“I want to apologize,” went on Hank. “I’ve acted pretty mean toward you and your brother, and I’m sorry. But I’m done now. If ever you want a friend on this ship, count on me!”
“Thank you,” said Frank, “I don’t hold any grudge.”
“I’m glad of it,” responded Hank. “I know I’ve been rotten, but I’m through. It was fine of you to take me out. I shan’t forget it!”
“Three cheers for Frank Arden!” called some one.
They were given with a will that brought an officer on the run to see what was happening. But when he saw what it was he smiled and turned away.
“And three cheers for Hank Dell!” proposed Ned.
It would have puzzled any one to tell which cheers were the heartiest. And from then on, though occasionally he was up to some trick, the bully was a changed youth. He gave no more trouble, and Frank and Ned had no firmer friend. From being rather careless and neglectful of his progress, he became studious, and in this he was encouraged, for the officers are eager to have their men promoted.
“So that explosion was a good thing after all,” remarked Ned, some time later.
“Yes, though it looked mighty ticklish at the start,” responded Frank, with a smile.
There were other rifle practices as the weeks passed, sometimes with big guns, and more often with the small arms and quick firers. Ned and Frank went in for gunnery work, for which they seemed to have a peculiar aptitude, and in this they were encouraged by their superiors.