboard anchor!" +</P> + +<P> +"Signal the engineer to send both engines full speed astern," ordered +the captain. +</P> + +<P> +The bridge telegraph clanked noisily, then a quiver ran through the +ship. The commanding officer stood stolidly awaiting the result. It +was an anxious moment for him, meaning perhaps the loss of his command, +were he to fail to get his ship off the shoal on which it was grounded. +But he was calm and self-possessed. +</P> + +<P> +For a full moment the screws churned the water, turning it into a sea +of suds astern of the battleship. +</P> + +<P> +"Chains, there!" +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Is she going astern yet?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir." +</P> + +<P> +Commanding and executive officer exchanged significant glances. +</P> + +<P> +"It looks as if we were hard and fast, Coates." +</P> + +<P> +"Give her time to get a foothold. The next couple of minutes will tell +the story, sir." +</P> + +<P> +The next few seconds did tell the story that they were waiting to hear +in almost breathless expectancy. +</P> + +<P> +A slight lurch to port occurred. The beating of the engines seemed to +be suddenly subdued. +</P> + +<P> +"Going—astern—sir," sang the man in the chains. +</P> + +<P> +"All clear," bellowed the bow watch. +</P> + +<P> +"Coates, we're off!" said the captain, lifting his cap and wiping the +perspiration from his brow. +</P> + +<P> +The jackies on the after deck set up a great cheer. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Navigator, have you got this shoal down on your chart now?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Please see that there is no mistake about it. Have you got the ranges +marked on the chart also?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Very good. We do not want this thing to happen to us again, or to any +one else. We have been very lucky in getting off so easily." +</P> + +<P> +"Are you going to have the bottom examined?" asked the executive. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, when we get to the other side of the bay. Quartermaster, head +her east by south one half." +</P> + +<P> +"East by south one half she is. On the mark, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Hold her there till you get that point of land abeam, then swing." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Chains, there, keep the lead going." +</P> + +<P> +The ship swung slowly round, then headed away on the new course, which +she followed as the captain had directed. When opposite the point of +land indicated a sharp turn was made, the vessel heading for the +opposite side of the bay. +</P> + +<P> +After half an hour the battleship had arrived at her first anchorage. +At command, engines were stopped. Starboard anchor chains rattled +loudly, sending up a shower of sparks as the anchor shot downward. +Then the ship swung into the tide and came to rest. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you wish the divers to go down now?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; not until later. Have the hold examined, to see if she is leaking +forward and report to me at once." +</P> + +<P> +"Very good, sir," answered the executive, saluting. "Where will you +be—here on the bridge?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; I think I shall go to my cabin and have a good square meal. +Strange to say, for the first time to-day I have an appetite." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap20"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XX +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +DAN BEFORE THE BOARD +</H4> + +<P> +The reports that the commanding officer received in his cabin were very +encouraging. No water was found in the hold forward, and there was no +indication that any damage had been done to the ship. +</P> + +<P> +After finishing his lunch, the captain ordered the divers over to make +an examination of the ship's bottom from the outside. They reported +that the bottom was not even scratched by contact with the sand of the +bay. +</P> + +<P> +"We will discontinue torpedo practice for the day, Coates. It will be +too late to do anything more. To-morrow we will go on with the work +where we left off. I shall be busy the rest of the afternoon making a +report to the Navy Department of the accident." +</P> + +<P> +In his report the commanding officer told the full story, including the +warning that Seaman Daniel Davis had wig-wagged to the ship from far +out on the torpedo range. +</P> + +<P> +In the early evening Dan was hunted out by the captain's orderly, who +told the lad that the captain wished to see him in the former's +quarters. +</P> + +<P> +Dan was not sure whether he was in for a reprimand or not. But he +hastened below as fast as he could. +</P> + +<P> +"Good evening, lad," greeted the captain in a kindly tone. +</P> + +<P> +"Good evening, sir," answered Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"You discovered the shoal spot on your way out to the range to-day, did +you not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"How did you come to do that!" +</P> + +<P> +"I try to observe everything, sir. The water there did not look like +the rest of the water of the bay, so I looked over and saw the bottom." +</P> + +<P> +"Exactly. Why did you not notify the ship? You had reasons for not +doing so, eh?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"What were they?" +</P> + +<P> +"In the first place, sir, it would have been presumptuous of me to have +done so. In the second place, I thought that, of course, the navigator +knew every inch of the bottom hereabouts." +</P> + +<P> +"So did I," nodded the captain. "Your suppositions were wise. Knowing +of the shoal place, you kept watch of us?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"How did you discover our danger from where you were?" +</P> + +<P> +"I took shore sights as I went out, so that I might be able to locate +the shoal if needed." +</P> + +<P> +The eyes of the commanding officer gleamed with appreciation. +</P> + +<P> +"You saw us heading on to it!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir, I was watching you through the glass. When I saw that you +were going to strike it, if you kept your course, I took the great +liberty of warning you." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, my lad. A board of inquiry will sit and pass upon the +accident. That will, no doubt, be done within the next twenty-four +hours. Other ships of the fleet will be in this afternoon, and the +court will probably sit early to-morrow morning." +</P> + +<P> +"And now, my lad," continued the captain, "I wish to express my deep +appreciation for what you have done." +</P> + +<P> +"I have done nothing, sir, except my duty, and I am not sure but that I +have exceeded the limits of good discipline in that." +</P> + +<P> +"By no means. Had you not done as you did the 'Long Island' would have +driven full speed on the sand bar. She would be there still; she might +have been there for many days to come; in fact, it might have meant the +loss of the battleship. The Navy Department and the commanding officer +of this ship owe you a heavy debt of gratitude, Seaman Davis. I can +show my appreciation only by recommending you to the Department at the +present moment. They possibly may show theirs in another way, and then +I shall be able to do more for you." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you, sir. I am not looking for rewards. I am trying to do my +duty, to serve my country and my Flag to the best of my ability." +</P> + +<P> +"Davis, you are a splendid fellow," said the captain, rising and +grasping the Battleship Boy by the hand impulsively. "Go on as you +have been going, and there is little doubt as to what the outcome will +be. Rest assured that I shall leave nothing undone that I can do, +consistently with good discipline, to further your interests. I hear +you have been chosen for the racing crew," added the commanding officer +with a twinkle in his eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir; that is, I am to be tried out, myself, and also my chum, Sam +Hickey." +</P> + +<P> +"I have no doubt that you will do well. It will be a splendid thing +for you, giving you a new viewpoint from which to look upon the life of +the sailor in Uncle Sam's Navy. I may have something further to say to +you later on. That will be all for the present." +</P> + +<P> +Dan saluted and left the captain's quarters. +</P> + +<P> +The boy said nothing of what had been discussed in the captain's cabin. +Not even to his own chum did he repeat a word of it. +</P> + +<P> +On the following morning a board of inquiry which had been ordered at +once by the Navy Department convened on board the "Long Island" in full +dress. The court consisted of the captains and commanders of other +ships of the fleet. +</P> + +<P> +The ship's company were in their best clothes for the occasion. As the +officers came over the side, sailors manned the gangway, two on each +side, as befitted the rank of the officers visiting the ship. +</P> + +<P> +With this inquiry no one except the captain and his executive officer +had anything to do. The board of inquiry assembled in the reception +room at the stern of the ship below, where they went into executive +session, taking the evidence of the captain, the executive officer, and +later the testimony of the navigator, who, by his charts, proved that +the shoal had been indicated on none of them. +</P> + +<P> +Dan was summoned to the court after the evidence had been taken. He +was a little excited, because he feared that his evidence would count +against the captain; but he entered the room with confident, easy +bearing and stood awaiting the command of the president of the court. +</P> + +<P> +Dan gave his name and rating in the service. The officers were struck +with the clean-cut face, the intelligent eye and the steady nerve of +the young seaman. There was approval of his type in every face there, +but no one was more proud of the Battleship Boy than was the captain. +</P> + +<P> +To all the questions put to him by the board of inquiry the lad gave +quick, comprehensive answers. He volunteered no information of his own +accord, merely answering the questions that were asked of him. He told +of having discovered the shoal water, and of measuring the depth with +his eye. +</P> + +<P> +"How did you happen to discover that the water was shoal!" questioned +one of the officers. +</P> + +<P> +"From the color of it, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"How long have you been in the service, did you say?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nearly a year, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Did you volunteer to testify before this court?" +</P> + +<P> +"I did not, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"It is at my suggestion to you that the lad has been called here," +spoke up the captain. "He was unaware that he was to testify, until +you sent for him." +</P> + +<P> +"You saw that the ship was headed directly for the shoal?" asked one of +the officers, addressing Davis. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"And you signaled them of their danger?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Could the shoal water not be seen from the bridge of the ship, do you +think?" +</P> + +<P> +"I was not on the bridge, sir. I could not say. From the direction of +the sun I should say the whole bay looked alike, judging from my +observation when I have been up there, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Very good." +</P> + +<P> +The officer was seeking to draw out the Battleship Boy to serve some +purpose of his own. +</P> + +<P> +"Why did you not notify the ship at once of your discovery?" +</P> + +<P> +"I did not feel at liberty to do so, sir. I considered that it would +be an impertinence to do so." +</P> + +<P> +"That will be all, Davis. You may retire." +</P> + +<P> +The court of inquiry closed soon after that, and the board took the +evidence into consideration, excluding all persons from the cabin, +including the captain. +</P> + +<P> +The whole ship's company seemed to feel a sense of depression. They +did not believe their commanding officer had been at fault, but they +knew that Seaman Davis had saved the ship. Envious eyes were cast at +the lad during the rest of the day. Dan, however, appeared not to +observe this. He was more worried than any of his fellows, feeling +that perhaps had he acted upon his first impulse, and notified the +ship's officers of his discovery, all this might have been avoided. +</P> + +<P> +After the inquiry the board lunched with the captain. Then they took +their departure from the ship with the same formality that they had +boarded it. It was noticed, after they had left, that the commanding +officer appeared much relieved. His face brightened considerably, and +the lines of worry that had appeared there after the accident seemed to +have disappeared. +</P> + +<P> +"I guess the Old Man feels better," whispered Sam to his chum. "He +must have got a hunch." +</P> + +<P> +They did not know it, but the board had held him blameless, subject to +the approval of the Navy Department. +</P> + +<P> +"Don't use slang. And, besides, I do not like to hear you refer to our +captain as the 'Old Man.' It is not respectful." +</P> + +<P> +"Everybody calls him that." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, you are not everybody. Be different, for a change." +</P> + +<P> +"Everybody in the Navy calls the captain the 'Old Man.'" +</P> + +<P> +"You never heard me do so, did you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, no," admitted Sam; "but you're not the whole Navy." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm a very little part of it, but I have my ideas as to what is right +and wrong." +</P> + +<P> +The captain was standing on deck watching the work that was going on. +The boatswain's mate was seen to come aft on the superstructure. +</P> + +<P> +"Harper," called the captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"This will be a good opportunity to get out the racing gig." +</P> + +<P> +"Now, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; not now. This afternoon, after four o'clock. The tide will not +be strong then and the weather is fine. Some of these lads are anxious +to get their try-out, too," with a glance at Dan Davis and Sam Hickey, +which brought a flush to the face of each of the Battleship Boys. +</P> + +<P> +There was a stir among the crew as the captain made the announcement. +All their hopes were centered in the trim racing gig. To their way of +thinking there was not another boat in the fleet in the same class with +the "Long Island's" racing gig. Half a dozen men were instantly told +off to rub the boat down under the watchful eyes of Joe Harper. All +the rest of the afternoon they busied themselves about the gig, until, +at last, the command was given, "Get ready for practice spin." +</P> + +<P> +The members of the racing crew hurried to their quarters, and, at four +o'clock sharp, appeared on deck, clad only in short trunks and shoes. +Each man carried an oar, which he stood butt down on the deck in front +of him. +</P> + +<P> +The officers ran their eyes over the twelve muscular young men. The +glances of all finally dwelt on Dan Davis and Sam Hickey and murmurs of +surprise ran over the assemblage. Sam's arms were knotted with +muscles, as were his back and legs. But it was Seaman Davis who, of +the twelve, attracted the most attention. +</P> + +<P> +Dan's muscles were not bunched like those of his companion; they were +rounded in beautiful curves, symmetrical like those of a well-groomed +race horse. +</P> + +<P> +"No wonder Dynamite put a cauliflower ear on old Kester," laughed a +shipmate. +</P> + +<P> +"He's in wonderful condition," confided the captain to one of his +officers. "That boy is a born athlete." +</P> + +<P> +The gig was swinging over the side in a sling, being lowered by a big +crane. +</P> + +<P> +"Stand by," commanded the boatswain's mate, who was the coxswain of the +gig. +</P> + +<P> +The crew of the gig lined up at the rail. +</P> + +<P> +"All over!" +</P> + +<P> +They piled down the sea ladder, taking their places in the small boat. +</P> + +<P> +"Toss!" The oars were raised upright. "Out oars!" +</P> + +<P> +The oars were placed in the rowlocks. +</P> + +<P> +"Cast off!" +</P> + +<P> +The gig was shoved clear of the ship. +</P> + +<P> +"Give way together!" +</P> + +<P> +Eleven lusty sailors put their strength into the oars and the racing +gig shot away from the side of the battleship, sending up a shower of +white spray as it plunged into a rising swell. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap21"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXI +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +IN THE RACING GIG +</H4> + +<P> +Sam Hickey had been given the place nearest to the coxswain, with Dan +just behind him. Some of the others were inclined to grumble at that, +for Sam was next to the stroke oar, a position of honor. +</P> + +<P> +Joe Harper, however, had his own ideas. He wanted the Battleship Boys +near him, so that he might watch their work more closely. +</P> + +<P> +"A little quicker on the recovery, there, Hickey. That's better. +Davis, you're doing well. You pull like an old-timer. Number one, +there, you're lagging. Swing your body from the hips and come forward +as if you were going to throw yourself on your face. That's it! Now +get in time as I count. When I say one, every man have his blade in +the water and begin to pull. Now, one! one! one! one! one! one! Keep +it up!" +</P> + +<P> +The gig danced over the water at increasing speed. +</P> + +<P> +All at once Sam Hickey uttered a yell. In attempting to turn his head +to wink at Dan he had turned the blade of his oar forward. Of course +he caught a crab. The boat was moving so swiftly that the force of the +blow that Hickey got from the oar doubled him up, knocking him clear +back into Dan's lap. +</P> + +<P> +"O-u-u-u-ch!" yelled Sam, holding his stomach, his face working +convulsively in his effort to control himself. +</P> + +<P> +"Hurt you?" questioned Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"I—I think it turned me around inside." +</P> + +<P> +"You lubber, what did you do that for?" demanded the coxswain. +</P> + +<P> +"Wha—what did I do—it for! Do you think I did that for fun? Do you +think I did it on purpose?" Sam groaned again. +</P> + +<P> +"You were looking around; you weren't attending to your business." +</P> + +<P> +"I was not looking around. I was just trying to look around. If I'd +been looking around I wouldn't have fallen on my back, would I?" +</P> + +<P> +The men had ceased rowing, at command of the coxswain. Some of them +were laughing at Hickey's predicament, while others were grumbling. +</P> + +<P> +"Nice kind of a lubber to put aboard the gig!" growled a voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Silence!" commanded the coxswain. "I'm commanding this boat just now. +Hickey, sit up there!" +</P> + +<P> +Sam did so, at the same time making a wry face. +</P> + +<P> +"Are you able to go on? If not, we'll return to the ship and get a man +who is." +</P> + +<P> +Sam straightened up instantly. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm all right, sir. I'll never go fishing for crabs in a gig again, +sir." +</P> + +<P> +The crew roared with laughter, but the red-headed boy was as solemn as +an owl. +</P> + +<P> +Once more they fell to their oars. Hickey redeemed himself during the +rest of the practice. He caught no more crabs, but pulled a steady, +quick stroke that brought nods of approval from the coxswain. +</P> + +<P> +As for Seaman Davis, he never missed a stroke, and as the boat shot on +he seemed to pick up in strength like a powerful gasoline motor under +low speed on a steep hill. His oar swung with the precision of a piece +of automatic machinery. +</P> + +<P> +By this time the gig had gotten so far away that she could be made out +from the ship only by the glasses of the officers. Finally they +rounded a point of land, and the coxswain steered his boat into still +water. +</P> + +<P> +"Toss oars!" he commanded. +</P> + +<P> +Eleven oars were raised upright, standing in two even rows. +</P> + +<P> +"Well done, lads. Out oars!" +</P> + +<P> +The oars struck the water with a single splash. +</P> + +<P> +"I'd like to see any boat crew beat that for drill," announced the +coxswain. "Lads, if you do as well when we get in an actual race as +you have done to-day, barring Hickey's crab-fishing, you may not get +the flag, but you will be well up toward the head of the line, and +that's no joke. When in a race you should row just as if you were out +for practice. Never get excited. Never mind what the other fellow is +doing. The coxswain is supposed to attend to that. If he wants you to +know he will tell you. Put every other thought out of your mind except +your rowing. At every stroke keep your eyes on your stroke oar. We +will now take a sprint, when I shall give you no commands. Rely wholly +on your stroke oar." +</P> + +<P> +At command the men began pulling. They did remarkably well, only two +of them getting out of time during the entire run, which was a mile +straight away. +</P> + +<P> +"Very well done," announced the coxswain in an approving voice. +"Davis, will you take the stroke-oar seat?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir; if you wish." +</P> + +<P> +"I want to see how you will hold the seat." +</P> + +<P> +Dan and the stroke oar changed places. +</P> + +<P> +"I want you all to be familiar with the work in every part of the boat. +Stroke, I have no intention of displacing you permanently." +</P> + +<P> +"I understand. That's all right, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"How fast a stroke do you wish me to hit?" questioned Davis. +</P> + +<P> +"About twenty to the minute. I thought you knew something about the +game. Let's see if you can hit twenty." +</P> + +<P> +The coxswain took out his watch. +</P> + +<P> +"All ready. Stand by. Give way together." +</P> + +<P> +Dan bent far forward, allowing just enough time to elapse before +straightening his back to permit the other men to get into position. +Then every oar hit the water at the same instant and the gig started +away, but at a slightly lower speed than they had been rowing before. +</P> + +<P> +"Minute's up. Exactly twenty strokes," announced the coxswain. "That +was fine. Where did you learn how to time a boat! Were you ever in a +race?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not a big one, but I have watched the college crews practising. What +little I know I have just picked up; that's all." +</P> + +<P> +"You're a mighty good picker-up, then, that's all I've got to say about +it," answered the coxswain, with a short laugh. +</P> + +<P> +"The battleship is making signals, sir," spoke up Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"How do you know?" +</P> + +<P> +"I caught the flutter of a flag up aloft." +</P> + +<P> +"No need of telescopes when you are around," said the coxswain, placing +a glass to his eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"Recall for the gig is up," he said. "Get under way. Davis, you hold +the stroke oar on the way back." +</P> + +<P> +"How fast, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"About eighteen strokes to the minute for a time. We will increase it +to twenty and so on up. Don't wear your men out before you get home, +though." +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir; I won't." +</P> + +<P> +The men settled down to the long, leisurely stroke, which they kept up +until they were within about a mile of the ship. +</P> + +<P> +"Shall I hit her up?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"How fast?" +</P> + +<P> +"Use your judgment. Do you want to make a finish?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir; it will do us all good." +</P> + +<P> +"Go ahead." +</P> + +<P> +From eighteen strokes to the minute Dan worked it up to thirty, but so +gradually that the men did not realize how fast they were going. They +were drawing near the ship. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, every man of you look alive to his work," warned the coxswain. +"We do not want to make an exhibition of ourselves when we get near the +ship. The whole ship's crew would have the laugh on us. Row as if you +were in a race. Watch your stroke oar. That's it. Settle right down +and saw wood." +</P> + +<P> +The boat leaped ahead. Thirty-two strokes to the minute rolled up, +then thirty-five. +</P> + +<P> +The white foam was shooting from the bow of the gig, while the coxswain +was stooping forward, his glistening eyes fixed on the battleship. +With a great burst of speed the gig dashed up, every man pulling, every +back glistening, under the salt spray that covered it. +</P> + +<P> +The rails were lined with jackies. They set up a great cheer as the +boat drew in and the command, "Toss oars!" was given. +</P> + +<P> +It had been a great practice cruise and the ship's company was filled +with wild excitement and anticipation. Dan had made a wonderful sprint +as the stroke oar. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap22"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +AN EXCITING MOMENT +</H4> + +<P> +"You are on the crew, you and Seaman Hickey," said the boatswain's mate +later in the evening. "I think I will put you in the stroke-oar +position, after all." +</P> + +<P> +"The other man will be displeased, will he not!" asked Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"Every man in that boat must be willing to do whatever he can to +perfect our organization, to help us win the race, even if he has to +jump overboard to do it." +</P> + +<P> +Dan nodded his approval. +</P> + +<P> +"I wouldn't jump overboard for any old race," muttered Sam. "I can get +wet enough by staying on board." +</P> + +<P> +Every day thereafter the racing crew went out. No change in the crew +had been found necessary, and her coxswain considered that he had the +best crew in the fleet. +</P> + +<P> +Excitement was daily growing, as the time approached for the great gig +race, when boats from all the ships of the fleet would enter the +contest. A valuable silver cup was to be the trophy to be raced for. +It would have a place of honor on the ship of the winning crew, where +it would remain for a year and perhaps longer—remain until some other +ship's racing crew should win it. +</P> + +<P> +Each afternoon the gig's crew was turned out for a practice spin. The +men were working better and better, pulling almost as one man. Even +the ship's officers felt that they had never had a better chance to win +the cup, and were proportionately elated. +</P> + +<P> +A short cruise was made up to the Maine coast; then the ship returned +to her former anchorage to complete the torpedo practice that had been +interrupted when the battleship went aground. +</P> + +<P> +The first night on the anchorage proved an exciting one. Off some four +miles, behind a point of land where her cage masts could be faintly +made out, lay the flagship with the admiral of the fleet on board. He +had come in while the "Long Island" was off up the coast on her short +cruise. +</P> + +<P> +When an admiral is about it behooves the commanders of other ships to +be on their guard, to keep a sharp lookout for surprises. Admirals are +prone to give most unexpected orders at any time. For that reason the +first night on the old anchorage saw more than one officer of the deck +on duty. One was placed on the bridge and one aft on the quarter-deck. +</P> + +<P> +The ship settled down to silence at the usual hour; the seamen were in +their hammocks and the officers had retired to their staterooms for a +night's rest in the quiet waters of the bay. +</P> + +<P> +Eight bells had just struck, midnight, when a messenger rushed down to +the captain's quarters from the quarter-deck. Without waiting to +knock, he called loudly, as he poked his head in through the curtained +doorway. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Abandon ship, sir!" +</P> + +<P> +Without an instant's hesitation the commanding officer reached up over +his bed, pulling down a brass lever with a violent jerk. +</P> + +<P> +Gongs began to crash all over the ship, from the stoke hole to the +navigating bridge. +</P> + +<P> +"Abandon ship!" bellowed boatswain's mates and masters-at-arms. +"Abandon ship!" sang voices in the forecastle, the cry being taken up +from lip to lip from one end to the other of the great battleship. +</P> + +<P> +Men tumbled from their hammocks, and, without waiting to pull on their +clothes, dashed for the open decks. From far below black-faced stokers +ran up the companion ladders and burst out on the topside. +</P> + +<P> +"Man the lifeboats! Everything overboard!" sang an officer through a +megaphone. +</P> + +<P> +The signal gongs were clanging automatically all through the ship. +They would continue to do so for full five minutes, giving no excuse +for any one to be left on board. Boats and rafts were going over at a +rapid rate, the great cranes swinging out the heavier boats with speed +and precision. Most of the men were working coolly while others—the +newer men on board—were showing signs of excitement. +</P> + +<P> +A red-haired boy came dashing up to the top of the superstructure. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter—what's the matter?" he shouted. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, the ship's on fire," answered some one. +</P> + +<P> +"On fire—where?" +</P> + +<P> +"Over there. She's going down. You'll have to hurry or you'll get +caught in the suction. Look over the side and you'll see the fire +coming right up out of the sea." +</P> + +<P> +Sam Hickey dashed to the side of the ship and leaned forward to peer +over. He did not know that the rope railings had come down at the +first alarm in order to facilitate putting over the rafts and other +deck equipment. +</P> + +<P> +When Sam leaned, there was nothing to lean upon. The result was that +he toppled right on over. +</P> + +<P> +"Man overboard!" came the familiar cry. "Cast the life rings." +</P> + +<P> +"Look out below there. Man overboard!" roared an officer through his +trumpet. +</P> + +<P> +"Where away?" answered a voice from the boats down in the darkness. +</P> + +<P> +"He fell over from topside," answered another. +</P> + +<P> +"Who is the man?" +</P> + +<P> +"Seaman Hickey." +</P> + +<P> +"Find him, find him! What are you doing down there, you lazy lubbers? +You stand there letting a man drown without making an effort to save +him!" +</P> + +<P> +"Who's drowning?" demanded a voice over the heads of the men in the +small boats. +</P> + +<P> +"Hickey; Seaman Hickey!" +</P> + +<P> +"Pshaw! Seaman Hickey isn't drowning, and I don't believe the ship's +on fire, either. What's the matter with you fellows! Whole ship's +been having bad dreams, I guess." +</P> + +<P> +"Who are you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm Hickey. I guess I ought to know." +</P> + +<P> +"Where are you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm sitting on top of the steamer's awning just now, but if you wiggle +around much more below there, I'll be in the foaming brine." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that you, Hickey?" called an officer from the quarter-deck. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"How did you get there?" +</P> + +<P> +"Fell here, sir. I didn't jump, sir. Honest, I fell off the ship. I +might have been going yet if——" +</P> + +<P> +"That will do," commanded the officer in a stern voice. "Get off the +steamer's hood, and be quick about it!" +</P> + +<P> +Sam slid down a stanchion, causing the small steamer to careen +dangerously. Two sailors grabbed him by the legs and hauled him +aboard, Hickey's head and shoulders being plunged into the sea as they +did so. +</P> + +<P> +Sam came aboard choking, sputtering and threatening to thrash the whole +steamer's crew. +</P> + +<P> +"Silence in steamer number one!" roared an officer. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye," answered Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"You shut up!" ordered the coxswain. "Do you think you are running +this boat?" +</P> + +<P> +"I nearly ran my head through the roof of the confounded thing," +retorted Sam, wringing the water out of his red hair. "What's all this +row about, anyway? I don't see any fire or anything else worth getting +out of bed for at this time of night." +</P> + +<P> +"Sam, is that you making all that noise?" questioned Dan Davis, from a +whaleboat that had pulled alongside. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know about the noise. I'm in steamer number one, if that's +what you mean." +</P> + +<P> +"What happened to you?" +</P> + +<P> +"I didn't change my mind this time, and I fell overboard, that's all." +</P> + +<P> +"Did you fall in?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, I fell on—and that's worse." +</P> + +<P> +"On what?" +</P> + +<P> +"I fell on top of the steamer. I was headed all right, but the steamer +got in my way. I'd have made a beauty dive into the salt sea if the +steamer hadn't got in the way. But what's all this ruction for?" +</P> + +<P> +"It is a drill." +</P> + +<P> +"A drill!" exclaimed Hickey in disgust. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"What kind of drill?" +</P> + +<P> +"Abandoning ship." +</P> + +<P> +"Pshaw, if I'd have known that I'd stayed in bed. The idea of a drill +in the middle of the night, and after I've rowed half way to Europe in +the racing gig. Who started this thing, anyway?" +</P> + +<P> +"The admiral signaled all ships in the harbor to abandon ship. I +presume all of them are taking the time, and we shall see who succeeded +in getting away from their ship first." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll bet I'd have broken the record if they had taken my time. That's +the only way to abandon ship in a hurry." +</P> + +<P> +"How's that, Hickey?" questioned a shipmate. +</P> + +<P> +"Head first," answered Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"Return to ship," came the command. "Be lively there, men. This +counts on record, too. All boats to be hoisted aboard as they were." +</P> + +<P> +The men piled over the side of the ship to the decks in fully as quick +time as they had left. In a very brief time the small boats were +emptied, excepting for the men who were manning them, two men in each +boat to attend to making fast the falls for hoisting and riding up to +the decks in the little craft. +</P> + +<P> +The drill was ended without a mishap, save that which had occurred when +Hickey tried to lean against the ship's rail and failed. +</P> + +<P> +Lights, red, white and blue, were twinkling from the masts of the +various ships at anchor in the bay, while officers on the bridge of the +"Long Island" were reading them. +</P> + +<P> +"Is signalman there?" called the captain from the bridge. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir," came the response. +</P> + +<P> +"Signal the flagship that the 'Long Island's' crew abandoned ship in +four minutes and twenty seconds." +</P> + +<P> +The signalman did so, working the keyboard of his signal +apparatus—that somewhat resembled a typewriter machine—causing +colored lights to flash and twinkle far up on the forward mast of his +own ship. +</P> + +<P> +"'Good work, sir,' the admiral says." +</P> + +<P> +"Ask him for the best time." +</P> + +<P> +"Flagship signals that the 'Long Island' has made a record for +abandoning ship. Five minutes best time in previous record. +To-night's second-best record, four minutes and fifty seconds." +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Coates, will you pass the word to the men by megaphone?" asked the +captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir. Battleship crew, there!" +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir," roared a hundred or more voices. +</P> + +<P> +"The 'Long Island' beats all competitors in abandoning ship by thirty +seconds, and has broken all previous records." +</P> + +<P> +A roar went up that fairly shook the ship; then two hundred voices were +raised in song: +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,<BR> +What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?"<BR> +</P> + +<P> +</P> + +<P> +The strains of the inspiring song floated out over the waters of the +bay until one verse had been sung, the officers offering no objection +to the jollification. But, ere the men could begin on the second +verse, the bugle blared loudly, piping all hands back to hammocks. Ten +minutes later the battleship was silent and the decks deserted. The +"Long Island's" crew, almost to a man, was sound asleep. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap23"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE ACT OF A HERO +</H4> + +<P> +"All hands prepare for torpedo practice," was again the command on the +following morning. +</P> + +<P> +At least six torpedoes were to be fired that day, to complete the +practice required of each ship. The "Long Island" got up steam and +pulled away to a remote part of the bay, so as not to be bothered by +the other ships of the fleet. In fact, every ship in the bay was doing +the same thing—getting off by itself. +</P> + +<P> +The same tactics were to be followed as had been used on the day when +the battleship went aground; that is, firing when the ship was +traveling at full speed, about seventeen knots an hour. +</P> + +<P> +The red-headed boy was retained on shipboard to attend to the +wig-wagging, Dan going out in the motor boat with an engineer and +coxswain. +</P> + +<P> +"Red flag up!" shouted Dan. "Keep clear of the course." +</P> + +<P> +The ship's siren blew, and soon they saw the path made by the marine +monster heading off in their direction. Dan, in the motor boat, was +near the extreme end of the range. +</P> + +<P> +"Better sheer off, coxswain, because you can't tell where the old +torpedo is going when it gets near the end of its run. There she goes." +</P> + +<P> +The torpedo took a long dive at an angle of about forty-five degrees +from her course. +</P> + +<P> +"Look where she's going!" +</P> + +<P> +Off in the direction that the projectile was headed was a fleet of +fishermen in small boats, tending to their nets, which were scattered +over an area of a quarter of a mile, standing almost end to end. +</P> + +<P> +"Head toward them, head toward them! We must warn them!" +</P> + +<P> +The coxswain was a seaman, not a coxswain by appointment, and he did +not appear to be as familiar with the work as he might have been. The +regular coxswain of the motor boat was in the sick bay, though Dan did +not know this. +</P> + +<P> +"Torpedo heading your way! Look out for her!" he shouted with hands to +mouth. "Pull out, men; pull out for your lives!" +</P> + +<P> +The fishermen looked at the Battleship Boy, standing poised on the +plunging bow of the motor boat, wondering if he had gone crazy. +</P> + +<P> +"Pull out, I tell you! There she comes!" +</P> + +<P> +The motor boat was driving; ahead full speed. +</P> + +<P> +"They'll be hit, sure as fate," groaned the boy. "They can't see her +because they are so low in the water." +</P> + +<P> +A yell from the fishermen told him that they had made sudden discovery +of their peril. Dan, with his wig-wag flag, motioned to them to +separate at a certain point. For a wonder they understood and laid to +their oars in great haste. +</P> + +<P> +All at once from the water right at the side of one of the fishing +boats the torpedo emerged. It missed the boat by a matter of inches +only, but the tail of the projectile hooked the keel. Like a flash the +fishing boat turned over and the men were scrambling in the water. +</P> + +<P> +"Drive in there, full speed!" commanded Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"We'll get fouled in the fish nets." +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind the nets. Those men may drown. Drive in there, I say!" +</P> + +<P> +The man at the wheel did as the Battleship Boy had ordered him to. