"Daniel Davis and Samuel Hickey step three paces to the front,"
commanded the executive officer.
They did so, wonderingly.
The ship"s commander stepped out before them.
"I have here," he began, "a communication from the Secretary of the Navy, which I will read. It is as follows:
""It is hereby ordered that Ordinary Seaman Daniel Davis and Ordinary Seaman Samuel Hickey, at present a.s.signed to the battleship "Long Island," do present themselves at the executive mansion in Washington, on the morning of July twenty-ninth, at eleven o"clock. It is desired to show proper recognition for their joint deed of heroism in rescuing, from three fathoms of water, the ship"s diver, William Kester. The President is desirous of seeing these young men in person. It will be his pleasure to express to them the grat.i.tude of the government for their splendid achievement. The men will report in blue dress.""
The Battleship Boys, even now, did not fully understand what was expected of them, but they were proud in the thought that they had done something to merit the praise of their superior officers.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Dan and Sam are Commended for Their Bravery.]
"You will be put ash.o.r.e at three o"clock this afternoon, men. You will take a night train to Washington and report in accordance with the instructions as contained in the order just read. Your shipmates should be proud of you. You have given all of us a lesson in self-sacrificing patriotism that we shall do well to bear in mind. Beside your undaunted bravery, you showed rare judgment and coolness. These are more valuable than bravery alone because they direct bravery. Especially do I wish to commend you, Davis, for your splendid heroism in rescuing your shipmate."
The captain came to attention, saluted the two boys before him, then to the measured beat of the drum, sailors and marines marched from the quarter-deck, leaving the two lads standing before their officers. The jackies looked as if they would like to cheer the boys, but discipline would not permit.
"My lads, you had better go to your quarters and prepare for your journey. Ord"ly, tell the master-at-arms to see that these lads have a warm meal before they leave the ship this afternoon. Davis and Hickey, no duties will be required of you to-day, save to prepare for your journey. Carry on."
Saluting their commander, the Battleship Boys executed a right about face and marched from the deck.
"It begins to look as if we were the people," Sam confided to his companion, with a wink after they had left the quarter-deck behind them.
"Two of the people, that"s all, Sam," corrected Dan. "You and I are just two boys who are serving the people under the Stars and Stripes. Let"s not forget that."
Reaching their quarters they were met by a shipmate with a message.
"Bill Kester wants to see you and the red-head," he said.
"Is he in the sick bay?" asked Dan
"Yes."
"I wonder what he wants," mused Dan, as they started away.
"Maybe he wants to fight us both, now, because we pulled him out of the brine," laughed Sam Hickey.
Kester had not improved as rapidly as had been expected. They found him on a cot in the sick bay, pale and weak from his terrible experience.
"h.e.l.lo, Bill," greeted Sam, with a grin. "How are you feeling to-day?"
"Tolerable, shipmates. Dynie, you licked me didn"t you?" he demanded after a pause, using the nickname that the men had bestowed upon Dan.
"I"m sorry," muttered Dan.
"I got what I deserved, I did. But I didn"t know I had. I swore I"d get even with you. I said you and me couldn"t stay on the same ship."
"Never mind, that"s all right," murmured Dan, at a loss what to say.
"It ain"t all right. I"ve got something I want to say to you. Dynamite, I cut them hammock lashings."
Kester waited to let his words sink in, but neither boy made any reply.
So the man went on:
"I was mad, crazy mad. I"d have laughed for joy if I could have seen you both sewn up in rolls of canvas and dumped overboard with a flag draped over the sacks. You"ll report me, I know. They are trying to find out who did it. Report me. I deserve all I"ll get."
"You are mistaken, Bill, we are not going to report you," answered Dan firmly.
"You ain"t going to report me?"
"Certainly not."
"Then maybe red-head here would like to give me a wallop on the jaw to even things up."
"No."
"No? What then?"
"We are going to shake hands with you, Bill," replied Dan. Each boy extended an impulsive hand. Bill took the hands, gazing keenly into the bronzed faces as he did so.
"I"ve heard all about it," he muttered. "Yes, I"ve heard all about it.
They told me to-day, and-and--"
Bill Kester, once the bully of the "Long Island" buried his face in the pillow. There was a convulsive upheaval of his shoulders, and the lads caught what sounded to them like a sob.
"Forget it, Bill," said Sam awkwardly.
"Yes," added Dan; "we didn"t do a thing for you that you would not have done for either or both of us, old shipmate. Good-bye, until we see you a few days from now."
They stole from the room, leaving Bill Kester to a refreshing sleep, which his relieved conscience permitted him to take.
"I"d have blubbered if I had stayed there another minute," muttered Sam Hickey.
On the following morning two brown-faced boys, clad in the blue service uniform of the United States Navy-one with a bandaged hand-made their way up Pennsylvania Avenue and were promptly admitted to the White House. They were conducted to the East Room, where were a.s.sembled a number of Navy and Army officers, together with a few other invited guests.
The President entered soon after. He made straight for the lads with a quick, nervous walk, grasping the hands of the Battleship Boys impulsively. The others in the room now ranged themselves behind the President.
"My lads," began the Chief Executive, without loss of time, "I am proud to take you by the hand. The country too, has reason to be proud of young men like you. You have shown the true American spirit. Your signal bravery and heroic acts should, and will, challenge the admiration of every one of your countrymen. The testimony of your officers and of your a.s.sociates, who saw your battle for life in your efforts to rescue a shipmate, leave no question as to your right to be rewarded by the government. A special mention is made of you, Davis, to which I add another of my own. You, though suffering from broken bones, ill enough to occupy a place in the sick bay of your ship, went to the rescue of a drowning comrade. My lads, it gives me more pleasure than I can express, to have the privilege of presenting to each of you a medal of honor, the most highly prized decoration at the disposal of a grateful republic.
That you will wear these medals with credit there can be no doubt."
Stepping forward, the President pinned, on the breast of each lad, the badge that would for all time mark them out from most of their fellows.
"The government," continued the President, resuming his former position, "has provided a further reward in cases such as yours. To each of you I present on behalf of the government, a purse containing one hundred dollars in gold."
The eyes of the Battleship Boys were swimming, and Sam Hickey"s red hair appeared to stand up straighter than ever. A warm, cordial pressure of the hands of the lads by the President completed the ceremony, after which, each of the guests stepped forward for a hand shake and a word of congratulation for the brave boys.
Fairly dazed because of these wonderful things that had come to them, the boys muttered their thanks and made their way from the White House as quickly thereafter as was possible. They were unusually silent as they hurried from the grounds, wearing their shining gold badges. Their hearts were too full for words, and each made a mental resolve that he would serve his country and his Flag from that moment on with a devotion which should never fade.