The captain nodded reflectively.
“The Secretary of the Navy shall be informed of this at once. Mr. Coates!”
The executive officer approached.
“Never in my experience have I known of such unselfish heroism as those two lads have shown to-day. Kester is the man with whom young Davis and Hickey had difficulties, is he not?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And to-day the boys save his life. By the way, surgeon, how did the lad break his wrist in the first place?”
“I believe it was through a fall from his hammock.”
“I looked into that matter, sir,” spoke up the executive officer. “I learn that Davis’s hammock lashings had been cut during the night, or some time earlier. At least he did not observe the fact and got his tumble after he had been asleep several hours.”
“Find the man who did that. He shall be dismissed from the service instantly.”
“Yes, sir.”