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, slow down. Drift in." +</P> + +<P> +A moment more and the life lines shot out, a half dozen wet and angry +fishermen being hauled aboard the motor boat. The men were fighting +angry. +</P> + +<P> +Shaking the water from their clothes, they started for Dan with angry +imprecations. Not only had they been upset, but they discovered that +the truant torpedo was driving through their nets. Yells of rage from +the fishermen in other boats told Dan that they, too, had discovered +what was occurring. +</P> + +<P> +On went the torpedo, ripping net after net. It seemed bent upon +destruction, for, after passing through all the nets in its course, it +turned almost squarely about and dived through the rest of the nets. +Every net, with its burden of fish, was utterly destroyed. +</P> + +<P> +Dan grabbed up a boat hook as he saw the rescued men meant business. +</P> + +<P> +"Stand back!" he commanded. "I'll smash the first one of you who comes +forward. Ahoy there, fishing boats. Come up here and take these men +off, and no nonsense about it, either." +</P> + +<P> +The men hesitated. +</P> + +<P> +"Throw him overboard!" cried a more turbulent spirit. +</P> + +<P> +"Try it, if you want to, men, but I warn you this is a government boat. +If you commit an assault on board, or on one of its crew, you will be +in for a long term in a federal prison. Think you want to take that +chance?" +</P> + +<P> +That settled it. The men realized that the young sailor was right, and +their anger cooled almost at once. +</P> + +<P> +"The government will pay you for all the damage done to your nets, as +you well know. Draw alongside here," he commanded to one of the boats. +"Back out, coxswain. We are drifting around into the nets." +</P> + +<P> +Dan wig-wagged to one of the whaleboats, asking them to row in and make +fast to the torpedo, for his own boat could get in no further. The +fishermen, thinking he was signaling for assistance, did not wait for +the fishing boat that was coming to take them off. They sprang +overboard and swam for the boat. +</P> + +<P> +"You didn't have to do that," called Dan. "You'll be saying next that +we made you jump overboard." +</P> + +<P> +The whaleboat made fast to the torpedo very quickly; then one of the +steamers towed the huge projectile back to the ship, where it was +hoisted aboard. +</P> + +<P> +For the next shot the motor boat took up its station down nearer to the +ship, about half way between the end of the range and the battleship. +Orders from the ship were to have the whaleboats take positions at the +end of the course. They, being of lesser draught, could get in closer +to shore and could get the torpedo out in case it drove into shallow +water as before. +</P> + +<P> +Near by lay steamer number two with twelve men and an ensign on board. +Both the motor boat and the steamer cruised slowly about while waiting +for the red flag to go up on the signal halyard, warning them that +another shot was about to be fired. +</P> + +<P> +"Lay back farther," came the signal from the battleship. +</P> + +<P> +"Motor boat or steamer?" wig-wagged Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"Both." +</P> + +<P> +"Steamer there!" called Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye." +</P> + +<P> +"Battleship orders you to lay back farther, and to keep off the course." +</P> + +<P> +The steamer shifted its position, and Dan's boat pulled farther away, +at the same time moving off a little more toward the shore. The two +boats were now on opposite sides of the course that the torpedo was +expected to travel, though one can never be sure just where these +instruments of war are likely to go. +</P> + +<P> +"Battleship under way," signaled Dan to the other small boats out on +the field. +</P> + +<P> +For a time he watched the warship that was heading for the other side +of the bay. Finally the ship turned and started back, with a big, +white "bone between her teeth," as the saying goes when a ship is +plowing up the sea. +</P> + +<P> +"Red flag going up," called the signal boy. "Wherry, there, ordered to +lay to starboard of the target," he signaled to the little boat dancing +on the waves half a mile away. +</P> + +<P> +The small boat quickly took its position as ordered from the ship. +</P> + +<P> +The siren blew a long blast, and with eyes turned toward the ship, all +the boat crews pulled back to a safe distance. +</P> + +<P> +"Torpedo on the way," signaled Sam Hickey from his position on the ship. +</P> + +<P> +"Torpedo under way," wig-wagged Dan Davis to the other boats. "Get +under way, the battleship signals," he told the little fleet. +</P> + +<P> +At the same time the motor boat started along the course that the +torpedo was expected to follow, the small steamer a little in the lead. +</P> + +<P> +"She's running close to the surface," muttered the Battleship Boy, +watching the projectile. "I can see the water spurting from her bows. +She'll never complete the run." +</P> + +<P> +He turned to look at the steamer. He observed that she was at right +angles to the course. +</P> + +<P> +"Sheer off! Sheer off!" shouted Dan. "You're right on the course. +You'll be hit!" +</P> + +<P> +"We're disabled. Motor boat, there!" shouted the ensign in the small +steamer. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, answered Dan. +</P> + +<P> +"Lay over and help us out. We've thrown our propeller." +</P> + +<P> +"Full speed ahead. May I take the tiller?" +</P> + +<P> +The acting coxswain good-naturedly stepped aside, Dan taking the +steering wheel of the motor boat from his hands. +</P> + +<P> +The lad's eyes traveled rapidly from the advancing torpedo to the +steamer that was rolling on a heavy swell, her crew of more than a +dozen men leaning over the side, straining their eyes to make out the +torpedo. +</P> + +<P> +"She's going to strike us, sir," shouted the coxswain. +</P> + +<P> +"Can't help it," answered the ensign. "All hands be ready to go +overboard when I give the command. Some of us will be caught. We +don't know where she is going to hit us." +</P> + +<P> +The officer knew that only a miracle could save some of his crew from +being crushed to death when the heavy torpedo struck the little +steamer. To move the men to safe parts of the boat was not possible, +for it was impossible to say where the projectile would strike. +Perhaps she might change her course and not hit them at all. That +seemed to be the only hope now. +</P> + +<P> +Turning their eyes, they saw the motor boat smashing through the sea, +throwing the water high from her bows. Dan Davis was leaning well +forward, one hand on the steering wheel, the other on the engine +control, his eyes watching the torpedo and the steamer. +</P> + +<P> +Now he would slow down ever so little, then drive ahead at full speed, +as if jockeying to cross the line in an international race. +</P> + +<P> +The ensign was watching him with fascinated interest. He knew that the +boy had some daring plan in mind, but what that plan was he could not +understand. The officer was on the point of shouting to the Battleship +Boy to turn in and push them out of the way, but he refrained. +</P> + +<P> +Dan had thought of this very thing, but he knew the chances were +against his being able to do so. He chose a bolder and more brilliant +way of saving the boat's crew, or of trying to save them. +</P> + +<P> +The engineer of the motor boat was under the hood watching the engines. +</P> + +<P> +"Get out of there quick!" commanded Dan. +</P> + +<P> +The engineer came tumbling out from his cramped quarters. +</P> + +<P> +"What—what——" he exclaimed. +</P> + +<P> +"Keep still! Don't talk to me. All hands hold fast, for something is +going to happen in a minute." +</P> + +<P> +At that instant the lad swung the bow of his boat about, heading it +directly toward the course of the advancing torpedo. +</P> + +<P> +"Look out! You'll run into her!" yelled the engineer. "Don't you see +she's just under the surface. She'll be on top—there she is now!" +</P> + +<P> +"Stand fast!" roared the boy. +</P> + +<P> +Torpedo and motor boat were driving toward a point where they must +surely meet. Now Dan threw the speed full on. +</P> + +<P> +Ere any of those wide-eyed observers realized what was occurring, the +crash came. +</P> + +<P> +The prow of the motor boat and the nose of the torpedo met with a crash +that was heard far down the line. For a brief instant, projectile and +boat rose into the air like two locomotives in a head-on collision. +</P> + +<P> +Dan Davis was lifted clear off his feet and hurled through the air, +head first, into the sea. The motor boat settled back and began +filling with water, half drowning the two stunned seamen who lay in the +bottom of the boat. The torpedo, however, like some living monster of +the deep, seemed to shake herself angrily, then she settled down and +shot forward, barely grazing the stern of the steamer. +</P> + +<P> +Dan Davis' heroic effort had deflected the torpedo slightly from its +course, just enough to cause it to clear the little steamer, thus +saving the lives of at least part of the crew aboard her. A life ring +at the end of a rope brought Dan out of the salt water not much the +worse for his thrilling experience. +</P> + +<P> +"How's the motor boat?" was his first question. +</P> + +<P> +"Pretty hard hit, I guess," answered the ensign. "But that doesn't +matter." +</P> + +<P> +The other steamer, having observed that an accident had occurred, put +on all steam and hastened to the scene of the wreck. About that time +some one discovered that the ship was making signals, and the ensign +asked Dan if he felt able to answer them. +</P> + +<P> +For answer the lad asked for a signal flag. One was placed in his +hands, together with a spy glass. +</P> + +<P> +"Battleship asking what the trouble is," he called. +</P> + +<P> +"Tell them." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"And, while you are about it, you might tell them that Seaman Davis, by +his quick wit and pluck, saved the steamer and perhaps all our lives." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that a command, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"No. Only a suggestion," answered the ensign, with an indulgent smile, +as he noted the boy's confusion. +</P> + +<P> +"Battleship signaling for motor boat and steamer to return, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Tell them we both will have to come in in tow, then." +</P> + +<P> +"Orders for second steamer to tow us in, sir." +</P> + +<P> +The ensign gave the order to the other steamer. +</P> + +<P> +While all this was going on a whaleboat had run alongside the motor +boat and had taken off the two men who had been left on her. They were +more or less dazed, but not seriously hurt. A brief examination of the +motor boat's engine developed the fact that the engine had been +wrenched loose from its foundation. The nose of the boat had been +badly smashed. +</P> + +<P> +Dan was of the opinion, however, that the damage to the boat could be +repaired in a day. Things were not nearly so bad as they looked to be +at first glance. +</P> + +<P> +The two disabled boats, towed by the steamer, made their way slowly +back to the ship. +</P> + +<P> +"This torpedo practice has been a fine piece of business," Dan confided +to a shipmate. "It strikes me that this will be a good time to quit, +or somebody will get hurt." +</P> + +<P> +"I guess you are IT, then. You'll catch it when the captain sees his +motor boat," answered the other, with a laugh. +</P> + +<P> +The captain's lips pursed as, through his glasses, he made out the +broken bow of his boat. He said nothing until Dan and the ensign had +boarded the battleship. +</P> + +<P> +"Ensign, who is responsible for the condition of that boat?" he +demanded. +</P> + +<P> +The ensign stepped aside and held a few moments' earnest conversation +with the commanding officer. As he went on the stern expression on the +captain's face gave place to one of admiration. He nodded his head +approvingly. Those who did not understand how the motor boat had been +wrecked, felt sorry for Seaman Davis. In fact, Dan was beginning to +feel sorry for himself, as he realized what he had done. +</P> + +<P> +"Davis, come here!" commanded the captain. +</P> + +<P> +The boy approached, saluting. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Brant has told me the story of your brilliant exploit. I +congratulate you, my lad." +</P> + +<P> +"I—I am sorry, sir, that I smashed your boat." +</P> + +<P> +"What is the boat when compared to a human life?" +</P> + +<P> +"That—that is what I thought, sir. I did not think you would feel +very sorry about the boat when you knew." +</P> + +<P> +"I should say not. But what about your own life? You gave no thought +to that, did you?" +</P> + +<P> +"N—no, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"That is the way with all brave men, and that act of yours was one of +the bravest I have ever seen. I want every man on board this ship to +know about it—to hear the full story. Mr. Coates," beckoning to the +executive officer. +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Call a general muster on the quarter-deck to-night and read my +commendation of Seaman Davis' heroic conduct." +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, aye, sir," +</P> + +<P> +"But, Davis, I am sorry to say that your racing ambitions will not be +gratified this fall." +</P> + +<P> +Dan's face showed his disappointment, but he said no word. +</P> + +<P> +"The first torpedo, one of the unlucky ones, fell on Boatswain's Mate +Harper as it was being hoisted aboard, and broke a leg. Some one was +to blame for the accident. I do not know who, but I shall know." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, that is too bad!" breathed Dan, turning away to his disappointment. +</P> + +<P> +"It's all off, Sam," he said when a few minutes later he joined his +chum. +</P> + +<P> +"What's off!" +</P> + +<P> +"The race we were to row day after to-morrow." +</P> + +<P> +"On account of Joe Harper?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, have you seen him?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; I guess they won't let anybody see him to-day." +</P> + +<P> +The boys went about their work for the rest of the day with downcast +countenances. The entire crew was in the doldrums. All their hopes, +pinned to the "Long Island's" racing crew, had been suddenly dashed. A +race now seemed out of the question. There was neither laughter nor +song in the forecastle that night. All hands went to bed surly and +disgusted. +</P> + +<P> +On the following morning the captain's orderly called Dan Davis from +his gun station, with the information that the captain directed Seaman +Davis to proceed to the sick bay to see Boatswain's Mate Harper. +</P> + +<P> +Dan obeyed the order, wondering at its having come to him through the +source it did. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Harper," said the lad as he entered the sick +bay, and the boatswain's mate extended a hand to him. "I'm sorry for +the race, and I am sorry for you. It's too bad." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I've got a bad knockout. I don't believe my leg ever will be +right. I guess they will retire me, all right. But that isn't what I +sent for you to talk about. I want to talk about the race." +</P> + +<P> +"The race? Why, there won't be any race now—that is, so far as we are +concerned. Some of the other ships will carry off the cup now." +</P> + +<P> +Harper smiled wanly. +</P> + +<P> +"There must be. The crew must run the race just the same." +</P> + +<P> +"But it will not be possible without you." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps there is no one on board who understands the racing game quite +as well as I do. I have run many of these gig races, Davis. But there +is one man on board in whom I have great confidence. He has the pluck. +He knows rowing. Even if he doesn't win, which could hardly be +expected of him, he'll make some of the other fellows work for their +laurels." +</P> + +<P> +Dan's eyes were glowing. +</P> + +<P> +"I—I am so glad to hear you say that, Mr. Harper. That is good news, +indeed. Then we will have the race after all?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; the race will be run. They shall not have an opportunity to say +that the battleship 'Long Island' got cold feet at the last minute." +</P> + +<P> +"They'd better not say it before me," answered Dan in a low voice. +</P> + +<P> +"That's the talk!" +</P> + +<P> +"May I ask who the man is who will act as coxswain of the racing gig in +to-morrow's race, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, you may. You will be surprised when I tell you. The man who is +going to run the 'Long Island's' boat is named Daniel Davis." +</P> + +<P> +"Da—Da—I—I am to be coxswain to-morrow?" gasped the boy. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, you, Dan. And you're going to do yourself and every man on this +great ship proud." +</P> + +<P> +Dan sat down in a chair rather suddenly. His face was pale and his +eyes seemed larger than usual. +</P> + +<P> +"I—I am to race the crew?" +</P> + +<P> +"You are to race the crew. I have asked that you be released from duty +to-day. Go off somewhere by yourself and think it over. Get your +balance; then come back here and we will talk it over." +</P> + +<P> +Dan walked out of the sick bay without a word. His emotions were so +great that he could not talk. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap24"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIV +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +CONCLUSION +</H4> + +<P> +The jackies of the battleship set up a great cheer. +</P> + +<P> +Coxswain Davis and the eleven men of his racing crew were lined up on +the quarterdeck of the "Long Island." On the decks of a dozen other +ships in the bay a similar spectacle might have been seen. +</P> + +<P> +The great race for the silver cup was about to be run. But, now that +Joe Harper was unable to guide the boat of the "Long Island," the other +ships feared none save the racing crew of the "Georgia." +</P> + +<P> +"Never mind if you don't win, Dynamite. You've got the pluck; you've +got the sand. It won't be your fault. But make 'em hump. Make 'em +work for what they get," shouted a jackie. +</P> + +<P> +Dan smiled faintly. There was little color in his face, but no one was +able to find a trace of nervousness there. +</P> + +<P> +"If that boy had the experience, I should expect to see him win," +confided an officer to his companion. +</P> + +<P> +"I don't know. This putting green men in a racing boat is bad +business. I hear he has put his friend Sam Hickey in as stroke oar." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +The officer shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"All aboard," commanded Dan. The boy had received detailed +instructions from Joe Harper; yet, for all of that, all depended upon +Dan and his crew. No one could coach them to the winning point from a +sick bed. +</P> + +<P> +The men took their places in the gig. A gun was fired from the +flagship warning the crews to start for the stake boat. As they pulled +away the sailors lined the side of the battleship, cheering until they +could cheer no more. Something in the quiet determination of Dan Davis +had filled them with hope. A practice spin, the night before, had put +Dan and his men in closer touch. They, too, felt a confidence in the +little coxswain who never lost his head nor got excited, no matter how +great the emergency. +</P> + +<P> +The race was to be four miles, two miles and a turn, starting from the +scratch, the bow of the flagship marking the starting point. The +turning buoy was just past the "Long Island." +</P> + +<P> +The racing boats lined up off the flagship where the men received their +instructions from the referee, who shouted out his orders through a +megaphone. The racers were to start on a gun signal. +</P> + +<P> +The Battleship Boy's slender figure, hunched down in the stern of the +"Long Island's" gig, brought a smile to the face of many men that +bright afternoon. It seemed a joke that a boy—a mere +apprentice—should be given so important a post as that. Dan +understood; he knew that the other crews were laughing at him. +</P> + +<P> +"Lads," he said, as they were paddling around for the scratch, "they +think we are some kind of joke. Let us show them that we can give, as +well as take. Keep steady. There's credit enough to go all around. +If we win, no one of us will have won. All of us will have. If we +lose, all of us will have lost. All ready now; toss oars!" +</P> + +<P> +An interval of a few seconds followed. +</P> + +<P> +"Let fall! Attention! Stand by!" +</P> + +<P> +Every back was bent. +</P> + +<P> +"Steady, Sam. Do your prettiest." +</P> + +<P> +Sam made no reply. +</P> + +<P> +"Boom!" +</P> + +<P> +The flagship's six-pounder belched forth the starting signal. +</P> + +<P> +"Go!" +</P> + +<P> +The command from the little coxswain came out like the bark of a pistol. +</P> + +<P> +The racing gigs of the fleet leaped forward, driven by powerful arms +and backs, the bows of each boat rising right out of the water under +the first pull of the long oars. +</P> + +<P> +Sam, at command of the coxswain, had started in with twenty-five +strokes per minute. The other racing boats had struck a higher pace, +resulting in their forging ahead. The "Idaho's" boat took the lead at +the start. +</P> + +<P> +Dan was sitting calmly in the stern of his racing gig, his hand resting +lightly on the tiller, watching his men and at the same time keeping +his eyes roaming over the water, noting the position of the other boats +and steering his course. He used the "Long Island" for his mark, +steering to starboard of her, for at the distance no skipper was able +to make out the turning buoy. +</P> + +<P> +"Thirty-two!" +</P> + +<P> +Sam hit up the stroke. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold it there steady!" +</P> + +<P> +The "Long Island's" gig forged ahead a little. They were now half way +to the battleship. +</P> + +<P> +"Thirty-five!" +</P> + +<P> +The little boat was beginning to send a shower of spray over the backs +of the oarsmen. Other boats were astern of them now, but four leaders +had a good start. +</P> + +<P> +"Thirty-eight! Make a good showing. We're going to pass our ship now. +Give them a run for their money. 'Idaho,' 'Georgia' and 'Connecticut' +now have the lead. Take it easy, boys; don't get excited. We'll drive +them out pretty soon. 'Idaho' is splashing and 'Georgia' just caught a +crab." +</P> + +<P> +The gig was rapidly closing the gap that lay between it and the three +boats ahead of them. The fourth one was abreast, the others, a short +distance astern. +</P> + +<P> +"We've got them, boys. They shot their big guns at the start. Now +keep her going as if you were an old family clock." +</P> + +<P> +A roar sounded in their ears as they plunged past the battleship. The +huge cage masts were white with jackies, yelling and swinging their +hats, while every inch of rail on that side of the ship was occupied by +officers and men. The turn was made. The "Long Island's" gig was +leading the second boat by three boat lengths. +</P> + +<P> +"Snap!" +</P> + +<P> +The stroke oar tumbled over backwards. Sam's oar had snapped short off. +</P> + +<P> +A great groan went up from the decks of the "Long Island." +</P> + +<P> +"It's all off," cried an officer. "The stroke oar is broken." +</P> + +<P> +"Wait! What's going on over there?" +</P> + +<P> +"Jump!" shouted Coxswain Davis. "Jump, I say!" +</P> + +<P> +Sam hesitated, for an instant; then the purpose of his chum dawned upon +him as he rose, crouching, from his seat. +</P> + +<P> +Dan gave his companion a mighty push and Sam Hickey went overboard. A +life ring went soaring after him. +</P> + +<P> +"Into his place, number two!" +</P> + +<P> +The man who had been Joe Harper's stroke oar slipped over into the seat +vacated by Sam Hickey. +</P> + +<P> +Dan sprang up on the rear seat with the tiller between his legs. +</P> + +<P> +"Go! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten," he +counted rapidly, to get the new stroke started in his pace. +</P> + +<P> +The "Idaho" and "Connecticut" had gained a slight lead over Dan's boat +in the brief delay. +</P> + +<P> +Observing Coxswain Davis' remarkable act, the sailors once more set up +a yell, and such a yell as it was! +</P> + +<P> +A boat was quickly manned and a crew of jackies pulled to the place +where the red-haired Sam was clinging lazily to the life ring that Dan +had cast to him. +</P> + +<P> +"He threw me overboard," complained Sam. +</P> + +<P> +"That is the greatest piece of quick wit that I ever saw in my life," +laughed the captain excitedly. "That boy deserves to win, but he can +never do it with one man short in the boat." +</P> + +<P> +Coxswain Davis had other views. He was still standing on the seat of +the rocking, plunging boat, snapping out his commands to his men, and +every man in that boat was thrilled with the encouragement that the +little coxswain had instilled into him. +</P> + +<P> +"Go it! Beef it! More steam, number four! Swing further, number +eight! Hip! hip! hip! hip! hip! Hit her up! Faster, faster, I tell +you! You're winning, I tell you! Drive it! Forty-five, stroke oar." +</P> + +<P> +"I—I can't," gasped the stroke. +</P> + +<P> +"Drive it, I tell you!" yelled Dan Davis, grabbing up the boat hook, +brandishing it threateningly over the head of the stroke oar. +</P> + +<P> +"Hip! hip! hip! hip!" he began sharp and quick, setting the pace for +the higher speed. The stroke oar, with the perspiration running down +his body, reached the stroke demanded. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, hold it, or I'll bat you with the boat hook!" threatened Dan. +"Hip! hip! hip! hip! Gaining on the 'Idaho.' We've passed her. +Quarter of a boat length to the good. We've got to make it more, or +she'll spurt us out at the finish. Hold her there. Here she comes. +She's abreast. She's spurting. Hit her up to fifty. Hit it, if it +kills you! You've got to win this race, if every man in the boat drops +dead." +</P> + +<P> +Dan was dancing about on the slender support of the stern seat, yelling +like a madman, though there was not the slightest trace of excitement +to be seen in his face. Those on the flagship could hear him shout and +see his body moving back and forth to set the pace for the stroke oar. +It was a sight that not a man who saw it ever forgot. Discipline on +board the ships near by was almost forgotten. The men were shouting +and yelling in their excitement. +</P> + +<P> +The "Idaho" and the "Long Island" were bow and bow. Scarcely two boat +lengths separated them abeam. Dan knew they were there, but he did not +look. His eyes were on his men. A slip, a mistake now, and all would +be lost. +</P> + +<P> +"Fifty-five for the last time. Every ounce of muscle on the oars, +lads. Go it. Kill 'em! Eat 'em alive! Whoop it up! Hip! hip! hip! +hip!" +</P> + +<P> +The words came out with explosive force, almost with the rapidity of a +Gatling gun's fire. +</P> + +<P> +"Boom!" roared the flagship's six-pounder. +</P> + +<P> +Two boats shot over the line with every siren in the fleet wailing its +greeting to the winning crew. +</P> + +<P> +The men in the "Long Island's" gig did not know they had finished. +</P> + +<P> +"Cease rowing!" commanded Dan in a weak voice. His strength was +well-nigh spent. The gig's crew swayed in their seats as they +feathered their oars, with difficulty holding their weary bodies from +going overboard. They were almost wholly spent. +</P> + +<P> +"Long Island" wins by half a boat length," announced an officer from +the deck of the flagship. +</P> + +<P> +A signal fluttered from the peak of the flagship's signal halyard, +giving the news to the rest of the fleet. +</P> + +<P> +"Boom!" roared the "Long Island's" six-pounder; then her siren +screeched madly. +</P> + +<P> +Dan stood up and saluted the officer of the deck of the flagship. +</P> + +<P> +The winning crew rowed slowly back to their own ship, after a few +minutes' rest. As they approached the "Long Island" the siren let +loose again. Sailors danced and yelled, throwing their caps into the +air, mad with delight. +</P> + +<P> +"Enough way," commanded Dan as his boat drew alongside of their ship. +A group of sailors dashed down the gangway, stretching out their hands +for him. +</P> + +<P> +"Get the boys out first," he said, with a pale smile. "They've worked +harder than I have." But the jackies would not have it that way. They +hoisted Dan to their shoulders. Others did the same with the rest of +the crew, and as the victorious men came up over the side, the ship's +band struck up "The Star Spangled Banner." A scene of wild excitement +followed. Nothing like it had ever been seen on the quarter-deck of +the battleship. Dan Davis and his crew had won what had been +considered a hopeless battle; they had won the cup in the greatest race +in the history of the American Navy. +</P> + +<P> +The captain, with his officers, as soon as they could get near enough +to do so, grasped Dan by the hand. He and Sam Hickey, and the others +of the crew, were the heroes of the hour. +</P> + +<P> +Davis and Hickey were called before the captain a few minutes later, in +the presence of the entire ship's company. +</P> + +<P> +"Lads, this has been a great day," said the commanding officer. "We +are all proud of you. And this is a most appropriate time to tell you +something else I have to say—to read an order from the Navy Department +at Washington which directs that Seaman Daniel Davis, for meritorious +conduct, in saving the battleship from wreck, be immediately advanced +to the petty-officer class, with the rating of gunner's mate, first +class. The same order directs that Seaman Samuel Hickey be advanced to +coxswain. Lads, I congratulate you. You deserve it. Continue as you +have been doing, and some day you will be on the quarter-deck." +</P> + +<P> +Another deafening roar of applause greeted the announcement. The +Battleship Boys had made their first real step upward. They had won +their grades as petty officers. But they were only at the beginning. +The ladder that they had set themselves to climb still towered high +above them. They were bound to climb, however. They determined that +they would not remain on a lower rung of the ladder. This was merely a +beginning. Other promotions were ahead of them, promotions that were +destined to come sooner than either lad dreamed. The story of these +new honors, of other brave deeds, valiant efforts and stirring +experiences in other climes will be told in a following volume, +entitled "THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN FOREIGN SERVICE; Or, Earning New +Ratings in European Seas." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="finis"> +THE END. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Battleship Boys' First Step Upward, by +Frank Gee Patchin + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BATTLESHIP BOYS' FIRST STEP UPWARD *** + +***** This file should be named 32886-h.htm or 32886-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/8/8/32886/ + +Produced by Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</BODY> + +</HTML> + diff --git a/32886-h/images/img-070.jpg b/32886-h/images/img-070.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3182091 --- /dev/null +++ b/32886-h/images/img-070.jpg diff --git a/32886-h/images/img-136.jpg b/32886-h/images/img-136.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1a6236f --- /dev/null +++ b/32886-h/images/img-136.jpg diff --git a/32886-h/images/img-cover.jpg b/32886-h/images/img-cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..91ac717 --- /dev/null +++ b/32886-h/images/img-cover.jpg diff --git a/32886-h/images/img-front.jpg b/32886-h/images/img-front.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1b0c26e --- /dev/null +++ b/32886-h/images/img-front.jpg diff --git a/32886.txt b/32886.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..09e09e9 --- /dev/null +++ b/32886.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7442 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Battleship Boys' First Step Upward, by +Frank Gee Patchin + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Battleship Boys' First Step Upward + or, Winning Their Grades as Petty Officers + +Author: Frank Gee Patchin + +Release Date: June 18, 2010 [EBook #32886] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BATTLESHIP BOYS' FIRST STEP UPWARD *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Cover art] + + + + +[Frontispiece: Dan Headed the "Oriole" for the Harbor.] + + + + +The Battleship Boys' + +First Step Upward + + +OR + +Winning Their Grades as + +Petty Officers + + +By + +FRANK GEE PATCHIN + + + +Illustrated + + + +THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY + +Akron, Ohio ---- New York + + +Made in U. S. A. + + + + +Copyright MCMXI + +By THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY + + +PRINTED IN THE + +UNITED STATES OF AMERICA + + + + +CONTENTS + + + I. Sighting the Shooting Star + II. Whaleboats to the Rescue + III. Bombarded by Big Guns + IV. Looking Death in the Face + V. The Loss of the Tompion + VI. The Red, White and Blue + VII. Putting the Enemy Out + VIII. Sam Gets a Pig's Foot + IX. Lowering the Flag + X. His Narrow Escape + XI. On the Anchor Watch + XII. Obeying His Orders + XIII. The Battle of the Dinghies + XIV. Ordered to the Sick Bay + XV. Before the Summary Court + XVI. A Surprise, Indeed + XVII. At Torpedo Target Practice + XVIII. Hard and Fast Aground + XIX. A Trying Moment + XX. Dan Before the Board + XXI. In the Racing Gig + XXII. An Exciting Moment + XXIII. The Act of a Hero + XXIV. Conclusion + + + + +Illustrations + + +Dan Headed the "Oriole" for the Harbor . . . . . . _Frontispiece_ + +The Battleship Boys Swung Into the Chorus. + +Dan Parried the Blow With the Captured Boat Hook. + + + + +The Battleship Boys' First Step Upward + + +CHAPTER I + +SIGHTING THE SHOOTING STAR + +"Green light off the starboard bow, sir." + +The voice came from the black void far above the navigating bridge of +the battleship "Long Island." + +"Where away?" demanded the watch officer on the bridge. + +"Two points off starboard bow, sir." + +"What do you make her out?" + +"Don't make her out, sir," answered the red-haired Sam Hickey, who was +doing lookout duty on the platform beside the number one searchlight. + +"Do you still see her!" + +"No, sir." + +The watch officer gazed through his night glass in the direction +indicated, but was unable to pick up a light of any sort. The "Long +Island" was plunging through a great gale, which she was taking head +on. White-tipped seas, backed by solid walls of water were sweeping +the bridge more than forty feet above the level of the sea. Even the +red-haired boy clinging to the rail far above the bridge was now and +again nearly swept from his feet by the rush of water that enveloped +him. + +A sixty-mile gale was sweeping the Atlantic seaboard, with the wind +shrieking weirdly through the huge cage masts, whose tops were lost in +the darkness above the ship itself. Every man on deck was clinging to +stanchion and rail in momentary danger of being swept overboard. + +"You must have been mistaken," shouted the watch officer. + +"No, sir. It was a light all right, sir," shouted Sam Hickey in a +confident tone. + +"What did it look like?" + +"It looked like a shooting star, sir." + +"What was it?" + +"It was a shooting star, sir." + +A half articulated exclamation of disgust from the officer on the +bridge reached the ears of the lookout. + +"It shot right up from the sea, sir." + +"What's that?" + +The question was hurled up at Sam with almost explosive force. + +"The star shot right up from the sea, sir." + +Now, the watch officer on the bridge of the battleship knew full well +that shooting stars shoot downward, not upward. He knew also that with +a sky overcast as was this one, with the clouds hanging low, no +shooting star could be made out, even granting that one had fallen. + +"Boatswain's mate!" roared the officer. + +"Aye, aye, sir," answered a hoarse voice somewhere from the depths +below. + +"Turn out the top watches. Man the tops on the jump!" + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +Loud words of command floated up from below and a moment later a group +of sailors dashed up to the bridge, rubbing their eyes sleepily. +Without awaiting a word of instruction, they began running up the iron +ladders of the cage masts and were quickly lost to view. + +The watch officer raised his megaphone, pointing it up into the air. + +"Look sharp two points to starboard. See if you can pick up a light. +Keep your eyes open. Boatswain's mate!" + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"Station men all the way up the mast to pass the word down in case any +lights are made out. I'll never hear the word shouted from up there in +this howling gale." + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"Green light four points off the starboard bow," howled Sam Hickey. + +"Green-light-off-the-starboard-bow," sang a chorus of voices from +somewhere far up in the steel mast. + +"Man in the top says it's a rocket, sir," was passed down from mouth to +mouth. + +"Aye, aye, I saw it," answered the watch officer. "Pass the word up to +hold the watch. Messenger!" + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"Run for the captain's quarters. Tell his orderly we have sighted +green rockets off the starboard bow. We have made out no other lights, +but there is a ship in trouble off there." + +The messenger saluted and was away in a twinkling, racing along the +slippery superstructure, guided only by his knowledge of the ship, for +he could not see a half dozen feet ahead of him. + +The word was passed to the commanding officer by the latter's orderly, +and in an incredibly short time the captain emerged from his cabin, +fully clothed, his uniform covered by shining black rainclothes. + +He quickly made his way to the navigator's bridge, arriving there only +a few minutes behind the messenger. + +"What's this, Mr. Brant?" he demanded sharply in the ear of the watch +officer. + +"Signal rockets, sir." + +"You are sure of this!" + +"Yes, sir. Half a dozen men aloft have sighted them. I saw one flash +myself." + +"Where away?" + +"Four points off the starboard bow the last time we sighted the light, +sir." + +"How are you heading?" + +"East southeast, three quarters, sir." + +"Hold the helm steady until we see if we can make out another signal. +Up aloft, there!" + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"Look sharp for lights. Report them quickly and make sure the word is +passed down. Pass the word back after it reaches me, so that you may +be sure I have it." + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +An interval followed, during which only the roar and shriek of the gale +were heard. Then all at once the red-haired boy's voice sounded above +the storm. + +"Shooting star again, three points----" + +"What's that?" roared the commanding officer. + +"I mean--I mean I sighted the green rocket again, sir," explained Sam +Hickey lamely. + +"Don't you know----" + +"I caught the flash of it, sir," spoke the watch officer. "It was as +Seaman Hickey said, three points off the starboard bow this time." + +"Starboard, two points!" commanded the captain. + +"Starboard two points," repeated the quartermaster on duty at the +wheel, giving the steering wheel a sharp turn. "She's on the mark, +sir." + +"Hold it." + +"You think it is a wreck, sir?" questioned the watch officer. + +"I know no more about it than do you. Naturally it is some vessel in +distress, else they would not be making distress signals. You say you +caught only the flash--you did not get a sight of the rocket itself?" + +"No, sir. I saw the flash, that was all." + +The captain glanced up into the darkness. + +"She should be ten miles away, then. We ought to be heading about dead +on, if your sight was correct. Full speed ahead, both engines." + +The throb of the engines far below them rose to a steady purr. The +"Long Island" plunged ahead, lurching more violently than before. It +was an unsafe speed in such a sea, but perhaps there were human lives +at stake off there in that wild swirl of water, and if so it was the +first duty of an American seaman to go to their rescue, however great +the peril to himself and crew might be. + +"There she goes again," shouted the lookout up by the searchlight. + +"I caught it that time. The vessel lies dead ahead. Hold your course, +quartermaster." + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"Ord'ly, turn out the executive officer. Tell him to order the boat +crews and the first and second divisions out. Be quick about it." + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +Boatswains' whistles trilled faintly from the depths of the battleship; +boatswains' mates roared out their commands, piping the men from their +sleep, and a few minutes later the superstructure was thronged with +half-clad figures. Every man of them was soaked to the skin the +instant he reached the deck, but unmindful of this every eye was +peering into the black mist ahead, the men anxiously questioning each +other as to the cause of their being piped out. + +No one seemed to know, but older heads shrewdly suspected that +somewhere off ahead was a sister ship in dire distress. + +"Boatswain's mate!" again came the warning call of the watch officer. + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"Pipe all hands to stations." + +Once again whistles trilled. The entire crew of the battleship was +being called to stations, for again the commanding officer had seen the +warning signals shooting up into the sky. Powerful glasses were being +leveled at the black abyss ahead, but as yet the officers, of whom +there was now quite a group assembled on the bridge, were unable to +make out anything on the sea, save the mountains of water that were +leaping toward them. + +"We must be nearing the place, Mr. Coates," shouted the captain in the +ear of his executive officer. "Keep a sharp lookout now. We don't +want to have a collision with an old water-logged hulk in this gale. +We should run an excellent chance of going to the bottom ourselves." + +"Yes, sir," agreed Mr. Coates, as, raising his megaphone, he warned all +lookouts to be on their guard. + +Sam Hickey, proud in the consciousness that he had been the first to +sight the signals of distress, was scanning the troubled seas with keen +eyes, from which now and then he brushed the salt brine with an +impatient hand. + +"If I could see, I'd see," he complained to himself. "I wonder if they +have turned out Dan. He knows where I am anyway. There she blows!" +suddenly shouted the red-haired boy. + +"He's sighted a whale," laughed a young midshipman. + +"What do you mean?" roared the captain. + +"Light dead ahead, sir. Rocket again, sir." + +"Aye, aye," was the answer from the bridge. + +The officers there had plainly seen the signal rocket this time, and +the green ball seemed to shoot up into the clouds from directly beneath +the bow of the "Long Island." The battleship was at that moment riding +a mountainous swell, while the vessel from which the signal had been +fired was wallowing in the trough of the sea far below. It seemed as +if the battleship must slide down the steep wall of water and crush the +vessel laboring in the hollow so far beneath them. + +"Port your helm!" commanded the captain. "Slow speed astern, starboard +engine. Hold her there!" + +"There she is, sir," shouted the executive officer, leveling his night +glass on the sea valley. + +"What do you make of her?" + +"Not much of anything. I see faint lights aboard, but that is all." + +"Number one searchlight there," called the captain. + +"Aye, aye, sir," answered the sailor in charge of the light. + +"Throw a light off the port quarter and see if you can pick up that +ship." + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +An instant later a broad shaft of light pierced the blackness of the +night. The beam of light traveled slowly about, finally coming to rest +on an object in the sea some distance ahead. On this object the +officers focused their night glasses. + +"Four-masted schooner, sir," called Sam Hickey from his elevated +position beside the searchlight. + +"All sticks standing?" + +"No, sir." + +"No, she has only two poles standing now, sir," spoke up the executive +officer. "She seems to be in a bad way." + +"Steady her," commanded the captain. + +"She's steady," answered the quartermaster at the wheel of the +battleship. + +"Slow both engines ahead." + +The "Long Island" was rolling more heavily than before, now and then +giving a violent lurch, forcing every person on deck to cling to +whatever support was nearest to him. Otherwise men might have been +hurled overboard and lost in the tumbling sea. + +By this time the schooner was fairly well outlined by the battleship's +searchlight, but the lookouts were unable to make out any signs of life +on board the distressed ship. They felt sure, however, that the +schooner was on its last legs, and that it was a question of moments, +perhaps, before she would take her final plunge. + +"All depends upon what she is loaded with, as to how long she lasts," +decided the captain of the battleship. + +"She is flush with the water," answered the executive officer. "I +should say she must be loaded with lumber. She would have been down +long ago, otherwise." + +"I think you are right, Mr. Coates. Hail them with the megaphone as +soon as you think you can make them hear. We are to the windward and +your voice should carry." + +"Schooner ahoy!" shouted the executive officer. + +There was no answering word from the disabled schooner. The distance +at which the battleship was compelled to keep for its own safety, to +say nothing of the roar of the gale, made communication by word of +mouth impossible. At this moment another rocket from the schooner +seemed to emphasize the necessity for immediate help. + +Turning toward the men assembled on the gun deck, the captain addressed +them: + +"Battleship crew there! A ship is sinking hard by. + +"Volunteers are wanted to man the whaleboats. It is a dangerous +mission. All who are willing to volunteer, step forward." + +Every man within hearing distance stepped forward, and a crew was +quickly chosen. Sam Hickey and Dan Davis were among the twenty-four +men who scrambled into the two boats. + +Other sailors took their places by the ropes that controlled the +raising and lowering of the life boats. The executive officer, now +standing on the superstructure, watching the sea and his own ship, was +awaiting the moment when, in his judgment, it would be most safe to +launch the whaleboats. Not a man in the two boats spoke even in a +whisper. They had cast aside their storm clothes, being clad only in +trousers and jumpers. + +"Get ready." + +"Toss oars," commanded the coxswain of each boat. + +Every man raised his oar upright. + +"Let go the falls," commanded the executive officer. + +The two whaleboats struck the sea with a mighty splash. + +"Cast off! Go!" shouted the two coxswains, at which the men fell to +their oars with a will. But those in the number two whaleboat either +had not been quick enough, or else a wave had caught them unawares. +Their frail craft was picked up on the crest of a wave and hurled with +mighty force against the side of the ship, the smaller boat instantly +going to pieces. In a second, thirteen men were struggling in the +boiling sea, fighting desperately for their lives. