“He is a friend to animals. He will not kill nor hurt any living creature needlessly, but will strive to save and protect all harmless life.”
The Court also found that it involved, though perhaps less conspicuously, an upright obedience to Law Number 10: “A scout is Brave.”
It was therefore decided to award Dick not the medal for “life saving”, but a special commendation.
The officers present felt that the same doubt which had arisen in some of their own minds would naturally arise in the minds of the boys, and particularly hoped that the Chairman would make the whole question clear at quarters on the following day.
When the meeting was over, all the officers seemed pleased at the result, and, after a stroll on deck, Mr. Miller and the Chairman went below.
“Good night, sir,” said Mr. Miller to the Chairman, after they were in their bunks. “Something is going on inside of that boy, Gray. There is no doubt that he did a plucky and unselfish thing, and it will probably help him to see some other things in their true light.”
“That’s just what I think, Mr. Miller; I believe in the boy. Good night,” and the Chairman turned over in his bunk and went to sleep.
CHAPTER XI
Dick’s Confession
Next morning all hands were on deck at five o’clock to weigh anchor and set sail. It was a beautiful morning with a light breeze from the northeast which was just about a head wind.
The Captain was on the quarter-deck giving his orders, which were repeated by the mate a little forward of amidships. The boatswain was forward near the jib halyards, and Jack Perkins was busy looking out for his own section and watching to see that the other “B. M.’s” were doing the same thing. The master-at-arms was down below, hurrying up a couple of lazy lubbers who were inclined to dawdle instead of getting out on deck.