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23. The tickets were brought to them in due time. Late that evening the
boys presented themselves at the Gare du Nord, the station from
which they were to take a train for Boulogne. It was not yet train
time, however, so the boys strolled about watching the people.
"Guide, sir? Show you all about the city, young gentlemen?"
questioned a man in fairly good English.
Sam fixed him with a stern eye.
"Get out!" he commanded.
"Guide, sir?"
"No, sir; we do not need a guide," spoke up Dan.
"How much do you charge?" questioned Sam.
"Two dollars for two hours."
"Humph! I'll tell you what I'll do. If you'll stand up before me for two
minutes I'll send you two dollars as soon as I get back to the ship."
"Stand up before you?"
"Yes."
"For what?"
"So I can knock your head off! I owe you fellows a thrashing."
"And so do I," broke in Dan. "You go away from here and let us
alone, or I'm liable to forget myself and give you a thumping that
you won't forget for the rest of the season. Now, beat it!"
"Yes, scat!" added Sam.
The guide gazed at them for one apprehensive moment.
The Battleship Boys made a threatening move in his direction,
whereat the guide turned and beat a hasty retreat.
24. Half an hour later, after much difficulty, the young sailors managed
to find their way to a second-class carriage on the Boulogne train.
At last they were on their way to their ship. The boys breathed a
sigh of relief.
"It has been a great experiment," said Dan.
"Fine!" laughed Sam.
"And we've seen a lot."
"And got 'done' a whole lot more," added the red-headed boy. "If
there is anything we haven't bumped up against I should like to
know about it."
Dan nodded reflectively.
"Let me see; we have visited pretty nearly every point of interest in
the French capital; we have had a battle with the Paris Apaches, got
arrested and locked up; got our names in the Paris papers; had two
government officials working on our behalf, and have been dined by
the ambassador of a foreign power. That's going some, isn't it,
Sam?"
"Yes; but you have forgotten the most important part of it all."
"What have I forgotten?"
"That we got touched for our rolls, and went broke in Paree."
Dan laughed happily.
"The next question is, where are we going to sleep?"
"We shall have to sleep sitting up."
"Yes; these railway carriages, as they call them, are built on the bias.
I'd like to see a fellow try to sleep on these seats, divided off by
arms, without being crippled for life."
25. Dan was looking about the carriage. Sam observed that his
companion's face had suddenly lighted up.
"Made a discovery, eh?"
"Yes, and I have an idea."
"Good! Get it off your mind before you lose it. What's the idea?"
"I'm going to sleep in the upper berth."
"The upper berth?" wondered Hickey.
"Yes."
"I don't see any upper berth."
"Then watch me."
Dan proceeded to remove his coat and vest, collar and tie. Next he
took off his shoes, Hickey in the meantime watching his companion
with suspicious eyes.
Along either end of the compartment, over their heads, was a
luggage rack extending the entire length, or rather, width, of the
compartment.
Dan grasped the rack, pulled himself up to it and lay down as snug
as if he were in reality in the upper berth of a sleeping car.
"Hooray!" shouted Sam.
"Can you beat it?"
"Not this trip. You're a wonder, Dan. That's almost as good as the
hammock on shipboard. Will the thing hold you?"
"I hope so. It seems secure. You try the other one."
"I don't know whether I want to trust myself in that spider web or
not."
26. "It's made of woven leather strands. It holds me all right. Try it."
Hickey pulled himself up to the rack, lay down, then peered over the
edge, grinning.
"This isn't so bad, after all. But I dread to think what will happen to
me if I should have the bad luck to walk in my sleep."
"Don't do it. You must get used to it, for to-morrow night we shall be
sleeping in our hammocks again."
A few minutes later the boys were sound asleep, unmindful of the
swaying of the rapidly moving carriage, which was almost like the
roll of the ship. They did not awaken until daylight. The carriage had
stopped and they could hear talking outside.
"Breakfast time; get up!" shouted Hickey.