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +WHALEBOATS TO THE RESCUE + +"Number one whaleboat, there! Go on! You'll be dashed to pieces if +you try to rescue them," shouted the executive officer, as the boat +holding Dan Davis turned about, bent on rescuing the drowning sailors. + +"Cast the life buoys!" + +Life lings shot over the side of the battleship, grasped by eager +hands, and one by one the unfortunate sailors were pulled on board, +some with arms or legs broken from being dashed against the iron sides +of the battleship. A quick roll call showed that every one of the +boat's crew was accounted for. + +Sam Hickey had not been injured. + +"Man the cutter with a fresh crew," commanded the captain from the +bridge, where he was directing operations. + +Sam was the first man to run up the ladder and take his place in the +boat. No effort was made to turn him out. Three others, who had been +in the unfortunate boat, were close at his heels, while the rest of the +crew was made up of fresh volunteers. + +"Man the oars more quickly this time," shouted the captain from the +bridge. + +The cutter was swung out and slowly lowered by the falls. At command +the boat was let go, striking the sloping side of a wave which carried +the boat some distance from the ship, so sure had been the judgment of +the executive officer, who had given the command to let go. + +At the command "oars out," the oars were quickly slipped into place. +There was no loss of time now in obeying orders. + +"Give way!" commanded the coxswain, at which the heavy cutter's bow +raised clear of the sea and the boat began plunging toward the disabled +schooner. The latter lay a long distance from the ship, the +battleship's commander not daring to draw closer for fear of smashing +into the sinking vessel, so strong was the sea. + +In the meantime the sailors in whaleboat number one were bending to +their task, their boat drawing slowly toward the distressed ship. It +required heroic effort to drive the boat through that sea. A greater +part of the time the craft was hidden between the great swells, the +powerful searchlight from the battleship being unable to locate them. +Then slowly the boat would rise, dripping, from the sea. It seemed +almost as if the whaleboat were shaking the brine from her shining +sides as she righted herself on the crest of some great wave, poising +there for a few brief seconds, then plunging out of sight. + +The whaleboat was the first to reach the lee side of the disabled +schooner. The windward side of a ship is the side on which the wind is +blowing; the lee side, is the opposite side, and is therefore the more +quiet. In a storm a ship is always approached, if possible, on the lee +side. + +"What ship is that?" called the officer in charge of the small boats. + +"The 'Oriole.'" + +"Where from?" + +"Rio de Janeiro. Cargo of mahogany." + +"Pass a line." + +A rope shot over the whaleboat and was quickly made secure. Slowly the +whaleboat was pulled as close to the schooner as it was safe to go. At +the command of the officer in charge, half a dozen sailors climbed up +the rope and leaped to the deck of the "Oriole." + +Dan Davis was the first man over the rail. + +"How many persons have you on board?" + +"Twenty men, a woman and a child. The latter are my wife and +daughter," the master of the craft informed him. + +The woman, lashed to the deck house, was clinging to her child, a girl +of some seven years. + +Without further questioning, Dan sprang for the deck house, at the same +time motioning to another jackie to come to his assistance. Together +they cast off the lashings; and, grasping the woman and child, led them +toward the lee quarter of the ship. + +By this time the cutter also had succeeded in making its way alongside, +and the men of the crew of the "Oriole" began clambering over the side +of the vessel in the effort to reach the life boats. + +"Stand back, you men!" commanded Dan, thrusting two sailors aside as +they crowded the woman and the little girl, nearly precipitating them +into the sea. + +One of the men attempted to strike the Battleship Boy, and was +instantly knocked down for his pains. A second man came at Dan, but at +that instant the red-haired Sam Hickey was projected at their very +feet, where he had been thrown by a lurch of the ship as he was +clambering over the rail. Sam sprang to his feet and made short work +of the second sailor. + +"Help me get the woman and child over," shouted Dan. + +The woman was first lowered into the boat by means of ropes; then came +the girl. As Dan lifted her, she laid an arm confidingly about his +neck. + +"Please, man, won't you save Tommy?" she called in his ear. + +"Tommy?" + +"Yes." + +"Where is he?" + +"Down in the cabin. Tommy is sick, he is. Please; that's a good man." + +"Ahoy, down there, let some one catch the girl when I throw her." + +Then, addressing the officer in charge of the boat, he said: "If you +don't mind, sir, you need not wait for me. There's someone else below, +I hear. I'll go for him and then I'll catch the other lifeboat." + +The girl was safely caught, and, acting on Dan's suggestion, the +officer ordered the oarsmen to give way together. + +"Cutter, wait for me!" cried the lad, dashing along the lee side on his +way to the cabin. The master of the "Oriole" had already gone over the +side, and was now on the way toward the battleship, with his wife and +daughter and nearly a dozen exhausted sailors from the schooner. +Unfortunately for Dan, the officer in charge of the cutter did not hear +Dan's shout, but a few moments later gave the command to return to the +battleship, Sam being in the boat. + +"Hello, Tom!" shouted Dan, half running, half falling down the +companion way into the main corridor of the schooner's cabin. + +He stumbled into water that reached above his knees. + +"Tom! Tom!" he cried. + +There was no response. Dan dived into the little cuddy. The cuddy +lamp was burning, swaying widely with each roll of the ship, shedding a +faint light over the stuffy room, for everything had been closed up +tightly to keep the water that was now everywhere in the ship from +drowning out the master's quarters. + +A sewing basket, with a half-completed piece of work beside it, lay on +the table, while two bunches of bananas hung suspended from the rudder +casing. + +Dan Davis was dimly conscious of observing all these peaceful signs, +though his mind was upon other things. + +Once more he raised his voice. + +"Tom!" he shouted with all the strength of his lusty lungs. + +"Git out, you lubber!" + +Dan actually jumped. The voice had seemed to be right at his ear. The +voice was hoarse and jeering. The Battleship Boy glanced about him +quickly, but could see nothing that looked like a human being. + +"That you, Tom?" he demanded. + +A shriek of wild laughter was the answer to his question. + +Glancing up among the beams, Dan Davis gave a gasp. He understood. + +"A parrot! Hello, Tom, is that your name?" he questioned. + +The parrot laughed shrilly. + +"So you are the Tom I came down here to rescue, are you? Well, this is +a nice kettle of lobster! But you shall be rescued, just the same, Mr. +Thomas--Mr. Thomas, what's your other name?" + +"Lubber," answered the bird of brilliant plumage. + +Dan grabbed the cage. Searching hastily about, he found a skirt, which +he bound about the cage, knowing that the bird would surely be drowned +on the journey to the ship unless the cage were well protected. Tom +protested by sundry screeches and unseemly language, to all of which +Dan gave no heed. + +"We must get out of here. The boat will get tired of waiting for us, +and we're not going to stay here and drown," said Dan. + +The lad, having bound the cage to his satisfaction, ran up the +companionway. As he reached the deck a great wall of water swept over +him, a ton or more of it pouring down the open hatchway ere he could +get it closed. For a moment he held on desperately, unable to see or +hear, for the water that enveloped him. + +The wave passed and Dan staggered toward the stern, holding to the rail +that was now half submerged under a foaming sea. + +"Lifeboat, there!" he called as he neared the stern. + +There was no response to his summons. Dan repeated his call, but his +voice sounded weak and feeble in the roar of the storm. At last he +reached the stern and, during a lull in the rush of water, peered over. +The cutter was not there. Running to the other side, he looked over, +but he saw nothing but a waste of tumbling sea. + +For a moment the Battleship Boy stood clinging to the rail in a dazed +sort of a way. Then the truth dawned upon him. + +"They have gone back to the ship without me," he groaned. "I have been +left on a sinking ship. Even if they discover my absence it will no +doubt be too late to come to my rescue before this old tub goes down. +Tom Lubber, it begins to look as if you and I were bound for Davy +Jones's Locker at a twenty-knot gait." + +"Git out," jeered the parrot. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +BOMBARDED BY BIG GUNS + +Dan was cool under the dreadful situation in which he found himself. +His mind was clear and active now. He felt no sense of fear. + +Glancing about, he finally located the battleship, though he was able +to see it only when the schooner rose on some mighty swell. The ship +appeared to be far away, but from her forward cage mast a broad beam of +light was being thrown down on the water. After a time Dan made out a +speck on the water near the warship. + +"That's the cutter," he muttered. "Thank goodness, they have not been +swamped. I wonder what became of the other boat? They must have +gotten aboard before this. But how came the cutter to go away and +leave me so soon, I cannot understand." + +Dan did not know that his warning to the cutter to wait for him had not +been heard by the coxswain of the latter boat, the lifeboat having +pulled away almost at once. The lad now shouted at the top of his +voice, but he could not have been heard a ship's length away. + +Once the big searchlight fell across the wave-swept decks of the +"Oriole," hovered there a moment, then was quickly withdrawn. + +"The boats are safe on board, I guess," decided Dan. "The ship is +moving. They are going away. I am left. I guess I had better go +below or I shall be swept into the sea. As it is, I shall not have +very long to wait for the end, judging from the way the schooner is +listing. Good-bye, old 'Long Island,'" muttered the boy, saluting, as +he fixed his eyes on the spot where he figured the stern of the +battleship should be. Then all was shut out in a blinding wave that +swept the deck of the disabled craft. + +When the wave had passed, Dan was gripping the deck house, gasping, for +he was almost choking with the salt water he had swallowed. He was +still clinging to the bird. + +"Come, Tom, we had better go below," he said, quickly raising the +hatch, letting it fall over him with a bang as he leaped down into the +corridor that led to the cuddy. But, quick as he was, a flood of salt +water poured down with him. For a moment Dan seemed to be swimming in +it. + +"Tom Lubber, it strikes me that the safest place for you, just now, +will be in your old billet up there. If you are going to be saved, I +guess some one else will have to do it. I do not seem to be an entire +success as a life saver." + +The bird-cage was placed on its hook, after which the lad stripped the +covering from it, bringing from the parrot a chorus of protests and +scornful epithets. + +Dan curled up on a bunk, leaning against a bulk-head. He was dripping +wet, but to this he gave no thought. He did not even realize that such +was the case. He was wondering how long it would be ere the old +schooner would take a plunge to the bottom of the ocean. + +"It must be a long way to the bottom," decided the Battleship Boy. "I +shan't know when we reach there, anyway, so what's the odds how far it +is? Perhaps it would be better for me to jump overboard and put a +quick end to it. Yet," he reflected, "while I am alive I am alive. I +guess that's good sense, and it gives me an idea." + +For several moments the boy was lost in deep thought. + +"If the rudder is still in place I may be able to do something that +will ease matters a little. Of course I do not know how much water +there is in the hold. Perhaps the bottom has been burst open, and all +that is keeping us together is the lumber. I'm going to make an +investigation, at any rate. I wonder if they have discovered my +absence on board the battleship?" + + * * * * * + +They had not discovered his absence. In boarding the battleship with +the rescued crew the whaleboat had been wrecked, as had its mate in +starting out. One of the rescued men was drowned in the sea just as he +was reaching for a rope that had been cast to him by a sailor on the +deck of the warship. + +For a time there was great excitement on board the battleship. At +last, however, all hands were hauled aboard. The cutter's crew and +passengers were landed without disaster, the daughter of the master of +the "Oriole" looking upon the whole affair as a most delightful +experience. + +After the rescued sailors had been cared for by their comrades on the +battleship, and the master's family made comfortable in one of the +cabins of the captain, the latter made his way to the bridge. + +"Let us get under way now, Coates," said the captain, addressing the +executive officer. "I don't like to lie near that floating hulk there +any longer than I am obliged to." + +The ship began to move. + +"I'll tell you what, Coates, I believe we had better break her up, +don't you?" + +"The schooner, sir?" + +"Yes." + +"An excellent idea. Shall I do it?" + +"Yes. Use the seven-inch port battery." + +"Boatswain's mate!" roared the executive officer. + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"Turn out the seven-inch starboard gun crews. Order them to take their +stations and stand ready with six rounds of solid shot." + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +The orders were quickly transmitted to the gun crews by the mate. The +men went to their stations on a run. This was an opportunity that +delighted the hearts of every jackie on board. It was something more +than the ordinary target practice. It was, in reality, battle +practice. Ammunition was quickly hoisted to the seven-inch gun turret, +and, taking a wide circle, the ship began swinging back toward the spot +where the "Oriole" had last been seen. The searchlights were playing +over the mountainous seas in search of her. + +"There she is, four points off the starboard bow, sir," shouted a +lookout. + +"What is the range, Mr. Coates?" asked the captain. + +"About four thousand yards." + +"Better make it three." + +The outlines of the schooner could be faintly made out by focusing the +searchlight upon her. + +"Within the range, sir." + +"Very well, when you are ready." + +A bell buzzed in the starboard seven-inch forward turret, while an +indicator told the waiting gun crew that the doomed ship lay three +thousand yards from them. An instant later a projectile had been +shoved into the big gun, the breech closed and the gun pointer crawling +to his station, was sighting the piece on the ghostly outline of the +"Oriole." + +"Fire!" + +The battleship heeled ever so little, followed by a report as if the +ship had blown up. + +Again the bell in the turret buzzed. + +"Aye, aye, sir," answered the gun captain. + +"An excellent shot," came the information in the voice of the executive +officer. "You shot away the foremast. The schooner lies very low in +the water. You will have to depress your gun a little more this time, +or wait until the target rises on a swell. Drill her this time." + +"Aye, aye, sir; we'll drill her." + +"Boom!" roared the big seven-inch, as it hurled the second heavy +projectile straight at the unfortunate schooner. + +"Fair hit," shouted the executive officer in a tone of exultation. + +"Hit her hard, sir?" + +"Dead amidships. Smash another in the same place and you'll have her +on the way to Davy Jones's ditty box." + +Again the forward starboard seven-inch spoke. + +"Miss," came the warning. "Poor work. Cease firing and give the after +turret's crew a chance." + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +The after-turret's crew sprang to their work with a shout of joy. In +an incredibly short time after receiving the command, their weapon +began to roar, shot following shot, as if they were engaged in record +target practice for the silver cup. + +"Hit," came the call down the speaking tube after each shot. +Projectile after projectile landed in the hull of the doomed schooner. + +"There she goes!" cried the captain, catching a faint glimpse of the +"Oriole" as she slipped down a great sloping hill of water. "That's +the last of her." + +"Shall we give her another round, sir?" + +"No; cease firing. She is no doubt broken to pieces by our shot by +this time. You do not see her, do you?" + +"No, sir. The searchlight doesn't seem able to find the schooner." + +"Then we need trouble ourselves no further about her. It's a good job, +Coates," smiled the captain, rubbing his palms together in keen +satisfaction. "We have rescued the crew of a disabled ship in one of +the worst gales that I ever saw on the Atlantic coast. We have lost +none of our own men and only one of the seamen belonging to the +schooner. Of course I'm sorry that he was lost, but we did all that +human beings could accomplish." + +"We did, sir." + +At that moment the captain's orderly approached. + +"What is it?" demanded the captain, observing that the orderly wished +to say something to him. + +"Seaman Sam Hickey asks permission to speak to the commanding officer, +sir." + +"What does Seaman Hickey wish to say to me?" + +"He did not say, sir." + +"I will see him." + +Sam, his red hair standing straight up, for he was hatless as well as +coatless still, approached the captain, came to attention and saluted. + +"Well, lad, what is it?" + +"I have not seen my friend Dan Davis since the boats returned, sir," he +said. + +"What's that?" + +"I find that Davis did not return in either the whaleboat or the +cutter. He went back to save some one that the girl begged him to +save. I've made inquiry and learn that the somebody was a miserable +parrot." + +"Seaman Davis on that schooner?" demanded the captain in a startled +voice. + +"Yes, sir, I think so, sir." + +"And we have shot the decks from under him with our seven-inch guns!" +groaned the captain. + +He immediately ordered that the searchlights try again to pick the +schooner up. But no search revealed her. By reason of the violence of +the gale, the battleship, for her own safety, had been compelled to +steam some distance away. But she lay to throughout the night, and +only when the early daylight revealed nothing of the schooner was she +headed for the Delaware Breakwater. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +LOOKING DEATH IN THE FACE + +We left Dan curled up in a bunk, wondering how long it would be before +the schooner would go to the bottom. + +"What's that?" exclaimed Dan, starting up from the narrow berth on +which he was sitting. + +He had heard a crash and felt a jar that was different from the shocks +he had been experiencing for the last half hour. + +Suddenly the Battleship Boy leaped from the berth, splashing into the +water knee deep, as another shock, more violent than the other, set the +doomed schooner trembling from stem to stern. + +"Another mast has gone by the board," he groaned. + +"Bang!" + +The sound was accompanied by a ripping and rending of woodwork as if +the vessel were being torn apart by some strange, wonderful power. + +"I can't stand this any longer. I've got to go on deck and find out +what is occurring, even if I am swept overboard. I'm not going to die +down in this hole anyway. It's no way for a jackie in Uncle Sam's Navy +to end his life. Tommy, you'll have to get along the best way you can. +Good-bye if I do not see you again." + +There was a note of regret in the Battleship Boy's tone, as his glance +lingered half regretfully on the ugly face of the parrot. + +"Lubber!" retorted the indignant parrot. + +"I guess I am all you accuse me of being," answered Dan with a +mirthless laugh. + +Running up the companionway he crouched under the hatchway, listening +in order to determine whether a wave were washing over the ship or just +leaving the stern. Having decided on this, the lad quickly threw open +the hatch and sprang out on deck. + +A cold blast of salt spray smote him full in the face. Dan cleared his +eyes and glanced about him inquiringly. He was able to see but little +of deck or mast, but he felt quite sure that only one of the latter had +been left standing. + +There was a sudden angry flash off to port. + +"Lightning," muttered Dan. "We're going to have a thunderstorm to add +to my other troubles." + +No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the ship received a +shock so sudden and violent as to throw the boy flat on his face on the +deck. + +"That's the time we were struck," he cried, springing up. + +Indeed the "Oriole" had been struck, but not in the way that Dan Davis +thought. Instead of being struck by lightning another projectile from +the seven-inch gun had torn its way through the stricken schooner. + +Dan never had been under fire; in fact, he never had taken part in +target practice, so he knew little of what big-gun fire was like. + +A beam from a searchlight smote his face. + +"The 'Long Island'!" he fairly shouted. "They're coming back for me. +Tom," he yelled, poking his head in through the hatchway, "they're +coming after us. We shall yet be saved." + +"Get out!" answered the parrot in a shrill screaming voice. + +Dan dropped the hatchway, straightened up and shading his eyes as he +gazed off across the waste of waters. Just then he caught sight of +another of those sharp flashes that he had taken for lightning. This +time he saw that the flash had come directly from the battleship +itself. At the same instant he experienced another of those terrific +shocks, this one sending him staggering to the rail. + +The truth suddenly dawned upon him. + +"They are shooting at me!" he gasped. "But why are they doing that +terrible thing?" + +Dan pondered over this for a full moment. + +"I know," he cried. "They are trying to sink the schooner, to get her +out of the way, so that no other ship will run into her in the +darkness. Well, I certainly am in a fine fix. Not being able to drown +myself in a respectable way, the ship has come to my help by shooting +at me. I wonder what gun they are doing it with? It must be the +twelve-inch, judging----" + +"Bang! Crash!" + +"There she goes again." + +The schooner heeled until the lad was sure that she was going to turn +turtle. The Battleship Boy felt a shiver running up and down his spine. + +"If I had a light I might signal them and attract their attention. I +don't believe they are able to pick me up with the searchlight. If +they saw me they surely would not keep on shooting at me." + +Dan hastened to the cabin below. There was not a lantern to be found +so he grabbed up the cuddy lamp and ran to the deck with it. The +instant he reached the deck the wind blew the light out. + +The boy put the lamp down on the deck and crept over to the port rail +which was the side nearest to the distant battleship. + +Once more the seven-inch gun let go, the projectile going just a little +high and cutting a gash in the deck as it went screaming over, losing +itself in the sea off to starboard somewhere. + +"About six feet nearer, and my name would have been Dennis," muttered +the lad. + +He remembered, afterwards, that he had not experienced any feeling of +fear. The sensation of being under fire, and that with the knowledge +that a battleship was trying to sink the vessel under him, filled him +with awe and curiosity. Dan found himself wondering just how long it +would take for the guns of the warship to put the schooner under. Had +she not been loaded with lumber the schooner no doubt would have gone +down under the first projectile that struck her. + +"My, but those boys can shoot," he muttered with a feeling of pride. +"Ah, that one went too high. Lower, lower!" fairly screamed the boy. + +"Crash!" + +"That's the time you did it," he shouted exultantly, picking himself up +from the deck, his clothing torn, his body scratched from the splinters +that the projectile had rained over him in a perfect shower. "A few +more shots like that and you'll have her. But I'm glad there isn't any +flag flying here. I'd have to take it down. I couldn't stand it to +see them shooting at the Stars and Stripes." + +The next shot tore away a large section of the rail on the port side, +and seemed at the same time to have twisted the ship about. + +But Dan was clinging to a stanchion, which fact saved him from being +again thrown to the deck. + +"I guess they must have decided to cease firing," he said. "I hope +they haven't given it up. I know I shall be disappointed. How I wish +I were at that gun! Wouldn't it be fun! I believe I could shoot as +straight as they do. But----" + +Dan did not finish the sentence. There came a report more terrific +than those that had preceded it. The stanchion to which the lad bad +been clinging suddenly doubled over, striking him on the head, felling +him to the deck. The schooner lurched heavily, and, settling over on +her starboard side, slipped slowly down a great sloping hill of water +into a deep hollow of the sea. But Dan Davis lay still. The blow on +his head had been a cruel one, the iron stanchion having been struck by +a projectile from one of the seven-inch guns and bent double. + +The first gray streaks of the dawn were shooting up from the angry sea +when Dan opened his eyes again. His first sensation was that of +choking. He was, indeed, choking, for the deck on which he lay was a +river of salt water. The lad, in falling, had become wedged between +the rails, this being the only thing that had kept him from being +washed overboard. + +The lad's first thought was that he was drowning. Soon, however, he +managed to get his eyes open sufficiently to examine his surroundings. + +There was gray, turbulent water wherever the eye roamed, a waste of +foaming sea, here and there heaping itself into great dark piles that +seemed to tower higher than the masts of a ship. + +"It's a wonder I'm alive," exclaimed the Battleship Boy, as he began +extricating himself from his uncomfortable position. "The sea is not +nearly so high as it was last night, and this old craft is still on its +legs. That is the most surprising thing about the whole business." + +Dan got to his feet, but he was very unsteady. His first business was +to look over the ship and make up his mind how badly she had been hurt +by the fire of the battleship. Wreck and ruin greeted him on every +hand. The decks were a mass of tangled wreckage, broken masts, twisted +stanchions and knotted ropes. In several places the decks were ripped +wide open, the lumber beneath them split and torn into shreds. + +Peering over the side, the lad discovered a jagged hole in the hull, +through which the water rushed with every roll of the ship. + +The "Oriole" was lying well over on her side, threatening every instant +to complete the job by turning over entirely. Dan surveyed the ship +with critical eyes. + +"I see now what has saved me. It is the lumber. The schooner was so +far down in the sea, too, that the shots from the battleship could do +her little serious damage. I wonder why they ceased firing. They must +have thought we were sinking. Well, anyway, I'm still afloat, I wish I +could see the sun so I could guess where I am." + +Dan consulted the compass critically, learning that the battered hulk +was headed southeast. He tried the steering wheel, making the +discovery that the ship's rudder had not been torn off. He uttered an +exclamation. + +"I wonder if I could do it?" he muttered. "The land lies somewhere to +the southwest. I know we are not far from the coast, for we sighted a +lighthouse yesterday afternoon." + +The stump of a mast was still standing, the stick having broken off +about thirty feet from the deck. + +Dan, after a moment's reflection, ran below. Wading about in the cuddy +and storeroom in water up to his armpits, he found that of which he was +in search. He staggered to the deck, dragging a jib sail after him. +It was no slight effort to carry the heavy canvas, but the lad +accomplished it. + +Now his purpose became evident. After great exertion he managed to +climb the slippery mast, carrying a block and tackle with him. The +roll of the ship made his task doubly difficult, but Dan pluckily held +on, weak and lame as he was. He knew no such word as "fail." When he +set about a certain task he did so with perfect confidence in himself. +He knew he should succeed. + +"There. I'm not a half-bad sailor, after all," he cried, dropping to +the deck. + +His next duty was to carry a rope from the sail that he had fastened to +the stump of the mast, back to the steering wheel, first having passed +the rope through tackle that he had made secure to a stanchion. Taking +it all in all, he had accomplished something that would have been a +credit to a much more experienced seaman. + +But Dan had not quite finished with his preparations. He was eyeing +the heavy mast that lay lengthwise of the deck, amidst a tangled mass +of ropes and stays. + +Procuring an axe from the deck house he cut the mast free; then, +rigging some tackle, he worked with the stick until at last he had +dumped it over the stern into the sea. Before doing so, however, he +had made fast a line to it, securing the line at the stern of the +schooner before launching the spar. The "Oriole" steadied considerably +under the influence of the dragging spar. + +"Now, for the experiment!" cried Dan almost joyously. "I don't know, +but perhaps the minute I get some wind in the sail the whole outfit +will turn turtle. At least, that will be better than waiting for the +ship to do so of her own accord." + +He drew the sail taut, after a long, comprehensive glance over the +deck, at the same time crowding the wheel over to port. Then followed +a minute of anxious suspense. The sail slowly filled, the shattered +bow gradually swung about. With a "splash, splash, splash!" the +battered hulk of the wrecked, shot-riddled "Oriole" began to move. + +"Hip, hip, hurrah!" shouted Dan Davis. "Right side up with care! Now, +if we don't get any worse weather, we'll land somewhere, even if it's +on the rocks." + +Dan decided upon the course that he would follow if he could, and, +watching the compass, held the "Oriole" to that course as closely as +possible. + +All during that day the sea continued gray and angry, the clouds hung +low and the sea gulls swept screaming by him, bound for still water. +Dan remained steadfast to his vigil, watching sea and sky and sail with +keen, observant eyes. He could not tell how fast he was traveling, but +so long as the schooner was under motion he did not care particularly. +There was no sight of land, but still he might be within three or four +miles of the coast and yet be unable to sight it, for the "Oriole" was +low in the water. + +Now and then, as the schooner rose on a swell, he would catch sight of +a wisp of smoke on the far-off horizon, showing that steamers were +working their way up or down the coast. + +Dan began to feel faint and hungry. He decided to look for food. +Lashing the wheel he went below and began his search in the dark, +water-logged interior of the ship. + +"Git out!" shrieked the parrot. + +"I'm going to, just as soon as I find a cracker." + +The parrot shrieked with rage, which caused the Battleship Boy to laugh +almost happily. + +After some searching about the lad came upon a tin case of hard tack +that had not been water-soaked. A piece of this he gave to the parrot, +the rest being stuffed into his own pockets. Then Dan returned to his +wheel. + +It was late that afternoon when the lad caught sight of something ahead +in the distance that attracted his attention instantly. He sprang up +to the broken rail, and, supporting himself by a twisted stanchion, +peered into the midst of the spray. + +"Land ho!" he shouted. "I think I see a light house." + +Dan danced about the deck gleefully, for a moment, then grabbed the +wheel. + +"Gid-dap! You're a slow old poke," he jeered. + +After a time he was able to make out the beacon more clearly. + +"Somehow, that light house looks familiar to me," he muttered. "I know +I have seen it before. Why, of course; I know where I am now. Hurrah! +We're headed for the Delaware Breakwater. If I keep on in this way +I'll be in Philadelphia--in the course of time," he added with a broad +grin. + +As Dan Davis and his derelict craft drew nearer and nearer he +discovered something else that caused him to gaze fixedly. What he saw +was the towering cage masts of a battleship. + +"Saved!" cried the Battleship Boy. "And it's the 'Long Island.' I +know it is. Won't they be surprised to see me, though? They must have +gone in there to get out of the gale." + +The lad was swelling with pride. He had accomplished a great feat, and +he knew it. + +By this time glasses from the warship were being leveled at the strange +craft that was to be seen floundering through the sea, headed for the +harbor where the battleship was at anchor. The officer of the deck +sent word to the captain, who was below, and the captain, after one +look at the wreck approaching, sent for the executive officer. + +"What do you make of her, Mr. Coates?" he questioned. + +The executive officer took a long, searching look at the schooner, then +turned wonderingly toward his superior. + +"It's our schooner 'Oriole,' unless I am greatly mistaken, sir." + +"You don't mean it?" + +"I may be mistaken, but it looks very much like her." + +"But we smashed the hulk of the 'Oriole,' Mr. Coates. We saw her go +under." + +"If we did she has pulled herself together and come back from Davy +Jones's Locker to a certainty. There's a man at the wheel, sir. I +believe that is Seaman Davis." + +"Send a boat's crew out to meet her at once." + +A cutter was quickly launched. By this time the rails of the +battleship were crowded with jackies. The word had been passed around +that the strange craft was none other than the schooner that officers +and crew supposed they had broken to pieces in the gale the night +before. + +Officers, through their glasses, saw the cutter run alongside the +schooner. Then, with the lone mariner on board, they began the return +trip to the battleship. The cutter came alongside, a few minutes +later, and Seaman Daniel Davis ran up the sea ladder, leaped through +the rope railing and came to attention before the commander of the +battleship. + +The instant his salute was returned, Dan ran to the port side of the +after deck, where stood a child, clinging to its mother's hand. + +"Young lady," he said, "I've brought your parrot to you. But I must +say he has about the worst disposition of any parrot that I ever knew." + +Dan handed the parrot over to the eager hands of the child. + +"Lubber!" shrieked the parrot, making a vicious grab for the Battleship +Boy's hand. + +The jackies of the "Long Island" set up a mighty cheer that was heard +far off on the mainland, wafted there by the quarter gale that was +still blowing. At the same time one by one the officers strode +forward, grasping the hand of the plucky lad, showering him with +congratulations. Dan Davis had performed a feat that would be talked +of on shore as well as on the high seas for a long time to come. + +"Ord'ly," called the captain sharply. + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"Tell the master-at-arms to see to it that Seaman Davis gets a warm +meal, the best that the ship affords, and at once. Davis, you will +draw a suit of clothes from the canteen at my expense. Yours are +ruined. After that you will turn in and stay there till to-morrow +morning." + +Dan saluted gravely. + +As the hulk of the "Oriole" would be dangerous to navigation, she was +towed within the Delaware Breakwater and delivered to the proper +authorities, and the passengers and crew of the ill-starred schooner +went ashore. