CHAPTER XI
ON THE ANCHOR WATCH
Dan hurried aft, without delay, for a summons from the captain meant that no unnecessary delay would be tolerated.
Dan reported and the orderly announced him. The lad entered the captain's office, which was also used as a dining room and stood waiting for his superior to speak.
Dan's ear was done up in adhesive plaster, and a bandage had been wound under his chin and up over his head, giving him the appearance of being much worse off than he really was.
"Davis, I hear you have had an accident?"
"Yes, sir; a slight one, sir. It is of no great consequence, sir."
"I understand differently. I should say that it is of greater consequence than you imagine. The master-at-arms is quite sure that an attempt has been made to do you serious injury, if not worse."
"Perhaps it was not so bad as that, sir. It was a pretty close call, just the same. I am sorry to have been the cause of so much disturbance on board, sir."
"I am sorry, too, but not for that reason. I am sorry, deeply grieved that there is a man on board the 'Long Island' base enough to commit, or attempt to commit, such a crime. It is quite evident that you had a very narrow escape. I trust you are not suffering greatly from the wound?"
"Very little, sir."
"I am glad of that."
"Thank you, sir."
"In view of the fact that you are the person most directly interested, outside of myself, I have sent for you to direct you to devote every effort toward learning who your assailant was. It is of vital importance that we locate the man and send him up for general court-martial. Of course, he will be severely punished and then dismissed from the service. You have no suspicions?"
"None at all, sir."
"Have you had any difficulty with any of the men?"
"Not that I can recall at the present moment, sir. I would not intentionally give any man cause for such enmity."
"I am sure of that, lad. Have you watched the men who might possibly have been implicated in this?"
"I have not had an opportunity, sir. And, besides, I should not know whom to watch. I am wholly at a loss to account for the attempt."
"I understand. But keep your eyes open. You will be the best person to find the man. You will feel instinctively that you have the right man, before any of the rest of us could have a suspicion. Have your friend do a little investigating also. I have an idea that he is a very shrewd boy. If either of you need any leisure time in which to make your investigations, then inform the master-at-arms, and say that I told you to do so. I trust to your good sense to carry on this investigation in a discreet manner."
"I think you may trust us, sir. I am as anxious as anyone to find the man who did this to me," touching his ear gingerly.
"How are you getting along with your work on the seven-inch?"
"Fairly, sir. I find there is a great deal to learn. May I ask your advice, sir?"
"Go on, lad. I am listening."
"I have been thinking that I should like to take a course in one of the seaman-gunner classes at the Torpedo Station in Newport. Will you tell me, sir, what to do to enter such a class?"
"Certainly. Your ambition is a laudable one. However, you have not been in the service long enough for that as yet. I should advise you to continue your duties on shipboard for a year longer. Then you will be well fitted for the gunner class. Your marks on shipboard must average seventy-five per cent. That will entitle you to admission. The course is six months. In it you will learn the assembling of guns and everything to do with the practical part of ordnance. I can give you some further books along this line, if you wish."
"I do, indeed, sir. I find I have considerable leisure time in which to study. I am working for promotion."
"With your ability, my lad, you will get promotion eventually without going to the school. But it will be an excellent idea for you to go. There you will learn theory as well as practice. After you have served a year, then, it might not be a bad idea to take the eight months' course at the Torpedo Station, where you will learn all about torpedoes and mines. If you hope to rise in the service you will have to know all this, and more. Do you know anything of navigation?"
"Yes, sir; I am studying that now."
"Excellent. Who is teaching you?"
"I am teaching myself."
"I would suggest that you have one of the quartermasters help you. He will do so gladly, and you will possibly avoid falling into errors that you will find troublesome later in your course."
"Yes, sir."
"That will be all. The bugle is piping gun crews up, so you had better go to your station. Ord'ly!"
The orderly stepped in and saluted.
"Tell the chief quartermaster that I wish to see him when he is at leisure."
"Yes, sir."
Dan hastened to his station, more proud than ever. He could hardly wait until the crew was piped down again to tell Hickey of the encouragement he had received from the commanding officer. Dan determined that Sam should go with him when the time came to go to the gunners' class at Newport, and, with that in view, he had a long talk with his chum that afternoon, urging him to study and work hard that he might be far enough advanced to take the course.
At quarters that night Dan Davis's name was called among those who were to go on watch. He was to take the anchor watch, which would place him on the quarter-deck from eight until twelve o'clock. Both lads had had other watches, but this was the first time either had been on anchor watch, the watch that is always set when the vessel is in port or at anchor.
The Battleship Boy was pleased. Only those men in whom their superiors had confidence, were ever chosen for these duties, for no little responsibility rests on the watch, especially at night.
The lad's superior on this watch was a midshipman named Carter, a clean-cut, bright young officer who had on several occasions had opportunity to speak to Dan complimenting him on certain well-performed duties.
"Davis, are you on watch to-night?" he asked as Dan approached, saluting.
"Yes, sir."
"How is your wound?"
"Improving, sir, thank you."
"Seeing you are on anchor watch with me, I will let you take charge of the extra-duty squad."
