He then dripped down the companionway to his bunk and managed to escape attention, while Dick went forward and got a mop to wipe up the pool at the spot where they had been talking.
After the regular morning duties were over, the officers met in the cabin to hand in their marks in the different branches of instruction during the cruise. Then the boys were called down, one at a time, to submit to a final test, and it was three hours before they were all through their examinations. The total result was that eleven boys had passed for the rating of Ordinary Seaman, five for Able Seaman, and half a dozen had received commendations in different subjects,—including three in advanced swimming.
Special quarters were held immediately after dinner, and the ratings and commendations given out as a result of the examination.
The sails were then set for the last time, all hands called to the windlass, the anchor weighed, and the Bright Wing quietly dropped down the harbor to her berth in the Navy Yard.
But, before she got there, an important matter was settled by the members of the Triangle Club, who held their meeting in the jib netting. It was Tom who called the meeting to order, and Dick explained the important change he had noticed early that morning in Billy Brown.
“I tell you what, boys,” said he, “it’s no joke for a fellow to break up a habit like that, and I’m dead certain that Billy has made a good start. He’ll make a fine swimmer before long, and he’s shown a lot of grit. I vote we make him a member.”
Tom objected at first, as he hadn’t known Billy particularly well; but, when he realized the struggle that the boy had been through, he heartily gave his consent.
The only difficulty was how to fit a fourth member into the “triangle”; and finally Dick proposed that they should change the name and call it the “Four Square Club.” He then pulled a book out of his pocket; and on the fly-leaf drew the following device:
Billy was immediately informed of his unanimous election and accepted the honor with surprise and delight.