Part 45 (2/2)
”Find the man who did that. He shall be dismissed from the service instantly.”
”Yes, sir.”
”What is the boy's temperature?”
”One hundred and four,” answered the surgeon.
”You have a nurse with him?”
”Yes, sir.”
”See that nothing is omitted that will make for his comfort. Mr. Coates, you see to it that the affidavits of the witnesses to that heroic rescue, are taken at once. Have them ready for my signature at the earliest possible moment as I wish to forward them to Was.h.i.+ngton no later than to-morrow morning, with especial recommendation for Ordinary Seaman Davis.”
”Ordinary Seaman Hickey requests permission to sit with the man Davis, sir,” announced a messenger.
”Permit Ordinary Seaman Hickey to do whatever he wishes on this s.h.i.+p so long as his requests are not in violation of regulations,” replied the captain, with emphasis. ”There is a divan in my bedroom that he can sleep on. Keep me informed, doctor, on the lad's condition.”
”Very good, sir.”
”Is Kester in a serious condition?”
”I think not. He should be around in a few days at the most. He is too tough to be downed thus easily.”
”Davis downed him the other night,” laughed the executive officer.
For two days Dan Davis raged in delirium; then on the morning of the third day, as the s.h.i.+p was riding easily at anchor, the sun peeping through the portholes of the cabin, the Battles.h.i.+p Boy opened his eyes.
He gazed about him wonderingly.
”What place is this?” he asked.
”This is the captain's cabin.”
”Am I the captain?”
”No, but you have been very ill,” the nurse informed him. ”Lie still and keep quiet.”
Dan closed his eyes blissfully. Such luxury as that with which he was surrounded exceeded his fondest dreams.
From that moment, Dan improved rapidly. He was able to be up and dressed on the fourth day, and in another twenty-four hours he was on deck, where he was provided with a chair near the stern of the quarter-deck.
Sam took great pleasure in winking at his s.h.i.+pmates when they pa.s.sed him, he having remained with Dan constantly. Sam was enjoying himself hugely.
One morning, soon after, Dan reported that he felt fit for duty, and asked to be permitted to return to his post. Sam advised him not to do so, but in this Dan persisted. However, he did not return to his post that day, nor for several days thereafter.
That afternoon a muster was called on the quarter-deck. The Battles.h.i.+p Boys were surprised when informed that their presence was required on deck. Upon arriving there, they were lined up in front of the captain and executive officer, as if they were to be sentenced after a court-martial. On each side of them stood their s.h.i.+pmates, erect, shoulders thrown well back, each brown face reflecting a poorly-disguised smile.
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