“I’ll report to you the instant I get anything, sir,” Jack assured him, and hurried off.
On the way he passed Schultz and put out his hand with direct, sailor-like bluntness.
“You saved my life to-night, Schultz. I’ll never forget it,” he said simply, but there was a wealth of feeling behind the quiet words.
“Oh, dot makes it no nefer mindt, Yack,” said the old German. “Don’t get excitedt ofer idt. Idt vos just a yob dot hadt to be done und I didded idt.”
“It was a great deal more than that,” said Jack, with warmth. “I hope some day I will get a chance to repay you.”
But Schultz, embarrassed and red as a beet under his tan, had hurried off. Like most sailors, Schultz hated sentiment. To him, his daring deed of saving Jack from his perilous perch in the cross-trees had been all in the line of duty.
Back in the wireless room once more, Jack looked in on Sam. The boy was sitting up in bed staring feverishly out into the wireless room.
“Oh, Jack, I’m glad you have come back!” he exclaimed. “Where have you been?”
“Fixing a little job of work, youngster. Something was wrong with the wireless. How do you feel?”
“Better, but oh, what a head! It’s the worst feeling I ever knew!”