As soon as possible, after having gotten up from his uncomfortable bed on the floor, Dan hastened to the sick bay, for his wrist was swelling and demanded immediate attention. The surgeon examined it carefully. “You have broken two small bones in the wrist. How did you do it?” The lad explained. “Very well, I shall have to put you on the binnacle list to-day. You will not be able to do any heavy work with that hand for some days to come.” “I do not wish to go on the binnacle list,” replied the lad promptly. “You don’t wish to?” “No, sir.” “Then you are different from most sailors. They all pull the list on the slightest pretext, some under no pretext at all. Why are you so particular?” questioned the surgeon, his curiosity aroused by the unusual objection on the boy’s part. “I expect to have duties to perform.” “What are they?” “Mine work.” “You will not be able to work on mines to-day. I shall not permit it,” decided the surgeon firmly. “I hope to go out as a signal man. I can do that, can I not?” “You might, but I shall advise against it.” “Please do not tell the officers that,” pleaded Dan. “I want to go. It is my first chance to prove that I am good for anything at all. I have made a mess of almost everything I have tried so far.” “I hear differently.” Somehow the earnest young seaman seemed to appeal to the sympathies of the surgeon. He was different from the others; perhaps that was the reason. “From what I have heard I judge that you already have distinguished yourself,” smiled the doctor. “How so, sir?” “In the little argument you had with Able Seaman Kester, for instance.” Dan flushed. “May I go out with the mines, sir?” he asked hurriedly. “Yes; I’ll let you go, but I shall have to put you on the report. First, let me bind the wrist up and splint it. Be as careful of the injured member as possible. You are liable to do still further damage if you subject the wrist to any sudden strain.” “I’ll be careful, sir.” After bandaging the wrist, the surgeon allowed his patient to go. On his morning report to the captain, giving the list of sick and injured, the surgeon made the following notation: “Ordinary Seaman Daniel Davis, bones of wrist fractured, said to have been sustained by fall from hammock. Refuses to take sick leave or be placed on binnacle list, saying he has important duties to perform.” A smile of approval appeared on the face of the captain when he read the notation. “The boy is all right. He will do all right. I must keep my eye on him to see that he does not get sidetracked in the wrong direction.” Calling his orderly the captain said: “Tell the officer of the deck that Ordinary Seaman Davis is to be excused from heavy duty to-day. He will go out with the mine boats in the capacity of signalman. Tell the officer of the deck to give the proper orders and to have Davis notified.” The orderly saluted and retired to carry out the orders of the commanding officer.