A guard opened the door and peered in.
"Hello, down there!" called Dan.
"Yes; is that the way you bolt into a gentleman's bedroom without
knocking?" demanded Hickey.
The guard glanced up with a puzzled expression on his face, then
slammed the door shut.
"We'd better get out of here, Sam, or they will have the police after
us again," muttered Dan, scrambling to the floor.
Hastily pulling on their clothes, they got out to the platform, having
recognized the station as Boulogne.
"We've got to go without our breakfast this morning, Sam."
"I suppose so," replied the red-headed boy ruefully. "My, but I've got
an appetite!"
"So have I, but it will keep."
27. "I guess it will have to."
Half an hour later the boys were standing on the quay. Off just
outside the breakwater lay the battleship "Long Island."
"Doesn't she look good?" breathed Dan. "I'm really happy to get
back."
"I'd be happier if I knew there was a square meal awaiting me,"
answered Sam. "How are we going to get aboard?"
"I'll show you."
Dan pulled out his handkerchief and began wig-wagging with it.
After a little a signal flag was observed on the forecastle. It was
waving a question.
"What do you want?"
"We want to come aboard," answered Dan.
About that time the officer of the deck had leveled his spyglass upon
the boys.
"Messenger!" he called.
"Aye, aye, sir."
"Tell the captain that two men in citizen's clothes are on the quay
asking to be put aboard."
The messenger returned a moment later.
"The captain wants to know who they are, sir."
"Tell him they look to me like two of our men, Seamen Davis and
Hickey. I do not know why they should be in citizen's clothing,
however."
Again the messenger hurried below with the information.
28. "The captain says it is all right, sir. He says have a cutter go out to
meet them, sir, and bring them aboard."
A cutter was launched, and a few minutes later was plunging
through the green seas, headed for the quay. Great seas were
breaking over the dike, drenching those in the cutter as they shot
alongside the quay.
The Battleship Boys were taken off, and shortly afterwards they
stepped to the deck of the "Long Island," coming to attention as
they saluted the Flag.
"Home again," said Dan, his eyes glowing happily.
"You bet," answered Sam Hickey. "Got any real food aboard? I'm half
starved. No more French biscuit diet for mine!"
29. 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 the
experiences through which they had passed in Paris.
"Well, my lad," greeted the captain, with a laugh, "you are back, I
see."
"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 of
women?" questioned the captain, with a quizzical smile.
Dan flushed rosy red.
30. "Did you hear about that, sir?"
"Certainly."
"Oh, yes, I remember! the consul said you had telegraphed to him. I
am sorry, sir, that we got into so much trouble, but we did what we
thought was right."
"Indeed you did," answered the captain, dropping his quizzical tone.
"Not only that, but you proved yourself real men. But did you really
assault some of the French police?"
"I am afraid we did," answered Dan, meeting his commanding
officer's eye squarely.
"Bad, very bad. But how did it occur?"
Dan related, briefly, their meeting with the Apaches, and the fight
with the police a few minutes later. From that he told of their arrest
and imprisonment. Davis told the story well, the captain listening
intently until the narrative was finished.
"You boys certainly have had an experience. But you have not told
me why you 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 it
occurred?"
31. "We can only guess at it, sir. We had been dining with the Spanish
ambassador——"
"Dining with the Spanish ambassador?" questioned the captain in
well-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
the Apaches. We did not know that until some time afterwards. The
ambassador invited us to dine with them at the embassy; then later
in the evening he 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 sat down on a seat in one of the little parks. We had not sat
there long before two gentlemen came along and sat down. There
was one on either side of us."
"They began talking to us in English, and, learning who we were,
became quite friendly. They were very pleasant gentlemen, sir."
"So I should imagine."
"After talking for some time, we decided to move on, and, bidding
them good 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 to give him a chance to get into our pockets. I am ashamed of
32. 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 have conducted yourself in the trying experiences you have
had. The American consul said some very pleasant things about
you."
