At the request of the superintendent of the Boys’ Club, the Sea Scouts remained in Salem one more day and night. By that time the militia had arrived, and the worst of the emergency was over. The fire had been put out since the night after their arrival, and the relief committee for the whole city was thoroughly organized and in working order. When they had said good-by to the superintendent and as many of their new friends as they could find at the moment, the boys started, after breakfast, on their way back to the ship. The scene was quite different from that through which they had marched on that first afternoon. There was no fire burning anywhere; and, in the high wind, most of the cinders had been blown out to sea; but there were desolate proofs of the destruction wrought in the charred and broken walls of the forsaken houses which, only a few days before, had been cheerful and comfortable homes. They passed by groups of people who were walking about inspecting the ruins, and overheard an old man saying:
“They say fire is a good servant but a poor master—and I guess they’re right. What do you say, Joe?”
Dick Gray, Tom, and Chippie walked together and talked over their adventures.
Soldiers belonging to the militia were standing sentry at different points to protect the property that had not yet been removed, and they also had charge of the street traffic, so that no carriages or automobiles that were not engaged in rescue work were permitted within the burnt district.
Dick told the other boys of the rescue of a blind man by one of the Salem scouts. The poor fellow had been found in the railway station, hearing the strange sounds and feeling the fire creeping nearer, but not knowing which way to turn. Tom, on the other hand, told them about his first-aid adventure with the woman and the doctor, of which he had not spoken previously to any one except Mr. Miller.
Then it suddenly occurred to him that, as they were all three together and practically alone, this would be a good opportunity to speak to Dick about a matter which he and Chippie had talked of together, and which had been on their minds for some days past. So Tom changed the subject rather suddenly and said:
“Dick, Chip and I have been wondering what you have had such a grouch about lately; can you tell us?”
“What do you want to know for?” answered Dick rather gruffly.
“Well,” replied Tom, “it has something to do with the law about being cheerful—hasn’t it? And aren’t we three sworn brothers-in-arms to see that we keep the law?”
Dick did not answer at once, and he didn’t seem to relish what Tom was saying. But Chippie piped up next: