“I’ll tell you later,” he whispered, withdrawing his hand before the attention of the rest of the mess could be attracted. Then turning to the executive officer, presiding at the head of the mess-table, he asked anxiously:
“Is there any news, sir, about sending the guard to the legation? If it is going I should like to be allowed to go in the detail.”
Sydney hastened to add his plea to go along also, and Mr. Webster’s face broadened in an amused smile as he watched the eager faces of the midshipmen.
“I can tell you,” he replied heartily, “that you are both in the detail, so you may rest easy. I for one hope there will be no necessity for the expedition. China is a dangerous country when once aroused.” Then, turning to Phil, whose joy showed plainly in his face, while his pulses beat faster, he added:
“What’s this we hear about your rescuing a Chinaman from drowning last night? It’s all about the ship forward, yet aft here we’re the last to hear of it.”
Phil colored painfully while he outlined the episode of the river; he said but little of his part, but praised unstintingly the coolness and courage of the coxswain of the launch.
“Coxswain Blake belittles his own part as much as you praise it,” Mr. Webster remarked kindly, as the officers rose from the breakfast table.
In Phil’s room after breakfast, Langdon examined the ring closely in hopes of discovering a clew to the identity of the owner.
“There’s nothing here to tell,” the pilot announced after careful scrutiny, handing the ring back to the midshipman; “it’s of great value among the Chinese; undoubtedly the man was rich and he left with you the only article of value he was then wearing. The Chinese are a queer lot; their superstitions will not allow them to save a fellow-being from drowning, but when they themselves are saved by a foreigner they will at once put aside the obligation by giving their rescuer a costly gift. Your Chinaman doubtless considers his debt is paid.”
After breakfast was over the midshipmen asked and received permission to visit the foreign concession.