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE LOSS OF THE TOMPION + +That night being Saturday the crew gave a banquet in honor of the +Battleship Boy, following it with an entertainment. There were songs, +buck and wing dancing, a little playlet and a lively boxing bout. + +Dan was dragged to the stage amid loud demands for a speech. + +"Tell us how you did it," shouted the jackies. "Tell us all about it." + +The Battleship Boy blushed furiously. + +"Mates, I can't do it. I--I----" then Dan fled. They found him, an +hour later, hiding in the twelve-inch gun turret. + +The officers, however, felt a keen professional interest in the lad's +accomplishment, and especially in the effect on the schooner of the big +gun-fire. Hardly a man of all that crew of eight hundred men and +officers ever had stood on the deck of a ship that was being bombarded +by heavy projectiles. + +Dan was summoned to the captain's quarters. There, in the presence of +the senior officers, he related in a clear, comprehensive manner all +that had occurred, describing in detail the shock when the projectiles +hit the schooner; giving as nearly as possible the degree of list that +had followed and the number of hits. His technical knowledge was a +surprise to the ship's officers. Such knowledge was unusual in a +seaman, showing, as it did, that the lad had used his eyes and his +brain to good purpose since he had been on shipboard. As a matter of +fact, Dan had been studying ever since his enlistment. He had spent +all his leisure moments in studying the technical works with which the +ship's library was equipped, asking questions of the petty officers, +until he had informed himself far beyond his grade. + +Both lads had by this time risen to the grade of full seamen, which +carried with it a substantial increase in pay. + +"What, in your opinion, prevented our fire from sinking the schooner?" +questioned the captain. + +"Why, the fact that the boat was loaded with lumber was all that kept +her afloat, sir. Then, again, her hull lay so low in the water that +the projectiles had no opportunity to do effective work. If you had +elevated the seven-inch and dropped a projectile or so on the deck of +the schooner, I might not have been here to tell you about what +happened," added Dan with a suggestive smile. + +The captain smiled at his executive officer. + +"That is most excellent logic, Mr. Coates." + +"Yes, sir." + +"I think we shall have to make a full report of this to the Navy +Department. Prepare a statement from what Seaman Davis has told us, +together with any further technical information he may be able to give +you. At the same time full credit should be given to Seaman Davis for +his splendid work. Young man, I congratulate you. You are not unknown +to me. I well recall other fine deeds on your part performed some time +since. I trust you suffered no injury during your trying experience." + +"No, sir." + +"You are interested in guns?" + +"Very deeply interested." + +"But you have not been stationed at one of the guns?" + +"No, sir." + +"Would you like to be? Would you prefer to be a member of a gun crew?" + +"It has been my ambition to join a gun crew, sir. I feel that I should +do well in that position." + +"Then you shall. Coates, will you be good enough to tell the ship's +writer to enter Seaman Davis as a member of the starboard seven-inch +crew?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Thank you, sir," answered the Battleship Boy, his eyes gleaming with +pleasure. "I shall try not to be a discredit to the seven-inch, sir." + +"You will not. That goes without saying." + +"May I ask a favor, sir?" + +"Certainly. What is it?" + +"Will it be possible for my friend, Seaman Hickey, to have a place in +that gun squad?" + +"I think that can be arranged," answered the captain with an indulgent +smile. "Has your friend also a desire to learn to shoot?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"His desire shall be gratified. And, as for you, Davis, continue in +the way you have started and there is little doubt as to where you will +eventually bring up. I shall watch your career with deep interest. I +always take an interest in the young men who are striving to work +themselves up. If I can be of assistance to you, at any time, +communicate in the proper manner, and I shall be glad to do all I can +for you." + +Dan rose, for they had invited him to be seated when he first entered +the cabin. He came to stiff attention, saluted and, when the +commanding officer waved his hand, the Battleship Boy executed a smart +right-about-face and marched from the room. + +On the following morning Dan and Sam were marched to the quarter-deck +with the seven-inch starboard gun crew at muster. They were proud +boys, too, and, after quarters, they proceeded directly to their +station, where they spent the forenoon receiving instruction under the +captain of the gun's crew. + +Dan fondled the great gun almost affectionately. It already had become +a thing of life to him, for had not this same gun been thundering away +at him, hurling projectiles at him in a determined effort to sink the +ship under him, only a few hours before? + +"Rather be at this end than the other, wouldn't you?" questioned Sam +Hickey, with a grin. + +"Yes; now that I have had time to think the matter over, I believe I +prefer this end," laughed Dan. "It was not so bad, though. You see, I +never had been under fire before, and I was interested. It was a new +experience." + +"One that few of us have had," spoke up the gun captain. + +"I know I should have run away if I had been there," decided Sam, with +a thoughtful shake of the head. + +"Where would you have run to?" demanded Dan, at which there was a laugh +all around. + +Sam was sitting on the deck of the turret, industriously at work +polishing the brass tompion with which the end of the gun is plugged to +keep out the sea water. + +Finishing his task, he turned up the tompion and sat down on it, as +with chin in hands he listened to the conversation. + +"Makes a good seat, eh?" he grinned, as he saw the eyes of the gun +captain upon him. + +"You will not think so if you damage the tompion. Get off from it. Do +you know what those things are worth?" + +"'Bout a dollar and a half," answered Sam rather contemptuously. "I +could buy enough to fit the ship with on a month's pay." + +"You could, eh?" + +"Yes." + +"You will have a chance to buy one if you are not careful. Those +tompions cost twenty-five dollars apiece, and I ought to know, for I +dropped one overboard once and it was checked up against me." + +Sam uttered a low whistle of surprise, then very gingerly carried the +brass plug outside and inserted it in the muzzle of the big gun. As he +did so Sam half turned his head, finding himself looking into the eyes +of a dark-faced fellow, who was lounging against the rail. + +"Hello, Blackie," greeted the red-haired boy. + +The dark-faced boy scowled. He was one of two Hawaiians who had joined +the ship about the same time that the Battleship Boys had come aboard. +One of the Hawaiians was very dark and the other almost white, so the +jackies named them Black and White, these names being easier of +pronunciation than were the real names of the men. + +As it chanced, both Black and White had been shifted from the +seven-inch gun crew to make room for Dan and Sam, while the Pacific +Islanders were set to scrubbing decks and doing general work about the +ship. + +The men did not dare rebel, but they had been ugly ever since the +change had been made, and Sam's grin did not tend to make Black any the +less ugly. + +"I said 'hello,'" repeated Sam. + +Still the Hawaiian made no reply. He simply scowled--scowled until his +face was ridged with sharp wrinkles. + +"Don't you know how to salute, my man?" urged Sam, with the superior +air that he had seen some officers employ. + +"Me know." + +"Then salute your superior." + +"No salute you. You nothing but red-head." + +"Oh, that's it, is it? Because I'm a red-head you won't salute me? +Well, let me tell you, I had a sight rather have a red head than some +other colors that I know about." + +Sam turned on his heel and strode into the gun turret without another +word. He did not realize that he had made an enemy of the dark-skinned +Hawaiian, an enemy who would never forget to do him an injury. Perhaps +Sam would not have cared had he known. + +A few moments later the gun captain emerged from the turret and stood +leaning over the rail of the ship, looking into the water, one hand +resting lightly on the muzzle of the seven-inch gun. Suddenly his hand +slipped and went right into the muzzle. + +The gun captain withdrew the hand with a surprised look on his face. + +"What's this?" he muttered. "What did that red-head do with the +tompion, I wonder!" + +He glanced about the deck, and, failing to discover the brass gun plug, +hurriedly entered the turret where Sam was now engaged in polishing the +bright work on the gun butt. + +"Hickey!" + +"Yes, sir." + +"What did you do with that tompion after you polished it?" + +"The plug, you mean?" + +"Yes." + +"Why, I put it back where it belongs." + +"Where, I asked you?" + +"I stuck it in the gun." + +"Come out here." + +The gun captain led Sam to the outer deck, and, taking hold of the +boy's arm, pointed to the muzzle of the seven-inch. + +"Do you see any tompion in that gun?" he demanded. + +"N-n-n-no," answered Sam hesitatingly. + +"Now, tell me where you put it." + +"I told you once. I put it in the muzzle. Where did you think I put +it!" + +"I did not think. But it is now my opinion that you dropped it +overboard." + +"I did nothing of the sort," protested Hickey indignantly. + +"You were the last man to handle the plug, were you not?" + +"Y-e-s." + +"Where is it?" + +"I--I don't know." + +"That will cost you twenty-five, young man. You will no doubt be put +on the list for a reprimand, if not worse. That's all I've got to say +to you." + +Sam stood with both hands thrust in his trousers' pockets, gazing +absently off to sea. + +"Almost a whole month's pay gone to grass," he muttered. "Shoot the +whole business!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE + +An hour later Sam Hickey ran across the fellow Black on the +superstructure. + +"See here, Blackie." + +Black moved on as if he had not heard. A second later Sam had him by +the collar. + +"You wait a minute. I've got something to say to you." + +Black halted because the grip on his collar forced him to do so, but he +turned an angry face on the Battleship Boy. + +"I'm in a fix, Blackie, and you've got to help me out." + +Black grunted. + +"You were standing outside the seven-inch port when I came out on deck +a while ago, weren't you?" + +"Yes." + +"You saw me put that tompion in the muzzle of the gun there, didn't +you?" + +Black shook his head. + +"You didn't?" + +"Me not see." + +"Don't you remember, I was just putting the plug in when I said 'hello' +to you, and you wrinkled up your face as if you had a colic, or some +other kind of pain in your stomach?" urged Hickey. + +Black shook his head again. + +"Me see nothing," he declared sullenly. + +Sam surveyed him half suspiciously. + +"You're a thick-head, that's what you are. Here I am in a fix, and you +won't even try to help me out. You just wait until you get in trouble, +and see how quickly I will come to your rescue--not! I'll lose my +memory entirely so far as what you want me to remember is concerned. +Go on; I don't want anything more to do with you," added the red-haired +boy, giving the other a shove. + +"What's the trouble, Sam?" demanded Dan Davis, who was passing along +the deck at that moment. + +Sam explained briefly. + +"You are sure you put the tompion in the gun?" + +"Sure? Of course I'm sure. I couldn't possibly be mistaken about a +thing like that, could I?" + +"I should think not." + +"Of course I couldn't." + +"Then it must have fallen out and gone overboard. Evidently you did +not put it in tightly. I can't see but that you were negligent, so +take your medicine like a man, Sam. In other words, grin and bear it," +advised Dan. + +"Huh!" grunted Hickey in a tone of disgust. "Twenty-five dollars' +worth, eh? All right; I'll bear it, but I'll not grin." + +While this conversation was taking place another was being held in the +cabin of the captain, who was in consultation with Mr. Coates, his +executive officer. + +"I have just received an order by wireless from the admiral to put +ashore six signalmen to be used for landing practice up in Gardiner's +Bay. They are going ashore this afternoon, when we move up near enough +to put them off," said the captain. "How many signalmen will that +leave us for our work?" + +"Let me see," mused the executive officer. "It will leave us three +men. I presume you wish to send the most expert signalmen to the +admiral?" + +"By all means." + +"That will leave us very short. We shall be practically without a +signal corps. Three of our fellows are merely novices, and can hardly +be depended upon." + +"Then I shall have to wire the admiral that we cannot spare the men. I +dislike very much to do that, for we should have plenty of men on board +who are experts with the wig-wag flags." + +"Yes, that is so. It would be rather humiliating to have to confess +our weakness. Is there no other way out of it? Perhaps we could get +along without a signal corps for the present." + +"Wait a minute. I have an idea," exclaimed the commanding officer, his +face lighting with a smile. + +"Yes, sir." + +"Is not that young seaman, Dan Davis, handy with the flags?" + +"Right you are, sir." + +"Was he not one of the signalmen who did such fine work when we were +laying mines, the time Bill Kester was rescued by this same boy?" + +"Yes, sir. Both boys took part in that rescue, if you recall the +incident." + +"Yes, I remember. That will leave us in fine shape. You will see to +it that the signal corps is put ashore this afternoon." + +"Yes, sir." + +"And, by the way, I think it might be a good idea to have Davis drill +in some other men while we are about it. I want to see what we can do. +He strikes me as being a most likely lad." + +"Both of them are, sir, though Davis is built of a little finer +material than his companion. Have I your instructions to order him to +go ahead with the instruction?" + +"Certainly." + +"How many men shall we try out?" + +"Oh, say a dozen. From the dozen we shall be able to pick at least six +likely ones." + +"Shall we assign the men?" + +The captain reflected. + +"No, let Seaman Davis do that. If he chooses any men we cannot spare +you will so advise him. I want to see what sort of material he will +choose." + +"Very good, sir; I will attend to the matter at once." + +Shortly after that Dan received orders to report to the executive +officer. The latter explained briefly what was wanted of him. + +"For the purpose of the instruction you are clothed with the authority +of a petty officer," said Mr. Coates. "Your orders will be obeyed. +When you have chosen your men hand me the list, and I will pass upon +it." + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"You are relieved from further duty for the present." + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +Dan made a dignified salute, and walked away with his shoulders a +little more erect than usual. But the moment he was sure he had gotten +out of sight of the officer, he started off on a run to carry the good +news to Sam Hickey. Sam was not over enthusiastic. He was still +grumbling over the loss of the tompion, which meant also the loss of +twenty-five dollars to himself. + +Within the hour he had handed in the list of names of the men chosen +for signal duty. This list was approved by the executive officer and +the captain, and that afternoon Dan assembled his class on the forward +deck for their first lesson. Not a man of them had ever before had +signal instruction. + +In military formation the Battleship Boy marched his class up and out +to the forward deck. + +"Halt!" he commanded. "Left face! Right dress! Front!" + +"Coates, that was pretty well done, eh?" chuckled the captain, who, +with his executive officer, was leaning over the bridge railing, +watching the proceedings. + +"Open order, march!" + +The men of the class spread out so that there was plenty of open space +in front of each man. + +The Battleship Boy gave the men a brief talk on the general subject of +signaling, impressing upon them the need of accuracy. + +"Do not try to be fast. Speed will come in good time, but make it your +ambition both to send and to read messages with absolute accuracy. We +will now begin with the code, which is as follows:" + +Davis ran through the code, signaling out each letter slowly in order +to show the men how the movements were executed. + +The wig-wag code, as used in the United States Navy, consists of a +series of numbers that represent the letters of the alphabet. They are +delivered by a red flag bearing a white square in its center. The code +that Dan spelled out is as follows: + + A .................. 22 O .................. 21 + B .................. 2112 P .................. 1212 + C .................. 121 Q .................. 1211 + D .................. 222 R .................. 211 + E .................. 12 S .................. 212 + F .................. 2221 T .................. 2 + G .................. 2211 U .................. 112 + H .................. 122 V .................. 1222 + I .................. 1 W .................. 1121 + J .................. 1122 X .................. 2122 + K .................. 2121 Y .................. 111 + L .................. 221 Z .................. 2222 + M .................. 1221 End of word ........ 3 + N .................. 11 End of sentence .... 33 + + +The flag with which the numbers are made is attached to a staff just +long enough to handle easily. Before beginning the message the flag +staff is held perpendicularly in front of the operator. Dipping the +flag once to the left, at right angles to the body, indicates the +figure two. Dipping it once to the right indicates the figure one. +Dipping it forward once, away from the body means the figure three. +For instance, if the flag be dipped twice to the left, the operator +will have made the signal "twenty-two," meaning A. + +"I will now spell the words 'Battleship Boy,';' he said, beginning a +slow movement of the wig-wag flag, making the following figures: + +"2112, 22, 2, 2, 221, 12, 212, 122, 1, 1212, 3, 2112, 21, 111, 212." + +"We will now begin practicing the code in groups of three letters," +said the instructor. + +For a full hour he put the young jackies through their paces. By the +time the bugle blew his class had learned nearly half the signal +alphabet. + +"If you will practice these movements, using your hands in place of +flags, this evening, you will have fixed the numbers and the letters +that they represent so firmly in your minds that you will not be likely +to forget them. Do it at every opportunity before turning in to-night. +I shall expect each of you to be letter-perfect in the morning. Once +more, now, call the letters as I make them. I will give you only what +you have had this afternoon. Begin with the first man in line." + +[Illustration: The Battleship Boys Swung Into the Chorus.] + +The Battleship Boy made the figures, wigwagging slowly. Among the men +on the forward deck there were only three who were not quick to read +the signals. These Dan ordered to step forward. A few minutes proved, +to his own satisfaction, that their minds were too sluggish to enable +them to make very good signalmen. + +"You three men need not report to-morrow," he said. + +"That boy is bound to command, Coates," announced the captain with +emphasis. "Davis!" + +"Aye, aye, sir," answered Dan, turning and saluting. + +"You and your friend, Seaman Hickey, turn to and give an exhibition of +wig-wagging. It will be instructive, as well as entertaining, to all +of us." + +Dan's eyes lighted with pleasure. + +"'Red, White and Blue,'" he said, as he passed a flag to Sam. "Follow +me giving the next lines." + +"Will that save my twenty-five?" + +"It may." + +"All right, I'll take a chance on it. Go ahead." + +Dan stationed himself on one side of the deck, while Sam walked briskly +to the opposite side. + + "Oh, Columbia, the gem of the ocean, + The home of the brave and the free," + +wig-wagged Dan. + + + "The shrine of each patriot's devotion, + A world offers homage to thee," + +continued Sam Hickey, his red flag flashing up and down forming the +letters of the code with such swiftness that few of the officers were +able to follow. + + + "Thy mandates make heroes assemble, + When Liberty's form stands in view; + Thy banners make tyranny tremble, + When borne by the red, white and blue." + + +The instant Dan's swift strokes with flag had ended the verse, both the +Battleship Boys swung into the chorus, + + "When borne by the red, white and blue, + When borne by the red, white and blue, + Thy banners make tyranny tremble, + When borne by the red, white and blue." + + +"Thirty-three, thirty-three," finished the lads, bringing the butts of +their flag staffs to the deck with a click that sounded as one. + +A perfect storm of applause from the officers rewarded the splendid +performance of the Battleship Boys. The jackies on the deck, though +few of them had been able to make out the message, the words of the +beautiful anthem, realized that they were watching the work of two +masters with the wig-wag flags, so they, too, added their quota to the +applause. They did not do so by hand applause. The jackies threw up +their hats and set up a loud cheer. + +"The most remarkable performance of its kind that I ever saw," +announced the captain. + +"I never saw anything like it myself," agreed the executive officer. +"It's lucky we happened to think of those boys." + +"Indeed it is." + +"Anything further, sir?" questioned Dan, saluting. + +"That will be sufficient. Thank you, my lads." + +The boys saluted, then marched from the forecastle, proud and happy, +but not forgetting their dignity in their excitement and pleasure. + +"Three cheers for the Battleship Boys," shouted one of the bluejackets +the instant the officers had left the bridge. "Hurrah for little +Dynamite!" That last was Dan's nickname. And the cheers were given +with a will. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +PUTTING THE ENEMY OUT + +By this time every officer and man on the battleship "Long Island" knew +Dan Davis and Sam Hickey by name as well as by sight. But the lads +bore their honors well. Neither of the boys sought to take advantage +of the favor he had gained. If anything, the boys toiled harder than +ever. They worked with the formidable seven-inch gun during all the +hours that were allotted to this work. + +During the rest hour Dan and his companion would ordinarily be found in +the turret, examining the gun and its carriage, quizzing each other to +test their knowledge, committing to memory the name and use of every +part of these complicated instruments of war. + +Late one afternoon, when the men were supposed to be at play on the +forward deck, the captain was passing through on his way to his +quarters, when he heard voices in the turret and peered in there. + +He saw Dan and Sam stripped to their undershirts, working the big gun +and going through with their own examination. Dan was trying to +explain to his companion the theory and practice of +range-finding--learning the distance and location of the enemy. From +that they drifted into the question of sighting the big guns, elevation +and other technical subjects beyond their years and experience. + +The ship's commander smiled proudly. After a few moments of listening, +he stepped inside. + +"Well, lads, do you never rest?" he questioned, in a kindly tone, for +the commanding officer of the "Long Island" was a humane man, one who +had the interests of his men at heart to a degree possessed by few +commanding officers in the service. + +The lads saluted but made no reply, as an answer was not expected to +the question. + +"Are you studying--I mean in books?" + +"Yes, sir," replied Dan. + +"Where do you get your books?" + +"From the ship's library, sir." + +"I am afraid you are in need of some more advanced works than you will +find in the crew's library. If you will come to my quarters, this +evening after your mess, I will see what I can find for you. I think I +have some books that will be of use to you. By the way, I heard you +mention electricity once or twice. Do you know anything about that +branch?" + +"A little, sir, but we are studying that as well," Dan replied. + +"From books?" + +"Oh, yes, sir. Besides this we are taking a course in electricity with +a correspondence school." + +The eyes of the commanding officer twinkled. + +"You are two very industrious boys. I am afraid not many of our boys +are following your example." + +"Quite a few of them are, sir." + +"May I ask what you are seeking to accomplish?" + +Dan glanced up inquiringly. + +"I mean as to the future. What do you hope to do with yourself?" asked +the captain. + +"Naturally, sir, I hope to gain promotion when I have earned it," was +Dan's answer. + +"Ah, yes; to be sure. You have ambitions to become petty officers. +Well, your prospects are good, young men, if you keep on in that way +you have been going. You will come below for the books as I suggested, +will you not?" + +"Yes, sir; thank you, sir." + +"As I have said before, whenever you wish advice or assistance, come to +me, through your immediate superiors, and you will find me ever ready +to aid you." + +"Thank you, sir," acknowledged the boys, in chorus. The captain +saluted in answer to theirs; then, turning on his heel, left the turret. + +"That's what I call a right smart gentleman," announced Sam Hickey, +with an emphatic nod of the head. + +"The captain is a magnificent man. We are lucky, old fellow, in being +under such a commander. I'd face powder and bullets any day for him." + +"Say, Dan." + +"Yes." + +"He invited us to call on him, didn't he?" + +"Well, yes; something like that, though not in a social sense. That +would be impossible." + +Sam pondered. + +"Do you know I'd give a month's pay if the rest of the bunch could see +me sitting in one of those mahogany chairs in the Old Man's quarters, +with my feet on his dining room table." + +"Sam Hickey, I am ashamed of you. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, +to say a thing like that! Suppose the commanding officer had overheard +those words, instead of what he did overhear. What would you have done +then?" + +"What would I have done? Why, I'd have slipped out through the gun +port, and left you to square things with him," answered the resourceful +Sam. + +"You're hopeless," muttered Dan. "And, another thing, before you talk +of giving a month's pay remember that you have nearly a month's pay +charged against you for the loss of the tompion." + +"That's so. I'm going to ask the captain about that. Maybe, when he +hears my side of the case, he will remit the fine. It's a shame to +make me pay it." + +"Don't be a baby. Be a man and take your medicine like a man," advised +Dan, as he pulled on his jacket and prepared to leave the turret. + +That evening they reported at the captain's quarters, as they had been +directed. While, in this instance, the lads remained standing, their +commanding officer talked with them as if they were really his equals; +that is, as if there were no social barriers erected between them. + +The longer they remained in the service the more the Battleship Boys +came to realize that the gulf between officers and men was not nearly +so wide as it had been painted. The officer worked by the side of his +men in the grime and dirt, and at all times made the comfort of the +jackies his personal care. Strict forms, however, had to be lived up +to for the sake of discipline. + +On the following morning, when the two boys reported to turret number +four, where they were stationed, the gun captain lined up his men and +looked them over after roll call. + +"What we need in this crew, just now, is gun pointers. Those of you +who have tried that work aren't worth the powder to blow you through a +ventilator. What we are going to do I'll confess I don't know. Here +we are, within four weeks of battle practice, and not one of you could +sight a gun so that it would send a ball through a barn if the barn +were leaned up against the muzzle. Do any of you who haven't tried +think you can sight a seven-inch gun!" + +"I used to shoot woodchucks with a shotgun, sir," Sam Hickey informed +the gun captain. + +The gun crew laughed loudly. + +"Bosh!" exploded the gun captain. + +"I can shoot, sir," insisted Sam. + +"I'd be afraid to have you get near a bag of powder with that fiery +head. It's a wonder you don't blow up with spontaneous combustion. +You will, one of these times, if you don't look sharp." + +A pugnacious look flashed into Sam Hickey's eyes, but he dared not make +a retort to the gun captain. + +"Davis, do you think you could learn to sight a gun?" + +"Yes, sir; I think so." + +"You'll get the chance. We will give you a try-out this morning. All +hands line up for dotter practice." + +"What's dotter practice?" asked Sam. + +"Sh-h-h," warned Dan. "Haven't you learned what that is yet?" + +"No." + +"Dotter practice is target work in miniature. Listen! The gun captain +is going to explain it to us." + +"Some of you understand the dotter," began the gun captain. "For the +benefit of those of you who do not I will explain. The dotter is a +little contrivance on the gun, which enables you to shoot at a target +and proves your marksmanship. By looking through the finder you will +see a little target that moves up and down like a ship at sea. When +the crossed wires of your finder are right on the target you pull the +trigger. A black spot will appear on the target--a dot, showing where +your shot struck if you have hit the target at all. We call it a +dotter because it makes a dot where it hits." + +"And the dotter makes you dotty," muttered Sam under his breath, yet +loudly enough so that the man next to him heard it. The fellow laughed +aloud, bringing down a sharp rebuke from the gun captain. + +"Hickey, try your hand at the dotter." + +Sam climbed up to the little platform on the right side of the gun, +winking at his companions as he did so. + +"What shall I do now?" he questioned, taking his place. + +"Sight through the finder. I'll set the target going." + +"Yes, I see it. I'm afraid that thing will make me seasick if I keep +on looking at it," declared Hickey, looking up at the instructor. + +"Attend to your practice!" + +"Bang!" + +Sam leaped up into the air. His head came into violent contact with +the deck above him. + +"Ouch!" yelled the red-headed boy, as he collapsed in a heap on the +deck. + +Sam had unwittingly pulled the trigger, firing the cap that bad been +provided to explode the dotter, thus making the miniature target work +the more realistic. + +"Did something hit me? I--I thought the seven-inch had gone off," +stammered the boy, pulling himself to his feet and rubbing his head +where it had hit the ceiling. + +"Just like a landlubber," growled the gun captain. "You'll make a fine +gun pointer, you will." + +"I--I didn't know the thing was going off," complained Hickey. + +"I suppose, if we were to fire the piece in earnest, you would jump +overboard," sneered the captain. "Get up there, now, and do it right, +if you want to stay in this division." + +Sam took his place once more, the gun captain giving him suggestions +and directions as to how to catch the moving target when it was moving +upward as a ship does in riding a great swell. + +"Bang!" + +Sam had pulled the trigger, but this time he had done so intentionally. +Instinctively the lad jumped, grinning sheepishly as he noted the +smiles on the faces of his companions of the gun crew. + +"Well, what is your score?" + +"Score?" + +"Yes. Did you hit the target?" + +"I don't know." + +"Look at the target." + +"I see a fly speck over by the edge of the target," spoke up Sam. + +"That is where your shot struck. Had you been shooting at a battleship +you might have raked her stern, but I reckon you would not have done +her very great damage. However, it was not a half-bad shot for a +landlubber. Number three, take your place." + +The man indicated made an even worse shot than had Hickey, though he +had been practising with the dotter for three weeks. + +"You never will do at this work," decided the gun captain. "About all +you will be good for will be to clean bright work and pass along +ammunition. Davis, let's see what you can do." + +Dan was all expectation. He could hardly wait for his turn at the gun. + +"You understand how to work it?" + +"I think so." + +"Take your time. Make sure of your mark, then let go quickly. You +will find in actual target work, or in shooting at an enemy, that a +fraction of a second's delay will ordinarily roll the target out of +your range. Better to shoot a second too soon than a second too late." + +Dan was peering through the sights, his eye fixed on the pin-head +opening. One hand crept slowly to the trigger. It rested there for a +few seconds without a tremor. His nerves were steady and true. + +"Bang!" + +"What luck?" + +"Squarely in the center. That's what I should call a bull's eye," +announced Dan Davis triumphantly. "Am I right, sir?" + +"Yes; you hit the mark all right. It may have been a chance shot." + +"I think not, sir. I will see if I can do it again." + +Dan applied his eye to the finder. An instant's hesitation, then there +followed the sharp report of the dotter. + +"Once more in the center, sir. Shall I fire again?" + +"No. You've sunk the ship, young man. You have put the enemy out of +business. You are not only going to make a splendid gunner, but you +are far above the average already." + +Ere Dan could express his thanks the bugle blew, piping gun crews down +to other duties. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +SAM GETS A PIG'S FOOT + +The "Long Island" was still lying inside the breakwater when the lads +were piped to their gun station the following morning. + +"Seaman Dan Davis and Sam Hickey will hereafter act as gun pointers in +number four turret," said the gun captain. "You will get your rating +badges at the canteen, meaning the ship's storeroom. See that you have +them before the afternoon practice at four bells." + +The Battleship Boys looked at each other triumphantly, and Sam winked +wisely at his companion. How the lads did go through their work that +day, performing each duty with a snap that drew nods of approval from +the gun captain and wondering looks from their companions. + +After the noon meal they hastened to the canteen, where they procured +the rating badges. This was a square of blue cloth on which was a +white circle with two fine lines drawn across the circle at right +angles to each other, representing the crossed sights such as one finds +in a telescope rifle. + +The boys lost no time in sewing them on their sleeves, after which they +paraded the forward deck, doing their best to look unconcerned. Their +efforts in this direction were failures. + +"Hello, Dynamite! I see you've got your hash marks," greeted a +companion. + +"Oh, you mean this," answered Dan, with glowing face, as he held up his +arm. + +"I've got one, too, even if I couldn't hit the side of a barn," spoke +up the red-headed Hickey. "I told the captain of number four how I had +plugged woodchucks back home, though, and I guess that convinced him +that I could shoot big guns." + +"Say, Hickey, speaking of hash marks, have you got any on you yet?" + +"I'm just telling you I have one here. I'm a gun pointer. If you +don't believe it, come over to the turret and I'll point one at you. +It'll make you jump when the pop-gun goes off, I'll bet." + +"No, no; I don't mean that kind of a hash mark," laughed his companion. + +"What kind, then?" + +"Tattoo marks. We call them hash marks." + +"I get tattooed--is that what you mean?" + +"Of course; every sailor--every real sailor--has that done." + +"What for?" + +"Just to be the real thing; that's all." + +"I don't know. I hadn't thought of it." + +"I'll take you over to Needle Johnson, if you want to have it done." + +"Well, I don't know," reflected Sam. "Does it hurt?" + +"Of course it doesn't. You will not even feel it. Doesn't hurt half +as much as the sting of a Jersey mosquito." + +"I'll go and talk with What's-his-name----" + +"Needle Johnson." + +"Yes. Where's Dan?" + +"I think he has gone below. You come along, and he'll be surprised and +envious when he finds you have had the job done," continued the boy's +shipmate with a wink at some of the others standing by. + +Sam somewhat reluctantly followed the jackie below, where, after some +searching about, they finally located Needle Johnson. Needle was an +old-time sea dog, wearing a heavy crop of whiskers and with a voice +that would have done credit to a boatswain's mate. + +"Here's a lad who hasn't had a hash mark put on his skin, and he's been +on board for three months." + +Needle gazed at the red-headed boy pityingly. + +"You don't mean it?" + +"Yes. I told him he wouldn't be a real sailor until he had some paint +stuck under his hide." + +"That's the sure thing, my lad, and I'm the salt that can give you the +purtiest hashings you ever set eyes on. Where did you reckon you +wanted the marks put?" + +"I hadn't reckoned anything about it. I guess I don't want any of +those hash marks, as you call them," Sam returned. + +"What? Not want them? Of course you do." + +Sam reflected a moment, then gave a reluctant consent. + +"What kind of a tattoo would you suggest?" + +"A pig's foot, by all means, matey. That's the latest and most +fashionable decoration that a gentleman can wear. How'll you have it!" + +"I'll take mine pickled, if it's all the same to you," answered Sam +soberly. + +The jackies roared. + +"What do you take me for--a sea-cook?" growled Johnson. "Take off your +right shoe if you want to do business with me." + +"What for?" + +"For the hash. You wouldn't have a pig's foot anywhere else, would +you?" + +"I--I don't know." + +"That's the only place to put it, and it will bring you luck." + +In the meantime Needle Johnson had gotten out his case of needles and +his coloring matter. + +"You are sure it won't hurt?" asked Sam. + +"You won't feel a thing. Now, hold perfectly still. If you jerked, or +anything, I might make a pig's tail instead of a pig's foot. That +would be tough, wouldn't it, matey?" + +"It might be tough for you. Ou-u-u-uch!" + +Sam Hickey's foot came up with such suddenness that Needle was unable +to dodge it. The foot caught Needle fairly on the nose, bowling him +over to the deck, while all hands were shrieking with delight over his +discomfiture. + +"What--what do you mean, you--you lubber?" demanded Needle angrily, +rubbing the injured member, then shaking a fist under the red-headed +boy's nose. + +"You--you said it wouldn't hurt." + +"Hurt nothing!" + +"I should say it did hurt. What are you trying to do--drill a hole all +the way through my foot? I don't want any hash marks. I'll get along +with just my natural skin, whether I have any luck or not. Give me +that shoe." + +"Say, fellows," spoke up a jackie. "I reckon Red-head had better have +a pig's foot, eh!" + +"You bet he had," chorused the others. + +"And he won't do it of his own free will." + +"So he says." + +"Then it seems to be our solemn duty to take the job into our own +hands, does it not, mates?" + +"It is." + +"All right, then. Seaman Hickey, do we get it straight that you defy +the rules of our profession by refusing to wear the badge of that +profession?" + +"Call it what you want to. I'm not going to have any heathen rites +performed over me, or my skin pricked full of holes." + +"Then, shipmate, you'll have to take your medicine. Jump on him, boys!" + +Black and White, the two Hawaiians who had been standing by grinning, +made a concerted rush for Hickey. He wheeled just as they threw +themselves upon him. But the Pacific Islanders were reckoning without +the cost. + +"So that's the game, is it?" gritted Sam. + +Grabbing Black by the collar and one leg, he pitched the fellow half +way across the deck, standing the Hawaiian on his head. White +followed. He, too, was sailing through the air before Black struck. +Both landed on the same spot, and instantly were fighting each other in +their efforts to get clear. + +But the admiring jackies had no time to spare. They would have liked +nothing better than to have let that affair go on to a finish. +Instead, the whole crowd, fifteen or twenty of them, fell upon the +red-haired boy, hand and foot. Sam went down in a heap. He was not +angry, but he was giving these fellows all they wanted in their +attempts to hold him down. + +"Grab the foot!" shouted one. + +The jackie did so, but was promptly knocked over by a kick on the nose, +causing that member to bleed freely. + +This time two sailors grasped the Battleship Boy's naked foot and +straightened it out. + +"Get your tools out, Needle. Here's your foot." + +Despite their efforts, the foot was working back and forth so fast that +Johnson was unable to do anything with it. + +"Pass a rope around it. That's the way we used to rope cattle out +west. That's the idea." + +A line was passed about Hickey's ankle and made fast to a stanchion. + +"All right, Needle, drive the color in deep, so it won't wash out." + +"Give him two pig's feet," suggested another. "He'll have better luck +if you do." + +"I'll trim the whole bunch of you for this," growled a voice from the +bottom of the pile. + +The jackies laughed loudly. + +"Me fix him, me fix him," snarled Black, at that instant jumping into +the pile, his face contorted with rage. + +"You get out and mind your own business," advised one of the men. "You +got yours; now run along and be good. Take your white friend along +with you, while you are about it, or we'll paint both of you." + +While this conversation was going on Johnson was plying his needle +industriously, and under his hand Sam Hickey's foot was undergoing a +great change. Little by little the outline of a pig's foot was +appearing. The pig's foot was done in red, while the toe nails of the +foot were in blue. + +"There; you can let the broncho up now," announced Johnson, after +putting the final touches to his artistic achievement. + +The sailors piled off, while one of their number released the rope that +held the foot. Sam struggled to a sitting posture, much the worse for +wear, his hair standing up, his clothes soiled and disordered. But it +was the foot that attracted his attention. He surveyed it dubiously, +then his eyes wandered about the circle of laughing faces. + +Sam grinned a sheepish grin. + +"Fellows, you've insulted an officer and a gentleman, and I've got to +get even with you--no; I'll have you before the mast, every one of you, +so----" + +All hands began grunting in imitation of a herd of pigs. + +"I see I am not the only pig in the sty, after all," announced Seaman +Hickey cuttingly, as he calmly began pulling on his shoe over the sore +foot. