CHAPTER VIII
HIS FIRST COMMAND
"The captain wishes to see you, sir," said an orderly, approaching Dan.
"I am in shore clothes, orderly."
"The captain knows that. You are to come at once."
Dan hurried below, leaving Sam to tell the admiring sailors of theexperiences through which they had passed in Paris.
"Well, my lad," greeted the captain, with a laugh, "you are back, Isee."
"Yes, sir."
"You did not stay your leave out?"
"No, sir."
"Get tired of it?"
"Well, yes, sir--rather."
"How was that?"
"We had a pretty good time. We saw everything worth seeing, I guess."
"What is this that I hear about you lads trying to rob a couple ofwomen?" questioned the captain, with a quizzical smile.
Dan flushed rosy red.
"Did you hear about that, sir?"
"Certainly."
"Oh, yes, I remember! the consul said you had telegraphed to him. I amsorry, sir, that we got into so much trouble, but we did what we thoughtwas right."
"Indeed you did," answered the captain, dropping his quizzical tone."Not only that, but you proved yourself real men. But did you reallyassault some of the French police?"
"I am afraid we did," answered Dan, meeting his commanding officer's eyesquarely.
"Bad, very bad. But how did it occur?"
Dan related, briefly, their meeting with the Apaches, and the fight withthe police a few minutes later. From that he told of their arrest andimprisonment. Davis told the story well, the captain listening intentlyuntil the narrative was finished.
"You boys certainly have had an experience. But you have not told me whyyou cut your leave short?"
"We lost our money, sir."
"Lost your money?"
"Yes sir."
"How did that happen?"
"As my friend Hickey would put it, we were 'touched,' sir."
The captain threw back his head, laughing heartily.
"That is not a new thing to happen to a sailor. Do you know how itoccurred?"
"We can only guess at it, sir. We had been dining with the Spanishambassador----"
"Dining with the Spanish ambassador?" questioned the captain inwell-feigned surprise.
"Yes, sir; did I not tell you about that?"
"No."
"It seems that it was his wife and daughter whom we rescued from theApaches. We did not know that until some time afterwards. The ambassadorinvited us to dine with them at the embassy; then later in the eveninghe told us who the women were that we had rescued."
"Well, I must say you lads are getting on in the world pretty fast."
"Yes, sir; it seems to me that we have not been losing any time."
"I should say you had not. But about losing your money?"
"We walked home from the ambassador's residence, sir. On the way we satdown on a seat in one of the little parks. We had not sat there longbefore two gentlemen came along and sat down. There was one on eitherside of us."
"They began talking to us in English, and, learning who we were, becamequite friendly. They were very pleasant gentlemen, sir."
"So I should imagine."
"After talking for some time, we decided to move on, and, bidding themgood night, went to our pension."
"Then you think those pleasant gentlemen were those who got your money?"
"They must have been, sir. We were not near enough to any one else togive him a chance to get into our pockets. I am ashamed of myself, sir,to have been so easily fooled."
"Many men more experienced than either of you lads have been taken in,my boy. You did very well. I commend you both for the way you haveconducted yourself in the trying experiences you have had. The Americanconsul said some very pleasant things about you."
"We had to borrow some money off him to get back to ship, sir," saidDan. "I should like to return it to him at once. Shall I be able to puta letter ashore?"
"I am afraid not. We shall be sailing very shortly now. We werewaiting----"
Some one knocked at the door.
"Well?"
"Orderly, sir."
"Yes, what is it?"
"The master-at-arms reports that twelve men are ashore, havingoverstayed their leave, sir."
"Thank you. Send the executive officer here to me."
"Aye, aye, sir."
"Davis, go to the canteen at once, and procure your uniform. See thatyour rating badge is sewed on the sleeve; then report back to me here."
"Aye, aye, sir."
