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 hebroke it again in getting into the whale boat this morning. I advisedthat he go on binnacle list for the day, but Davis refused. He said hehad 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 toorder 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 thosetwo lads have shown to-day. Kester is the man with whom young Davis andHickey had difficulties, is he not?"
"Yes, sir."
"And to-day the boys save his life. By the way, surgeon, how did the ladbreak 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. "Ilearn that Davis's hammock lashings had been cut during the night, orsome time earlier. At least he did not observe the fact and got histumble after he had been asleep several hours."
"Find the man who did that. He shall be dismissed from the serviceinstantly."
"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 heroicrescue, are taken at once. Have them ready for my signature at theearliest possible moment as I wish to forward them to Washington nolater than to-morrow morning, with especial recommendation for OrdinarySeaman 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 ship solong as his requests are not in violation of regulations," replied thecaptain, with emphasis. "There is a divan in my bedroom that he cansleep 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 tootough 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 thethird day, as the ship was riding easily at anchor, the sun peepingthrough the portholes of the cabin, the Battleship 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 andkeep quiet."
Dan closed his eyes blissfully. Such luxury as that with which he wassurrounded exceeded his fondest dreams.
From that moment, Dan improved rapidly. He was able to be up and dressedon 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 shipmates when they passedhim, he having remained with Dan constantly. Sam was enjoying himselfhugely.
One morning, soon after, Dan reported that he felt fit for duty, andasked to be permitted to return to his post. Sam advised him not to doso, but in this Dan persisted. However, he did not return to his postthat day, nor for several days thereafter.
That afternoon a muster was called on the quarter-deck. The BattleshipBoys were surprised when informed that their presence was required ondeck. Upon arriving there, they were lined up in front of the captainand executive officer, as if they were to be sentenced after acourt-martial. On each side of them stood their shipmates, erect,shoulders thrown well back, each brown face reflecting apoorly-disguised smile.
"Daniel Davis and Samuel Hickey step three paces to the front,"commanded the executive officer.
They did so, wonderingly.
The ship's commander stepped out before them.
"I have here," he began, "a communication from the Secretary of theNavy, which I will read. It is as follows:
"'It is hereby ordered that Ordinary Seaman Daniel Davis and OrdinarySeaman Samuel Hickey, at present assigned to the battleship 'LongIsland,' do present themselves at the executive mansion in Washington,on the morning of July twenty-ninth, at eleven o'clock. It is desired toshow proper recognition for their joint deed of heroism in rescuing,from three fathoms of water, the ship's diver, William Kester. ThePresident is desirous of seeing these young men in person. It will behis pleasure to express to them the gratitude of the government fortheir splendid achievement. The men will report in blue dress.'"
The Battleship Boys, even now, did not fully understand what wasexpected of them, but they were proud in the thought that they had donesomething to merit the praise of their superior officers.
Dan and Sam are Commended for Their Bravery.]
"You will be put ashore at three o'clock this afternoon, men. You willtake a night train to Washington and report in accordance with theinstructions as contained in the order just read. Your shipmates shouldbe proud of you. You have given all of us a lesson in self-sacrificingpatriotism that we shall do well to bear in mind. Beside your undauntedbravery, you showed rare judgment and coolness. These are more valuablethan bravery alone because they direct bravery. Especially do I wish tocommend you, Davis, for your splendid heroism in rescuing yourshipmate."
The captain came to attention, saluted the two boys before him, then tothe measured beat of the drum, sailors and marines marched from thequarter-deck, leaving the two lads standing before their officers. Thejackies looked as if they would like to cheer the boys, but disciplinewould not permit.
"My lads, you had better go to your quarters and prepare for yourjourney. Ord'ly, tell the master-at-arms to see that these lads have awarm meal before they leave the ship this afternoon. Davis and Hickey,no duties will be required of you to-day, save to prepare for yourjourney. Carry on."
Saluting their commander, the Battleship Boys executed a right aboutface and marched from the deck.
"It begins to look as if we were the people," Sam confided to hiscompanion, with a wink after they had left the quarter-deck behind them.
"Two of the people, that's all, Sam," corrected Dan. "You and I are justtwo boys who are serving the people under the Stars and Stripes. Let'snot forget that."
Reaching their quarters they were met by a shipmate with a message.
"Bill Kester wants to see you and the red-head," he said.
"Is he in the sick bay?" asked Dan
"Yes."
"I wonder what he wants," mused Dan, as they started away.
"Maybe he wants to fight us both, now, because we pulled him out of thebrine," laughed Sam Hickey.
Kester had not improved as rapidly as had been expected. They found himon a cot in the sick bay, pale and weak from his terrible experience.