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +LOWERING THE FLAG + +"Colors! Fall in for colors!" shouted petty officers in different +parts of the ship as the bugle blew its warning notes. + +Sam Hickey limped into place with the gun squad, and awaited the order +to march. + +"Colors," means the formalities that are observed at sunset on +shipboard, consisting of impressive ceremonies when the Stars and +Strips are lowered from the after flagstaff. The ceremony of colors, +however, is never observed when the ship is under motion, but only when +the vessel is at anchor. + +Just before the moment when the sun was to set, the different +divisions, in charge of midshipmen and ensigns, were marched to the +quarterdeck with measured step; then, facing toward amidships, they +banked themselves on each side of the deck. Behind the jackies, next +to the starboard and port rails, were the marines, carrying their +rifles. + +Grouped aft on the starboard side was the band, its members resplendent +in white and gold uniforms. + +Between these lines of color stood the captain and his executive +officer, facing the Flag that was lazily fluttering in the soft evening +breeze. + +All was silence, the only sound being the water lapping the steel sides +of the battleship. + +"Attention!" + +The bugle blew a few short notes. The Flag began creeping slowly down +the after flagstaff, with every eye fixed on the ensign as it fluttered +toward the deck. + +Instantly upon the Flag's reaching the deck, the band broke forth into +"The Star Spangled Banner." The hearts of the Battleship Boys swelled +with patriotism, and the strains of the national anthem seemed to bring +a deeper shade to the rows of tanned, manly faces lined up in solid +ranks on the quarter-deck of the battleship "Long Island." + +"Attention! First division, right face! Forward march!" + +The command was repeated for the other divisions. Snare drums rolled, +the band changed to a livelier tune, to which each division marched off +in steady lines, one division following the other. Soon all had +disappeared, save a group of officers who remained chatting on the +quarter-deck. These, too, soon turned and went below for the evening +mess. + +The day's work was done for all except those who were to go on watch +duty for a two-hour trick. + +Mess finished, Sam went out to the forward deck to growl at the jackies +who had been responsible for the pig's foot on his own right foot. The +pig's foot hurt him, and the lad limped painfully. + +While Sam was forward Dan got out his ditty box, to which, by this +time, he had become as much attached as were the other sailors to +theirs. From the box he drew a recent letter from his mother, which +the Battleship Boy, sitting on the steel deck under a wall lamp in a +corridor, read over several times. It seemed a long time to Dan since +he had left her at Piedmont, and had gone on to New York to enlist in +the service of his country. + +"I think I must know this letter by heart," mused Dan, folding the +letter and tenderly laying it away in the precious ditty box. Then, +fixing up his fountain pen, he began writing industriously, using his +elevated knees for a desk, on which he had laid his writing pad. + +"I have written in more comfortable places than this, but I never had +more to say than I have this time," he said. + +Mails were not very regular on shipboard, and sometimes it was a matter +of weeks before a single mail was put over the side. + +Dan was still writing, an hour later, when Sam came along looking for +him. + +"Oh, here you are, eh?" + +"Yes." + +"Writing a book?" + +"No, I'm writing to mother. Is there any word you would like to send +to the folks at Piedmont?" + +"You might say hello to Mrs. Davis for me. If they'd let a fellow +change his mind in this business, you'd see me back there to-morrow. +What are you writing to her?" + +Dan smiled quizzically. + +"If it were anyone else who asked me that question I might tell him it +was none of his business." + +"But you don't dare tell me that, hey?" + +"Maybe, Sam," answered Dan with a good-natured laugh. + +"All right; what you are telling her?" + +"Want to know very much?" + +"I shouldn't have asked you if I didn't." + +"Very well; I'll tell you, You know I have something more than two +hundred dollars laid up with the paymaster----" + +"Yes; aren't you afraid the Jack-o'-the-Dust will run away with it?" + +"Hardly. Even if he does, the Government would make the amount good." + +"What you going to do with the money?" + +"I was about to tell you. That is what I am writing to mother about. +I am sending the money to her." + +"All of it?" interrupted Sam. + +"Yes, of course. Why not?" + +"You're a good sport, you are." + +"I am telling her to go buy a lot out on the Perkins road. That amount +will just about purchase one. Then, as fast as I earn more money, I +tell her, I will send it to her, and by next summer she will have +enough to go on and build a house. Mother will have a home of her own +then, and I'll feel much better when she has." + +"How much does a house cost in that neck-o'-the-woods?" + +"Well, I should say that eight hundred dollars will put up a very fair +place. At least, it will satisfy us. Why do you ask?" + +"I was thinking. Say, did you hear about my pig's foot?" + +"Your pig's foot?" + +"Yes." + +"I don't know what you mean." + +"I've got one on my right foot." + +"I haven't the least idea what you are talking about." + +"You would have, if you'd got a pig's foot. It's a lot different from +a rabbit's foot, and don't you make any mistake about that." + +"Somebody gave you a pig's foot, for luck, eh? I never heard they were +lucky." + +"Oh, yes; they gave it to me, all right. Here, look at this." + +Sam pulled off a shoe and stocking, exhibiting his freshly tattooed +foot. + +"Well, what do you think of that?" marveled Dan. + +"Not much," growled Sam. + +"Who did it?" + +"Old Pin Head--No, I mean old Needle Johnson." + +"Why did you let him do that, Sam?" + +"Let him? I didn't. The whole forecastle sat on me, and tied my foot +up to a stanchion, while the head butcher performed the operation. I +can hardly walk. But I forgot to tell you. Those black-faced fellows +from the other side of the world sailed into me as if they wanted to +eat me up. I don't like that pair a little bit, Dan." + +"Imagination, Sam. Just because they are a little darker than we are, +you do not like them. That is foolish." + +"That's just the trouble. If it was only skin deep I wouldn't give a +rap. The trouble with those fellows is that the black goes all the way +through. I'll bet they are black clear to the bones. If Pills ever +has to cut either of them open for anything I'm going to take a peek." + +"I am surprised at you, Sam," chided Davis. + +"You needn't be. You'll find, one of these days, that I am right. But +how about that house and lot?" + +"If you keep on talking to me, hammocks will be piped up before I +finish my letter." + +"Go on with your writing. I'm mum." Sam sat down and was soon lost in +deep thought. + +"There," announced Dan finally. "I guess that's all I can write +to-night. I've done eight pages. That's pretty good for a sailor." + +"I never wrote as much as that in all my life--that is, I never wrote +as much as that in letters. Say, Dan." + +"Yes." + +"Do you mind if I say a few words to Mother Davis at the end of your +letter!" + +"Of course, you may. Mother will be delighted." + +"All right. You go outside and take a walk for your health. I can't +write with anybody looking at me. It makes me nervous." + +"Too bad about your sensitive nerves," retorted the other with a laugh. +"All right; I'll go out. Do not be long, for it is nearly hammock +time." + +Leaving Sam grumbling about having to go to bed at nine o'clock, Dan +strolled out on the deck. + +"Dear Mother Davis," began Sam, "I want to tell you that your Dan isn't +the only jackie who has money. I've got two hundred dollars, too. But +I haven't any mother. The two hundred isn't any good to me. I've been +thinking of giving it to the government some of these times, for they +could use it where it would do some good. I've got a new idea, now. +I'm going to send the two hundred to you, along with Dan's. You start +that house right away, and, by the time all the money is used up, Dan +and I will have some more for you. We're getting too rich. If Dan +kicks about it, you know how to stop him. P. S. I'm a real sailor, +now. I've got a rating and a pig's foot. The rating made me glad, but +the pig's foot hurt worse than having a tooth pulled. Lovingly, Sam." + + + + +CHAPTER X + +HIS NARROW ESCAPE + +Leaving Sam in the throes of composition, Dan walked out on deck. A +few moments later he uttered a sharp exclamation and clapped a hand to +his left ear, through which he felt a sudden, sharp pain. As he +brought the hand away, the fingers felt wet. + +Dan stepped up under a port light that opened out to the deck, and, +holding up the fingers, peered at them. + +"Blood, eh! Well, that's funny. Something must have hit me." + +He glanced about him. He was almost alone; there were not a half dozen +sailors on deck, and these lay stretched out, sleeping soundly in the +cool evening air. + +"That is strange," wondered the lad, trying to stanch the flow of blood +with his handkerchief. He had been about to turn back and rejoin Sam +when the incident occurred. + +Dan paused to think over just what had happened. + +"Oh, I remember, now. I heard something strike the deck. That must +have been after it hit me. I'll see if I can find out what it was." + +Stepping carefully along over the deck, feeling with his toes, the boy +almost tripped over some object which he knew did not belong there. + +With an exclamation Dan stooped over. His hand came in contact with a +piece of cold steel. The instant his fingers touched it he knew what +he had found. + +"A marline spike," breathed Dan. "No wonder it hurt." + +The missile that had hit him is used for twisting the strands of rope +apart. It is of steel, about eight inches long, and tapers to a needle +point. It makes a most dangerous weapon. + +Dan carried this to the light, examining it carefully. Its point was +still moist where it had caught him. + +"Somebody must have tried to kill me," he muttered. "An inch further, +and I certainly should have been a dead one. Who could have done such +a dastardly thing? I can't understand it at all." + +The lad hurried back to where he had left his companion. Sam started +to speak, but he saw something in the face of Dan Davis that suddenly +checked his levity. + +"Why, what's the matter?" he cried. + +"Nothing, except that some one tried to kill me just now." + +"Tried to kill you?" + +"Yes; look here." + +Dan removed the handkerchief, and Sam, with gentle fingers, made a +careful examination of the wound. + +"Punched a hole right through the lobe of your ear. Who did that?" he +demanded in a low, tense voice. + +"I wish I knew." + +"How did they do it? It looks as if you had been shot." + +"They did it with this, Sam," answered Dan, exhibiting the marline +spike. + +Sam uttered a low growl, as he took the pointed spike, holding it in +his hand reflectively. + +"You must have that dressed, right away. Come along. We'll go to see +Pills. There is time, if we hurry." + +"Yes; I guess it had better be attended to. I shall have such a big +ear to-morrow that they will not have me on deck." + +"Worse cauliflower ear than you gave Bill Kester," laughed Sam. "We'll +look into this business in the morning. We shan't have time to-night, +I'm sorry to say." + +On their way to the sick bay, where they were hurrying to have the +wound dressed, the boys were obliged to pass the quarters of the +master-at-arms, the minor official who is responsible for the behavior +of all hands on shipboard. + +Ere Dan could protest, Sam had rapped on the door casing, and an +instant later was dragging his companion in through the curtained +doorway. + +"Now what do you think of that, sir?" exclaimed the red-headed boy. + +"Seaman Davis got hurt, eh?" questioned the petty officer, noting the +blood on Dan's cheek. + +"Yes, sir. I am on my way to see the surgeon. If I have to be a few +moments late in reporting for hammocks, will you excuse me?" + +"Certainly. I will give you a half hour's leeway. How did you get +that wound?" + +"Somebody handed him a marline spike, sir," interrupted Hickey. + +"A marline spike?" + +"Yes, they did." + +The master-at-arms turned inquiringly on Dan. + +"Is this true?" + +Dad nodded half reluctantly. + +"Tell me how it occurred." + +The boy did so briefly. + +"You have no idea who threw the spike?" + +"Not the slightest, sir." + +"Where were you, Hickey?" + +"Below, writing a letter. I knew nothing about it, until my chum came +below and I saw the blood on his face." + +"Have you any enemies on board?" + +"Not that I know of, sir." + +"Was anyone except yourself on deck at the time?" + +"Yes; a few of the men were asleep further forward. I saw no one +moving about." + +"Come with me." + +The master-at-arms conducted Dan to the surgeon, where a quick +examination was made of the wound, after which the surgeon dressed it +and put in several stitches. Dan did not even wince, though the pain +was severe. Sam's face was pale, and the perspiration stood out on his +forehead as he watched the stitching of the ragged ear-lobe. + +"Anybody would think you were being operated upon by the looks of you," +laughed Dan. + +"I feel as if I were," answered Sam rather weakly. + +The wound attended to, the petty officer directed the boys to follow +him, which they did, going directly to the forward deck. + +"Show me where and how you were standing at the time of the accident, +Davis." + +Dan took the place, as nearly as he could, where he had been standing +when the marline spike struck him. + +"Which way were you facing?" + +"Forward, sir." + +"The spike was thrown from behind you then?" + +"Yes, sir, it must have been." + +"Here is where it hit the deck, sir," called Sam. + +"Do you recall how it appeared when you took hold of it?" + +"I think the head of the spike was leaning aft. I should say it had +about a forty-degree lean." + +The master-at-arms nodded. + +"It is quite clear that the spike was thrown at you from the +superstructure. By the way, where's the spike?" + +"I have it," said Sam, extending the spike to the petty officer. + +"I will take care of this. Say nothing about what has occurred, but +keep your eyes open. If you have reason to suspect any one, let me +know at once. I can hardly believe that we have a man on board the +'Long Island' desperate enough to attempt a crime like this. If ever +there was an attempted murder this is one. Go to your quarters now." + +In the excitement following the attempt on his life, Dan had forgotten +all about the letter he had written to his mother. It did not occur to +him until the boys were at gun practice with the seven-inch piece the +following morning. He turned to Sam at the first opportunity. + +"What did you do with my letter?" he demanded. + +"I put it in my ditty box last night. I was too excited to remember +that it belonged to you. I'll give it to you when we are piped down +for mess." + +"All right; I want to add something to it." + +"Say, Dynamite," said a companion, "where did you get the game ear?" + +"It was hurt," answered Dan evasively. + +"It looks as if a bulldog had been chewing at it. You never did that +of your own accord, did you?" + +"That is a foolish question. It isn't likely that I would tear half my +ear off, just for the fun of the thing, is it?" + +Further conversation was interrupted by an order from the gun captain +to resume dotter practice. For the next hour the attention of the boys +was wholly taken up by this fascinating work. + +After mess Dan asked for his letter. Sam got out his ditty box and +handed the letter back rather sheepishly; after which he busied himself +with pawing over the articles in his box. + +"Am I to read what you have written?" questioned Dan with a smile. + +"You may read it, if you want to," answered Sam, growing very red. "I +didn't figure on your doing so, though." + +"Well, you insisted on knowing what I had written to mother, so I guess +you will have to take the same medicine," retorted Dan with a laugh, as +he opened the sheet on which his companion had written his message to +Mrs. Davis. + +Dan's face sobered as he read, but he made no comment until he had gone +through the letter. He glanced up with swimming eyes. Sam was not +looking at him. The red-headed boy was deeply absorbed in his ditty +box at that moment. + +"Sam Hickey, look at me," commanded Dan. + +"I'm looking at you." + +"Do you mean that you want to give your two hundred dollars to mother?" + +"Yes, that's what I mean," answered Sam, defiantly. "I haven't any +mother. Why shouldn't I give your mother my money? I haven't any use +for it, except what I need for clothes, and I reckon I've got clothes +enough to last me to the end of the cruise. By that time I'll have +another wad. Don't you say a word. I've made up my mind. Maybe your +mother would fix up a place in the garret where I could sleep when I go +back home again." + +"In the garret? Well, I should think not. The best bedroom in the +house will be none too good for you, Sam Hickey, and that without your +contributing to the house fund either. I can't have it. I----" + +"Then I'll sling my hammock in the back yard and roost with the hens. +That will be as good as some places I have had to sleep in since I +joined the Navy." + +"I can't have it, Sam," answered Dan firmly. "No, I cannot accept your +gift. Remember, old fellow," added Dan, grasping his companion by the +hand, "you owe so much to yourself that you have no business to be +generous." + +"There's the captain's orderly," interrupted Sam. "I guess he is +looking for us. I hope nothing is wrong." + +"Are you Seaman Davis?" asked the orderly, who on this occasion was one +of the marines. + +"Yes." + +"The captain wishes to see you in his office before you are piped up to +work again." + +"I will be there at once. Sam, we'll talk this matter over later. +But, remember, I shall not listen to your doing what you have planned, +but I'll send your letter to mother so she may know what a great +big-hearted fellow you are. I must go now." + +Sam had his way, however, and the money went with the letter. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +ON THE ANCHOR WATCH + +Dan hurried aft, without delay, for a summons from the captain meant +that no unnecessary delay would be tolerated. + +Dan reported and the orderly announced him. The lad entered the +captain's office, which was also used as a dining room and stood +waiting for his superior to speak. + +Dan's ear was done up in adhesive plaster, and a bandage had been wound +under his chin and up over his head, giving him the appearance of being +much worse off than he really was. + +"Davis, I hear you have had an accident?" + +"Yes, sir; a slight one, sir. It is of no great consequence, sir." + +"I understand differently. I should say that it is of greater +consequence than you imagine. The master-at-arms is quite sure that an +attempt has been made to do you serious injury, if not worse." + +"Perhaps it was not so bad as that, sir. It was a pretty close call, +just the same. I am sorry to have been the cause of so much +disturbance on board, sir." + +"I am sorry, too, but not for that reason. I am sorry, deeply grieved +that there is a man on board the 'Long Island' base enough to commit, +or attempt to commit, such a crime. It is quite evident that you had a +very narrow escape. I trust you are not suffering greatly from the +wound?" + +"Very little, sir." + +"I am glad of that." + +"Thank you, sir." + +"In view of the fact that you are the person most directly interested, +outside of myself, I have sent for you to direct you to devote every +effort toward learning who your assailant was. It is of vital +importance that we locate the man and send him up for general +court-martial. Of course, he will be severely punished and then +dismissed from the service. You have no suspicions?" + +"None at all, sir." + +"Have you had any difficulty with any of the men?" + +"Not that I can recall at the present moment, sir. I would not +intentionally give any man cause for such enmity." + +"I am sure of that, lad. Have you watched the men who might possibly +have been implicated in this?" + +"I have not had an opportunity, sir. And, besides, I should not know +whom to watch. I am wholly at a loss to account for the attempt." + +"I understand. But keep your eyes open. You will be the best person +to find the man. You will feel instinctively that you have the right +man, before any of the rest of us could have a suspicion. Have your +friend do a little investigating also. I have an idea that he is a +very shrewd boy. If either of you need any leisure time in which to +make your investigations, then inform the master-at-arms, and say that +I told you to do so. I trust to your good sense to carry on this +investigation in a discreet manner." + +"I think you may trust us, sir. I am as anxious as anyone to find the +man who did this to me," touching his ear gingerly. + +"How are you getting along with your work on the seven-inch?" + +"Fairly, sir. I find there is a great deal to learn. May I ask your +advice, sir?" + +"Go on, lad. I am listening." + +"I have been thinking that I should like to take a course in one of the +seaman-gunner classes at the Torpedo Station in Newport. Will you tell +me, sir, what to do to enter such a class?" + +"Certainly. Your ambition is a laudable one. However, you have not +been in the service long enough for that as yet. I should advise you +to continue your duties on shipboard for a year longer. Then you will +be well fitted for the gunner class. Your marks on shipboard must +average seventy-five per cent. That will entitle you to admission. +The course is six months. In it you will learn the assembling of guns +and everything to do with the practical part of ordnance. I can give +you some further books along this line, if you wish." + +"I do, indeed, sir. I find I have considerable leisure time in which +to study. I am working for promotion." + +"With your ability, my lad, you will get promotion eventually without +going to the school. But it will be an excellent idea for you to go. +There you will learn theory as well as practice. After you have served +a year, then, it might not be a bad idea to take the eight months' +course at the Torpedo Station, where you will learn all about torpedoes +and mines. If you hope to rise in the service you will have to know +all this, and more. Do you know anything of navigation?" + +"Yes, sir; I am studying that now." + +"Excellent. Who is teaching you?" + +"I am teaching myself." + +"I would suggest that you have one of the quartermasters help you. He +will do so gladly, and you will possibly avoid falling into errors that +you will find troublesome later in your course." + +"Yes, sir." + +"That will be all. The bugle is piping gun crews up, so you had better +go to your station. Ord'ly!" + +The orderly stepped in and saluted. + +"Tell the chief quartermaster that I wish to see him when he is at +leisure." + +"Yes, sir." + +Dan hastened to his station, more proud than ever. He could hardly +wait until the crew was piped down again to tell Hickey of the +encouragement he had received from the commanding officer. Dan +determined that Sam should go with him when the time came to go to the +gunners' class at Newport, and, with that in view, he had a long talk +with his chum that afternoon, urging him to study and work hard that he +might be far enough advanced to take the course. + +At quarters that night Dan Davis's name was called among those who were +to go on watch. He was to take the anchor watch, which would place him +on the quarter-deck from eight until twelve o'clock. Both lads had had +other watches, but this was the first time either had been on anchor +watch, the watch that is always set when the vessel is in port or at +anchor. + +The Battleship Boy was pleased. Only those men in whom their superiors +had confidence, were ever chosen for these duties, for no little +responsibility rests on the watch, especially at night. + +The lad's superior on this watch was a midshipman named Carter, a +clean-cut, bright young officer who had on several occasions had +opportunity to speak to Dan complimenting him on certain well-performed +duties. + +"Davis, are you on watch to-night?" he asked as Dan approached, +saluting. + +"Yes, sir." + +"How is your wound?" + +"Improving, sir, thank you." + +"Seeing you are on anchor watch with me, I will let you take charge of +the extra-duty squad." + +This squad is obliged to remain on duty after the regular hours of work +because of some trifling offences. In such cases it is customary to +give the squad some light work to do. Now and then the men would be +obliged to stand at attention with their rifles for half an hour at a +time. Different officers employ different methods with their +extra-duty squads. + +"Aye, aye, sir," answered Dan, his heart giving a jump, for this was to +be his first real command. To all intents he was an officer. He was +to command this unhappy squad of shipmates and assist in their +punishment. When this thought came to him the boy did not feel half so +elated as he had been a moment before. + +"What do you wish me to do with them, sir?" + +"I will leave that to you. They are not doing anything just now. +Perhaps you had better march them about the deck for a time. However, +do as you think best." + +Dan walked over to where the six delinquents were standing ruefully, +with guns over their shoulders. + +"Men, I am to have charge of you during this watch. How long are you +to be on duty?" + +"Two hours, sir." + +"You are to be released at ten o'clock, then?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Very good. We will now have a few moments in the manual of arms. +Attention! Present arms! Carry arms! Port arms! Right face! Carry +arms! Forward march!" + +The midshipman smiled as the measured tramp of feet attracted his +attention, the extra-duty squad in single file marching steadily toward +the stern of the vessel. + +"Column right, march! Column right, march! Halt!" + +The men halted. They were now facing the superstructure. + +"Right face!" + +"Men, I am going to form you into a guard. Count off." + +"One, two, three, four, five, six," counted the men. + +"Numbers one and two will take the forward end of the deck, three and +four the port and starboard sides respectively, with numbers five and +six at the stern. Each set will march back and forth from opposite +ends of their stations, patroling their beats. You will carry +yourselves like soldiers. Remember, you are on guard duty. You are +responsible for this part of the ship. Let no person pass unless he is +halted, and then gives the countersign." + +"What is the countersign, sir?" + +Dan reflected. He had not thought of that. It would not do to let +them see that he was at a loss to answer the question. + +"I think, men," said Dan, with a smile, "that a pretty good countersign +for you will be 'Never again.' Yes, that is the countersign. To your +posts, forward march!" + +Six faces, reflecting as many grins of appreciation, marched to their +posts, which they began patroling, marching back and forth in opposite +directions. + +The midshipman, officer of the deck, halted in his leisurely pacing up +and down the deck, glancing at the sentries with a puzzled look. + +"Now what is that boy Davis up to, I should like to know?" he wondered. +"Ah, I see. He has turned out a guard. Not a half-bad idea, at that. +He will do. He ought to be an officer, with such resourcefulness as he +shows on every occasion." + +The officer of the deck resumed his walk, forgetting all about the +formation for which Dan was responsible. But it was brought to his +notice in a most forcible manner half an hour later. + +The night was moonless, and heavy clouds had settled down, enshrouding +the ship in a gloom that was broken here and there by the faint rays +from a port hole. + +Shortly after nine o'clock the captain came up from below for a look at +the weather and a breath of fresh air before turning in. He paused at +the top of the hatchway, glanced about the deck, then started pacing up +and down as was the midshipman doing on the opposite side. + +"Halt!" ordered a voice sternly. + +The captain glanced up in surprise. He found himself facing a Krag +rifle. + +"What--what----" + +"Who goes there?" + +"A friend," he answered instinctively. + +"Advance, friend, and give the countersign." + +Something of the truth began to dawn upon the quick mind of the +commanding officer. + +"I do not know the countersign, my man. But I am the commander of this +ship." + +"Officer of the deck, sir," called the sentry. + +The officer of the deck hastened to the spot. + +"Sir, stranger without the countersign." + +"Man, what do you mean? This is the captain of this ship whom you have +halted. What do you mean?" + +"Orders, sir, to let no one pass unless he has the countersign." + +"Who is responsible for this?" demanded the captain in a half amused +tone. + +"I let young Davis take charge of the extra-duty squad, and he formed +the men into a guard. They had been patroling the deck for the last +hour. I did not interfere, not having any idea the affair would be +carried this far, sir. I'm sorry, sir. Man, lower your gun." + +"Wait, wait!" exclaimed the captain, raising a restraining hand. "This +man has his orders. He is quite right. It is a most excellent idea. +Fine training for these young men. What is the countersign, Carter?" + +"I--I don't know, sir." + +"What, you the officer of the deck and not know the countersign? I am +surprised, sir. Where is Seaman Davis?" + +"He was here a moment ago." + +Dan at that moment was peering from behind the twelve-inch-gun turret, +fairly aghast at the situation in which his efforts to do something +original had involved them. + +"Davis!" called the officer of the deck, in a sharp voice. + +"This is where I get it!" muttered the boy. "Aye, aye, sir," he +answered promptly, stepping from behind the turret and hastening toward +the group. + +"What does this farce mean, sir?" demanded the midshipman. + +"I will attend to this, Mr. Carter. Davis, these are your men, are +they not?" + +"Ye--yes, sir." + +"You ordered them to let no one pass unless he had the countersign?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"My man, you did quite right," announced the captain, addressing the +sentry. "Davis, will you be good enough to give me the countersign?" + +"'Never again,'" whispered Dan in the ear of his commanding officer. + +"What's that? I asked you for the countersign." + +"The countersign is 'never again.'" + +For a moment the captain stared, then he roared with laughter. + +"'Never again,' my man," he said, whereat the sentry instantly lowered +his rifle. + +"Well, if that doesn't beat anything I ever heard!" chuckled the +captain, grasping Dan by the arm and leading him over to the starboard +side of the deck. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +OBEYING HIS ORDERS + +"Davis, that was a stroke of genius on your part." + +"I--I beg your pardon, sir. I did not think how far my thoughtlessness +might carry us. I am very sorry, sir." + +"You need not be, my lad. If some of our men had as much good sense as +you have, there would be fewer extra-duty squads on the quarter-deck. +The effect on those men will be most excellent. Besides learning to +obey orders, they will carry the memory of that countersign with them +for many a day, and unless they are beyond hope of reform, you will not +see them on an extra-duty tour again for a long time. I commend you, +Davis. You may dismiss the squad now. They need no further lessons +for to-night." + +"Captain's orders, sir, to dismiss the squad," announced Dan, stepping +up before the officer of the deck and saluting. + +"Very well. Get my raincoat if you will, then, for I think it is going +to rain before the end of the watch." + +Dan saluted and hurried away below to fetch the officer's rain clothes. +A light sprinkle set in that soon covered everything, making the decks +slippery; it became hard to keep one's footing. Both the officer of +the deck and the anchor watch pulled their rubber coats more closely +about them, and, with lowered heads to protect their faces from the +drizzle, began walking back and forth. + +Eleven o'clock, six bells, rang out; then silence settled over the ship +again. Cautiously a head was thrust above the hatch of the upper deck. +No one was in sight, save the dark figures of the midshipman and the +anchor watch, far aft on the quarter-deck. + +The head lengthened out into a dark figure, which was drawn up through +the hatch opening. Without a sound the man slunk across the deck. He +appeared to be perfectly familiar with his way, but crouched low, +probably so that his moving figure might not catch the watchful eyes of +the officer of the deck, or of the anchor watch far below him. + +About this time Dan Davis climbed the ladder to the superstructure, +took a long, sweeping observation of the upper deck, then descended to +the quarter-deck again. + +"I thought I heard something up there," he muttered. "It must have +been a chain shifting with the roll of the ship." + +In the meantime the figure had flattened itself on the deck. When sure +that the anchor watch had gone aft, the man rose and crept silently +toward the side of the ship. + +He was safe now. He knew that the watch was not likely to come to the +superstructure for the next hour at least. The fellow had stumbled +over a chain. The sound, faint and far away as it had been, caught +Dan's ear instantly, leading him to mount the superstructure for an +observation. + +"Everything secure above there?" demanded the officer of the deck. + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"I thought perhaps you heard something, from the way you went up." + +"I thought so, too, sir, but I must have been mistaken. I saw no one." + +Reaching the side of the ship the figure hesitated a moment, then +quickly climbed through the rail. He was just opposite the lower boom, +the long, strong pole along which the sailors step to get down into the +small boats. + +Trailing from a long rope at the end of the lower boat rode the ship's +dinghy, where she had been left for the night, as had other boats on +the opposite or starboard side. + +Now a second figure seemed to rise directly out of the deck, and an +instant later it too had crept out on the lower boom. The men on the +quarter-deck could not see forward to the lower boom without leaning +out over the ship's rail, so the two men were unobserved. + +Reaching the end of the boom, the men quickly let themselves down the +Jacob's ladder, dropping noiselessly into the dinghy. They had some +little trouble in casting the boat off, it having been made doubly +secure for the night. + +Unluckily one of them dropped an oar, which fell to the bottom of the +boat with a loud clatter. + +"What's that?" demanded the officer of the deck sharply. + +"It sounded like an oar in a small boat, sir," answered Dan, making for +the topside, which, he reached in a few swift bounds. + +"Something going on down there, sir." + +"Where away?" + +"Just aft of the port boom, sir." + +"Can you see the dinghy?" + +"Aye, aye, sir. Just make her out." + +"Is she all right?" + +"She looks to be, sir. I can't quite tell from here. I'll get over +that way; I'll go further forward, sir, and let you know. I see two +dinghies now. The port and starboard dinghies are moored to the port +boom, sir." + +"Watch them while I turn out the guard." + +"The dinghy is moving, sir. I think there is some one in her." + +"Dinghy, there, ahoy!" bellowed the officer of the deck. + +There was no reply from the men in the dinghy, who, by this time, were +making more frantic efforts to free themselves. + +"Dinghy, there!" shouted Dan. "What are you doing down there?" + +Dan's hail, like that of the midshipman, met with no response. + +"Lay forward, anchor watch!" shouted the officer of the deck. + +A quartermaster came running to the quarterdeck. + +"Lower away the first whaleboat. Turn out your men in a hurry. +Boatswain's mate!" + +"Aye, aye, sir," bellowed a deep voice somewhere down one of the +corridors leading off from the quarter-deck. + +"Turn out the coxswain of the second whaleboat. Look alive, everybody." + +"Aye, aye, sir," chorused several voices. + +"Anchor watch!" + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"What are they doing?" + +"Casting off, I think, sir." + +"How many men?" + +"Two, I think, sir." + +The officer of the deck shouted a warning to the men and ordered them +to return instantly to the ship; and then, addressing Dan, he shouted: + +"Stop them, if you can!" + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +Dan's raincoat and hat were off in a twinkling. These dropped one by +one to the deck, as he sped along, bounding over obstructions that he +did not even see, so familiar was he with the course he was following. + +"They're rowing away, sir. I'll get them," shouted the Battleship Boy +confidently. + +He darted out on the lower boom, grasping the life line strung along +its length for protection to the sailors passing over the boom. + +"Boat ahoy!" cried Dan. + +The men bent to their oars; that is, one of them did, for there is but +one pair of oars in a dinghy. + +"It'll be the worse for you men, down there, if you try to get away. +The whaleboats are being turned out to go for you, and I'm after you +myself." + +His warning had no effect, unless it were to hasten the work of the man +at the oars. In his excitement the fellow let an oar slip from its +fastening, keeling him over on his back in the boat. A muttered +exclamation reached the boy on the boom. + +Without an instant's hesitation Dan crouched down on the boom, letting +himself down until he hung suspended over the sea by his hands. + +For a brief instant he peered down into the sea some thirty feet below +him, taking mental measurement of the distance, figuring just how near +he would come to hitting the dinghy were he to let himself go. + +"I'll chance it," he muttered. "It's my duty to try. I am under +orders to stop them, and stop them I will!" + +The Battleship Boy let go. + +His body shot downward, striking the water with a splash that was heard +far back on the quarter-deck. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE BATTLE OF THE DINGHIES + +"Man overboard, off the port boom!" + +"Stand by the falls. Whaleboat number one!" cried the officer of the +deck. + +"What's this, what's this?" shouted the captain, running to the deck in +his pajamas. + +"Two men leaving ship in the port dinghy, sir," answered the officer of +the deck. + +"Step lively there, lads. What does all this mean, Mr. Officer of the +deck?" + +"I don't know, sir. The anchor watch discovered that there was +something wrong. He's gone after them, sir." + +By this time the captain was leaning over the port rail, training his +night glasses on the dark sea. + +"I make them out. Who is the anchor watch?" + +"Seaman Davis, sir." + +"You say the lad went after them?" + +"Yes, sir, so it seems." + +"How?" + +"He must have gone over the side, for someone just called man +overboard." + +"The boy will be drowned! Have you ordered any one after him?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Hurry, lads. The man may be drowning." + +Meantime, Dan was doing his best to overtake the fugitives. The moment +he struck the water he threw out his hands to check his descent. This +prevented his going under very far. He shot up, and, shaking the water +from nose and eyes, struck out for the dinghy that was still moored to +the port boom. + +He was clambering into the boat within the next minute. His knife, +attached to the knife lanyard, was in his hands almost the instant he +pulled himself into the boat. One swift stroke severed the line that +held the dinghy to the boom. + +Dan sprang to the oars; throwing them into place in the locks, he sent +the little boat through the water with long, swift strokes. + +"Dinghy number two, there!" shouted a voice from the deck. + +"Aye, aye, sir," answered Dan. + +"You all right?