"Is not that young seaman, Dan Davis, handy with the flags?"
"Right you are, sir."
"Was he not one of the signalmen who did such fine work when we were laying mines, the time Bill Kester was rescued by this same boy?"
"Yes, sir. Both boys took part in that rescue, if you recall the incident."
"Yes, I remember. That will leave us in fine shape. You will see to it that the signal corps is put ashore this afternoon."
"Yes, sir."
"And, by the way, I think it might be a good idea to have Davis drill in some other men while we are about it. I want to see what we can do. He strikes me as being a most likely lad."
"Both of them are, sir, though Davis is built of a little finer material than his companion. Have I your instructions to order him to go ahead with the instruction?"
"Certainly."
"How many men shall we try out?"