"I am on the anchor watch, sir. I'm under orders."
"Anchor watch nothing; you'll remain here."
"I am sorry, sir, but I cannot do so until I am relieved at eight bells. If they do not want me on watch they will tell me so. I am all right now. I feel fine."
The surgeon grunted.
"Very well; but I shall tell the captain that you are unfit for duty. You have lost more blood than is good for you."
Dan left the sick bay, the surgeon watching his unsteady steps as the boy made his way down the dimly lighted corridor.
A group of officers were gathered on the quarter-deck discussing the exciting incidents of the evening, when the Battleship Boy made his appearance there.
"I report for duty, sir. I am ready to finish my watch, sir," he said, saluting the officer of the deck.
The officer of the deck looked the boy over, who, with bandaged head and pale face, presented a woebegone appearance.
"I thought you were ordered to the sick bay?"