Dan hurried away, delivering the captain's order to the keeper of thecanteen. He was quickly furnished with a new uniform and a rating badge,the latter showing that he was a petty officer. This rating badgeconsisted of two white crossed cannon with three red chevrons beneath,all surmounted by a white eagle, worn on the sleeve.
Dan went out on the spar deck where he changed his clothes abaft of thesecond stack.
While he was thus engaged, the executive officer reported to hissuperior officer. The two officers were engaged in conversation for somemoments.
"See that the master-at-arms is informed immediately of my wishes. I amsending Davis because I wish him to have the experience."
"Are the men to carry arms, sir?"
"Yes."
"Has authority been obtained from the local authorities, sir?"
"Yes; that has been arranged for, in case we found it necessary to landa patrol."
"Very good, sir. Shall I send Davis to you?"
"I already have ordered him to report. See that the master-at-arms haseverything arranged at once. I desire to get away from here to-day ifpossible."
"Aye, aye, sir."
The executive officer saluted and left the captain's cabin. He had beengone but a few moments when there came another knock at the door.
"Seaman Davis, sir."
"Come in."
Dan Davis, in his new uniform, stepped into the room, looking veryhandsome and manly. He stood erect, with shoulders well back, in perfectmilitary position.
The captain surveyed him with critical but approving eyes.
"I wish you to perform a service, Davis," announced the captain in abusiness-like tone.
"Aye, aye, sir."
"I am giving you this detail that you may get the experience. By rights,the marines should do it, though it is discretionary with me to sendwhom I choose. I have decided to send you."
Dan did not reply. He could not imagine what was wanted of him.
"You will take a detail of six men, armed, carrying five rounds of ballcartridges. Proceed ashore in steamer number one, and round up thedelinquents. Bear in mind that you are on foreign soil, and that anyindiscreet act on your part might involve the United States in troublewith the French government."
The captain paused to give his words force.
"Aye, aye, sir."
Dan's eyes were sparkling, strive as he might to appear as if it werenothing unusual to be sent ashore at the head of a patrol.
"Twelve delinquents are ashore, having overstayed their leave. Bring inall you can find, reporting to the American consul as to those whom youfail to round up. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"You will use no unnecessary force, but simply bring in the men. Youwill remember that you are clothed with no little power. Exercise itdiscreetly. I know that I can depend on you. That will be all. Report atonce to the master-at-arms, who has instructions and orders in thismatter. Make all possible haste, as I desire to sail this afternoon, oras much earlier as is possible."
"Aye, aye, sir. Is that all, sir?"
"Yes."
The Battleship Boy saluted and retired. Proceeding directly to theforecastle, he reported to the master-at-arms, who had already orderedout the men who were to constitute the patrol.
Dan's companions were looking on smilingly, for the lad was popularamong his fellows.
"Here is the list
of the men whom you are to bring in," said themaster-at-arms.
Davis took the list, going over it deliberately and fixing the names inhis mind, after which he stowed the paper in his blouse pocket.
"You have your orders?"
"Yes, sir; the captain has given me my instructions. You have no ideawhere I shall find the men, sir?"
"No; that is for you to find out when you get ashore. Are you ready?"
"All ready, sir."
"Take charge of the patrol."
"Carry arms!" commanded Davis, turning to his squad. "Right face,forward march! Board steamer!"
The men scrambled over the side, going down the Jacob's ladder into thesteamer that lay awaiting them below.
"Cast off!" commanded the Battleship Boy. The steamer whistled once andheaded for the landing stage.
Dan sat on the stern rail alone. He was impressed with the importanceof his assignment. He realized that he had it in his power, perhaps, tobring on war between two friendly powers. Every minute the steamer wasdrawing nearer and nearer to the landing stage.
Dan felt no nervousness. He did not try to make up his mind what heshould do when he got ashore. Time enough for that when he got there.
The landing stage reached, the men were piped out.
"Fall in, forward march, by twos!"
The men fell into step and marched steadily up the street.
It was a small command that Dan Davis had under him, but he was as proudof it as if he had been commanding a company.