Part 45 (1/2)
”Ensign, what happened?” demanded the captain.
”Briefly, sir, those two lads made the most heroic rescue that I ever either saw or heard of. Especial credit is due to Ordinary Seaman Davis for his wonderful and heroic efforts.”
The young officer related all that had occurred out on the mine field, to which the commanding officer together with a group of other s.h.i.+p officers listened with grave faces.
”Orderly.”
The captain's voice was full of decision.
”Go to the sick bay. Run! Tell the surgeon to send the boy to my cabin.”
”Davis, sir?”
”Yes, and, Ord'ly.”
”Yes, sir.”
”Tell the surgeon I wish the boy to be put in my bed. Tell the surgeon to report to me as soon as he has examined the boy.”
CHAPTER XXIV-CONCLUSION
”You say the boy is out of his head?”
”Yes, sir; he is in a high fever,” answered the surgeon.
”Nothing more than exposure is it?” questioned the captain.
”He had a broken wrist when he went out this morning. I understand he broke it again in getting into the whale boat this morning. I advised that he go on binnacle list for the day, but Davis refused. He said he had duties to perform, that he must go.”
”You should have declined to permit it.”
”I could not well do so, sir. I admired the boy's spirit too much to order him on the list.”
The captain nodded reflectively.
”The Secretary of the Navy shall be informed of this at once. Mr.
Coates!”
The executive officer approached.
”Never in my experience have I known of such unselfish heroism as those two lads have shown to-day. Kester is the man with whom young Davis and Hickey had difficulties, is he not?”
”Yes, sir.”
”And to-day the boys save his life. By the way, surgeon, how did the lad break his wrist in the first place?”
”I believe it was through a fall from his hammock.”
”I looked into that matter, sir,” spoke up the executive officer. ”I learn that Davis's hammock las.h.i.+ngs had been cut during the night, or some time earlier. At least he did not observe the fact and got his tumble after he had been asleep several hours.”