"Your showing in the Academy has been creditable," the commandant continued, "and I have the pleasure of informing you that your appointment as United States Commissioner on the Bear on her next trip has been forwarded to me," and he touched a paper lying on the desk.
"I have to thank Mr. Sutherland for that, sir," Eric answered.
"It is a matter of record, sir," the commandant answered a trifle sternly, "that you have done your duty. Appointments in the Coast Guard, Mr. Swift, are made upon the single basis of efficiency and fitness. I have the honor to congratulate you upon your commission and to wish you well."
Walking from the commandant's office, Eric, now "Lieutenant Swift," met the first lieutenant. He looked so excited that the officer stopped and spoke to him.
"You wanted to speak to me?"
"I've been ordered to the Bear, sir," blurted out Eric, for a moment dropping the official speech and talking eagerly, "and I've got the Commissionership, too!"
The first lieutenant raised his eyebrows slightly at the conversational form of address, but he realized that the boy was bubbling over with his news.
"I'm very glad, Mr. Swift," he said heartily; "perhaps you'll be able to use a little of that Eskimo you learned."
"I'm so grateful to you, Mr. Sutherland," Eric began, but the other stopped him with a slight gesture.
"I rather envy you your first trip into the Arctic," he said; "it's an experience that no one ever forgets. And you will find out for yourself whether I have overestimated the Eskimo as a race." He put his hand kindly on the lad's shoulder, as he noticed the slight limp, and remembered.