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Better come back. The whaleboats will overhaul the other dinghy." + +"The whaleboats are on the other side of the ship. By the time they +get around here the men will be out of sight. I'm under orders to get +them, sir," answered the plucky lad, putting more force into his +strokes. + +His frail little boat cut the water with a swish and a splash, as the +swells slapped its sides, sending showers of spray over him. + +Dan now and then turned in his seat, to get the location of the other +boat. He could but faintly make it out in the gloom of the night. He +was unable to say, as yet, whether he were gaining on the fugitives or +not. If he were gaining, it was but slowly. + +The whaleboats had not yet rounded the bow of the "Long Island." It +seemed to take the boat crews a long time to launch the boats. The +captain thought so too, for he was now shouting out his orders with +explosive force, having taken command of the operations himself. + +"Have an officer go in that boat," he commanded. "Here, ensign," as an +officer came up from below on the run, "take charge of those two boats. +If you don't make haste there you'll lose the dinghies and the men. +Remember, one man is out there in a little boat chasing two, perhaps, +desperate characters." + +"Shall we hail Seaman Davis, and order him back to ship?" asked the +executive officer. + +"That boy would not hear us, even if we were to blow the siren for him. +He is obeying orders, Coates. He'll do what he was sent to do, no +matter what the cost to himself. But the whaleboats should catch up +with him in time to be on hand if he comes up with the others. I let +him go on because, in that way, we shall keep track of the other boat. +If he does that he will be doing his full duty." + +Dan was keeping the other dinghy in sight very well, indeed. He was +doing more than that, he was gaining rapidly now. He could hear the +splash of the oars in the other boat. The lad smiled grimly, for he +knew that the others were rowing badly, perhaps because they were +excited. Dan himself was an expert oarsman and every stroke in the +race was made to tell. + +"Dinghy ahoy, there!" he called when within hailing distance. + +The fleeing men made no reply to his hail. + +"They are bound to get away. I wonder what it means? It may be that +some one has been on board from the shore to steal. No; that cannot be +it. It must be men from the ship, for they took a ship's boat. I'll +bet they are deserters." + +He was now within a boat's length of the other dinghy, directly in its +wake. Observing this, the Battleship Boy swung out a little, so as to +come alongside of the other boat with several feet of water between the +two boats. + +"Halt!" he commanded. "You're caught. I demand that you surrender and +cease rowing." + +"No surrender. You go back if you know what is good for you." + +The voice sounded strangely familiar to Dan Davis. + +"I know you!" he shouted exultingly. "I know you now. You're Blackie. +I'll bet that's White in the boat with you. Boys, stop rowing and go +back to the ship. It's the only thing that will save you. I do not +know why you have done this thing, but your punishment will be much +less severe if you turn about and return at once." + +A jeering laugh answered him. + +"Then I shall have to take you back, and somebody is liable to get hurt +in that operation, I am thinking." + +The boy gave his dinghy a sudden quick turn, and with one powerful +stroke sent it dashing up to within half a boat length of the other +craft. + +As he neared it he caught the swing of a body in the first dinghy. Dan +ducked, flattening himself in his own frail craft just in time to avoid +a vicious swing of the other's boat hook. The gunwales of his boat +saved him from the blow. + +Quick as a flash Davis grabbed the boat hook. He gave a violent, sharp +pull and the boat hook was in his possession. + +"So that's your game, is it? I'll show you that two can play that sort +of game. You look out, or you'll get the pole over your own heads." + +He drove his boat right alongside the other. At that moment Blackie +straightened up with an angry exclamation. At the same time he grabbed +an oar from the hands of his companion, making a vicious swing at Dan, +who, by this time, was half standing in his own boat. + +But Dan had been on the watch for just such villainy. He parried the +blow with the captured boat hook. + +[Illustration: Dan Parried the Blow With the Captured Boat Hook.] + +"Smack, smack, smack!" boat hook and oar came together again and again. +The battle waged so furiously that for the moment the lad forgot all +about the other man in the boat. White was stealthily rising to his +feet, watching the Battleship Boy with keen, menacing eyes. + +All at once he swung his oar. Dan heard it as it cut the air, but at +that instant he was powerless to dodge the blow, being busy parrying +one from Black. + +White's oar caught Dan on the head. The Battleship Boy wavered for a +brief instant, seeking vainly to catch his balance; then he toppled +over backwards into the sea. + +Fortunately for him, the blow had been a glancing one. + +"Row, row!" cried Black. His companion fell to the oars. The men, as +they well knew, were now in a desperate situation. + +Dan twisted his body about in the water, his fingers closing over the +gunwale of his own boat. The blow had dazed him, though he still had +plenty of fight left in him. + +He clambered back into his own boat with no little effort, for his +clothes were soaked and weighed him down, this being the second wetting +he had had within a very short time. + +The other dinghy now had a slight start of him, but when the Hawaiians +looked back a moment later, they saw Dan again in their wake. + +The Battleship Boy's jaws were set. His fighting blood was up. He +would give no quarter now. + +"I'll get those heathens at any cost," he growled. + +He had forgotten all about the whaleboats that had been sent for the +men. Perhaps they had lost their quarry on the dark waters. + +"I'm after you," shouted Dan. "This time I'm going to get you, you +miserable deserters! Things like you deserve to be drowned without the +formality of court-martial. Do you surrender?" + +"No." + +No sooner were the words out of the Hawaiian's mouth than Dan drove his +dinghy bow-on against the other boat. So sudden and unexpected had +been the movement that the islanders were taken wholly off their guard. +Black fell forward, nearly going into the sea, while White, who was at +the oars, lost his grip on them for the moment. + +A crunching sound accompanied the collision. The bow of Dan's boat was +crushed in the thin planking of the other dinghy. The hurt was not +deep enough to sink the little craft, but it made an opening through +which the seas slopped persistently. + +Dan sought to swing his boat alongside the other, when a sea +unexpectedly threw him off. A full minute of valuable time was thus +lost. Still Dan persisted. He was working at high speed now. + +This time he drove his boat right up beside the other, so close that +the two boats smashed together with a force that threatened to break in +their gunwales. + +Black, in the time that it took Dan to get closer, had recovered +himself and grasped an oar from his companion. Ere the Battleship Boy +could ship his oars the enemy had swung an oar. It caught Dan a +glancing blow on the forehead, the sharp edge of the oar cutting a deep +gash there. The blood was in the lad's eyes instantly. He brushed his +eyes clear with an exclamation of impatience. + +The oar was raised for another blow. Davis did not stand still to wait +for it to land this time. With a bound he was in the other boat. He +had jumped from the seat of his own dinghy, measuring the distance well. + +Black was taken by surprise. He had no time to dodge. Dan landed full +upon him, the two falling to the bottom of the boat with a crash and a +jolt that threatened to overturn the little craft. + +For a few seconds the men struggled desperately, Black squirming and +twisting in his efforts to get his hands up. + +"He's trying to get his knife," was the Battleship Boy's swift +conclusion. "I hate to do it, but I've got to, or they will have me in +the sea." + +He raised Black's head, giving it two sharp thumps against the ribs of +the boat. That settled Black for the time being. The Hawaiian +straightened out and lay still. But Dan had been none too quick. +White was standing over him with raised oar ready to bring it down at +the first opportunity. He had not dared to strike before, not being +able to make out his enemy as the two figures struggled at the bottom +of the dinghy. + +The instant that he saw Dan scrambling up he brought the oar down. Dan +dodged the blow cleverly, the blade of the oar landing on the side of +Black's head, thus finishing the work that the Battleship Boy had begun. + +The two men sprang at each other at the same instant. This time the +boy found that in White he had a far different antagonist. White met +him with a swift blow which barely grazed Dan's head. Dan countered as +best he could, planting a blow on the Hawaiian's chest, staggering the +fellow and at the same time well-nigh upsetting the boat. + +Blow after blow was struck in the rocking boat, now and then each of +the contestants landing a staggering punch on his adversary's head. +All at once Dan lost his footing and fell. As he did so, he stretched +forth a hand, and by desperate effort succeeded in fastening his hold +upon the Hawaiian's arm. + +White lost his balance and pitched forward. + +Both men fell half over the side of the dinghy with heads and shoulders +in the sea. For the next few seconds a desperate struggle followed. +Dan held to his man, knowing full well that, were his adversary to get +the upper hand now, it would go hard with Dan Davis. Using their free +hands, the men managed to pull themselves back into the boat. + +By this time both were well-nigh exhausted. Their efforts were +attended with little success compared with what they had done earlier +in the battle. White was struggling to get his adversary overboard, +while Dan was seeking to overcome the Hawaiian without doing him +serious injury. + +All at once the men stumbled over a seat. Dan fell prone upon the +prostrate Black, with White on top of him. And there the gladiators +lay, breathing hard, gasping for breath, half suffocated with the salt +water that was dashing into their faces. + +Everything about him seemed to Dan suddenly to grow blacker than +before. He felt his head swimming. + +"I'm going to faint," he gasped. + +With one final supreme effort he threw the weight of White's body from +him, and, rolling over, wrapped his arms about the Hawaiian, crushing +the fellow down with all his strength. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +ORDERED TO THE SICK BAY + +A light came dancing over the long, even swells, sending up a shower of +spray as it smashed into the white crests of the swells. + +It was whaleboat number one from the battleship. + +"Sing out!" commanded the officer in charge of the boat. + +"Dinghy, ahoy!" shouted the seaman who was standing braced in the bow +of the whaleboat, scanning the waters ahead. + +There was no response to his hail. + +The seaman put down the megaphone that he had been using, and, raising +his telescope, swept the waters. + +"Boat, sir, two points off the port bow," sang the lookout. + +"Coxswain, lay your course two points to port." + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +The whaleboat headed for the speck that the lookout had made out +through his glass. In a few minutes the whaleboat had drawn up +alongside. + +"She's empty, sir." + +"Do you make out the other boat?" + +"No, sir." + +"I think I see her," said the officer. "Train your glass dead abeam to +starboard." + +"Yes, sir, that's the other dinghy. She's drifting." + +"Then something has happened to those men. Lay to, men. Pull for all +you're worth. They may be drowning while we are lying here. Coxswain, +look alive." + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +The oars hit the water as one, and the heavy, sharp-pointed whaleboat +sprang away, taking a long leap over the waves with every powerful +stroke of the oars. + +"Her side is stove in, I think, sir," announced the lookout. + +The officer in charge made no reply. He was gazing at the bobbing +dinghy through his night glasses. + +"Steady there, coxswain. We don't want to run her down. Come up on +the lee side and draw in slowly. She rides as if she were loaded. We +shall find men aboard the dinghy, unless I am much mistaken." + +They drew alongside slowly. + +"Out boat hooks!" + +The whaleboat made fast to the drifting dinghy. No sooner had they +done so than the officer leaped lightly aboard. + +"Here they are. Lend a hand here, men. Be careful you don't upset +her. The dinghy is half full of water." + +Willing hands quickly transferred Dan Davis and the two Hawaiians to +the whaleboat. Dan was half unconscious, while his two prisoners were +wholly so. + +"Take the dinghy in tow. Pick up the other one on your way, but be +quick. Seaman Davis is wounded. I don't know how seriously, but he +looks to be in pretty bad shape." + +The men needed no further urging. In a few minutes they were on their +way back to the ship, towing both small boats behind them. + +"There's the other whaleboat, sir," announced the lookout. + +"Hail them. Tell them to turn about and return to ship," directed the +officer. + +The lookout did so. + +As they approached the side the battleship's rails were seen to be +lined with officers and men. Dan, by this time, was sitting up and the +prisoners were coming around slowly. + +"Did you get them all?" called the executive officer. + +"Yes, sir." + +"Are they all right?" + +"Pretty well knocked out, sir." + +"Pull alongside the starboard gangway. Need any help?" + +"No, sir; I think we can manage them. But we need the doctor right +away. Seaman Davis is hurt." + +"No, no," protested Dan. "I'm all right. I want to report. I'm not a +baby, sir." + +"I should say you are not." + +Dan was permitted to stand up as the whaleboat drew up to the starboard +gangway. Waiting until the boat rose on a swell he grasped a +stanchion, swinging himself to the platform of the gangway by sheer +grit, for he had little strength left. He poised on the landing +planking, still clinging to the stanchion. A jackie ran down the +gangway, extending a helping hand. + +"Never mind me. I'm all right, shipmate," said the boy pluckily. + +Directing all his strength to the task, the Battleship Boy climbed the +gangway. Never before had the stairs seemed so long to him. At last +he reached the quarter-deck. + +"You are hurt, my lad," exclaimed the captain, starting forward. +"Surgeon, here!" + +Dan's face was covered with blood, while the white jacket was stained a +deep crimson clear down to his duck trousers. + +All at once he started forward unsteadily. He had espied the officer +of the deck, the one whose command he had nearly lost his life in +obeying. + +"Sir, I beg to report that I have overhauled the dinghy and captured +the men." + +The boy came to attention, saluting stiffly, for it hurt him to raise +his hand to his forehead. + +"Very good, Seaman Davis." + +"Take that man to the sick bay," commanded the captain. "Don't you see +that he is barely able to stand on his feet? How about those other +men? Are they seriously hurt?" + +"I think not, sir," answered the surgeon, who had made a quick +examination of the Hawaiians. + +"Then give them attention. Master-at-arms, if the surgeon decides that +they are fit, lock them in the brig. As soon as all hands are in +condition we will have a quick examination." + +The islanders proved to be in a more serious condition than had at +first been supposed. Acting upon the surgeon's orders, they were taken +to the sick bay, where their wounds were dressed and they were put to +bed, with a guard placed over them. + +Dan's wounds were washed and dressed and his head bandaged. The cut on +his forehead where the sharp edge of the oar had struck it was deep and +wide, the oar blade having gone clear to the bone, while the lad +himself was weak from loss of blood. + +"You are lucky that you did not sustain a fracture," decided the +surgeon, as, with nimble fingers, he sewed the flesh together. "You +will turn in and sleep here to-night." + +"I can't do that, sir." + +"Why not?" + +"I am on the anchor watch, sir. I'm under orders." + +"Anchor watch nothing; you'll remain here." + +"I am sorry, sir, but I cannot do so until I am relieved at eight +bells. If they do not want me on watch they will tell me so. I am all +right now. I feel fine." + +The surgeon grunted. + +"Very well; but I shall tell the captain that you are unfit for duty. +You have lost more blood than is good for you." + +Dan left the sick bay, the surgeon watching his unsteady steps as the +boy made his way down the dimly lighted corridor. + +A group of officers were gathered on the quarter-deck discussing the +exciting incidents of the evening, when the Battleship Boy made his +appearance there. + +"I report for duty, sir. I am ready to finish my watch, sir," he said, +saluting the officer of the deck. + +The officer of the deck looked the boy over, who, with bandaged head +and pale face, presented a woebegone appearance. + +"I thought you were ordered to the sick bay?" + +"I was, sir, to have my wounds dressed." + +"From your appearance I should say that was the place for you, not the +quarter-deck." + +At that juncture the captain strode across the deck. + +"Davis, what are you doing here?" he demanded. + +"Finishing my watch, sir," answered the boy, saluting. + +"Did I not order you to the sick bay?" + +"You did, sir, but you did not order me to stay there." + +"I do so now, then. You will report at the sick bay at once, and +remain there until you are released by the surgeon." The command was +delivered sternly. + +"Aye, aye, sir," answered the Battleship Boy, saluting. + +"Boatswain's mate, order out another man to take Seaman Davis' watch +until eight bells. Come here, my lad." + +Dan had started away to obey the captain's command. At that he turned, +retracing his steps. + +The captain laid a hand on his shoulder. + +"My lad, I am proud of you. I know you would much prefer to remain on +deck and do your duty as you see it. There is another side to this +matter, however. Your duty just now lies in getting yourself into +shape for the morrow. You are in no condition to work. You have done +quite enough for one day." + +"I feel perfectly well, sir." + +"I know you think you do, but turn in and get a good night's rest. I +shall require your services further in this matter, if you are able to +get up in the morning. That will be all." + +Dan saluted and walked off, but it was evident, from his hesitating +steps, that he was reluctant to do so. + +"That boy is all nerve," nodded the captain. "He has more pluck than +any two men on this ship, and that is saying a good deal. Ord'ly, tell +the surgeon I desire to speak with him when he is at leisure." + +"Yes," agreed the executive officer. "Davis and his red-headed friend +are both a credit to the service." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +BEFORE THE SUMMARY COURT + +Dan was released from the sick bay late on the following afternoon. In +the evening of the same day Black and White were removed to the brig, +and a marine sentry placed in front of their cells to see that they +were properly looked after. + +Dan wondered what would be done in their case. Being unfamiliar with +forms on shipboard, he did not understand that punishments are not +inflicted hastily. + +On the morning of the second day, after quarters, there was a stir +below decks. Dan had rejoined the crew of the seven-inch gun when he +was informed by the captain's orderly that his presence would be +required in the captain's quarters promptly at ten o'clock. + +"I wish I were you to-day," whispered Sam. + +"Why?" + +"'Cause there's going to be a court-martial--a summary court-martial!" + +"What for?" + +"They're going to try Black and White. How I'd like to help soak those +heathens." + +A few minutes before the hour named, Dan went below. He found the +corridor of the captain's office thronged with shipmates. In front of +the door stood a marine sentry. + +"Am I to go in?" he asked. + +"Are you a witness?" + +"Yes." + +"I guess you may enter, then." + +Dan did so. At one side of the room he espied Black and White, in +charge of the master-at-arms; and the midshipman who had been officer +of the deck the night the men escaped, together with two coxswains. + +Dan walked to the opposite side of the room, where he leaned against a +bulkhead. + +The captain's dining-room table had been cleared and stood in the +center of the room, four chairs having been placed around it. +Presently three commissioned officers filed in, the executive officer +of the ship taking his place at the head of the table as president of +the court. It was his duty to swear in the judge advocate, who, in +this instance, was a lieutenant. Following this the judge advocate +swore in the others of the court and then proceeded to read the +specifications, which were as follows: + +"'That on the 25th of August, 19--, while the United States battleship +"Long Island" lay at anchor inside the Delaware Breakwater, after +tattoo, when all hands had turned in for the night, save those on +regular duty, among them being Ordinary Seaman Charlie Vavitao and +Ordinary Seaman William Takaroa, the said men did secretly leave their +billets and without permission take to one of the ship's dinghies, in +which they rowed away from the ship with intent to desert. Secondly, +it is charged that the said men did make a felonious assault on Seaman +Daniel Davis while he was carrying out the orders of his superior +officer, resulting in the seaman's disability, from which he has not +yet wholly recovered.' How do you plead!" + +The prisoners pleaded "not guilty." All witnesses were then excluded +from the room. Midshipman Carter, who had been the officer of the deck +on the night in question, was called to testify. He was questioned by +the judge advocate, who acted as the prosecutor and the attorney for +the defence at the same time. + +The midshipman related briefly all that had come under his observation. +He had but little information that was of value to the court, and he so +told the court. + +"Seaman Davis, then, is the witness who knows the whole story?" +questioned the judge advocate. + +"Yes, sir." + +"Call Seaman Daniel Davis to the witness chair." + +Dan was summoned by the sentry. The boy's face was still bandaged; his +face was pale and there was a livid mark across the right cheek where +an oar blade had struck him. + +Dan gave his name, age and date of enlistment, together with his +station on shipboard. + +"You were on the anchor watch on the evening of the twenty-fifth of +August, were you not?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"State what occurred." + +The witness related briefly the incidents leading up to the escape of +the two ordinary seamen. + +"You discovered them going over the side of the ship, did you not?" + +"Yes sir." + +"Did you try to stop them?" + +"I did." + +"On whose orders?" + +"On the orders of the officer of the deck, sir." + +"Midshipman Carter?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"State what occurred." + +"I followed them, and after a time succeeded in overhauling the dinghy +in which they were rowing away. I ordered them to surrender when I +drew alongside. Black attempted to strike me with the boat hook, but I +got it away from him. Black later hit me with an oar, at about the +time I rammed them with the starboard dinghy." + +"Well, what else?" + +"Not much, sir. We mixed it up a little. I got Black, but I had a +hard time with White. He almost got the better of me. I am not quite +sure that he did not do so wholly." + +Dan had related his story in a simple, straight-forward manner, without +the slightest trace of bravado. He really had done a plucky thing in +attempting to capture the two men in a frail boat out on the rolling +waters, but he did not seem to think he had accomplished anything very +remarkable. + +"Did either man attempt to do more than defend himself?" + +"Well, it seemed so to me, sir," answered the Battleship Boy, with a +faint smile. + +"Use a knife or anything of that sort?" + +"Black appeared to be seeking to get at his knife. Of course I could +not say for sure, sir." + +"Did either man say anything?" + +"Not that I can recall now, sir, except that they refused to surrender +to me." + +"You did not hear them say anything that would lead you to believe that +they were deserting?" + +"Oh, no, sir." + +"You can think of nothing else that will aid us in getting at the facts +in this case?" + +"No, sir. I have told you all I know about it." + +"Very good; that will be all." + +Black, who was believed to be the leader in the escape, was called up +and given permission to relate his side of the story. He assured the +court that neither he nor White had had the least intention of +deserting. They had been on board for a long time. They said they had +a friend not far from where the ship was lying, and they thought they +could get away to go to see him and be back before morning. + +Asked the name of the friend, they gave it without the least hesitation. + +White also told a straightforward story. + +"If you were not deserting, why did you make such a murderous assault +on Seaman Davis?" demanded the judge advocate sharply. + +"We get excited," answered White. "We want to get away then." + +"And had you gotten away, at that time, you would not have returned to +the ship, eh?" + +"No, no; we come back," insisted the Hawaiian. + +"Have these men ever been up on charges before?" asked the judge +advocate. + +"No, sir," replied the clerk of the court. "There are no marks against +them. Their records are good, so far as the papers show." + +"Then we will close the case here." + +The court was cleared for deliberation. They found the accused men +guilty of absenting themselves from the ship without leave, and also on +the second count accusing them of felonious assault on Seaman Daniel +Davis. + +The court decided that the charge of desertion had not been fully +established, and this alone saved the men from a long term of +imprisonment. Perhaps they were swayed in their verdict by the fact +that the government was making a strong effort in every way to win the +regard of the Hawaiian Islanders. To have carried out the punishment +in its extreme form might, it was thought, have served only to embitter +the Hawaiian people. The punishment was severe enough as it was. The +recommendations of the court were that Black and White be locked up in +the brig for thirty days, with rations of bread and water, with a full +ration every third day. + +This peculiar sentence was on account of the regulation that forbids a +prisoner on shipboard from being kept on bread and water for more than +five consecutive days. By giving a full ration once in every five days +the men can be kept under punishment for three months. The court also +decided that both men should suffer a loss of two months' pay. + +The commanding officer approved the findings of the court, after +reading them over, and duly affixed his signature. + +The prisoners did not know as yet what their punishment was to be. +This was made known to them at muster that evening, when all hands were +piped to quarters, the charges and findings being read before the +ship's company. + +"Men," said the captain after the executive officer had read the +verdict of the court, "I am of the opinion that both of you should be +dismissed from the service. The evidence, however, did not fully +warrant the court in finding for that. It appears to be your first +offence, but remember, this is your first enlistment also, which gives +me the right to discharge you dishonorably from the service. I shall +do so upon the next serious breach of discipline hereafter. You may +consider that you have had a very lucky escape from long imprisonment +and from dismissal as well." + +"And, as for Seaman Davis, I desire to commend him thus publicly for +his pluck, his faithful obedience of orders and the masterful way in +which he has carried out his orders. Such men are a credit to the +United States Navy. They make one forget that, now and then, we have +some of the other sort among us. Davis, you will be mentioned in my +communication to the department." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A SURPRISE, INDEED + +"I expect you'll be getting your whole head knocked off some of these +days," growled Sam Hickey. + +"It has not been knocked off yet," answered Dan with a laugh, "though +it has had a considerable list to starboard on occasions." + +"I should say it had. I'm glad those niggers are in the brig. +They----" + +"Don't use that word, please. I never liked it. And, besides, they +are not Africans; they are Hawaiians." + +"They ought to have been shot. Anyhow, all black looks the same color +to me." + +The lads were lounging on deck in the forecastle. It was Wednesday +afternoon, when all hands ordinarily take a half holiday, except those +who are on duty. The battleship "Long Island" was plowing up the +waters off the coast--"coasting," they call it on shipboard. The +officers on the bridge were taking sights at the ranges--light +houses--with their sextants, while the young midshipmen, under the +direction of the ship's navigator, were mathematically working out the +ship's position. + +"I never could understand why they have to go to all that trouble," +said Sam. + +"They are figuring out our position--they are trying to find out where +we are." + +"Don't we know where we are?" + +"We don't. Perhaps the officers do." + +"Pooh! I know where we are, and I don't have to get a sextant and a +lot of other junk to tell me, either," scoffed the red-headed boy. + +"Well, where are we, Mr. Smarty, if you know so much?" + +"We're off Atlantic City. That's the Absecon light off the port bow. +I could knock the top of it off with the seven-inch if I had half a +chance." + +"That may be true, Sam, but suppose there were a fog, or the lights on +shore went out, or one of many things were to occur--supposing we were +hundreds of miles out at sea and--well, how would you find out where +you were, if you had no instruments with which to take your +observations, or did not know how to use those you had?" + +"Hold on; that's enough. Don't put on any more trimmings. I'd do +without 'em, even if it were as bad as you say, and I'd never miss 'em, +either." + +"What would you do?" + +"Do? I'd just keep going by the compass." + +"But supposing the compass were wrong?" + +"I'd keep going, just the same, till I got somewhere--till I plumped up +against something solid; then I'd sing out, 'full speed astern, both +engines,' just like the 'Old Man' does up there, when the man in the +chains sings out 'by the mark five.' He's awful afraid the old ship +will scrape over a sand bar. Between you and me it would be good for +her. Why, don't you see, it would scrape the barnacles off her so she +wouldn't have to go into dry dock and cost the government all that +money. I know something about ships, I do." + +"And what you do not know would sink all the ships in the Navy," +answered Dan, emphasizing his reply by several nods of his head. + +"Don't you believe it." + +"Here comes the boatswain's mate. I think he is looking for us. Yes, +he's coming this way. I reckon we shall have to turn out for some +duty." + +"I'll run and hide, then. I am not going to work this afternoon. He +can't get me interested in any of his patriotic games to-day. No, +siree!" + +But Sam was destined to become greatly interested in the work that the +boatswain's mate had come to talk with them about. + +"Good afternoon, boys," he greeted them. "How is your head, Davis?" + +"Oh, I had almost forgotten that I had a head," laughed Dan, +instinctively laying a hand on the bandage that was bound about his +wound. + +"You did pretty well the other night in overhauling that boat. Have +you done much rowing!" + +"Oh, yes; considerable on the river at home. I have rowed in races +there--small rowboat races--and so has my friend Sam." + +"I thought you were pretty handy about small boats. It is a good thing +for a seaman to know boats." + +"I wonder what he's getting at?" muttered Sam, eyeing the boatswain's +mate suspiciously. "He isn't here for any good, I am sure of that." + +The boy had noted that the boatswain's mate was eyeing them closely, +tilting his head to one side and squinting out of one eye as if he were +sighting a big gun. + +"Don't shoot," laughed Sam. + +"What's that?" + +"Nothing, only I thought you were getting ready to shoot, the way you +were squinting at me." + +"We are going to have some races ourselves in about three weeks." + +"Is that so?" exclaimed Dan. + +"Out here on the ocean?" demanded Sam. + +"Not exactly out here, but in some bay along the coast. These races +are a big thing and arouse a lot of interest." + +"Whom do you race with?" asked Dan. + +"With crews from the other ships. We race for silver cups and the +rivalry is very keen. You have seen our racing gig, have you not, +boys?" + +"Oh, yes; that's so. I had forgotten about the gig. It's up on the +upper deck, starboard side, isn't it?" queried Dan. + +"Yes; that's the boat. She's one of the slickest boats in the service." + +"Pretty heavy for racing, isn't she?" questioned Dan. + +"They have to be for sea racing. You see, we frequently run into some +foul weather. No paper shells for that kind of racing. It's a man's +game, every inch of it," announced the boatswain's mate, Joe Harper by +name. + +"I should think it must be. What grand sport," breathed Dan. "How +many men do you have in the boat?" + +"Twelve, including the coxswain. We have some likely material on board +this season." + +"Who has charge of the race? Who is the captain of the crew?" + +"I am. That is, I am the coxswain, and have full charge of the boat +and the picking of the crew." + +Sam was eyeing the boatswain's mate with new interest now. This time +it was Sam Hickey who was squinting out of the corner of one eye. He +was trying to figure out, in his own mind, what the boatswain's mate +was getting at. As yet he had not been able to decide in his own mind. + +"There's a colored gentleman in the woodpile for sure," he muttered. +"He'll show his woolly head in a minute or so, or my name's not Sam +Hickey." + +The colored gentleman fulfilled Sam's expectations very soon after that. + +"Unfortunately, two of our men have been, taken away from us. I say +unfortunately, though I don't exactly mean it in that way. I'm mighty +glad we are rid of them, only that it makes necessary a change of +plans." + +"Who are they, Mr. Harper?" + +"Those two islanders, Black and White. They are a fine pair of birds, +but they certainly could pull an oar. Would you boys like to come up +and look over the boat?" + +"Indeed we should," answered Dan enthusiastically. + +They made their way to the upper deck. Two sailors had stripped the +canvas from the racing gig, and were preparing to go over it with +sandpaper to smooth its sides down. + +"Why do you do that; to make it smoother?" asked Dan. + +"That is the idea exactly," answered the boatswain's mate, patting the +gig affectionately. "We shall be working over this little craft for +the next few weeks on every possible occasion." + +"You do not have sliding seats?" + +"Oh, no. It would not be advisable in this kind of a racing craft. +You will observe, however, that the foot rests for the men's feet are +made of old shoes. They slip their feet into these, which gives them a +great purchase. They can release their feet at any instant, should we +get upset in a heavy sea." + +"Each man pulls one oar, of course?" + +"One oar only," nodded the mate. "That is about all one healthy man +could sit up and accomplish. None but the strongest and pluckiest can +stand the kind of a race we run." + +"How long a course do you cover?" + +"Four miles. Two miles out to the stake boat and return. As I was +saying, we have lost Black and White, and there are two vacancies on +the crew at present." + +"Yes, sir," answered Dan in an unusually respectful tone. + +"Yes, sir," added the red-haired boy. "What about it?" + +"Well, as I said, there are two vacancies," replied the mate, with a +significant smile. + +There followed a pause, during which Sam walked over to the rail, gazed +off across the waters, apparently without being conscious of having +seen them at all, then slowly returning to the gig, leaned up against +it, gently smoothing the gunwale with his hand. + +"It is considered a great honor to be a member of a racing crew, +especially a winning crew, boys." + +"Yes, sir; I should think it would be," agreed Dan. + +"How would you lads like to try out for the crew?" + +"We join the racing crew?" questioned Dan, his eyes opening wide in +amazement. "W--we----" + +"Yes. You and your friend may try for the places vacated by Black and +White. They will, of course, be out before the races come off, but +their punishment forfeits their right to row with us. I have been +looking you two lads over, and I am sure you have good material in you. +I know you have the pluck. You have shown that you have, both of you, +on more than one occasion. What do you say?" + +"What do I say?" answered Dan with glowing countenance. "I say that, +if I could get on the racing crew, I should be the happiest boy in +Uncle Sam's Navy." + +"That's me," nodded Sam in approval of his companion's sentiments. "I +knew you were up here for something. The colored gentleman is out of +the woodpile." + +"Say, Dan," remarked Sam as the boatswain's mate walked away, "speaking +of Black and White, I've got an idea. I'll bet that fellow Black threw +that seven-inch tompion overboard. I'll bet also that he's the black +scoundrel who plugged your ear with a marline spike." + +Dan made no reply, but walked thoughtfully away. