The captain came to attention, saluted the two boys before him, then to the measured beat of the drum, sailors and marines marched from the quarter-deck, leaving the two lads standing before their officers. The jackies looked as if they would like to cheer the boys, but discipline would not permit. “My lads, you had better go to your quarters and prepare for your journey. Ord’ly, tell the master-at-arms to see that these lads have a warm meal before they leave the ship this afternoon. Davis and Hickey, no duties will be required of you to-day, save to prepare for your journey. Carry on.” Saluting their commander, the Battleship Boys executed a right about face and marched from the deck. “It begins to look as if we were the people,” Sam confided to his companion, 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 just two boys who are serving the people under the Stars and Stripes. Let’s not 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 the brine,” laughed Sam Hickey. Kester had not improved as rapidly as had been expected. They found him on 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 demanded after 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 get even 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: “I was mad, crazy mad. I’d have laughed for joy if I could have seen you both sewn up in rolls of canvas and dumped overboard with a flag draped over the sacks. You’ll report me, I know. They are trying to find out who did it. Report me. I deserve all I’ll get.” “You are mistaken, Bill, we are not going to report you,” answered Dan firmly. “You ain’t going to report me?” “Certainly not.” “Then maybe red-head here would like to give me a wallop on the jaw to even things up.” “No.” “No? What then?” “We are going to shake hands with you, Bill,” replied Dan. Each boy extended an impulsive hand. Bill took the hands, gazing keenly into the bronzed 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——”