The day of departure arrived. In the afternoon a shore boat came alongside carrying Señor Perez, his wife, children and the governess. Captain Bentley met the party at the gangway, and after a few words he gave orders that the crew be assembled aft. When all had gathered there in the shade of the awnings, Captain Bentley stepped forward and called for Richard Comstock of the United States Marine Corps to come to the mast. Then in behalf of the Consul, his family and the governess, the Captain presented the drummer boy with a beautiful gold wrist watch, appropriately engraved, which the grateful donors had ordered by cable from New York City and which the Clyde Liner had but that morning delivered. Dick felt that he should make some reply, but for the life of him he was unable to utter a single word. Suddenly there was a patter of light feet on the white deck and to his relief Soledad rushed forward. As he bent to take the child’s hand, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him squarely on the lips. The look of amazement now on Dick’s face was so great that the entire assembly roared with laughter, and Chief Master-at-Arms Fitch, regulations to the contrary notwithstanding, called out: "Three cheers for our Drummer Boy and the girls he rescued." They were given with a will, for now there was no longer doubt as to the loyalty, faithfulness or bravery of Richard Comstock. CHAPTER XVII A MAP-MAKING EXPEDITION "I consider that we are the two luckiest youngsters in the service, Dick. What do you think about it?" Henry looked about him at the surrounding country, a combination of river scenery, swamp land, tropical jungle and lush savannahs, with an appraising eye. The two boys stood on the rickety landing near the Captain of the Port’s house at the mouth of the Estero Balsa, a branch body of water communicating with Manzanillo Bay, where the _Denver_ was anchored, and where certain members of her officers and crew were engaged in making a chart of the coast line, river deltas and numerous lagoons. It was interesting work for those so engaged, and each day the various boats of the ship started at an early hour taking lines of soundings from one point to another, measuring angles, plotting positions, sketching in prominent features, or locating reefs and shoals. At night they combined their data, and with compass and rule worked over the smooth copy of the chart which would be sent to the Department at Washington when complete and eventually supplied to each ship of the Navy cruising in these waters. Having received permission from the Navigating Officer, Dick often accompanied the chart makers on their expeditions, and, always eager to learn, he proved himself a valuable helper with compass or sextant, in taking angles, both vertical and horizontal, and working them out.