The next morning all hands were mustered on deck, and Captain De Long, in a few well-spoken words, complimented Mark Merrill upon his noble act, and praised the crew of the lifeboat for their gallant service.
Mark blushed like a girl under the words of the captain, and to his brother midshipmen made light of his act; but he got full credit for the deed all the same, for all understood that there had been no love lost between Scott Clemmons and himself.
And so on its way held the cruiser until the shores of England hove in view, and the anchor was soon after let fall in the Mersey.
Among the first to land were three midshipmen who seemed to have some special mission ashore.
They were Herbert Nazro, Winslow Dillingham and Bemis Perry, and they made their way directly to a fashionable jewelry establishment, where an order was left for some special work, with directions to forward it by express to Lisbon by a certain time, when the ship would touch there.
After a few days in port the cruiser again set sail, and Scott Clemmons was again on duty, though there was a red scar still visible upon his forehead.
But all noticed that, in spite of owing his life to Mark Merrill, Scott Clemmons seemed rather to shun the one to whom he owed his life than to seek his company.
CHAPTER XLIV.
THE PILOT MIDSHIPMAN.
From port to port went the cadet’s cruiser, saluting the flags, forts, and ships of other nations and receiving salutes in turn, while the young sailors were given a run ashore to see something of the countries they were visiting.