Having turned about the mate headed back for the village of Agua Dulce. Just as the tug was making in at the village pier, Hal descried the figure of Captain Foster just stepping on to the pier. "My captain won't keep me guessing long, if he's really displeased," reflected Hal, with an inward quiver. "Tug ahoy, there!" hailed Captain Foster in a displeased voice. "Ahoy, sir!" Hal shouted back. "Haven't you been away out in the stream, sir?" "Yes, sir." Captain Foster asked no more for the moment, so Hal offered no further information. On the instant, however, when the deckhands leaped ashore with the hawse-lines Captain Foster called quietly, even if coldly: "Come ashore, Mr. Overton, as soon as you can." "Now I rather reckon I'm in for it," thought the young lieutenant, ruefully, though he was really torn with the fear that he had exceeded his own authority to a dangerous point. CHAPTER XVII THE THIRTY-FOURTH JOINS HANDS Captain Foster, too just a man to condemn without a hearing, let his young officer explain at length. All through this the older man preserved an unchanged countenance. "Mr. Overton," spoke the captain, at last, "had I thought it likely that you would have such an experience, I would have given you leave to pursue in such a case. As I did not give such permission your conduct amounted to a breach of orders. At the same time, it was a breach very likely to be committed by a younger officer, and the intentions back of your conduct were unquestionably good and for the best interests of our mission here. I shall, therefore, neither approve nor disapprove of your conduct. I will add only the hint that, at another time, you will do well to stick literally to the orders you receive. To that advice there is only one exception. In spite of the orders you would have been fully at liberty to have moved your position had the lives of your men been needlessly and senselessly exposed by remaining. Such, however, was not the case." "May I speak, sir?" inquired Hal. "Certainly, Mr. Overton." "If my conduct amounted to a fault, sir, it was not a deliberate one. I debated with myself as fully as I could in the few moments that were left to me in which to come to any decision. It seemed to me, sir, that my duty lay in chasing that motor boat. I feel, Captain, that my greatest fault was in judgment, and I had no experience to guide me in the matter." "Your defense is a very manly one, Mr. Overton. I like you better for the way you have stated it." "I trust, sir, that the mistake I have made to-night will not lessen your confidence in me, hereafter." "It will not," replied Captain Foster heartily, holding out his hand. "And now, let us say no more about it. You were not able to make out the name of the boat, but you must have had a good look at her for descriptive purposes."