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +AT TORPEDO TARGET PRACTICE + +"Hello, Dan." + +Sam Hickey peered over the edge of his hammock in the early morning. + +"What is it?" answered Davis sleepily. + +"I wonder whether we have missed reveille." + +"What's that?" Dan sat up very suddenly. + +"I thought that would fetch you awake in a hurry," chuckled the +red-headed boy, snuggling down under his bedclothes, one eye peering +over at his companion. + +"That's mean of you, to wake me up so early in the morning," grumbled +Dan. "I was having such a fine sleep, too. I was dreaming----" + +"I was dreaming. I'll bet I had a better dream than you did. I +dreamed I was the captain of the 'Long Island,' with four gold stripes +around my sleeve. Then I woke up. That was too fine a dream to sleep +over very long at a time." + +"Pipe down the guff," growled several voices from the depths of other +hammocks. "What do you think this is--a pink tea?" + +"No; it's a deck picnic," answered Sam, as the bugle blew the reveille, +summoning all hands from their hammocks. The men in the corridor with +the Battleship Boys scrambled down from their hammocks in no enviable +frame of mind, for Hickey had spoiled at least five minutes of their +sleep, which was of no small consequence at that hour of the morning. +Sam seized his clothes and ran for the shower bath, anxious to get his +bath over before the men of his division got there. They were not in a +pleasant frame of mind, and the boy considered it prudent to keep clear +of them until they "got their eyes open," as he expressed it to himself. + +The early morning work was finished up and then came breakfast. By +this time the battleship was swinging along past Fire Island light. +The sea was fairly calm and the sun was shining brightly. + +"I wonder what we are going to do up here?" questioned a jackie, as +they were at their breakfast. + +"Up here? Where are we headed for!" demanded Sam. "Looks to me as if +we were going to butt into a sand bank, the way the ship was headed +when I came below." + +"I think we are going into Fort Pond Bay," answered someone. + +"Never heard of the place. Is it a pond?" asked Hickey innocently. + +"Hear the landlubber talk. Yes, red-head, it's a pond; a +sloppy-weather pond with the current so swift at times that if you were +to go swimming in it, you'd want your port and starboard anchors out +all the time." + +"What are we going to do in the pond?" + +"The Old Man hasn't taken me into his confidence yet," scoffed a +sailor. "I am expecting to hear from him most any time now." + +"Ordering you to appear at mast court, eh?" questioned Sam maliciously. + +"That'll be about all for you, red-head." + +"Better look out or Dynamite will be mixing it up with you," warned +another. "Won't you, Dynamite?" nodding at Dan. + +"I think I have had all the mixing-up that I want," answered Davis, +with a short laugh. "If you don't believe it, just look at this +bandage on my head." + +"Yes, Dynamite's a sore head," suggested a shipmate. "I'd be willing +to trade heads with you, if what's in yours could go with it." + +At this there was a laugh all around the table. Dan blushed. He did +not like these broad compliments. But, to Dan Davis' credit, be it +said that, instead of making him conceited, they served quite the +opposite purpose. They made him the more determined to merit the good +things that were said of him. + +"Torpedo practice to-day," announced a sailor, coming in at that +juncture from his watch on deck. + +"What range?" asked some one. + +"I hear it is a four-thousand-yard range." + +"That will give us all a chance to go out for a row." + +"For what?" questioned Sam. + +"For the exercise, red-head. We jackies never have anything to do, you +know, so they have to send us out for a row, now and then." + +"We don't have to row in a common whaleboat or a cutter. We've got +something better in which to row," retorted Hickey. + +"Got something better?" + +"Yes." + +"Maybe you're going to run the captain's motor boat." + +"No; not yet. Maybe we'll be doing that later. Just now we're going +to content ourselves with the gig." + +"The gig!" + +"Sure thing." + +"What are you talking about?" + +"I'm talking about the racing gig. Didn't you know Dan and myself were +members of the racing crew now?" + +"No; I didn't know anything of the sort. You kids on the crew? That's +a joke. If we fellows who have been in the service a year or two get +on the crew we think we're lucky." + +"Is that right, Davis?" spoke up one of the men further down the table. + +"Partly, Bob. We have been chosen for a tryout. We may make such a +miserable failure of it that they will put us out of the boat after the +first practice spin." + +"I'm not so sure about the red-head, but I'll risk your making a mess +of anything that you try," answered the jackie addressed as Bob. "I +won't say you're lucky, for the good things generally go to them that +deserve them," continued the sailor wisely. "Leastwise, that's been my +observation. I notice not many of them have ever come my way, though. +What oars are you going to pull?" + +"I can't say, Bob. That depends upon Mr. Harper." + +Envious glances were directed upon the Battleship Boys from all parts +of the mess. + +"I know how they happened to get in for a try-out," announced a member +of the mess. "Black and White were to row in the crew. Instead, +they'll be holding down the deck of the brig for the next thirty days." + +"I was in there once," said Sam, with a grin that brought a shout of +laughter. + +"A fellow doesn't know what the sailor's life is like unless he gets in +the brig." + +"I think I should be satisfied without knowing, then," answered Dan. +"I came pretty close to it once. That was enough for me." + +By the time the jackies had finished their breakfast the "Long Island" +was plowing into Fort Pond Bay, and an hour later her starboard anchor +was let go. The ship's prow swung into the tide. The decks were +thronged with sailors cleaning ship, while others were getting the +small boats ready for the work of the day. It was a busy scene, one in +which the Battleship Boys evinced the keenest interest, for they had +never seen torpedo practice before. Dan had some knowledge of the +operation of these weapons of modern warfare, but he was anxious to see +the torpedoes fired. + +First, the two steamers were swung out and lowered to the water, where +they were made secure to the lower booms. The captain's motor boat +came next. Two officers went off in her to place the target for the +torpedo practice. This was nothing more than a bamboo fish pole with a +red flag secured to it. + +The target was planted in a shallow place in the bay off near the shore +of Gardiner's Island, after they had measured off the course, a +distance of four thousand yards from the ship. It was not intended +that the torpedoes should hit the target, which was placed merely as a +guide for the ordnance officer to fire at. Coming within a hundred +feet of it, either way, would be considered pretty good shooting. + +In the meantime the torpedo officer was far down in the hold of the +ship, in the torpedo room, getting ready the huge, fish-like monsters +for the flight they were soon to take. There were six of the deadly +instruments of warfare down there. Dan would have liked to go below to +see how the torpedoes were fired by compressed air, but his duties +would not permit him to do so. + +"Seaman Hickey and Davis report for signal duty!" called a boatswain's +mate. + +"That's us," nodded Dan. "I guess we are going out. That will be +fine." + +"Man the small boats and patrol the torpedo course," commanded an +officer from the bridge. "Davis, you will go out with the motor boat. +Hickey, remain on board for signal duty here. We will put some of your +class in the small boats, and distribute them along the course," +ordered a quartermaster. + +Dan's class in wig-wag work had made marvelous progress. They were now +nearly as proficient in signal work as had been the regular signal +corps, who were working on one of the other ships some five miles to +the northeast from where the "Long Island" lay. None of Dan's men had +worked at such long range before. He was glad, therefore, that he had +been assigned to go out on the range, for he could keep a watchful eye +on his men. He had perfect confidence in Sam. The station Hickey had +was very important, for he was to receive messages and to send messages +to all the small boats of the fleet. + +"Now, all small boats keep clear of the torpedo course, so that none of +you get hit. Don't fall in too soon after the torpedo goes by. We +want the course kept clear so that we can follow it with our glasses. +Take your places on the range." + +The two steamers whistled shrilly, as, with a procession of small boats +in tow, they started out over the course. + +"Hickey, take your place abaft of the bridge, within hailing distance +of the commanding officer," ordered the quartermaster. + +Sam stationed himself by the side of the box where the signal flags +were kept, and, leaning against it, focused his spyglass on the rapidly +receding small boats. + +"Up starboard anchor!" commanded the executive officer. + +Anchor chains rattled as the huge anchor was slowly raised from the +sandy bottom of the bay. The torpedoes were to be fired while the ship +was under full speed. + +"Once over the course, then fire on the return," ordered the captain. +"Port, fire first." + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +The battleship completed her course at right angles to the course over +which the torpedo was to be fired, then swung about. + +"Full speed ahead, both engines. Raise the red flag." + +The firing signal was hoisted to the peak. + +"Are you ready, Mr. Ordnance Officer?" + +"All ready, sir." + +"Sound a long blast on the siren." + +The weird voice of the siren shrieked its warning over the waters, +while the prow of the battleship was rolling up a great white wave as +the ship raced along at full speed. + +"Fire!" came the quick word of command. + +The ordnance officer pressed a button, his eyes on the target. + +A dull, muffled explosion followed. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +HARD AND FAST AGROUND + +"Wow!" + +Sam, who had climbed to the top of the signal box for a better view of +sea, was so startled that he lost his footing in leaping to one side. + +"Look out below!" he howled. "I'm coming!" + +"Gangway!" cried half a dozen sailors at once, as, with quick +intuition, they discovered what was occurring. + +Hickey, in attempting to right himself, had plunged head foremost from +the signal box. In his descent he caught a signal halyard. He bounded +up into the air like a tight-rope walker. The next instant he struck a +chain that had been rigged as a railing on the companionway to the +lower bridge. + +"Look out below!" bellowed a voice. "Torpedo coming your way." + +Sam balanced, for one awful second, on the companionway chain, then +pitched downward through the open hatchway. He disappeared in the +direction of the gun deck. From the commotion below it was evident to +those on the lower bridge that he had reached his destination. + +"What's all that racket?" demanded the captain, looking aft from the +navigator's bridge. + +"Signalman fell off, sir." + +"Fell off where?" + +"Off the signal box, sir." + +"Where is he?" + +"I think the gun deck stopped him, sir." + +"Get another man up there to attend to the signaling. We cannot bother +with such clumsy lubbers." + +"No other signalmen on board, sir." + +The captain uttered an exclamation of impatience. + +"Find out if he is hurt. Watch that torpedo, Mr. Coates." + +"We're watching it, sir. It is following a very straight course." + +For a few seconds after leaving the torpedo tube, far below the surface +of the water, the torpedo wavered as if uncertain what course it should +follow. + +All at once it straightened out and darted away off toward Gardiner's +Island, where the target could be faintly made out through the +officer's powerful glasses. The gyroscope, with which all torpedoes +are equipped, caused the projectile to right itself. At its rear end +might be seen, in that brief glance, a propeller whirling so rapidly as +to cause the water to boil, the propeller being operated by a +compressed-air engine within the shell of the torpedo itself. + +After righting itself the torpedo dived under the water several feet, +but its course could be followed by the foam it left in its path. + +One of the dinghies, far out, lay too close to the course, the captain +thought. + +"Signalman--where's that signalman?" he shouted. + +"He's coming, sir." + +Hickey's red head appeared through the open hatchway, followed by the +body of the limping Sam. + +"Get on your station!" commanded the captain. "What's the matter with +you?" + +"I got shot off the signal box, sir." + +"Shot off the signal box!" grumbled the commanding officer, in a tone +of disgust. "Are you able to use the flag?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Then signal that dinghy that they are in the path of the torpedo." + +By the time Hickey had clambered clumsily to the signal box again, he +was too late to be of service. Fortunately the men in the dinghy had +seen the torpedo just in time. A quick pull at the oars had turned the +boat in such a way that the projectile shot past with only a few feet +to spare. + +"She's heading very straight, sir," the executive officer informed his +superior. + +"Yes; that's a fine run. But it isn't the fault of our signalman that +the torpedo didn't run down the dinghy. Hickey, that was about the +worst performance of its kind that I ever saw. See that you do not let +it happen again. If you do, I shall take you off signal work entirely." + +"Aye, aye, sir," answered the Battleship Boy, whose face was now redder +than the shock of fiery hair that was standing straight up on his head. + +"I'll show him," muttered Sam. "I'm a clumsy lummox, but I know my +business just as well as he does his. Wait till I get a chance to +wiggle this flag! I'll make those fellows out in the small boats think +they're getting struck by lightning. I'll----" + +"Ask them if they can see the torpedo," broke in the voice of the +captain. + +Sam set his flag dancing. The moment he began to work with it all his +nervousness left him. The red-headed boy was himself again. + +"Steamer number one says they are after it, sir." + +"Do they know where it is?" + +"Yes, sir; they have it located." + +"Did you see the way that man Hickey, handled the signal flag, Coates?" + +"Yes, sir; I observed him." + +"The boy is all right, in spite of his clumsiness. Can you make out +the torpedo, Coates?" + +"No; but I see the whaleboat putting off for it. The water there is +evidently too shallow for the steamer to get in." + +Sam's glass was at his eye, as he balanced himself lightly on the iron +railing surrounding the signal box. + +"Whaleboat number one signals that they have the torpedo, sir," sang +out Sam Hickey. + +"Very good. You will fire the starboard torpedo next, will you not?" +asked the captain of the ordnance officer. + +"Yes, sir, as soon as the men get that one on board." + +The whaleboat made fast a rope to the torpedo, and then the steamer, +taking the smaller boat in tow, headed for the ship, towing the monster +in their wake. Beaching the ship, the torpedo was hauled aboard with a +derrick and placed on the deck, to be taken apart and shipped back to +the torpedo room below. + +It had made a splendid flight, and all hands were pleased with the +first shot. It had been fired exactly as it would be in war time, +except that it carried no explosive on the practice flight. + +Dan, out on the water, was now improving his opportunity to put his +signal corps through a series of practice messages. He was drilling +the men of the signal corps in quick reading. First he would wig-wag a +message to the fleet of small boats; then they would repeat it back to +him as fast as they were able to operate the flags. + +"They're signaling out there, sir," said the executive officer to the +captain. + +"Signalman, attention! Attend to your business." + +Hickey looked up to the bridge in surprise. + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"Don't you see them signaling to you out there?" demanded the captain. + +"I see them signaling, yes, sir. I've been watching them for the past +ten minutes, sir." + +"What do they want?" + +"Nothing, sir." + +"Then what are they wig-wagging for?" + +"Seaman Davis is drilling the squad, sir." + +"Oh!" + +The captain turned on his heel, giving the boy a view of his broad back. + +"Mebby that one didn't land under the belt!" chuckled the red-headed +Battleship Boy. "I guess I know my business, I do." + +The ordnance officer announced that he was ready for another shot. + +"Very well; we will get under way," announced the captain, the ship +having laid to while the torpedo was being shipped aboard. "Pull over +pretty close to that shore there before you swing. Chains, there!" + +"Aye, aye, sir," answered the men in the chains, the little platform +from which the lead is cast to determine the depth of water under the +ship. + +"How much water have you?" + +The leadsman made a cast. + +"By the mark, ten," he called in a sing-song voice. + +"Keep it going." + +The ship was slowly drawing near a high, sandy bluff. + +"By the mark, seven." + +"Slow down both engines," commanded the captain. "Give us another +sounding." + +"By the deep, six.... And a quarter, five." + +"Seaman Davis signaling, sir," called Sam Hickey. + +"What does he say?" + +"Begging the captain's pardon, when he went out on the range he crossed +your present course. He says there is shoal water less than a fathom +deep three ship's lengths ahead of you, sir." + +"How's your lead?" thundered the captain, turning to the men in the +chains below him. + +"Quarter less ten," was the answer. + +"That is plenty of water. No cause for alarm there. Tell the engineer +to go ahead." + +The "Long Island" took a bone in her teeth at once, and began forging +ahead. + +"Signals again, sir." + +"What is it?" + +"Signalman wig-wags that there is a deep hole about where you are now. +On the other side of it is shoal water." + +"Back both engines, full speed!" commanded the captain with almost +explosive force. "Keep casting your lead! Tell me when she begins to +go astern." + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"Do you know of any shoal in here, Lieutenant Douglas?" questioned the +captain of the navigator. + +"No, sir; there is nothing on the chart to show it. I guess the boy is +in error." + +"If so, it is the first time I ever knew him to be. Ah! What's that?" + +There came a slight jolt, then a steadying of the ship. + +"She's stopped, sir," called the man with the lead. "And a half, two." + +"Is she backing?" The captain's voice showed deep concern. + +"No, sir. She's aground, sir." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A TRYING MOMENT + +"Keep those engines going full speed astern!" + +There was an anxious look on the face of the commanding officer of the +battleship "Long Island," for it is a serious matter to run a ship of +the Navy aground. + +Fortunately, however, owing to Dan Davis' timely warning, the ship had +drifted very slowly on the sand bar. Had it not been for that warning +the battleship would have dashed full speed into the shoal water, where +she would have stuck fast for many a day, even if she did not in the +end prove a total loss. + +"We seem to be fast and hard, sir," announced the executive officer. + +"I am afraid we are, Coates. It's too bad. How's the tide?" + +"About at the turn now, sir." + +"Is she making any headway astern?" + +"I'll ascertain, sir. Chains, there!" + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"Is she going astern any?" + +"She is standing still, sir. She hasn't moved." + +"Keep your lead line out. Sing out the instant the ship begins to go +astern," ordered the captain. + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"I'm afraid she is swinging to port, sir," announced the executive. + +The captain took a shore bearing and glanced along his ship toward the +stern. + +"Yes, this won't do at all. We'll be on the shoal broadside in a +moment. Put out the starboard stern anchor. Draw her up tight. Be +quick about it!" + +A splash far aft told them that the anchor had gone overboard. + +"Is she holding, Coates?" + +"I think so, sir." + +"Watch her. When the tide turns she may shift the other way, but I +think that, by drawing the anchor chains taut, we can hold the ship +where she is now." + +"I do not think she is very far on. We ought to float at high tide, +sir." + +"Yes; we should, but you cannot always tell. This is too bad, though +we did all we could. I hope this mishap has not injured her in any +way." + +"I do not see how that could be possible, sir. It is soft ground into +which she has poked her nose." + +"Yes; I could tell that by the way she went aground. Sandy bottom. +Signalman!" + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"Send a general recall to the boats. No need to keep them out there +any longer. Besides, we shall need the boats here. Boatswain's mate!" + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"Have the divers made ready to go down." + +"Had we not best stop the engines now, sir?" asked the executive. + +"No; keep them going. But watch her closely. In case they pull her +off we shall have to be careful that we do not back into the anchor +chain and foul the propellers." + +"Very good, sir." + +"Are the boats returning, signalman?" + +"Yes, sir; they are all returning, sir." + +The noon hour had arrived, and the crew was piped down to mess just as +if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. As the captain's motor +boat drew alongside the captain called over to the boat to pull up by +the starboard gangway. In a few moments he joined the boat there and +boarded her. + +"Run up under the bow of the ship," he commanded. + +A few revolutions of the propeller brought them to the spot indicated. + +"Is this the place you signaled about, Davis?" he demanded sharply. + +"Yes, sir." + +The bottom, shining and white, lay in plain sight. One had only to +glance over the side of the motor boat to see it. + +"Pass a lead line over the side." + +A line was dropped to them and at the captain's command Dan Davis took +a sounding. + +"What do you make it?" + +"By the deep, one, sir." + +"As you signaled." + +"Yes, sir." + +"A close guess. You have a sharp eye, Davis." + +The captain peered down. He could, by getting between the sun and the +bow of the ship, look down to where the prow of the battleship +disappeared in the white sand on the bottom of the bay. + +"Do you want the divers over, sir?" called the executive officer. + +"I think not, just now. It will be useless until we get her nose out +of the sand. They cannot tell us any more than we know now." + +The motor boat then made a tour of the ship, the captain surveying her +from all points of view. The "Long Island" appeared to be resting +easily, and the sea was comparatively smooth. A glance at the skies +told the commanding officer that good weather might reasonably be +expected for the rest of the day. + +"Return to the starboard gangway," he commanded tersely. + +The captain forgot to go to his luncheon that day. He paced the +quarter-deck, watching the weather, receiving frequent reports from the +forward end of the ship and having frequent tests made to determine the +state of the tide. + +The afternoon was well along before the welcome intelligence was +brought to him that the tide was flowing strong and would be high +within the next thirty minutes. + +"Tell the engineer to stand by to go astern full speed," he said. "All +hands not on necessary duty will gather on the quarter-deck, so that we +may get all the weight possible aft. Pipe all hands aft, Mr. Coates." + +The boatswain's whistle trilled here and there, and was finally lost in +the depths of the ship. Soon the sailors began marching to the +quarter-deck until that part of the ship was packed with them. + +The captain, with his executive officer, went forward to the bridge. + +"I think we had better try it now, Coates," he said. "Give orders to +have the anchor shipped." + +"Stand by the starboard anchor," commanded the executive. + +A few minutes of waiting followed. + +"Ship the starboard anchor!" + +"Signal the engineer to send both engines full speed astern," ordered +the captain. + +The bridge telegraph clanked noisily, then a quiver ran through the +ship. The commanding officer stood stolidly awaiting the result. It +was an anxious moment for him, meaning perhaps the loss of his command, +were he to fail to get his ship off the shoal on which it was grounded. +But he was calm and self-possessed. + +For a full moment the screws churned the water, turning it into a sea +of suds astern of the battleship. + +"Chains, there!" + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"Is she going astern yet?" + +"No, sir." + +Commanding and executive officer exchanged significant glances. + +"It looks as if we were hard and fast, Coates." + +"Give her time to get a foothold. The next couple of minutes will tell +the story, sir." + +The next few seconds did tell the story that they were waiting to hear +in almost breathless expectancy. + +A slight lurch to port occurred. The beating of the engines seemed to +be suddenly subdued. + +"Going--astern--sir," sang the man in the chains. + +"All clear," bellowed the bow watch. + +"Coates, we're off!" said the captain, lifting his cap and wiping the +perspiration from his brow. + +The jackies on the after deck set up a great cheer. + +"Mr. Navigator, have you got this shoal down on your chart now?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Please see that there is no mistake about it. Have you got the ranges +marked on the chart also?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Very good. We do not want this thing to happen to us again, or to any +one else. We have been very lucky in getting off so easily." + +"Are you going to have the bottom examined?" asked the executive. + +"Yes, when we get to the other side of the bay. Quartermaster, head +her east by south one half." + +"East by south one half she is. On the mark, sir." + +"Hold her there till you get that point of land abeam, then swing." + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"Chains, there, keep the lead going." + +The ship swung slowly round, then headed away on the new course, which +she followed as the captain had directed. When opposite the point of +land indicated a sharp turn was made, the vessel heading for the +opposite side of the bay. + +After half an hour the battleship had arrived at her first anchorage. +At command, engines were stopped. Starboard anchor chains rattled +loudly, sending up a shower of sparks as the anchor shot downward. +Then the ship swung into the tide and came to rest. + +"Do you wish the divers to go down now?" + +"No; not until later. Have the hold examined, to see if she is leaking +forward and report to me at once." + +"Very good, sir," answered the executive, saluting. "Where will you +be--here on the bridge?" + +"No; I think I shall go to my cabin and have a good square meal. +Strange to say, for the first time to-day I have an appetite." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +DAN BEFORE THE BOARD + +The reports that the commanding officer received in his cabin were very +encouraging. No water was found in the hold forward, and there was no +indication that any damage had been done to the ship. + +After finishing his lunch, the captain ordered the divers over to make +an examination of the ship's bottom from the outside. They reported +that the bottom was not even scratched by contact with the sand of the +bay. + +"We will discontinue torpedo practice for the day, Coates. It will be +too late to do anything more. To-morrow we will go on with the work +where we left off. I shall be busy the rest of the afternoon making a +report to the Navy Department of the accident." + +In his report the commanding officer told the full story, including the +warning that Seaman Daniel Davis had wig-wagged to the ship from far +out on the torpedo range. + +In the early evening Dan was hunted out by the captain's orderly, who +told the lad that the captain wished to see him in the former's +quarters. + +Dan was not sure whether he was in for a reprimand or not. But he +hastened below as fast as he could. + +"Good evening, lad," greeted the captain in a kindly tone. + +"Good evening, sir," answered Dan. + +"You discovered the shoal spot on your way out to the range to-day, did +you not?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"How did you come to do that!" + +"I try to observe everything, sir. The water there did not look like +the rest of the water of the bay, so I looked over and saw the bottom." + +"Exactly. Why did you not notify the ship? You had reasons for not +doing so, eh?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"What were they?" + +"In the first place, sir, it would have been presumptuous of me to have +done so. In the second place, I thought that, of course, the navigator +knew every inch of the bottom hereabouts." + +"So did I," nodded the captain. "Your suppositions were wise. Knowing +of the shoal place, you kept watch of us?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"How did you discover our danger from where you were?" + +"I took shore sights as I went out, so that I might be able to locate +the shoal if needed." + +The eyes of the commanding officer gleamed with appreciation. + +"You saw us heading on to it!" + +"Yes, sir, I was watching you through the glass. When I saw that you +were going to strike it, if you kept your course, I took the great +liberty of warning you." + +"Thank you, my lad. A board of inquiry will sit and pass upon the +accident. That will, no doubt, be done within the next twenty-four +hours. Other ships of the fleet will be in this afternoon, and the +court will probably sit early to-morrow morning." + +"And now, my lad," continued the captain, "I wish to express my deep +appreciation for what you have done." + +"I have done nothing, sir, except my duty, and I am not sure but that I +have exceeded the limits of good discipline in that." + +"By no means. Had you not done as you did the 'Long Island' would have +driven full speed on the sand bar. She would be there still; she might +have been there for many days to come; in fact, it might have meant the +loss of the battleship. The Navy Department and the commanding officer +of this ship owe you a heavy debt of gratitude, Seaman Davis. I can +show my appreciation only by recommending you to the Department at the +present moment. They possibly may show theirs in another way, and then +I shall be able to do more for you." + +"Thank you, sir. I am not looking for rewards. I am trying to do my +duty, to serve my country and my Flag to the best of my ability." + +"Davis, you are a splendid fellow," said the captain, rising and +grasping the Battleship Boy by the hand impulsively. "Go on as you +have been going, and there is little doubt as to what the outcome will +be. Rest assured that I shall leave nothing undone that I can do, +consistently with good discipline, to further your interests. I hear +you have been chosen for the racing crew," added the commanding officer +with a twinkle in his eyes. + +"Yes, sir; that is, I am to be tried out, myself, and also my chum, Sam +Hickey." + +"I have no doubt that you will do well. It will be a splendid thing +for you, giving you a new viewpoint from which to look upon the life of +the sailor in Uncle Sam's Navy. I may have something further to say to +you later on. That will be all for the present." + +Dan saluted and left the captain's quarters. + +The boy said nothing of what had been discussed in the captain's cabin. +Not even to his own chum did he repeat a word of it. + +On the following morning a board of inquiry which had been ordered at +once by the Navy Department convened on board the "Long Island" in full +dress. The court consisted of the captains and commanders of other +ships of the fleet. + +The ship's company were in their best clothes for the occasion. As the +officers came over the side, sailors manned the gangway, two on each +side, as befitted the rank of the officers visiting the ship. + +With this inquiry no one except the captain and his executive officer +had anything to do. The board of inquiry assembled in the reception +room at the stern of the ship below, where they went into executive +session, taking the evidence of the captain, the executive officer, and +later the testimony of the navigator, who, by his charts, proved that +the shoal had been indicated on none of them. + +Dan was summoned to the court after the evidence had been taken. He +was a little excited, because he feared that his evidence would count +against the captain; but he entered the room with confident, easy +bearing and stood awaiting the command of the president of the court. + +Dan gave his name and rating in the service. The officers were struck +with the clean-cut face, the intelligent eye and the steady nerve of +the young seaman. There was approval of his type in every face there, +but no one was more proud of the Battleship Boy than was the captain. + +To all the questions put to him by the board of inquiry the lad gave +quick, comprehensive answers. He volunteered no information of his own +accord, merely answering the questions that were asked of him. He told +of having discovered the shoal water, and of measuring the depth with +his eye. + +"How did you happen to discover that the water was shoal!" questioned +one of the officers. + +"From the color of it, sir." + +"How long have you been in the service, did you say?" + +"Nearly a year, sir." + +"Did you volunteer to testify before this court?" + +"I did not, sir." + +"It is at my suggestion to you that the lad has been called here," +spoke up the captain. "He was unaware that he was to testify, until +you sent for him." + +"You saw that the ship was headed directly for the shoal?" asked one of +the officers, addressing Davis. + +"Yes, sir." + +"And you signaled them of their danger?" + +"Yes, sir." + +"Could the shoal water not be seen from the bridge of the ship, do you +think?" + +"I was not on the bridge, sir. I could not say. From the direction of +the sun I should say the whole bay looked alike, judging from my +observation when I have been up there, sir." + +"Very good." + +The officer was seeking to draw out the Battleship Boy to serve some +purpose of his own. + +"Why did you not notify the ship at once of your discovery?" + +"I did not feel at liberty to do so, sir. I considered that it would +be an impertinence to do so." + +"That will be all, Davis. You may retire." + +The court of inquiry closed soon after that, and the board took the +evidence into consideration, excluding all persons from the cabin, +including the captain. + +The whole ship's company seemed to feel a sense of depression. They +did not believe their commanding officer had been at fault, but they +knew that Seaman Davis had saved the ship. Envious eyes were cast at +the lad during the rest of the day. Dan, however, appeared not to +observe this. He was more worried than any of his fellows, feeling +that perhaps had he acted upon his first impulse, and notified the +ship's officers of his discovery, all this might have been avoided. + +After the inquiry the board lunched with the captain. Then they took +their departure from the ship with the same formality that they had +boarded it. It was noticed, after they had left, that the commanding +officer appeared much relieved. His face brightened considerably, and +the lines of worry that had appeared there after the accident seemed to +have disappeared. + +"I guess the Old Man feels better," whispered Sam to his chum. "He +must have got a hunch." + +They did not know it, but the board had held him blameless, subject to +the approval of the Navy Department. + +"Don't use slang. And, besides, I do not like to hear you refer to our +captain as the 'Old Man.' It is not respectful." + +"Everybody calls him that." + +"Well, you are not everybody. Be different, for a change." + +"Everybody in the Navy calls the captain the 'Old Man.'" + +"You never heard me do so, did you?" + +"Well, no," admitted Sam; "but you're not the whole Navy." + +"I'm a very little part of it, but I have my ideas as to what is right +and wrong." + +The captain was standing on deck watching the work that was going on. +The boatswain's mate was seen to come aft on the superstructure. + +"Harper," called the captain. + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"This will be a good opportunity to get out the racing gig." + +"Now, sir?" + +"No; not now. This afternoon, after four o'clock. The tide will not +be strong then and the weather is fine. Some of these lads are anxious +to get their try-out, too," with a glance at Dan Davis and Sam Hickey, +which brought a flush to the face of each of the Battleship Boys. + +There was a stir among the crew as the captain made the announcement. +All their hopes were centered in the trim racing gig. To their way of +thinking there was not another boat in the fleet in the same class with +the "Long Island's" racing gig. Half a dozen men were instantly told +off to rub the boat down under the watchful eyes of Joe Harper. All +the rest of the afternoon they busied themselves about the gig, until, +at last, the command was given, "Get ready for practice spin." + +The members of the racing crew hurried to their quarters, and, at four +o'clock sharp, appeared on deck, clad only in short trunks and shoes. +Each man carried an oar, which he stood butt down on the deck in front +of him. + +The officers ran their eyes over the twelve muscular young men. The +glances of all finally dwelt on Dan Davis and Sam Hickey and murmurs of +surprise ran over the assemblage. Sam's arms were knotted with +muscles, as were his back and legs. But it was Seaman Davis who, of +the twelve, attracted the most attention. + +Dan's muscles were not bunched like those of his companion; they were +rounded in beautiful curves, symmetrical like those of a well-groomed +race horse. + +"No wonder Dynamite put a cauliflower ear on old Kester," laughed a +shipmate. + +"He's in wonderful condition," confided the captain to one of his +officers. "That boy is a born athlete." + +The gig was swinging over the side in a sling, being lowered by a big +crane. + +"Stand by," commanded the boatswain's mate, who was the coxswain of the +gig. + +The crew of the gig lined up at the rail. + +"All over!" + +They piled down the sea ladder, taking their places in the small boat. + +"Toss!" The oars were raised upright. "Out oars!" + +The oars were placed in the rowlocks. + +"Cast off!" + +The gig was shoved clear of the ship. + +"Give way together!" + +Eleven lusty sailors put their strength into the oars and the racing +gig shot away from the side of the battleship, sending up a shower of +white spray as it plunged into a rising swell. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +IN THE RACING GIG + +Sam Hickey had been given the place nearest to the coxswain, with Dan +just behind him. Some of the others were inclined to grumble at that, +for Sam was next to the stroke oar, a position of honor. + +Joe Harper, however, had his own ideas. He wanted the Battleship Boys +near him, so that he might watch their work more closely. + +"A little quicker on the recovery, there, Hickey. That's better. +Davis, you're doing well. You pull like an old-timer. Number one, +there, you're lagging. Swing your body from the hips and come forward +as if you were going to throw yourself on your face. That's it! Now +get in time as I count. When I say one, every man have his blade in +the water and begin to pull. Now, one! one! one! one! one! one! Keep +it up!" + +The gig danced over the water at increasing speed. + +All at once Sam Hickey uttered a yell. In attempting to turn his head +to wink at Dan he had turned the blade of his oar forward. Of course +he caught a crab. The boat was moving so swiftly that the force of the +blow that Hickey got from the oar doubled him up, knocking him clear +back into Dan's lap. + +"O-u-u-u-ch!" yelled Sam, holding his stomach, his face working +convulsively in his effort to control himself. + +"Hurt you?" questioned Dan. + +"I--I think it turned me around inside." + +"You lubber, what did you do that for?" demanded the coxswain. + +"Wha--what did I do--it for! Do you think I did that for fun? Do you +think I did it on purpose?" Sam groaned again. + +"You were looking around; you weren't attending to your business." + +"I was not looking around. I was just trying to look around. If I'd +been looking around I wouldn't have fallen on my back, would I?" + +The men had ceased rowing, at command of the coxswain. Some of them +were laughing at Hickey's predicament, while others were grumbling. + +"Nice kind of a lubber to put aboard the gig!" growled a voice. + +"Silence!" commanded the coxswain. "I'm commanding this boat just now. +Hickey, sit up there!" + +Sam did so, at the same time making a wry face. + +"Are you able to go on? If not, we'll return to the ship and get a man +who is." + +Sam straightened up instantly. + +"I'm all right, sir. I'll never go fishing for crabs in a gig again, +sir." + +The crew roared with laughter, but the red-headed boy was as solemn as +an owl. + +Once more they fell to their oars. Hickey redeemed himself during the +rest of the practice. He caught no more crabs, but pulled a steady, +quick stroke that brought nods of approval from the coxswain. + +As for Seaman Davis, he never missed a stroke, and as the boat shot on +he seemed to pick up in strength like a powerful gasoline motor under +low speed on a steep hill. His oar swung with the precision of a piece +of automatic machinery. + +By this time the gig had gotten so far away that she could be made out +from the ship only by the glasses of the officers. Finally they +rounded a point of land, and the coxswain steered his boat into still +water. + +"Toss oars!" he commanded. + +Eleven oars were raised upright, standing in two even rows. + +"Well done, lads. Out oars!" + +The oars struck the water with a single splash. + +"I'd like to see any boat crew beat that for drill," announced the +coxswain. "Lads, if you do as well when we get in an actual race as +you have done to-day, barring Hickey's crab-fishing, you may not get +the flag, but you will be well up toward the head of the line, and +that's no joke. When in a race you should row just as if you were out +for practice. Never get excited. Never mind what the other fellow is +doing. The coxswain is supposed to attend to that. If he wants you to +know he will tell you. Put every other thought out of your mind except +your rowing. At every stroke keep your eyes on your stroke oar. We +will now take a sprint, when I shall give you no commands. Rely wholly +on your stroke oar." + +At command the men began pulling. They did remarkably well, only two +of them getting out of time during the entire run, which was a mile +straight away. + +"Very well done," announced the coxswain in an approving voice. +"Davis, will you take the stroke-oar seat?" + +"Yes, sir; if you wish." + +"I want to see how you will hold the seat." + +Dan and the stroke oar changed places. + +"I want you all to be familiar with the work in every part of the boat. +Stroke, I have no intention of displacing you permanently." + +"I understand. That's all right, sir." + +"How fast a stroke do you wish me to hit?" questioned Davis. + +"About twenty to the minute. I thought you knew something about the +game. Let's see if you can hit twenty." + +The coxswain took out his watch. + +"All ready. Stand by. Give way together." + +Dan bent far forward, allowing just enough time to elapse before +straightening his back to permit the other men to get into position. +Then every oar hit the water at the same instant and the gig started +away, but at a slightly lower speed than they had been rowing before. + +"Minute's up. Exactly twenty strokes," announced the coxswain. "That +was fine. Where did you learn how to time a boat! Were you ever in a +race?" + +"Not a big one, but I have watched the college crews practising. What +little I know I have just picked up; that's all." + +"You're a mighty good picker-up, then, that's all I've got to say about +it," answered the coxswain, with a short laugh. + +"The battleship is making signals, sir," spoke up Dan. + +"How do you know?" + +"I caught the flutter of a flag up aloft." + +"No need of telescopes when you are around," said the coxswain, placing +a glass to his eyes. + +"Recall for the gig is up," he said. "Get under way. Davis, you hold +the stroke oar on the way back." + +"How fast, sir?" + +"About eighteen strokes to the minute for a time. We will increase it +to twenty and so on up. Don't wear your men out before you get home, +though." + +"No, sir; I won't." + +The men settled down to the long, leisurely stroke, which they kept up +until they were within about a mile of the ship. + +"Shall I hit her up?" + +"Yes." + +"How fast?" + +"Use your judgment. Do you want to make a finish?" + +"Yes, sir; it will do us all good." + +"Go ahead." + +From eighteen strokes to the minute Dan worked it up to thirty, but so +gradually that the men did not realize how fast they were going. They +were drawing near the ship. + +"Now, every man of you look alive to his work," warned the coxswain. +"We do not want to make an exhibition of ourselves when we get near the +ship. The whole ship's crew would have the laugh on us. Row as if you +were in a race. Watch your stroke oar. That's it. Settle right down +and saw wood." + +The boat leaped ahead. Thirty-two strokes to the minute rolled up, +then thirty-five. + +The white foam was shooting from the bow of the gig, while the coxswain +was stooping forward, his glistening eyes fixed on the battleship. +With a great burst of speed the gig dashed up, every man pulling, every +back glistening, under the salt spray that covered it. + +The rails were lined with jackies. They set up a great cheer as the +boat drew in and the command, "Toss oars!" was given. + +It had been a great practice cruise and the ship's company was filled +with wild excitement and anticipation. Dan had made a wonderful sprint +as the stroke oar. