"Below, writing a letter. I knew nothing about it, until my chum came below and I saw the blood on his face."
"Have you any enemies on board?"
"Not that I know of, sir."
"Was anyone except yourself on deck at the time?"
"Yes; a few of the men were asleep further forward. I saw no one moving about."
"Come with me."
The master-at-arms conducted Dan to the surgeon, where a quick examination was made of the wound, after which the surgeon dressed it and put in several stitches. Dan did not even wince, though the pain was severe. Sam's face was pale, and the perspiration stood out on his forehead as he watched the stitching of the ragged ear-lobe.
"Anybody would think you were being operated upon by the looks of you," laughed Dan.
"I feel as if I were," answered Sam rather weakly.
The wound attended to, the petty officer directed the boys to follow him, which they did, going directly to the forward deck.