"Hello, Bill," greeted Sam, with a grin. "How are you feeling to-day?"
"Tolerable, shipmates. Dynie, you licked me didn't you?" he demandedafter a pause, using the nickname that the men had bestowed upon Dan.
"I'm sorry," muttered Dan.
"I got what I deserved, I did. But I didn't know I had. I swore I'd geteven with you. I said you and me couldn't stay on the same ship."
"Never mind, that's all right," murmured Dan, at a loss what to say.
"It ain't all right. I've got something I want to say to you. Dynamite,I cut them hammock lashings."
Kester waited to let his words sink in, but neither boy made any reply.So the man went on:
br /> "I was mad, crazy mad. I'd have laughed for joy if I could have seen youboth sewn up in rolls of canvas and dumped overboard with a flag drapedover the sacks. You'll report me, I know. They are trying to find outwho did it. Report me. I deserve all I'll get."
"You are mistaken, Bill, we are not going to report you," answered Danfirmly.
"You ain't going to report me?"
"Certainly not."
"Then maybe red-head here would like to give me a wallop on the jaw toeven things up."
"No."
"No? What then?"
"We are going to shake hands with you, Bill," replied Dan. Each boyextended an impulsive hand. Bill took the hands, gazing keenly into thebronzed faces as he did so.
"I've heard all about it," he muttered. "Yes, I've heard all about it.They told me to-day, and--and----"
Bill Kester, once the bully of the "Long Island" buried his face in thepillow. There was a convulsive upheaval of his shoulders, and the ladscaught what sounded to them like a sob.
"Forget it, Bill," said Sam awkwardly.
"Yes," added Dan; "we didn't do a thing for you that you would not havedone for either or both of us, old shipmate. Good-bye, until we see youa few days from now."
They stole from the room, leaving Bill Kester to a refreshing sleep,which his relieved conscience permitted him to take.
"I'd have blubbered if I had stayed there another minute," muttered SamHickey.
On the following morning two brown-faced boys, clad in the blue serviceuniform of the United States Navy--one with a bandaged hand--made theirway up Pennsylvania Avenue and were promptly admitted to the WhiteHouse. They were conducted to the East Room, where were assembled anumber of Navy and Army officers, together with a few other invitedguests.
The President entered soon after. He made straight for the lads with aquick, nervous walk, grasping the hands of the Battleship Boysimpulsively. The others in the room now ranged themselves behind thePresident.
"My lads," began the Chief Executive, without loss of time, "I am proudto take you by the hand. The country too, has reason to be proud ofyoung men like you. You have shown the true American spirit. Your signalbravery and heroic acts should, and will, challenge the admiration ofevery one of your countrymen. The testimony of your officers and of yourassociates, who saw your battle for life in your efforts to rescue ashipmate, leave no question as to your right to be rewarded by thegovernment. A special mention is made of you, Davis, to which I addanother of my own. You, though suffering from broken bones, ill enoughto occupy a place in the sick bay of your ship, went to the rescue of adrowning comrade. My lads, it gives me more pleasure than I can express,to have the privilege of presenting to each of you a medal of honor, themost highly prized decoration at the disposal of a grateful republic.That you will wear these medals with credit there can be no doubt."
Stepping forward, the President pinned, on the breast of each lad, thebadge that would for all time mark them out from most of their fellows.
"The government," continued the President, resuming his former position,"has provided a further reward in cases such as yours. To each of you Ipresent on behalf of the government, a purse containing one hundreddollars in gold."
The eyes of the Battleship Boys were swimming, and Sam Hickey's red hairappeared to stand up straighter than ever. A warm, cordial pressure ofthe hands of the lads by the President completed the ceremony, afterwhich, each of the guests stepped forward for a hand shake and a word ofcongratulation for the brave boys.
Fairly dazed because of these wonderful things that had come to them,the boys muttered their thanks and made their way from the White Houseas quickly thereafter as was possible. They were unusually silent asthey hurried from the grounds, wearing their shining gold badges. Theirhearts were too full for words, and each made a mental resolve that hewould serve his country and his Flag from that moment on with a devotionwhich should never fade.
The achievements of the Battleship Boys were not yet at an end. Therewere other things ahead of them, far more alluring than any they hadknown--thrilling experiences in strange lands and among strange peoples,and best of all, promotion in their chosen profession.
In a following volume entitled, "The Battleship Boys' First Step Upward;Or, Winning Their Grades as Petty Officers," the story of their furtherexciting adventures on board a United States man-o'-war will be told,and this will show more of the fascination and the charm that eversurround the roving life of the jackie in Uncle Sam's Service.
The End.