He greeted them with his shrill barking, which Benny checked quickly lest the others should be awakened, and when the two whose time for duty had come were aroused, Sam whispered:
“Now we’ll turn in, No. 8, and see to it that you’re up bright and early to-morrow. You’re not to do any work in the kitchen, but will eat breakfast with the crew, so that we shan’t be delayed in setting out.”
Benny did not obey this command strictly. Next morning when the cook slipped out of bed softly to avoid disturbing the others, the lad heard and followed him without delay.
“You could have had a good half-hour’s sleep before breakfast will be ready, No. 8.”
“Yes, sir; but I wouldn’t have done my share of the work here,” Benny replied hesitatingly, for the cook had spoken sharply.
“Members of the crew who have a day’s liberty are not expected to do anything around the station, and you’re down for leave of absence from midnight.”
“That’s no reason why I shouldn’t do what I can before we leave,” Benny replied stoutly as he set about the usual morning duties, and until breakfast was on the table he insisted upon aiding the cook.
Then Sam sternly ordered him to “knock-off” and make ready for the journey.
“We’ve got a five-mile pull before us, an’ I’m not of the mind to spend our entire day at the oars.”
Until this moment Benny had supposed they would walk from the station to the city, and on learning that Sam intended to make the journey in the dory which the crew used for fishing, a certain wistful expression came into his eyes.