"We had to borrow some money off him to get back to ship, sir," said
Dan. "I should like to return it to him at once. Shall I be able to put
a letter ashore?"
"I am afraid not. We shall be sailing very shortly now. We were
waiting——"
Some one knocked at the door.
"Well?"
"Orderly, sir."
"Yes, what is it?"
"The master-at-arms reports that twelve men are ashore, having
overstayed 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
that your 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 the
canteen. He was quickly furnished with a new uniform and a rating
badge, the latter showing that he was a petty officer. This rating
badge consisted of two white crossed cannon with three red
33. 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 the second stack.
While he was thus engaged, the executive officer reported to his
superior officer. The two officers were engaged in conversation for
some moments.
"See that the master-at-arms is informed immediately of my wishes.
I am sending 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
land a patrol."
"Very good, sir. Shall I send Davis to you?"
"I already have ordered him to report. See that the master-at-arms
has everything arranged at once. I desire to get away from here to-
day if possible."
"Aye, aye, sir."
The executive officer saluted and left the captain's cabin. He had
been gone 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 very
handsome and manly. He stood erect, with shoulders well back, in
perfect military position.
34. The captain surveyed him with critical but approving eyes.
"I wish you to perform a service, Davis," announced the captain in a
business-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
send whom 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 ball
cartridges. Proceed ashore in steamer number one, and round up
the delinquents. Bear in mind that you are on foreign soil, and that
any indiscreet act on your part might involve the United States in
trouble with 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 were
nothing unusual to be sent ashore at the head of a patrol.
"Twelve delinquents are ashore, having overstayed their leave. Bring
in all you can find, reporting to the American consul as to those
whom you fail to round up. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"You will use no unnecessary force, but simply bring in the men. You
will remember that you are clothed with no little power. Exercise it
discreetly. I know that I can depend on you. That will be all. Report
at once to the master-at-arms, who has instructions and orders in
this matter. Make all possible haste, as I desire to sail this afternoon,
or as much earlier as is possible."
"Aye, aye, sir. Is that all, sir?"
35. "Yes."
The Battleship Boy saluted and retired. Proceeding directly to the
forecastle, he reported to the master-at-arms, who had already
ordered out the men who were to constitute the patrol.
Dan's companions were looking on smilingly, for the lad was popular
among his fellows.
"Here is the list of the men whom you are to bring in," said the
master-at-arms.
Davis took the list, going over it deliberately and fixing the names in
his 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 idea
where 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 the steamer that lay awaiting them below.
"Cast off!" commanded the Battleship Boy. The steamer whistled
once and headed for the landing stage.
Dan sat on the stern rail alone. He was impressed with the
importance of his assignment. He realized that he had it in his
power, perhaps, to bring on war between two friendly powers. Every
36. minute the steamer was drawing nearer and nearer to the landing
stage.
Dan felt no nervousness. He did not try to make up his mind what
he should 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 proud of it as if he had been commanding a company.
37. CHAPTER IX
ROUNDING UP THE STRAGGLERS
"Halt!"
The men came to a quick stop in front of a resort where Dan
thought he might possibly find some of the absent sailors.
Instead of ordering his men to go in, he entered alone.
"Have you any American sailors here?" he asked.
The proprietor shook his head. He did not understand the words,
perhaps, but he had seen the detail of armed sailors halt before his
place, and well knew the meaning.
"You are sure you have none of our men here?"
"Non." (No.)
"Who went into that room there?" pointing to a door that had closed
with a bang as Dan pushed open the front door.
The proprietor shrugged his shoulders and turned away.
The boy's mind was made up at once. A few quick strides brought
him to the door in question. He threw it open and sprang in.
A pair of legs, clad in the blue of the Navy, were protruding from
beneath a table. Dan grabbed the legs, giving them a mighty tug.
The result was that a sailor was jerked out into the middle of the
room.
"So you thought you would get away from me, did you, Anthony?
