“This souvenir, Midshipman Merrill, is a unanimous expression of the appreciation of your daring deed by this ship’s crew, for from quarter-deck to forecastle every one has insisted upon being a subscriber, with the one exception of Mr. Clemmons, from whom the intention was kept a secret as well as from yourself. I pin it upon your breast for you to wear as a badge which you may well feel proud of.” As the captain spoke he pinned upon the jacket of the young hero a beautiful emblem of his courage, which was a massive anchor of solid gold, to which was suspended a shield with bars of pearls, turquoises and rubies to represent the colors red, white and blue, while below was engraved: “PRESENTED BY THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF _The U. S. Cadet Cruising Ship Constellation_ TO CADET MIDSHIPMAN MARK MERRILL _As an Appreciation of His Splendid Courage in Leaping Overboard at Night in a Storm to Save the Life of a Shipmate_.” In what was certainly a very neat speech, though taken unawares, Mark Merrill thanked Captain De Long and all for their great kindness, and raised his cap as three cheers were given for him. A number of eyes were turned upon Scott Clemmons during this scene, and it could be easily discovered that he seemed ill at ease, though he stepped forward and told his rescuer how glad he was of the honor bestowed upon him, adding, with some feeling: “Had I chipped in, Merrill, it would have spoiled all, or had I suggested it, for my debt to you can never be cancelled.” Had Scott Clemmons overheard the criticism which Bemis Perry made of his speech he would have been overwhelmed with confusion, for though the young South Carolinian said but one word, and used slang, it was to the point, for he simply said: “Rats!” There was another criticism offered also, and by Herbert Nazro, who said with a wicked little laugh: “Go tell that to the marines, Clemmons.” After this episode Clemmons seemed more constrained than ever in his conduct toward Mark Merrill. He seemed positively uneasy in his presence. At last, after a visit to several ports in the Mediterranean the prow of the cruiser was turned homeward, for a stop was to be made upon the New England coast. It was a stormy passage home, keeping the young tars constantly busy reefing, pulling, and setting more sail, and giving them a thorough experience in the life of a sailor. In the last storm not far off the coast, the cruiser had sprung her mainmast, but fortunately the gale blew itself out, and a calm fell upon the sea. The next morning the shores of New England were in view. The weather was hazy and sultry, the barometer was steadily falling, and Captain De Long and his lieutenants viewed the weather with anxiety. There was a huge black mass gathering to seaward, and as the day passed it began to rise slowly, though the deadest of calms still rested upon the sea.