"May I ask who the man is who will act as coxswain of the racing gig in to-morrow's race, sir?"
"Yes, you may. You will be surprised when I tell you. The man who is going to run the 'Long Island's' boat is named Daniel Davis."
"Da—Da—I—I am to be coxswain to-morrow?" gasped the boy.
"Yes, you, Dan. And you're going to do yourself and every man on this great ship proud."
Dan sat down in a chair rather suddenly. His face was pale and his eyes seemed larger than usual.
"I—I am to race the crew?"
"You are to race the crew. I have asked that you be released from duty to-day. Go off somewhere by yourself and think it over. Get your balance; then come back here and we will talk it over."
Dan walked out of the sick bay without a word. His emotions were so great that he could not talk.