Stand up."
38. Anthony did stand up. He sprang to his feet, launching a terrific blow
at Seaman Davis. Dan merely parried the blow, making no attempt
to return it.
"Anthony," he said, stepping back. "I have a patrol outside. Do you
want me to call them in?"
"I'll lick you first," growled the man.
"Stop where you are! You are not wholly responsible for what you
are doing or saying, but you know what will happen to you if you
resist. I came in here to get you, and I'm going to take you out with
me."
Dan whirled at that instant. He had caught an expression in the eyes
of his man that told him something was going on behind him. The
boy ducked like a flash, thus avoiding a vicious blow that had been
aimed at him by the proprietor of the place.
"Don't you do that again!" warned Dan sternly. "You are facing the
United States Government now, remember. Stand aside!"
With this he grabbed Anthony by the arm. The sailor struggled to
release himself, but Davis' grip was too strong to enable him to
break away easily. Anthony swung his free hand. That was just what
Dan wanted.
With a quick twist he brought both the sailor's arms behind the
latter's back, giving the fellow a violent push.
There was nothing for Anthony to do but to go ahead. He did so
with a rush, Dan running behind him and pushing with all his might.
They struck the swinging doors with a bang. The doors flew out, the
Battleship Boy and his prisoner landing with a bump against the
astonished jackies of the patrol, who were waiting outside.
"Two of you men take this fellow down to the steamer and tell those
aboard that he is under arrest. Tell the coxswain I shall hold him
personally responsible for the man's safe keeping. Hurry back. You
39. will find us up the street somewhere. Anthony, you had better go
peaceably unless you want to spend the next three months in the
brig."
The two men detailed for the purpose led the ugly sailor away.
"Twos right, forward march!" commanded Dan.
The little company trudged up the street, many persons pausing to
look at the slim, well-set-up fellow who was plainly in command of
the four remaining men of the squad.
The part of the town in which they now found themselves was the
location of most of the sailor boarding houses in Boulogne.
Somehow, Dan had an idea that some of their men would be found
there. He kept his eyes open, slowing his men down.
"Halt!" he commanded.
Dan had espied a sailor from one of the trans-atlantic ships on the
other side of the street. He crossed over to the man.
"Good morning, shipmate," greeted Davis. "I'm looking for some of
our delinquents. Have you seen any of our men in this quarter within
the last hour or two?"
"You from the 'Long Island'?"
"Yes. Have you seen any of our fellows?"
"I guess I have. One of them gave me this black eye 'bout half an
hour ago. I'd have trimmed him proper if he hadn't had a gang back
of him."
"Where was that?"
"Down the street a piece."
"Where is the man now?"
"See that two-story building down there?"
40. "Yes."
"Well, that's a sort of hotel; that's what they call it; but I reckon it's
a joint where they shanghai fellows for the long cruises. I wouldn't
go in there for the price of a round-trip voyage."
"Thank you. I'll soon find out."
"You ain't going in there, are you, shipmate?"
"Sure. Why not?"
"Why, they'll knock your block off, the first thing if you try to get a
man out of there."
"Don't be too sure about that," answered Dan, with a smile. "I guess
they had better not try it."
"Take my advice and take your men in with you. I see they have
their guns, and you'd better see to it that the guns are loaded, while
you are about it."
"Thank you very much. I will look out for myself."
By the time the young commander rejoined his squad the two men
who had taken their prisoner down to the ship's steamer had
returned. Dan now had six men that he could use.
"Forward march!" he commanded.
They continued on until they reached the place that the merchant
sailor had indicated.
"Men, I want you to wait here. Do not enter unless I give three
short, sharp whistles, then come quickly. But do not lose yourselves.
Under no consideration use your guns. It is not necessary. We have
our fists if it comes to a fight."
"Hadn't you better take a couple of us with you?" questioned one of
the men.
41. "No, it is not necessary. An armed force might stir up trouble."
