“What does this mean?” he demanded, gazing with surprise at the mud-covered, torn uniform and the twisted, ruined rifle on the shoulder of the plodding figure of Sam Hickey. “My rifle was struck by lightning, sir,” answered the lad, coming to a present arms. CHAPTER VII—THE RED-HEADED BOY’S SURPRISE “I should say it had!” exclaimed the amazed officer. “Let me see the rifle.” He examined the weapon critically, Sam standing at attention, expecting every moment to be severely rebuked. “When did this happen?” “About an hour ago, sir.” “You were hurt?” “I don’t know. I was laid out. I guess I would have drowned if I hadn’t come to when I did,” answered the lad, forgetting to add the “sir.” The lieutenant commander appeared not to observe the slip. “You regained consciousness, and have been on your extra duty tour ever since?” “Yes, sir.” “Come with me.” Sam wonderingly followed his superior officer to barracks A. The officer led the way right into the mess hall. Looks of surprise greeted the appearance of the couple, which soon gave place to broad grins, for Sam Hickey at that moment was the most disreputable figure possible to imagine. “Attention!” called the petty officer in charge of the mess when he saw the lieutenant commander entering. Dan saw at once that something had happened, yet he could not understand it at all, unless Sam had been in a fight. That was the first thing that occurred to Davis. All hands had risen to their feet, and had come to attention at command. “Mr. Coda,” said the lieutenant commander sharply, “you assigned this man to extra duty, did you not?” “Yes, sir,” answered the quartermaster. “Acting on your command, as delivered to me by the man himself.” “Exactly. How long did he tell you he was to remain on duty?” “Two hours, sir. I was to give him his orders when the tour of extra duty was ended, sir.” “Do you know how long he has been on duty?” “About four hours, I think, sir.” “Exactly,” answered the line officer dryly. “The storm came on and I lost sight of this man. There were three other extra duty squads out in different parts of the grounds. These I rounded up, but I will confess that I entirely forgot the man Hickey, sir,” continued the quartermaster, saluting as he spoke. “After mess, report to my office. I have something to say to these men now.” “Are they to carry on, sir?” “By no means until I direct them to do so. What I have to say should be heard standing.” “Very good, sir.” “Men,” began the lieutenant commander, running his eyes over the brown faces of the apprentices, “I am very glad to be able to give you an object lesson. I hope every man of you will keep it in mind for the rest of his career in the Navy.” The officer paused, glancing at the attentive faces before him.