"When your time comes you will make a very capable officer, I believe, Mr. Darrin, judging by your care of government property," remarked Ensign White, working hard to keep down the laughter. "I hope to do so, sir," Dave replied, saluting. Then away to the "Massachusetts" the launch bore, while the whole battleship squadron cheered itself hoarse over the happy outcome of the day. Dave, Dan and Hallam all had to do a tremendous amount of handshaking among their classmates when they had reached deck. Pennington was the only one who did not come forward to hold his hand out to Darrin--a fact that was noted at the time by many of the youngsters. To the captain the trio recounted what had befallen them, as matter for official record. "Mr. Darrin and Mr. Dalzell," announced the battleship's captain, "I must commend you both for wholly heroic conduct in going to the aid of your classmate. And, Mr. Darrin, I am particularly interested in your incidental determination to preserve government property--the life buoys that you brought back with you." "It's possible I may need them again, sir," returned Dave, with a smile, though he had no notion of prophetic utterance. CHAPTER XI MIDSHIPMAN PENNINGTON'S ACCIDENT The stop at the Azores was uneventful. It remained in the minds of the midshipmen only as a pleasant recollection of a quaint and pretty place. Once more the squadron set sail, and now the homeward-bound pennant was flying. The course lay straight across the Atlantic to the entrance of Chesapeake Bay. On the second night out the wind was blowing a little less than half a gale. Darkness had fallen when Dave, Dan, Farley and several other midshipmen gathered to talk in low tones at the stern rail. Presently all of them wandered away but Dave. He stood close to the rail, enjoying the bumping motion every time the descending stern hit one of the rolling waves. Presently, thinking he saw a light astern, he raised himself, peering astern. Another group of restless middies had sauntered up. Pennington, after a swift look at the pacing officer in charge here, and discovering that the officer's back was turned, executed a series of swift cartwheels. "Look out, Pen!" called Midshipman Dwight, in a low, though sharp voice. Just too late the warning came. As Pen leaped to his feet after the last turn, one of his hands struck Darrin forcefully. Dave swayed, tried to clutch at something, then-- "O-o-o-oh!" rang the first startled chorus. Then, instantly, on top of it, came the rousing hail: "Man overboard--astern!" Farley and Hallam were the first to reach the rail. But Lieutenant Burton was there almost as quickly. "Haul back!" commanded the lieutenant sternly. "No one go overboard!" That held the middies in check, for in no place, more than in the Navy, are orders orders.