Dan entered the place, and he saw at once that the sailor had not
overdrawn the character of the house. It was about the worst he
ever had seen. The place was thronged with tough characters, few
of whom were sailors; or, at least, they did not appear to be.
"I don't believe a man of them has ever smelled salt water unless
he's been out on the breakwater," thought Dan.
Glancing about, he failed to see any of the men for whom he was
looking. He strolled about, attracting as little attention as possible,
though several of the men regarded him suspiciously.
The front room was a sort of office and lounging room. A small desk,
on one side, was walled off by a rusty iron screen. Around by the
lower end of the desk was a door opening into a rear room.
Dan decided to investigate. He made his way as quietly as possible
to the end of the desk, pushed the door slightly ajar, peered in and
sneezed.
The odor of bad tobacco was almost over-powering. The boy blinked
and sneezed again.
"Shut that door, you lubber!" roared a voice from the rear room.
Davis shut it, but when the door closed he was on the inside, with
his back against the door.
It was with difficulty that he made out the faces of the men
congregated there. Not one of them paid the least attention to him.
"Ah, there's one of my men now," muttered the boy.
The man indicated was an ordinary seaman, who had been aboard
but a short time. His name was Kuhn. He was in deep conversation
with a man better dressed than most of the others. The older man
appeared to be seeking to convince the sailor of something that he
was telling him.
42. Dan edged over near them and listened. Perhaps he suspected what
was going on, for Dan Davis was a shrewd lad, and he was learning
many things about the life of the sailor and the snares that are set
for him.
A moment's listening convinced him that he was right. The well-
dressed stranger was trying to induce Kuhn to desert and join a ship
bound for China. A large increase in wages was promised, good grub
and a real berth to sleep in.
"But they'll come and get me and lock me up," protested Kuhn. "I'll
be a deserter."
"Nothing of the sort, my lad. How are they going to get you when
you are in China? Why, you'll never be heard from again. I'll tell you
what the skipper of the schooner is willing to do for a likely lad like
you."
"What?"
"Sh-h-h, don't say anything about it, but he's promised to make you
first mate."
"He has?"
"Sure thing."
The sailor's eyes glowed with anticipation.
"All right; if you will get me out of this uniform, so I shall not be
recognized, I'll——"
"You'll come with me," finished a voice behind Kuhn, as a hand was
laid lightly on his shoulder.
The sailor leaped to his feet, his face flushing. An angry light flashed
to his eyes as he recognized the features of Gunner's Mate Davis
confronting him.
43. Dan had heard enough. He understood. He did not blame the young,
inexperienced sailor so much, but he felt rising within him a
righteous indignation toward the Englishman who was seeking to
induce the young fellow to desert the Flag under which he was
serving.
"Come, Kuhn; it is time you were getting back to the ship," said Dan
in a quiet tone.
"I—I am not going."
"Not going?"
"No. I——"
"Never mind, Mr. Sailorman. The boy and me is friends. You just let
him alone. I'll see that he gets back to the ship afore you get there
yourself."
Dan turned upon the Englishman.
"Who are you?"
"I just told you. I'm a friend of the shipmate here."
"A nice sort of friend you are," replied Dan witheringly. "Are you
coming with me, Kuhn? You know what it means to refuse to return
to ship as you have just done. The ship is preparing to sail. If I have
to use force it will be the worse for you. I know what this man is
trying to do with you. He is a bad man, Kuhn. He is trying to induce
you to desert——"
"You go away and let me alone——"
"See here, young fellow," commanded the Englishman savagely, "if
you know what is good for you, you get right out of here, and don't
you come back again. It'll be the worse for you if you do.
Understand?"
44. "Look out that you do not get into trouble yourself. Kuhn, you are
coming with me."
The Battleship Boy laid a firm grip on the arm of his shipmate and
began moving toward the door by which he had entered the room.
Suddenly Kuhn was jerked violently from his grasp. Dan made a
spring, recovering his prisoner.
