Boy Scouts at Sea; Or, A Chronicle of the B. S. S. Bright Wing

by Arthur Astor Carey

A special conference of officers was called by the Chairman immediately after dinner, where the question of Ronald Jones’s fitness as a petty officer was brought up and carefully discussed. None of the officers felt that he was able to carry the responsibilities of a “B. M.”, and they knew that he would lower the standard of discipline if allowed to remain in this position. It was voted to disrate him, in the usual way, by asking the Chairman to explain the matter to the boy carefully beforehand; so that, if possible, he would himself see the justice of the decision.

Then the question came up as to who would be his successor. The next day—which was Saturday—was the regular time for awarding ratings and promotions at the end of the cruise, and it was also the time appointed for the settlement of the question of Dick Gray’s commendation for efficient conduct during the Salem fire. The idea of his promotion to succeed Jones occurred to everybody present at the same time. The matter of his foul play at baseball was considered absolutely settled and atoned for by the sincere and manly confession he had made of his fault, and the complete change in his bearing and work since that event.

“That boy was the greatest kicker on board at the beginning of the cruise,” said Mr. Miller, “and even objected to striking the bell on time, but now he positively enjoys being punctual and is one of the most trustworthy boys in the ship’s company.”

“Apart from the other matter,” remarked the Chairman, “that is just the quality we need in a ‘B. M.’, provided he is far enough along in his seamanship; and the spirit he showed in coming to the rescue of Smith and little Brown, the other day, in itself speaks volumes for his gain in manliness and efficiency.”

“We all feel the same way about that,” replied the Captain; “and, besides, there was never any trouble about Gray’s understanding things. It was only a question with him of being willing and straightforward. He seems to have learnt that now, and it won’t be hard to put him wise where he may be lacking in points of seamanship.”

As the end of the cruise was drawing near, it was decided to call the company to special quarters that very afternoon, as soon as the Chairman had finished his talks with Jones and Dick; for, of course, it was necessary that the latter should be warned of his coming promotion.

Boys who read this book are familiar enough by this time with the way official announcements are made at quarters,—the main idea being that whatever is said is intended to be publicly noted by everybody on board.

In his talk with Jones, the Chairman explained carefully the difference between the duties of an officer and his official relations to the men under his command, on the one hand, and the actions of a vulgar boss, or “bucko mate” on the other.

“The latter,” said the Chairman, “is a man who puts his own self-will in the place of law, because his mind is not large enough to grasp the idea of law. His only notion is that he is bigger than the other fellow, and he wants to prove his bigness. The true officer, on the other hand, is personally humble and knows that his only authority comes from the law which he represents, and which he himself must be even more careful to obey than the best of his subordinates.

“You see, Jones, a true officer respects the personal liberty of his men so long as it does not interfere with duty. For instance, a boy has a right to judge for himself, on ordinary occasions, whether he has had enough to eat or not. It is an officer’s duty to respect his personal liberty as well as to enforce whatever has to do with his official duty. If a boy is not doing his work properly, he should be reprimanded and reported, if necessary; but an officer has no right to make him stand on his head, or to give him any merely arbitrary command in the name of his official authority. Do you see what I mean?”