Part 35 (1/2)
”Then there is nothing mere to be said. Candidly, between ourselves, Coates, I'm more pleased than I know how to express that the young fellow gave Kester a sound thras.h.i.+ng. By the way, I should like to look that young man over.”
”Very good, sir. Shall I send him to you?”
”No, not that way. I'll tell you what you had better do. Have both boys a.s.signed as my orderlies in turn. I want these new men to get an early chance at orderly duty. It is a most excellent thing for them. Send Hickey to-morrow.”
”Very good, sir.”
”I would rather have my own boys act as my orderlies than have the marines do it.”
The captain's orderly is supposed to stand outside the captain's door at all times while the commanding officer is in his quarters. When the captain moves to any other part of the s.h.i.+p his orderly follows at a respectful distance, so as to be on hand to carry orders and to perform such other small duties as the captain may command. It is considered an honor to be chosen for the duty.
Soon after the finish of the fight Dan and Sam hurried to their quarters to turn in. Sam was chuckling over his companion's great victory. Dan surveyed him with disapproving eyes.
”Dan, I have always looked upon you as a nice, sisterly sort of a chum.”
”Well?” questioned Dan, with a smile.
”You're a bloodthirsty wretch, that's what you are. Good night.”
Late that night a full gale sprang up. Word of the weather conditions was brought to the captain.
”Heave up the anchors and get under way at once,” was the command. ”Tell the chief engineer to get ready as soon as possible. How many boilers are fired up?”
”Six, sir.”
”Have the fires put under the other two at once. We must put to sea and ride the gale out there.”
The captain quickly dressed and hurried up to the bridge. The spray was das.h.i.+ng clear over the bridge, soaking everything and everyone on it. In the meantime a boatswain's mate was bawling out his orders through the s.h.i.+p, hurriedly turning out the various watches.
Dan and Sam were awakened by the heavy rolling of the s.h.i.+p. Both sat up in their hammocks at the same instant.
”What's going on?” asked Dan as he heard men hurrying along the decks to their stations.
”Maybe the s.h.i.+p is sinking,” suggested the cheerful Sam.
”Nonsense!”
”I'm going to get up, anyway.”
”You have no right to do so until you are piped down. You will be called out if you are wanted.”
”You mean to say that I can't get up if I want to?”
”Certainly not. You are supposed to stay in your hammock and get your rest.”
”Not if the s.h.i.+p is sinking!”
”Oh, that would be different. I guess we would all be getting out in that event.”
”Huh!” muttered Sam, lying back in his swaying hammock, listening to the wind whistling through the cage masts far above them.