All at once the Englishman uttered a series of short, sharp
exclamations in French. Like magic, nearly every man in the room
was on his feet. They appeared to understand perfectly what was
wanted of them, and with one accord made a rush for Seaman
Davis.
"Stand back!" roared the young officer, boldly facing the mob. "You
will have to answer to your government if you dare lay hands on
me."
They gave no heed to his warning, but threw themselves upon the
lad. Dan fought manfully, using his fists to good purpose, and many
a hardy stoker and sailor went down before Little Dynamite's sturdy
blows.
Not daring to cease fighting long enough to reach for the
boatswain's whistle with which he had provided himself before
leaving ship, he uttered three sharp whistles with his lips, but in the
din about him the whistles failed to carry beyond the room.
The whistles did, however, have the effect of quieting the uproar.
The men interpreting them as some sort of a signal, hesitated,
looked at each other inquiringly, then at the cool, hatless young
fellow who was facing them, working his way determinedly toward
Ordinary Seaman Kuhn. The latter was standing with a half-
frightened expression on his face. He had begun to realize the
enormity of his proposed act.
"Kuhn, come here!" demanded Dan sternly.
45. The sailor made a move as if to comply with the order. Ere he had
taken a step forward, however, the Englishman had fastened upon
his arm.
"You're in it now. You can't get out. If you go back to the ship they
will put you in the brig. You just stay here till the ship has sailed,
and you'll be all right."
"But where—where? They'll come here and get me."
"We'll see to that."
Again Dan had forced his way to where Kuhn was standing, but
before he was able to lay his hands upon the young fellow a dozen
men threw themselves upon the Battleship Boy.
Davis struggled with all the strength that was in him. His struggles
were fruitless. Men of brawn and muscle had hold of him now. He
was as a child in their hands, though, had his hands been free, he
would have given a good account of himself.
Some one gave a few brief directions in French. The men picked Dan
up, bearing him through a door, into a long, dark hallway, down
which they carried him until they reached a door at the end.
Opening the door, they threw the Battleship Boy in bodily, slamming
and locking the door.
"I've made a mess of it," groaned the lad, "but I'll beat them yet."
46. CHAPTER X
OUTWITTED BY A BOY
The room was quite dark, except for the light that came in through
an open skylight above Dan Davis' head. A glance about him told the
boy that he had been thrown into a storeroom. All about him were
boxes, cases and trunks.
"It will do me no good to shout. If I do, I'll give them the satisfaction
of knowing that I'm done for. No; I won't yell. My men could not
hear me if I did."
Dan pondered for a few moments, and an idea came to him.
"I believe I could batter that door down," he mused. "I'll take a look
at it."
A brief examination convinced him that such an attempt would be
foolish. The door was constructed of heavy plank, and had been
made to withstand assaults. The room in which he had been made a
prisoner was a place where sailors' chests were stored, a sort of safe
deposit vault. There were no windows on either side, only the
skylight in the ceiling, some twelve feet above the boy's head.
Dan gazed up at it longingly.
"I wonder if I could do it," he thought. "I cannot more than fail,
anyway."
He quickly went to work, piling up boxes and chests. The latter were
so heavy that he was unable to handle them and get them up more
than three high. On top of these he piled boxes and climbed to the
top of the pile. He found that he was still some distance from the
47. skylight. This was a double affair, with the lights turning up on either
side of a brace between them.
Dan crouched down, measured the distance and made a leap
straight up into the air. His fingers barely touched the frame of the
opening, then down he shot.
The lad landed on the edge of the upper packing case. It toppled
over with him, and nearly every one of the boxes he had piled up
came down with a crash that made that part of the building shake.
An empty case turned over Dan, imprisoning him beneath it. At first
he lay still, not knowing whether he had been injured or not. Finally
concluding that he had not been hurt, he eased the case from his
body and crawled out.
