The students were as much astonished at Bob's story as their officer had been; and, after the latter had listened a few moments to their remarks, he came to the conclusion that, for once in his life, Tom Newcombe had shown some judgment when he declined to mingle with the crew. While some of them regarded the whole affair as a stupendous joke, others were very angry at him, and all believed that no other boy of his age in the world had so little common sense. Very likely the prisoner was much more comfortable in his wet clothes than he would have been by the fire, in the galley.
The lieutenant took off his coat, wrung the water out of it, and stood by the stove until his clothes were dry, when he returned to the cabin, where he found the tall student with his hand wrapped up in his handkerchief, walking up and down the floor. This was Jackson, the second lieutenant of the ship, and the one who had done such good service with his pillow.
"Does it hurt much?" inquired Harry.
"It is not very comfortable, I assure you," replied the student, his face all wrinkled up with pain, "but I don't mind the hurt so much as I do the investigation that is coming."
The first lieutenant seated himself at his desk, to write out his report of the incidents of the night. He went about it with as much earnestness as if he had been the commander of a government vessel, in time of war, and had just come out of a terrible fight. He had nothing to do but to tell the truth in the fewest possible words, and in a few minutes the report was finished. It ran as follows:
"Academy Ship Storm King,
July 16th, 18—."Sir
"It becomes my unpleasant duty to inform you that an attack was made upon this vessel, at half-past ten o'clock, by an organized band of outlaws, calling themselves 'Crusoe men,' and that it was partially successful.
"In accordance with the instructions contained in your letters of this date, I reported to the commanding officer of the yacht for duty and command of the vessel. I at once proceeded to carry out the verbal orders given me before I left the academy, and detailed six privates, two corporals, and as many officers, for guard duty. One sentry was posted on deck, while the officer remained in the cabin, and the corporal in the forecastle, the latter going on deck twice each hour, to strike the bells and see that every thing was snug. At the time the attack was made, private Simmonds was the sentinel on deck, and lieutenant Jackson the officer of the guard. The attacking party, consisting of six men, were led by Samuel Barton, who went by the name of governor. They boarded the vessel from a yawl—the darkness and the howling of the storm effectually concealing their movements from the sentinel, and drowning all sounds of their approach. Private Simmonds called for the corporal, and attempted to prevent the boarding of the pirates, but was obliged to retreat into the cabin, where he was pursued by the governor and a portion of his band; the others, commanded by Thomas Newcombe, going down into the galley, and thence into the forecastle, where they aroused the guard from a sound sleep, and drove them into the hold. The governor's squad numbered only three men, but they were armed with spears, which we found to be quite as dangerous as bayonets.
"The most of the crew were asleep in the hold, and before they could be awakened, the officers in the cabin had been overpowered and crowded into the hold at the point of the spears. The pirates placed themselves between us and our weapons, but we would have succeeded in beating them back but for the arrival of their reënforcements. Some of them turned our own weapons against us, and, being unarmed, we were forced to retreat. The pirates then locked us up in the hold, after which, Thomas Newcombe took command of the vessel.
"Owing to some disagreement with the chief, he was broken, and the management of the yacht devolved upon a member of the band, who answers to the name of Xury. He started down the harbor under a close reefed mainsail, while we in the hold made repeated but unsuccessful efforts to escape, until Thomas Newcombe, wishing to be revenged upon his chief for relieving him of the command, unlocked the door and released us. We at once attacked the pirates, who made but a feeble resistance, and in a few moments they were all secured, except the chief, who jumped overboard rather than to fall into our hands. The vessel was put about by midshipman Richardson, who handled her during the fight, and brought her back to her anchorage.
"I regret to report that lieutenant Jackson, corporal Smith, and private Simmonds, were wounded during the struggle—the former being disabled by a thrust from a bayonet.
"I am sure that the Storm King sustained no injury during the run down and up the harbor, but, in order to establish this fact, I respectfully request that a Board of Survey be ordered to examine into her condition, and also that a Court of Inquiry be convened, to ascertain whether or not the honor of our flag has suffered in my hands
"Very Respectfully,
Your Obd't Serv't
HENRY GREEN,
First Lieutenant, A. N."Captain William Steele,
Commanding Academy Ship Storm King."
(The letters A. N., which Harry placed after his rank, stood for Academy Navy.)
"How will that do, Jackson?" inquired the first lieutenant, after he had read the report to his wounded shipmate. "I know that the Board of Survey, and the Court of Inquiry will come, whether I ask for them or not; but I have made the request, simply to show the principal that I am willing he should sift the matter as soon as he pleases. I can't think of any order that I have disobeyed, but they are so hard on a fellow here, that I expect to have my appointment revoked."
The first lieutenant placed his report in an official envelope, and, after addressing it to the captain, he went into his state-room and tumbled into bed. He did not sleep much; and neither did Tom Newcombe, who, during the rest of the night, paced up and down his narrow prison like a caged lion. Morning came much too soon for him, and, at the first peep of day, all hands were called, and Harry put off for shore in the jolly-boat. In half an hour he returned with a yawl, and took his prisoners and Bob Jennings on board. The latter was landed outside the academy grounds, and then the first lieutenant pushed off again to take the Crusoe men before the principal. The fisher-boy would have been glad to accompany them, for he wanted to hear what the principal would say to Tom. But other things demanded his attention. The first was, to go home and relieve the anxiety which he knew his mother felt at his prolonged absence, and the other, to secure possession of the Go Ahead No. 2, which had been left in the cave. He started off on a keen run, and in a few minutes reached Fishertown, and burst into the house, where his mother was engaged in getting breakfast.