HIS FIRST COMMAND
"The captain wishes to see you, sir," said an orderly, approaching Dan.
"I am in shore clothes, orderly."
"The captain knows that. You are to come at once."
Dan hurried below, leaving Sam to tell the admiring sailors of the experiences through which they had passed in Paris.
"Well, my lad," greeted the captain, with a laugh, "you are back, I see."
"Yes, sir."
"You did not stay your leave out?"
"No, sir."
"Get tired of it?"
"Well, yes, sir—rather."
"How was that?"
"We had a pretty good time. We saw everything worth seeing, I guess."
"What is this that I hear about you lads trying to rob a couple of women?" questioned the captain, with a quizzical smile.
Dan flushed rosy red.
"Did you hear about that, sir?"
"Certainly."
"Oh, yes, I remember! the consul said you had telegraphed to him. I am sorry, sir, that we got into so much trouble, but we did what we thought was right."
"Indeed you did," answered the captain, dropping his quizzical tone. "Not only that, but you proved yourself real men. But did you really assault some of the French police?"
"I am afraid we did," answered Dan, meeting his commanding officer's eye squarely.
"Bad, very bad. But how did it occur?"
Dan related, briefly, their meeting with the Apaches, and the fight with the police a few minutes later. From that he told of their arrest and imprisonment. Davis told the story well, the captain listening intently until the narrative was finished.
"You boys certainly have had an experience. But you have not told me why you cut your leave short?"
"We lost our money, sir."
"Lost your money?"
"Yes sir."
"How did that happen?"
"As my friend Hickey would put it, we were 'touched,' sir."
The captain threw back his head, laughing heartily.
"That is not a new thing to happen to a sailor. Do you know how it occurred?"
"We can only guess at it, sir. We had been dining with the Spanish ambassador——"
"Dining with the Spanish ambassador?" questioned the captain in well-feigned surprise.
"Yes, sir; did I not tell you about that?"
"No."
"It seems that it was his wife and daughter whom we rescued from the Apaches. We did not know that until some time afterwards. The ambassador invited us to dine with them at the embassy; then later in the evening he told us who the women were that we had rescued."
"Well, I must say you lads are getting on in the world pretty fast."
"Yes, sir; it seems to me that we have not been losing any time."
"I should say you had not. But about losing your money?"
"We walked home from the ambassador's residence, sir. On the way we sat down on a seat in one of the little parks. We had not sat there long before two gentlemen came along and sat down. There was one on either side of us."
"They began talking to us in English, and, learning who we were, became quite friendly. They were very pleasant gentlemen, sir."
"So I should imagine."
"After talking for some time, we decided to move on, and, bidding them good night, went to our pension."
"Then you think those pleasant gentlemen were those who got your money?"
"They must have been, sir. We were not near enough to any one else to give him a chance to get into our pockets. I am ashamed of myself, sir, to have been so easily fooled."
"Many men more experienced than either of you lads have been taken in, my boy. You did very well. I commend you both for the way you have conducted yourself in the trying experiences you have had. The American consul said some very pleasant things about you."
"We had to borrow some money off him to get back to ship, sir," said Dan. "I should like to return it to him at once. Shall I be able to put a letter ashore?"
"I am afraid not. We shall be sailing very shortly now. We were waiting——"
Some one knocked at the door.
"Well?"
"Orderly, sir."
"Yes, what is it?"
"The master-at-arms reports that twelve men are ashore, having overstayed their leave, sir."
"Thank you. Send the executive officer here to me."
"Aye, aye, sir."
"Davis, go to the canteen at once, and procure your uniform. See that your rating badge is sewed on the sleeve; then report back to me here."
"Aye, aye, sir."
Dan hurried away, delivering the captain's order to the keeper of the canteen. He was quickly furnished with a new uniform and a rating badge, the latter showing that he was a petty officer. This rating badge consisted of two white crossed cannon with three red chevrons beneath, all surmounted by a white eagle, worn on the sleeve.
Dan went out on the spar deck where he changed his clothes abaft of the second stack.
While he was thus engaged, the executive officer reported to his superior officer. The two officers were engaged in conversation for some moments.
"See that the master-at-arms is informed immediately of my wishes. I am sending Davis because I wish him to have the experience."
"Are the men to carry arms, sir?"
"Yes."
"Has authority been obtained from the local authorities, sir?"
"Yes; that has been arranged for, in case we found it necessary to land a patrol."
"Very good, sir. Shall I send Davis to you?"
"I already have ordered him to report. See that the master-at-arms has everything arranged at once. I desire to get away from here to-day if possible."
"Aye, aye, sir."
The executive officer saluted and left the captain's cabin. He had been gone but a few moments when there came another knock at the door.
"Seaman Davis, sir."
"Come in."
Dan Davis, in his new uniform, stepped into the room, looking very handsome and manly. He stood erect, with shoulders well back, in perfect military position.
The captain surveyed him with critical but approving eyes.
"I wish you to perform a service, Davis," announced the captain in a business-like tone.
"Aye, aye, sir."
"I am giving you this detail that you may get the experience. By rights, the marines should do it, though it is discretionary with me to send whom I choose. I have decided to send you."
Dan did not reply. He could not imagine what was wanted of him.
"You will take a detail of six men, armed, carrying five rounds of ball cartridges. Proceed ashore in steamer number one, and round up the delinquents. Bear in mind that you are on foreign soil, and that any indiscreet act on your part might involve the United States in trouble with the French government."
The captain paused to give his words force.
"Aye, aye, sir."
Dan's eyes were sparkling, strive as he might to appear as if it were nothing unusual to be sent ashore at the head of a patrol.
"Twelve delinquents are ashore, having overstayed their leave. Bring in all you can find, reporting to the American consul as to those whom you fail to round up. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"You will use no unnecessary force, but simply bring in the men. You will remember that you are clothed with no little power. Exercise it discreetly. I know that I can depend on you. That will be all. Report at once to the master-at-arms, who has instructions and orders in this matter. Make all possible haste, as I desire to sail this afternoon, or as much earlier as is possible."
"Aye, aye, sir. Is that all, sir?"
"Yes."
The Battleship Boy saluted and retired. Proceeding directly to the forecastle, he reported to the master-at-arms, who had already ordered out the men who were to constitute the patrol.
Dan's companions were looking on smilingly, for the lad was popular among his fellows.
"Here is the list of the men whom you are to bring in," said the master-at-arms.
Davis took the list, going over it deliberately and fixing the names in his mind, after which he stowed the paper in his blouse pocket.
"You have your orders?"
"Yes, sir; the captain has given me my instructions. You have no idea where I shall find the men, sir?"
"No; that is for you to find out when you get ashore. Are you ready?"
"All ready, sir."
"Take charge of the patrol."
"Carry arms!" commanded Davis, turning to his squad. "Right face, forward march! Board steamer!"
The men scrambled over the side, going down the Jacob's ladder into the steamer that lay awaiting them below.
"Cast off!" commanded the Battleship Boy. The steamer whistled once and headed for the landing stage.
Dan sat on the stern rail alone. He was impressed with the importance of his assignment. He realized that he had it in his power, perhaps, to bring on war between two friendly powers. Every minute the steamer was drawing nearer and nearer to the landing stage.
Dan felt no nervousness. He did not try to make up his mind what he should do when he got ashore. Time enough for that when he got there.
The landing stage reached, the men were piped out.
"Fall in, forward march, by twos!"
The men fell into step and marched steadily up the street.
It was a small command that Dan Davis had under him, but he was as proud of it as if he had been commanding a company.