Buckling on his sword, the badge of official duty, he descended the gangway. As he was about to step into the “Vidette” alongside, he glanced up and saw O’Neil was at the helm.
“Well,” he cried with pleasure, “so you have had a promotion too; I am mighty glad to see you in my boat. This is going to be my boat while here,” he confided in a lower tone, “and I know of no one whom I would rather have than you, O’Neil.”
The coxswain beamed with pleasure.
“Thank you, Mr. Perry,” he answered abashed. “It’s a great honor you are paying me, sir.”
After getting alongside the anchored merchantman, Phil mounted the gangway ladder to the main deck.
There he was received cordially by her captain.
“Glad to be acquainted with you,” he said, shaking the lad’s hand. “It does me good to see our fine big ships in foreign ports. These dagos here are a hundred per cent. more civil already.”
He led the way to his cabin and gave Phil the information which the custom of the naval service requires be obtained upon visiting American merchantmen in foreign ports.
“No, you cannot be of any assistance to me,” answered the captain to Phil’s inquiry; “but it’s great to see her over there. Why, she could blow this whole town into pieces in a half hour, and she would, too, if it were necessary, wouldn’t she?” the captain interrogated, warmed to his theme.
A uniformed official appeared at this moment to speak to him.