This squad is obliged to remain on duty after the regular hours of work because of some trifling offences. In such cases it is customary to give the squad some light work to do. Now and then the men would be obliged to stand at attention with their rifles for half an hour at a time. Different officers employ different methods with their extra-duty squads.
"Aye, aye, sir," answered Dan, his heart giving a jump, for this was to be his first real command. To all intents he was an officer. He was to command this unhappy squad of shipmates and assist in their punishment. When this thought came to him the boy did not feel half so elated as he had been a moment before.
"What do you wish me to do with them, sir?"
"I will leave that to you. They are not doing anything just now. Perhaps you had better march them about the deck for a time. However, do as you think best."
Dan walked over to where the six delinquents were standing ruefully, with guns over their shoulders.
"Men, I am to have charge of you during this watch. How long are you to be on duty?"
"Two hours, sir."
"You are to be released at ten o'clock, then?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very good. We will now have a few moments in the manual of arms. Attention! Present arms! Carry arms! Port arms! Right face! Carry arms! Forward march!"
The midshipman smiled as the measured tramp of feet attracted his attention, the extra-duty squad in single file marching steadily toward the stern of the vessel.
"Column right, march! Column right, march! Halt!"
The men halted. They were now facing the superstructure.
"Right face!"
"Men, I am going to form you into a guard. Count off."
"One, two, three, four, five, six," counted the men.
"Numbers one and two will take the forward end of the deck, three and four the port and starboard sides respectively, with numbers five and six at the stern. Each set will march back and forth from opposite ends of their stations, patroling their beats. You will carry yourselves like soldiers. Remember, you are on guard duty. You are responsible for this part of the ship. Let no person pass unless he is halted, and then gives the countersign."
"What is the countersign, sir?"
Dan reflected. He had not thought of that. It would not do to let them see that he was at a loss to answer the question.
"I think, men," said Dan, with a smile, "that a pretty good countersign for you will be 'Never again.' Yes, that is the countersign. To your posts, forward march!"
Six faces, reflecting as many grins of appreciation, marched to their posts, which they began patroling, marching back and forth in opposite directions.
The midshipman, officer of the deck, halted in his leisurely pacing up and down the deck, glancing at the sentries with a puzzled look.
"Now what is that boy Davis up to, I should like to know?" he wondered. "Ah, I see. He has turned out a guard. Not a half-bad idea, at that. He will do. He ought to be an officer, with such resourcefulness as he shows on every occasion."
The officer of the deck resumed his walk, forgetting all about the formation for which Dan was responsible. But it was brought to his notice in a most forcible manner half an hour later.
The night was moonless, and heavy clouds had settled down, enshrouding the ship in a gloom that was broken here and there by the faint rays from a port hole.
Shortly after nine o'clock the captain came up from below for a look at the weather and a breath of fresh air before turning in. He paused at the top of the hatchway, glanced about the deck, then started pacing up and down as was the midshipman doing on the opposite side.
"Halt!" ordered a voice sternly.
The captain glanced up in surprise. He found himself facing a Krag rifle.
"What—what——"
"Who goes there?"
"A friend," he answered instinctively.
"Advance, friend, and give the countersign."
Something of the truth began to dawn upon the quick mind of the commanding officer.
"I do not know the countersign, my man. But I am the commander of this ship."
"Officer of the deck, sir," called the sentry.
The officer of the deck hastened to the spot.
"Sir, stranger without the countersign."
"Man, what do you mean? This is the captain of this ship whom you have halted. What do you mean?"
"Orders, sir, to let no one pass unless he has the countersign."
"Who is responsible for this?" demanded the captain in a half amused tone.
"I let young Davis take charge of the extra-duty squad, and he formed the men into a guard. They had been patroling the deck for the last hour. I did not interfere, not having any idea the affair would be carried this far, sir. I'm sorry, sir. Man, lower your gun."
"Wait, wait!" exclaimed the captain, raising a restraining hand. "This man has his orders. He is quite right. It is a most excellent idea. Fine training for these young men. What is the countersign, Carter?"
"I—I don't know, sir."
"What, you the officer of the deck and not know the countersign? I am surprised, sir. Where is Seaman Davis?"
"He was here a moment ago."
Dan at that moment was peering from behind the twelve-inch-gun turret, fairly aghast at the situation in which his efforts to do something original had involved them.
"Davis!" called the officer of the deck, in a sharp voice.
"This is where I get it!" muttered the boy. "Aye, aye, sir," he answered promptly, stepping from behind the turret and hastening toward the group.
"What does this farce mean, sir?" demanded the midshipman.
"I will attend to this, Mr. Carter. Davis, these are your men, are they not?"
"Ye—yes, sir."
"You ordered them to let no one pass unless he had the countersign?"
"Yes, sir."
"My man, you did quite right," announced the captain, addressing the sentry. "Davis, will you be good enough to give me the countersign?"
"'Never again,'" whispered Dan in the ear of his commanding officer.
"What's that? I asked you for the countersign."
"The countersign is 'never again.'"
For a moment the captain stared, then he roared with laughter.
"'Never again,' my man," he said, whereat the sentry instantly lowered his rifle.
"Well, if that doesn't beat anything I ever heard!" chuckled the captain, grasping Dan by the arm and leading him over to the starboard side of the deck.