“Mr. Osborn?” questioned the captain.
“Yes, sir.”
“Mr. Baldwin has reported to me that in the accident this morning you were the first to get to the main to’ bowline to lower Mr. Smith to the deck. That was well done for any one, particularly for a fourth classman; and it is gratifying that such signal proof should come of the instruction received by midshipmen. [You did well, sir.] Mr. Roberts, you will please give Mr. Osborn a four for this week’s mark in seamanship. That’s all, sir.”
Ralph walked away, tingling with pleasure. He had received emphatic praise from his captain for acting with good judgment during an emergency.
The midshipmen were much impressed by Smith’s fall and miraculous escape and talked of but little else for days. The time fairly flew by for Ralph. In the daytime he was kept constantly busy, either running aloft to examine different things in preparation for the day’s seamanship lesson, or else by working at prescribed tasks on deck. At night each midshipman stood (or rather stood lying down) a four-hour watch on deck. This was no hardship. The weather kept fine and it was delightful to be lulled to sleep by the easy roll of the ship with the wind blowing softly, and hearing the comfortable swish of the water against the ship’s hull.
Ralph thoroughly enjoyed the companionship of his classmates. They were a fine group of young men, full of life and spirit. Those he liked most were Bollup, Himski, Creelton, and Taylor. Creelton was an agreeable young fellow; he was engaging and sympathetic in manner and generous to a fault.
“Who are you going to room with, Os?” asked Bollup the day before the Chesapeake arrived in New London.
“Why, I’d like to room with you. What do you say?”
“Thanks, Os; I’m sure I’d find that very pleasant, but Himski and I have fixed up to room together. The fellows are all talking about who they are going to room with next year and if you have any particular choice you’d better get busy.”
Creelton now approached, and Ralph said: “Say, Creelton, what do you say to rooming with me next year?”