Captain Hale looked Nelson over with undisguised interest as the latter paused and saluted. “What’s your name?” he asked.
Nelson gave the information, and, in reply to further questions, narrated briefly the story of his adventures. The junior lieutenant turned from his post at the gyroscopic compass and listened.
“Sounds like a romance to me, my boy,” laughed the captain at the end, his gray eyes twinkling. “Have you tried it on the marines yet?”
“No, sir, I’ve had no chance,” answered Nelson, smiling.
“Well, I suppose it must be so. You’re pretty good proof of it. But it beats any story I’ve heard yet in the Navy. You’re a mighty lucky fellow to get out of a scrape like that. What was it like on the Gyandotte last night?”
“Pretty rough, sir.”
“I guess it was. You know the Gyandotte, George,” he added, turning to the lieutenant. “Weren’t you on her once?”
“Yes, I was with the Gyandotte five years ago. It was her last cruise. We thought she wouldn’t hold together to make port. She’s been overhauled, though, I believe.”
“Hope so. Well, make yourself at home, Troy. Townsend will find you something to do perhaps. We’ll put you back on your ship when we can, but I don’t know when we’ll see her again.”
“Thank you, sir.” Nelson followed Martin into the next compartment and was introduced to two of the crew who were lounging there. Something in their attitude toward Martin prompted Nelson to ask, as he seated himself on a bench beside the other: “Are you a petty officer?”