“Don’t let any one on board hear you express such sentiments,” Sydney continued gravely. “You must guard your tongue if you are to fight him successfully.”
At evening “quarters” Phil saw Lazar in conversation with Captain Taylor, on the quarter-deck.
As he passed them he overheard, from Lazar’s lips, words that made his face flush with anger.
“I feel I can never trust him again, sir; his work has been very unsatisfactory from the beginning. I desire to have him relieved.”
“So that is the reward for my hard work,” thought Phil, despairingly.
After quarters he hesitated whether to go and tell the captain all the circumstances and endeavor to save his good name, or let matters take their course. He felt that Lazar did not believe that he was the cause of the damage, he only used it as a weapon against him. But how would the captain act? Would he demand an explanation?
These reflections were cut short by an orderly at his elbow.
“Mr. Penfield wishes to see you, sir,” announced he.
“Mr. Perry, the captain has directed your assignment in his office,” the executive officer explained, as Phil saluted him a moment later. “Your duty in the turret will be taken by Mr. Marshall.”
Phil saluted and turned away. What did it mean? The captain surely did not believe him guilty of the act he was accused of by Lazar, else he would not place him in such a responsible position. He felt he had been removed from the turret under a cloud, yet his promotion to the office as secretary and assistant to his commanding officer took out most of the sting.