"I fell, and he jumped after me," corrected Herc. "How did it happen? An accident, wasn't it?" "Not exactly an accident," rejoined Ned. "What then? You mean it was done on purpose?" "I'm afraid so," was the quiet reply. "Who did it?" "We would prefer not to say now, sir," replied Ned in the same repressed tone. "You mean you intend to attend to the matter in your own way?" "Something like that," admitted Ned. The officer looked sharply at him. "It is my duty to warn you, my lad, that all such matters should be confided to your superior officer, and you should abide by his advice. However, unless you commit some breach of discipline, I have no concern in the affair. I must tell you, however, that I heard from some of the men that Kennell had something to do with it. Is he the man you suspect of causing the trouble?" "I had rather not say," rejoined Ned quietly. "Very well, as you wish it; only recollect what I have told you. Now, follow me, and we will look over your quarters. Of course, you are familiar with hammock-slinging, and all that appertains to it?" Herc rubbed his head with a grin. "I've got some bumps here yet that serve to remind me of my first efforts to climb into one." "Answer me 'yes' or 'no,' please; do not try to say anything more." "I was just explaining," muttered Herc, not heeding Ned's warning look. They were soon assigned two places, side by side, in which they might sling their hammocks. The space devoted to the jackies' sleeping quarters was well forward under the superstructure and lighted by electric lights. It was well ventilated, and aisles of steel pillars ran in every direction. From these the hammocks were slung. "I will now show you something of the ship, so that you may be familiar with your floating home," said the boatswain's mate; "follow me." "I wish he'd show us some supper," whispered Herc. "I'm about as empty as a dry well." "Never mind," rejoined Ned; "we shall soon be summoned to eat, I expect." The boatswain's mate took them through much the same maze of steel-walled passages and heavy doors as had the messenger. After descending three decks and traversing the stern of the ship, they were shown the mighty tiller and the mechanical apparatus connecting with the wheel-house, where the steam-steering gear was installed. Then they were hurried along forward. Not, however, before the officer had shown them the emergency steam-steering gear, far below the water-line, which could be used in case a shot disabled the guiding apparatus above decks. Forward they were conducted up steel steps onto the gun deck, and thence to a passage under the bridge and chart room, from which they emerged onto the edge of a sort of steel "well," sunk immediately below the center of the bridge.