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +AN EXCITING MOMENT + +"You are on the crew, you and Seaman Hickey," said the boatswain's mate +later in the evening. "I think I will put you in the stroke-oar +position, after all." + +"The other man will be displeased, will he not!" asked Dan. + +"Every man in that boat must be willing to do whatever he can to +perfect our organization, to help us win the race, even if he has to +jump overboard to do it." + +Dan nodded his approval. + +"I wouldn't jump overboard for any old race," muttered Sam. "I can get +wet enough by staying on board." + +Every day thereafter the racing crew went out. No change in the crew +had been found necessary, and her coxswain considered that he had the +best crew in the fleet. + +Excitement was daily growing, as the time approached for the great gig +race, when boats from all the ships of the fleet would enter the +contest. A valuable silver cup was to be the trophy to be raced for. +It would have a place of honor on the ship of the winning crew, where +it would remain for a year and perhaps longer--remain until some other +ship's racing crew should win it. + +Each afternoon the gig's crew was turned out for a practice spin. The +men were working better and better, pulling almost as one man. Even +the ship's officers felt that they had never had a better chance to win +the cup, and were proportionately elated. + +A short cruise was made up to the Maine coast; then the ship returned +to her former anchorage to complete the torpedo practice that had been +interrupted when the battleship went aground. + +The first night on the anchorage proved an exciting one. Off some four +miles, behind a point of land where her cage masts could be faintly +made out, lay the flagship with the admiral of the fleet on board. He +had come in while the "Long Island" was off up the coast on her short +cruise. + +When an admiral is about it behooves the commanders of other ships to +be on their guard, to keep a sharp lookout for surprises. Admirals are +prone to give most unexpected orders at any time. For that reason the +first night on the old anchorage saw more than one officer of the deck +on duty. One was placed on the bridge and one aft on the quarter-deck. + +The ship settled down to silence at the usual hour; the seamen were in +their hammocks and the officers had retired to their staterooms for a +night's rest in the quiet waters of the bay. + +Eight bells had just struck, midnight, when a messenger rushed down to +the captain's quarters from the quarter-deck. Without waiting to +knock, he called loudly, as he poked his head in through the curtained +doorway. + +"What is it?" + +"Abandon ship, sir!" + +Without an instant's hesitation the commanding officer reached up over +his bed, pulling down a brass lever with a violent jerk. + +Gongs began to crash all over the ship, from the stoke hole to the +navigating bridge. + +"Abandon ship!" bellowed boatswain's mates and masters-at-arms. +"Abandon ship!" sang voices in the forecastle, the cry being taken up +from lip to lip from one end to the other of the great battleship. + +Men tumbled from their hammocks, and, without waiting to pull on their +clothes, dashed for the open decks. From far below black-faced stokers +ran up the companion ladders and burst out on the topside. + +"Man the lifeboats! Everything overboard!" sang an officer through a +megaphone. + +The signal gongs were clanging automatically all through the ship. +They would continue to do so for full five minutes, giving no excuse +for any one to be left on board. Boats and rafts were going over at a +rapid rate, the great cranes swinging out the heavier boats with speed +and precision. Most of the men were working coolly while others--the +newer men on board--were showing signs of excitement. + +A red-haired boy came dashing up to the top of the superstructure. + +"What's the matter--what's the matter?" he shouted. + +"Oh, the ship's on fire," answered some one. + +"On fire--where?" + +"Over there. She's going down. You'll have to hurry or you'll get +caught in the suction. Look over the side and you'll see the fire +coming right up out of the sea." + +Sam Hickey dashed to the side of the ship and leaned forward to peer +over. He did not know that the rope railings had come down at the +first alarm in order to facilitate putting over the rafts and other +deck equipment. + +When Sam leaned, there was nothing to lean upon. The result was that +he toppled right on over. + +"Man overboard!" came the familiar cry. "Cast the life rings." + +"Look out below there. Man overboard!" roared an officer through his +trumpet. + +"Where away?" answered a voice from the boats down in the darkness. + +"He fell over from topside," answered another. + +"Who is the man?" + +"Seaman Hickey." + +"Find him, find him! What are you doing down there, you lazy lubbers? +You stand there letting a man drown without making an effort to save +him!" + +"Who's drowning?" demanded a voice over the heads of the men in the +small boats. + +"Hickey; Seaman Hickey!" + +"Pshaw! Seaman Hickey isn't drowning, and I don't believe the ship's +on fire, either. What's the matter with you fellows! Whole ship's +been having bad dreams, I guess." + +"Who are you?" + +"I'm Hickey. I guess I ought to know." + +"Where are you?" + +"I'm sitting on top of the steamer's awning just now, but if you wiggle +around much more below there, I'll be in the foaming brine." + +"Is that you, Hickey?" called an officer from the quarter-deck. + +"Yes, sir." + +"How did you get there?" + +"Fell here, sir. I didn't jump, sir. Honest, I fell off the ship. I +might have been going yet if----" + +"That will do," commanded the officer in a stern voice. "Get off the +steamer's hood, and be quick about it!" + +Sam slid down a stanchion, causing the small steamer to careen +dangerously. Two sailors grabbed him by the legs and hauled him +aboard, Hickey's head and shoulders being plunged into the sea as they +did so. + +Sam came aboard choking, sputtering and threatening to thrash the whole +steamer's crew. + +"Silence in steamer number one!" roared an officer. + +"Aye, aye," answered Sam. + +"You shut up!" ordered the coxswain. "Do you think you are running +this boat?" + +"I nearly ran my head through the roof of the confounded thing," +retorted Sam, wringing the water out of his red hair. "What's all this +row about, anyway? I don't see any fire or anything else worth getting +out of bed for at this time of night." + +"Sam, is that you making all that noise?" questioned Dan Davis, from a +whaleboat that had pulled alongside. + +"I don't know about the noise. I'm in steamer number one, if that's +what you mean." + +"What happened to you?" + +"I didn't change my mind this time, and I fell overboard, that's all." + +"Did you fall in?" + +"No, I fell on--and that's worse." + +"On what?" + +"I fell on top of the steamer. I was headed all right, but the steamer +got in my way. I'd have made a beauty dive into the salt sea if the +steamer hadn't got in the way. But what's all this ruction for?" + +"It is a drill." + +"A drill!" exclaimed Hickey in disgust. + +"Yes." + +"What kind of drill?" + +"Abandoning ship." + +"Pshaw, if I'd have known that I'd stayed in bed. The idea of a drill +in the middle of the night, and after I've rowed half way to Europe in +the racing gig. Who started this thing, anyway?" + +"The admiral signaled all ships in the harbor to abandon ship. I +presume all of them are taking the time, and we shall see who succeeded +in getting away from their ship first." + +"I'll bet I'd have broken the record if they had taken my time. That's +the only way to abandon ship in a hurry." + +"How's that, Hickey?" questioned a shipmate. + +"Head first," answered Sam. + +"Return to ship," came the command. "Be lively there, men. This +counts on record, too. All boats to be hoisted aboard as they were." + +The men piled over the side of the ship to the decks in fully as quick +time as they had left. In a very brief time the small boats were +emptied, excepting for the men who were manning them, two men in each +boat to attend to making fast the falls for hoisting and riding up to +the decks in the little craft. + +The drill was ended without a mishap, save that which had occurred when +Hickey tried to lean against the ship's rail and failed. + +Lights, red, white and blue, were twinkling from the masts of the +various ships at anchor in the bay, while officers on the bridge of the +"Long Island" were reading them. + +"Is signalman there?" called the captain from the bridge. + +"Aye, aye, sir," came the response. + +"Signal the flagship that the 'Long Island's' crew abandoned ship in +four minutes and twenty seconds." + +The signalman did so, working the keyboard of his signal +apparatus--that somewhat resembled a typewriter machine--causing +colored lights to flash and twinkle far up on the forward mast of his +own ship. + +"'Good work, sir,' the admiral says." + +"Ask him for the best time." + +"Flagship signals that the 'Long Island' has made a record for +abandoning ship. Five minutes best time in previous record. +To-night's second-best record, four minutes and fifty seconds." + +"Mr. Coates, will you pass the word to the men by megaphone?" asked the +captain. + +"Aye, aye, sir. Battleship crew, there!" + +"Aye, aye, sir," roared a hundred or more voices. + +"The 'Long Island' beats all competitors in abandoning ship by thirty +seconds, and has broken all previous records." + +A roar went up that fairly shook the ship; then two hundred voices were +raised in song: + + "Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, + What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?" + + +The strains of the inspiring song floated out over the waters of the +bay until one verse had been sung, the officers offering no objection +to the jollification. But, ere the men could begin on the second +verse, the bugle blared loudly, piping all hands back to hammocks. Ten +minutes later the battleship was silent and the decks deserted. The +"Long Island's" crew, almost to a man, was sound asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE ACT OF A HERO + +"All hands prepare for torpedo practice," was again the command on the +following morning. + +At least six torpedoes were to be fired that day, to complete the +practice required of each ship. The "Long Island" got up steam and +pulled away to a remote part of the bay, so as not to be bothered by +the other ships of the fleet. In fact, every ship in the bay was doing +the same thing--getting off by itself. + +The same tactics were to be followed as had been used on the day when +the battleship went aground; that is, firing when the ship was +traveling at full speed, about seventeen knots an hour. + +The red-headed boy was retained on shipboard to attend to the +wig-wagging, Dan going out in the motor boat with an engineer and +coxswain. + +"Red flag up!" shouted Dan. "Keep clear of the course." + +The ship's siren blew, and soon they saw the path made by the marine +monster heading off in their direction. Dan, in the motor boat, was +near the extreme end of the range. + +"Better sheer off, coxswain, because you can't tell where the old +torpedo is going when it gets near the end of its run. There she goes." + +The torpedo took a long dive at an angle of about forty-five degrees +from her course. + +"Look where she's going!" + +Off in the direction that the projectile was headed was a fleet of +fishermen in small boats, tending to their nets, which were scattered +over an area of a quarter of a mile, standing almost end to end. + +"Head toward them, head toward them! We must warn them!" + +The coxswain was a seaman, not a coxswain by appointment, and he did +not appear to be as familiar with the work as he might have been. The +regular coxswain of the motor boat was in the sick bay, though Dan did +not know this. + +"Torpedo heading your way! Look out for her!" he shouted with hands to +mouth. "Pull out, men; pull out for your lives!" + +The fishermen looked at the Battleship Boy, standing poised on the +plunging bow of the motor boat, wondering if he had gone crazy. + +"Pull out, I tell you! There she comes!" + +The motor boat was driving; ahead full speed. + +"They'll be hit, sure as fate," groaned the boy. "They can't see her +because they are so low in the water." + +A yell from the fishermen told him that they had made sudden discovery +of their peril. Dan, with his wig-wag flag, motioned to them to +separate at a certain point. For a wonder they understood and laid to +their oars in great haste. + +All at once from the water right at the side of one of the fishing +boats the torpedo emerged. It missed the boat by a matter of inches +only, but the tail of the projectile hooked the keel. Like a flash the +fishing boat turned over and the men were scrambling in the water. + +"Drive in there, full speed!" commanded Dan. + +"We'll get fouled in the fish nets." + +"Never mind the nets. Those men may drown. Drive in there, I say!" + +The man at the wheel did as the Battleship Boy had ordered him to. + +"Now, slow down. Drift in." + +A moment more and the life lines shot out, a half dozen wet and angry +fishermen being hauled aboard the motor boat. The men were fighting +angry. + +Shaking the water from their clothes, they started for Dan with angry +imprecations. Not only had they been upset, but they discovered that +the truant torpedo was driving through their nets. Yells of rage from +the fishermen in other boats told Dan that they, too, had discovered +what was occurring. + +On went the torpedo, ripping net after net. It seemed bent upon +destruction, for, after passing through all the nets in its course, it +turned almost squarely about and dived through the rest of the nets. +Every net, with its burden of fish, was utterly destroyed. + +Dan grabbed up a boat hook as he saw the rescued men meant business. + +"Stand back!" he commanded. "I'll smash the first one of you who comes +forward. Ahoy there, fishing boats. Come up here and take these men +off, and no nonsense about it, either." + +The men hesitated. + +"Throw him overboard!" cried a more turbulent spirit. + +"Try it, if you want to, men, but I warn you this is a government boat. +If you commit an assault on board, or on one of its crew, you will be +in for a long term in a federal prison. Think you want to take that +chance?" + +That settled it. The men realized that the young sailor was right, and +their anger cooled almost at once. + +"The government will pay you for all the damage done to your nets, as +you well know. Draw alongside here," he commanded to one of the boats. +"Back out, coxswain. We are drifting around into the nets." + +Dan wig-wagged to one of the whaleboats, asking them to row in and make +fast to the torpedo, for his own boat could get in no further. The +fishermen, thinking he was signaling for assistance, did not wait for +the fishing boat that was coming to take them off. They sprang +overboard and swam for the boat. + +"You didn't have to do that," called Dan. "You'll be saying next that +we made you jump overboard." + +The whaleboat made fast to the torpedo very quickly; then one of the +steamers towed the huge projectile back to the ship, where it was +hoisted aboard. + +For the next shot the motor boat took up its station down nearer to the +ship, about half way between the end of the range and the battleship. +Orders from the ship were to have the whaleboats take positions at the +end of the course. They, being of lesser draught, could get in closer +to shore and could get the torpedo out in case it drove into shallow +water as before. + +Near by lay steamer number two with twelve men and an ensign on board. +Both the motor boat and the steamer cruised slowly about while waiting +for the red flag to go up on the signal halyard, warning them that +another shot was about to be fired. + +"Lay back farther," came the signal from the battleship. + +"Motor boat or steamer?" wig-wagged Dan. + +"Both." + +"Steamer there!" called Dan. + +"Aye, aye." + +"Battleship orders you to lay back farther, and to keep off the course." + +The steamer shifted its position, and Dan's boat pulled farther away, +at the same time moving off a little more toward the shore. The two +boats were now on opposite sides of the course that the torpedo was +expected to travel, though one can never be sure just where these +instruments of war are likely to go. + +"Battleship under way," signaled Dan to the other small boats out on +the field. + +For a time he watched the warship that was heading for the other side +of the bay. Finally the ship turned and started back, with a big, +white "bone between her teeth," as the saying goes when a ship is +plowing up the sea. + +"Red flag going up," called the signal boy. "Wherry, there, ordered to +lay to starboard of the target," he signaled to the little boat dancing +on the waves half a mile away. + +The small boat quickly took its position as ordered from the ship. + +The siren blew a long blast, and with eyes turned toward the ship, all +the boat crews pulled back to a safe distance. + +"Torpedo on the way," signaled Sam Hickey from his position on the ship. + +"Torpedo under way," wig-wagged Dan Davis to the other boats. "Get +under way, the battleship signals," he told the little fleet. + +At the same time the motor boat started along the course that the +torpedo was expected to follow, the small steamer a little in the lead. + +"She's running close to the surface," muttered the Battleship Boy, +watching the projectile. "I can see the water spurting from her bows. +She'll never complete the run." + +He turned to look at the steamer. He observed that she was at right +angles to the course. + +"Sheer off! Sheer off!" shouted Dan. "You're right on the course. +You'll be hit!" + +"We're disabled. Motor boat, there!" shouted the ensign in the small +steamer. + +"Aye, aye, answered Dan. + +"Lay over and help us out. We've thrown our propeller." + +"Full speed ahead. May I take the tiller?" + +The acting coxswain good-naturedly stepped aside, Dan taking the +steering wheel of the motor boat from his hands. + +The lad's eyes traveled rapidly from the advancing torpedo to the +steamer that was rolling on a heavy swell, her crew of more than a +dozen men leaning over the side, straining their eyes to make out the +torpedo. + +"She's going to strike us, sir," shouted the coxswain. + +"Can't help it," answered the ensign. "All hands be ready to go +overboard when I give the command. Some of us will be caught. We +don't know where she is going to hit us." + +The officer knew that only a miracle could save some of his crew from +being crushed to death when the heavy torpedo struck the little +steamer. To move the men to safe parts of the boat was not possible, +for it was impossible to say where the projectile would strike. +Perhaps she might change her course and not hit them at all. That +seemed to be the only hope now. + +Turning their eyes, they saw the motor boat smashing through the sea, +throwing the water high from her bows. Dan Davis was leaning well +forward, one hand on the steering wheel, the other on the engine +control, his eyes watching the torpedo and the steamer. + +Now he would slow down ever so little, then drive ahead at full speed, +as if jockeying to cross the line in an international race. + +The ensign was watching him with fascinated interest. He knew that the +boy had some daring plan in mind, but what that plan was he could not +understand. The officer was on the point of shouting to the Battleship +Boy to turn in and push them out of the way, but he refrained. + +Dan had thought of this very thing, but he knew the chances were +against his being able to do so. He chose a bolder and more brilliant +way of saving the boat's crew, or of trying to save them. + +The engineer of the motor boat was under the hood watching the engines. + +"Get out of there quick!" commanded Dan. + +The engineer came tumbling out from his cramped quarters. + +"What--what----" he exclaimed. + +"Keep still! Don't talk to me. All hands hold fast, for something is +going to happen in a minute." + +At that instant the lad swung the bow of his boat about, heading it +directly toward the course of the advancing torpedo. + +"Look out! You'll run into her!" yelled the engineer. "Don't you see +she's just under the surface. She'll be on top--there she is now!" + +"Stand fast!" roared the boy. + +Torpedo and motor boat were driving toward a point where they must +surely meet. Now Dan threw the speed full on. + +Ere any of those wide-eyed observers realized what was occurring, the +crash came. + +The prow of the motor boat and the nose of the torpedo met with a crash +that was heard far down the line. For a brief instant, projectile and +boat rose into the air like two locomotives in a head-on collision. + +Dan Davis was lifted clear off his feet and hurled through the air, +head first, into the sea. The motor boat settled back and began +filling with water, half drowning the two stunned seamen who lay in the +bottom of the boat. The torpedo, however, like some living monster of +the deep, seemed to shake herself angrily, then she settled down and +shot forward, barely grazing the stern of the steamer. + +Dan Davis' heroic effort had deflected the torpedo slightly from its +course, just enough to cause it to clear the little steamer, thus +saving the lives of at least part of the crew aboard her. A life ring +at the end of a rope brought Dan out of the salt water not much the +worse for his thrilling experience. + +"How's the motor boat?" was his first question. + +"Pretty hard hit, I guess," answered the ensign. "But that doesn't +matter." + +The other steamer, having observed that an accident had occurred, put +on all steam and hastened to the scene of the wreck. About that time +some one discovered that the ship was making signals, and the ensign +asked Dan if he felt able to answer them. + +For answer the lad asked for a signal flag. One was placed in his +hands, together with a spy glass. + +"Battleship asking what the trouble is," he called. + +"Tell them." + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"And, while you are about it, you might tell them that Seaman Davis, by +his quick wit and pluck, saved the steamer and perhaps all our lives." + +"Is that a command, sir?" + +"No. Only a suggestion," answered the ensign, with an indulgent smile, +as he noted the boy's confusion. + +"Battleship signaling for motor boat and steamer to return, sir." + +"Tell them we both will have to come in in tow, then." + +"Orders for second steamer to tow us in, sir." + +The ensign gave the order to the other steamer. + +While all this was going on a whaleboat had run alongside the motor +boat and had taken off the two men who had been left on her. They were +more or less dazed, but not seriously hurt. A brief examination of the +motor boat's engine developed the fact that the engine had been +wrenched loose from its foundation. The nose of the boat had been +badly smashed. + +Dan was of the opinion, however, that the damage to the boat could be +repaired in a day. Things were not nearly so bad as they looked to be +at first glance. + +The two disabled boats, towed by the steamer, made their way slowly +back to the ship. + +"This torpedo practice has been a fine piece of business," Dan confided +to a shipmate. "It strikes me that this will be a good time to quit, +or somebody will get hurt." + +"I guess you are IT, then. You'll catch it when the captain sees his +motor boat," answered the other, with a laugh. + +The captain's lips pursed as, through his glasses, he made out the +broken bow of his boat. He said nothing until Dan and the ensign had +boarded the battleship. + +"Ensign, who is responsible for the condition of that boat?" he +demanded. + +The ensign stepped aside and held a few moments' earnest conversation +with the commanding officer. As he went on the stern expression on the +captain's face gave place to one of admiration. He nodded his head +approvingly. Those who did not understand how the motor boat had been +wrecked, felt sorry for Seaman Davis. In fact, Dan was beginning to +feel sorry for himself, as he realized what he had done. + +"Davis, come here!" commanded the captain. + +The boy approached, saluting. + +"Mr. Brant has told me the story of your brilliant exploit. I +congratulate you, my lad." + +"I--I am sorry, sir, that I smashed your boat." + +"What is the boat when compared to a human life?" + +"That--that is what I thought, sir. I did not think you would feel +very sorry about the boat when you knew." + +"I should say not. But what about your own life? You gave no thought +to that, did you?" + +"N--no, sir." + +"That is the way with all brave men, and that act of yours was one of +the bravest I have ever seen. I want every man on board this ship to +know about it--to hear the full story. Mr. Coates," beckoning to the +executive officer. + +"Aye, aye, sir." + +"Call a general muster on the quarter-deck to-night and read my +commendation of Seaman Davis' heroic conduct." + +"Aye, aye, sir," + +"But, Davis, I am sorry to say that your racing ambitions will not be +gratified this fall." + +Dan's face showed his disappointment, but he said no word. + +"The first torpedo, one of the unlucky ones, fell on Boatswain's Mate +Harper as it was being hoisted aboard, and broke a leg. Some one was +to blame for the accident. I do not know who, but I shall know." + +"Oh, that is too bad!" breathed Dan, turning away to his disappointment. + +"It's all off, Sam," he said when a few minutes later he joined his +chum. + +"What's off!" + +"The race we were to row day after to-morrow." + +"On account of Joe Harper?" + +"Yes, have you seen him?" + +"No; I guess they won't let anybody see him to-day." + +The boys went about their work for the rest of the day with downcast +countenances. The entire crew was in the doldrums. All their hopes, +pinned to the "Long Island's" racing crew, had been suddenly dashed. A +race now seemed out of the question. There was neither laughter nor +song in the forecastle that night. All hands went to bed surly and +disgusted. + +On the following morning the captain's orderly called Dan Davis from +his gun station, with the information that the captain directed Seaman +Davis to proceed to the sick bay to see Boatswain's Mate Harper. + +Dan obeyed the order, wondering at its having come to him through the +source it did. + +"Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Harper," said the lad as he entered the sick +bay, and the boatswain's mate extended a hand to him. "I'm sorry for +the race, and I am sorry for you. It's too bad." + +"Yes; I've got a bad knockout. I don't believe my leg ever will be +right. I guess they will retire me, all right. But that isn't what I +sent for you to talk about. I want to talk about the race." + +"The race? Why, there won't be any race now--that is, so far as we are +concerned. Some of the other ships will carry off the cup now." + +Harper smiled wanly. + +"There must be. The crew must run the race just the same." + +"But it will not be possible without you." + +"Perhaps there is no one on board who understands the racing game quite +as well as I do. I have run many of these gig races, Davis. But there +is one man on board in whom I have great confidence. He has the pluck. +He knows rowing. Even if he doesn't win, which could hardly be +expected of him, he'll make some of the other fellows work for their +laurels." + +Dan's eyes were glowing. + +"I--I am so glad to hear you say that, Mr. Harper. That is good news, +indeed. Then we will have the race after all?" + +"Yes; the race will be run. They shall not have an opportunity to say +that the battleship 'Long Island' got cold feet at the last minute." + +"They'd better not say it before me," answered Dan in a low voice. + +"That's the talk!" + +"May I ask who the man is who will act as coxswain of the racing gig in +to-morrow's race, sir?" + +"Yes, you may. You will be surprised when I tell you. The man who is +going to run the 'Long Island's' boat is named Daniel Davis." + +"Da--Da--I--I am to be coxswain to-morrow?" gasped the boy. + +"Yes, you, Dan. And you're going to do yourself and every man on this +great ship proud." + +Dan sat down in a chair rather suddenly. His face was pale and his +eyes seemed larger than usual. + +"I--I am to race the crew?" + +"You are to race the crew. I have asked that you be released from duty +to-day. Go off somewhere by yourself and think it over. Get your +balance; then come back here and we will talk it over." + +Dan walked out of the sick bay without a word. His emotions were so +great that he could not talk. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +CONCLUSION + +The jackies of the battleship set up a great cheer. + +Coxswain Davis and the eleven men of his racing crew were lined up on +the quarterdeck of the "Long Island." On the decks of a dozen other +ships in the bay a similar spectacle might have been seen. + +The great race for the silver cup was about to be run. But, now that +Joe Harper was unable to guide the boat of the "Long Island," the other +ships feared none save the racing crew of the "Georgia." + +"Never mind if you don't win, Dynamite. You've got the pluck; you've +got the sand. It won't be your fault. But make 'em hump. Make 'em +work for what they get," shouted a jackie. + +Dan smiled faintly. There was little color in his face, but no one was +able to find a trace of nervousness there. + +"If that boy had the experience, I should expect to see him win," +confided an officer to his companion. + +"I don't know. This putting green men in a racing boat is bad +business. I hear he has put his friend Sam Hickey in as stroke oar." + +"Yes." + +The officer shook his head. + +"All aboard," commanded Dan. The boy had received detailed +instructions from Joe Harper; yet, for all of that, all depended upon +Dan and his crew. No one could coach them to the winning point from a +sick bed. + +The men took their places in the gig. A gun was fired from the +flagship warning the crews to start for the stake boat. As they pulled +away the sailors lined the side of the battleship, cheering until they +could cheer no more. Something in the quiet determination of Dan Davis +had filled them with hope. A practice spin, the night before, had put +Dan and his men in closer touch. They, too, felt a confidence in the +little coxswain who never lost his head nor got excited, no matter how +great the emergency. + +The race was to be four miles, two miles and a turn, starting from the +scratch, the bow of the flagship marking the starting point. The +turning buoy was just past the "Long Island." + +The racing boats lined up off the flagship where the men received their +instructions from the referee, who shouted out his orders through a +megaphone. The racers were to start on a gun signal. + +The Battleship Boy's slender figure, hunched down in the stern of the +"Long Island's" gig, brought a smile to the face of many men that +bright afternoon. It seemed a joke that a boy--a mere +apprentice--should be given so important a post as that. Dan +understood; he knew that the other crews were laughing at him. + +"Lads," he said, as they were paddling around for the scratch, "they +think we are some kind of joke. Let us show them that we can give, as +well as take. Keep steady. There's credit enough to go all around. +If we win, no one of us will have won. All of us will have. If we +lose, all of us will have lost. All ready now; toss oars!" + +An interval of a few seconds followed. + +"Let fall! Attention! Stand by!" + +Every back was bent. + +"Steady, Sam. Do your prettiest." + +Sam made no reply. + +"Boom!" + +The flagship's six-pounder belched forth the starting signal. + +"Go!" + +The command from the little coxswain came out like the bark of a pistol. + +The racing gigs of the fleet leaped forward, driven by powerful arms +and backs, the bows of each boat rising right out of the water under +the first pull of the long oars. + +Sam, at command of the coxswain, had started in with twenty-five +strokes per minute. The other racing boats had struck a higher pace, +resulting in their forging ahead. The "Idaho's" boat took the lead at +the start. + +Dan was sitting calmly in the stern of his racing gig, his hand resting +lightly on the tiller, watching his men and at the same time keeping +his eyes roaming over the water, noting the position of the other boats +and steering his course. He used the "Long Island" for his mark, +steering to starboard of her, for at the distance no skipper was able +to make out the turning buoy. + +"Thirty-two!" + +Sam hit up the stroke. + +"Hold it there steady!" + +The "Long Island's" gig forged ahead a little. They were now half way +to the battleship. + +"Thirty-five!" + +The little boat was beginning to send a shower of spray over the backs +of the oarsmen. Other boats were astern of them now, but four leaders +had a good start. + +"Thirty-eight! Make a good showing. We're going to pass our ship now. +Give them a run for their money. 'Idaho,' 'Georgia' and 'Connecticut' +now have the lead. Take it easy, boys; don't get excited. We'll drive +them out pretty soon. 'Idaho' is splashing and 'Georgia' just caught a +crab." + +The gig was rapidly closing the gap that lay between it and the three +boats ahead of them. The fourth one was abreast, the others, a short +distance astern. + +"We've got them, boys. They shot their big guns at the start. Now +keep her going as if you were an old family clock." + +A roar sounded in their ears as they plunged past the battleship. The +huge cage masts were white with jackies, yelling and swinging their +hats, while every inch of rail on that side of the ship was occupied by +officers and men. The turn was made. The "Long Island's" gig was +leading the second boat by three boat lengths. + +"Snap!" + +The stroke oar tumbled over backwards. Sam's oar had snapped short off. + +A great groan went up from the decks of the "Long Island." + +"It's all off," cried an officer. "The stroke oar is broken." + +"Wait! What's going on over there?" + +"Jump!" shouted Coxswain Davis. "Jump, I say!" + +Sam hesitated, for an instant; then the purpose of his chum dawned upon +him as he rose, crouching, from his seat. + +Dan gave his companion a mighty push and Sam Hickey went overboard. A +life ring went soaring after him. + +"Into his place, number two!" + +The man who had been Joe Harper's stroke oar slipped over into the seat +vacated by Sam Hickey. + +Dan sprang up on the rear seat with the tiller between his legs. + +"Go! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten," he +counted rapidly, to get the new stroke started in his pace. + +The "Idaho" and "Connecticut" had gained a slight lead over Dan's boat +in the brief delay. + +Observing Coxswain Davis' remarkable act, the sailors once more set up +a yell, and such a yell as it was! + +A boat was quickly manned and a crew of jackies pulled to the place +where the red-haired Sam was clinging lazily to the life ring that Dan +had cast to him. + +"He threw me overboard," complained Sam. + +"That is the greatest piece of quick wit that I ever saw in my life," +laughed the captain excitedly. "That boy deserves to win, but he can +never do it with one man short in the boat." + +Coxswain Davis had other views. He was still standing on the seat of +the rocking, plunging boat, snapping out his commands to his men, and +every man in that boat was thrilled with the encouragement that the +little coxswain had instilled into him. + +"Go it! Beef it! More steam, number four! Swing further, number +eight! Hip! hip! hip! hip! hip! Hit her up! Faster, faster, I tell +you! You're winning, I tell you! Drive it! Forty-five, stroke oar." + +"I--I can't," gasped the stroke. + +"Drive it, I tell you!" yelled Dan Davis, grabbing up the boat hook, +brandishing it threateningly over the head of the stroke oar. + +"Hip! hip! hip! hip!" he began sharp and quick, setting the pace for +the higher speed. The stroke oar, with the perspiration running down +his body, reached the stroke demanded. + +"Now, hold it, or I'll bat you with the boat hook!" threatened Dan. +"Hip! hip! hip! hip! Gaining on the 'Idaho.' We've passed her. +Quarter of a boat length to the good. We've got to make it more, or +she'll spurt us out at the finish. Hold her there. Here she comes. +She's abreast. She's spurting. Hit her up to fifty. Hit it, if it +kills you! You've got to win this race, if every man in the boat drops +dead." + +Dan was dancing about on the slender support of the stern seat, yelling +like a madman, though there was not the slightest trace of excitement +to be seen in his face. Those on the flagship could hear him shout and +see his body moving back and forth to set the pace for the stroke oar. +It was a sight that not a man who saw it ever forgot. Discipline on +board the ships near by was almost forgotten. The men were shouting +and yelling in their excitement. + +The "Idaho" and the "Long Island" were bow and bow. Scarcely two boat +lengths separated them abeam. Dan knew they were there, but he did not +look. His eyes were on his men. A slip, a mistake now, and all would +be lost. + +"Fifty-five for the last time. Every ounce of muscle on the oars, +lads. Go it. Kill 'em! Eat 'em alive! Whoop it up! Hip! hip! hip! +hip!" + +The words came out with explosive force, almost with the rapidity of a +Gatling gun's fire. + +"Boom!" roared the flagship's six-pounder. + +Two boats shot over the line with every siren in the fleet wailing its +greeting to the winning crew. + +The men in the "Long Island's" gig did not know they had finished. + +"Cease rowing!" commanded Dan in a weak voice. His strength was +well-nigh spent. The gig's crew swayed in their seats as they +feathered their oars, with difficulty holding their weary bodies from +going overboard. They were almost wholly spent. + +"Long Island" wins by half a boat length," announced an officer from +the deck of the flagship. + +A signal fluttered from the peak of the flagship's signal halyard, +giving the news to the rest of the fleet. + +"Boom!" roared the "Long Island's" six-pounder; then her siren +screeched madly. + +Dan stood up and saluted the officer of the deck of the flagship. + +The winning crew rowed slowly back to their own ship, after a few +minutes' rest. As they approached the "Long Island" the siren let +loose again. Sailors danced and yelled, throwing their caps into the +air, mad with delight. + +"Enough way," commanded Dan as his boat drew alongside of their ship. +A group of sailors dashed down the gangway, stretching out their hands +for him. + +"Get the boys out first," he said, with a pale smile. "They've worked +harder than I have." But the jackies would not have it that way. They +hoisted Dan to their shoulders. Others did the same with the rest of +the crew, and as the victorious men came up over the side, the ship's +band struck up "The Star Spangled Banner." A scene of wild excitement +followed. Nothing like it had ever been seen on the quarter-deck of +the battleship. Dan Davis and his crew had won what had been +considered a hopeless battle; they had won the cup in the greatest race +in the history of the American Navy. + +The captain, with his officers, as soon as they could get near enough +to do so, grasped Dan by the hand. He and Sam Hickey, and the others +of the crew, were the heroes of the hour. + +Davis and Hickey were called before the captain a few minutes later, in +the presence of the entire ship's company. + +"Lads, this has been a great day," said the commanding officer. "We +are all proud of you. And this is a most appropriate time to tell you +something else I have to say--to read an order from the Navy Department +at Washington which directs that Seaman Daniel Davis, for meritorious +conduct, in saving the battleship from wreck, be immediately advanced +to the petty-officer class, with the rating of gunner's mate, first +class. The same order directs that Seaman Samuel Hickey be advanced to +coxswain. Lads, I congratulate you. You deserve it. Continue as you +have been doing, and some day you will be on the quarter-deck." + +Another deafening roar of applause greeted the announcement. The +Battleship Boys had made their first real step upward. They had won +their grades as petty officers. But they were only at the beginning. +The ladder that they had set themselves to climb still towered high +above them. They were bound to climb, however. They determined that +they would not remain on a lower rung of the ladder. This was merely a +beginning. Other promotions were ahead of them, promotions that were +destined to come sooner than either lad dreamed. The story of these +new honors, of other brave deeds, valiant efforts and stirring +experiences in other climes will be told in a following volume, +entitled "THE BATTLESHIP BOYS IN FOREIGN SERVICE; Or, Earning New +Ratings in European Seas." + + + + +THE END. + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Battleship Boys' First Step Upward, by +Frank Gee Patchin + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BATTLESHIP BOYS' FIRST STEP UPWARD *** + +***** This file should be named 32886.txt or 32886.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/8/8/32886/ + +Produced by Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/32886.zip b/32886.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..547151c --- /dev/null +++ b/32886.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..477e5ba --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #32886 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/32886) |
