“You’re wanted aft.”
The word came to Ned the next day as he lay, feeling rather dizzy and light-headed, in his hammock. There is no sick bay on a destroyer, and so special leave had been granted him to have his hammock slung during the daytime.
The Dreadnought Boy had been the only one of the boat’s crew injured in the onslaught of the mighty wave. Strong arms had pulled the rest to safety without injury. Ned, however, had been caught in the wreckage and badly bruised. As the parting of a light line released him from the tangle of the smashed boat, he had been flung head first against the Beale’s quarter.
“The commander added,—that is, if you feel well enough to come,” amended the messenger.
“Ask his indulgence for a few minutes till I get my sea legs, will you?” laughed Ned. “I feel mighty queer and shaky.”
At this moment Herc, who had been released from his duties on deck to see how his chum was faring, came below. With the red-headed lad’s assistance, Ned was soon ready for his visit aft. He found that the salty blast of fresh air which struck him in the face as he emerged from the crew’s quarters was as good as a tonic. The gale had blown itself out. Overhead was stretched a clean-swept, blue sky, while about them a bright sea, crested with sparkling whitecaps, raced along. Through it the Beale was plunging her way south at a good rate of speed, the black smoke pouring from her funnels and encrusting her after deck with a crunching carpet of cinders.
“Well, my lad, how are you feeling to-day?” asked Lieutenant Timmons, as Ned entered the cabin, cap in hand, and, after saluting, stood respectfully at attention.
Ned assured his superior that he was suffering no ill consequences. Whereupon Lieutenant Timmons called forward a young officer, whom Ned had not previously noticed.
“Here, Stark,” he said, “is the man you have to thank for your being here to-day.”
“And I do most heartily!” exclaimed the middy, stepping forward with outstretched hand. “I don’t know how to word it, Strong, but I hope you know how I feel.”