Part 13 (1/2)
Sam considered for a moment, gazed longingly off to the roof of barracks A, faintly visible above a rise of ground. Then, shouldering his ruined rifle, he began plodding up and down again, the rain beating on him in blinding, drenching sheets.
Every little while, he would glance hopefully toward the barracks, where he knew all hands were snug and dry in their white suits, perhaps having a good time. His discontent was added to when he heard the bugle blow for the midday mess.
”There, I'll lose my dinner,” complained Hickey. ”I knew something serious would happen before the day was over. I wonder if they have forgotten me?”
”They” had. But now the roll was being called as the apprentices formed for the mess. About that time the sun came out, and Sam discovered an officer in a rain coat rapidly approaching him. It was Lieutenant Commander Devall. The officer had his eye on the boy long before reaching him.
”What does this mean?” he demanded, gazing with surprise at the mud-covered, torn uniform and the twisted, ruined rifle on the shoulder of the plodding figure of Sam Hickey.
”My rifle was struck by lightning, sir,” answered the lad, coming to a present arms.
CHAPTER VII-THE RED-HEADED BOY'S SURPRISE
”I should say it had!” exclaimed the amazed officer. ”Let me see the rifle.”
He examined the weapon critically, Sam standing at attention, expecting every moment to be severely rebuked.
”When did this happen?”
”About an hour ago, sir.”
”You were hurt?”
”I don't know. I was laid out. I guess I would have drowned if I hadn't come to when I did,” answered the lad, forgetting to add the ”sir.” The lieutenant commander appeared not to observe the slip.
”You regained consciousness, and have been on your extra duty tour ever since?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Come with me.”
Sam wonderingly followed his superior officer to barracks A. The officer led the way right into the mess hall. Looks of surprise greeted the appearance of the couple, which soon gave place to broad grins, for Sam Hickey at that moment was the most disreputable figure possible to imagine.
”Attention!” called the petty officer in charge of the mess when he saw the lieutenant commander entering.
Dan saw at once that something had happened, yet he could not understand it at all, unless Sam had been in a fight. That was the first thing that occurred to Davis.
All hands had risen to their feet, and had come to attention at command.
”Mr. Coda,” said the lieutenant commander sharply, ”you a.s.signed this man to extra duty, did you not?”
”Yes, sir,” answered the quartermaster. ”Acting on your command, as delivered to me by the man himself.”
”Exactly. How long did he tell you he was to remain on duty?”
”Two hours, sir. I was to give him his orders when the tour of extra duty was ended, sir.”