"Either they are all deaf and dumb, or else they have deserted the
place," he said out loud. "I don't believe I shall try that again. I'll try
some other plan, and——"
Footsteps were heard coming down the hall. A new idea occurred to
the lad. In an instant he had flattened himself on the floor, pulling
the packing case over him as it had been before.
A key grated in the lock and several men entered. Among them was
the Englishman. Dan recognized his voice, though the fellow was
speaking in French. The men set up a great chattering when, as
they thought, they found the room empty. It appeared plain to them
how their man had made his escape.
"He's climbed out of the skylight!" cried a voice in good English.
"I shouldn't wonder if he is up there now. He can't get down,"
answered the Englishman with whom Dan had had the trouble out in
the other room.
"Get him, quick! Somebody climb up there!"
48. The men began chattering in French again. Instantly they started
piling boxes on top of the chests which they had put in place on the
pile again.
"This is the time I lose," muttered Dan.
Fortunately for him, however, they were getting their cases from the
other side. They found light and empty cases for their purpose, and
it required but a moment to fling them up in place.
Three men instantly clambered to the top of the pile thus made. One
man was lifted by the other two and boosted to the skylight. He
grasped the frame, holding on, his feet standing on the hands of the
other two beneath him.
The pile of boxes wavered and swayed beneath the weight placed
upon them.
In the meantime Dan Davis had raised the box from his own body
just far enough to enable him to peer out. He saw what was going
on, and his eyes lighted up with joy as a sudden idea occurred to
him.
"I'll show them they can't beat a Yankee tar," he thought, raising the
box little by little. Fortunately for him, the men on the floor were at
the other side of the pile of boxes, while those on top were too busy
with their own affairs to look down.
Crouching for a spring, he gathered himself.
All at once the box over him landed several feet away with a crash.
Dan was on his feet in a twinkling. The door leading into the hallway
stood open. Freedom was at hand, but the boy was not yet ready to
take advantage of the opportunity offered him.
With a bound he threw his whole weight against the pile of packing
cases.
49. For one giddy moment the cases trembled, then fell inward toward
the men on the floor. Those above emitted a yell. Down they went,
howling and shouting, their companions not having had time to get
out of the way, being caught under the falling boxes and buried
beneath them. All of the men were fighting, kicking and struggling
to extricate themselves from the wreckage.
"Hip, hip, hooray!" yelled the Battleship Boy, unable to control his
delight at the downfall of his enemies. "Next time maybe you'll think
twice before you try to beat the United States Government."
With that Dan sprang out into the hallway. He slammed the door,
turned the key in the lock, then hurled the key from him.
"Let them stay there and think it over for the rest of the day. It will
do them good," he laughed, starting for the other end of the hall. He
stepped into the room from which he had been taken a short time
before.
There were still a number of men there, but they had not observed
his entrance. Dan's eyes swept the room. In a far corner, crouching
low in his chair, sat Kuhn, making himself as inconspicuous as
possible. There was a frightened expression on the young sailor's
face.
Dan walked quickly around the outer edge of the room. Kuhn did not
happen to look his way. The fellow's eyes were fixed on the door
leading out into the office in momentary expectation of seeing a
squad of blue jackets enter the place.
"I've got you this time, young man!" exclaimed Davis, pouncing
upon the sailor.
Kuhn toppled from his chair to the floor, with Dan on top of him.
"Get up!" commanded the Battleship Boy, scrambling to his feet and
jerking his prisoner up beside him. "Out of here, before I serve you
worse. I'm getting angry. You'll regret acting the way you have to-
day. Come along!"
50. Ere the others in the room had an opportunity to protest, Dan had
dragged his man to the door, which he kicked open, pushing his man
through, then running him to the front door. With a shove, Dan sent
his prisoner staggering to the sidewalk. Ere Kuhn stopped going he
had measured his length in the street before the eyes of the jackies
who comprised the patrol.
"Hold him, men!" commanded Davis. "That's it. Take him down to
the steamer, two of you. I believe there are other men in this place.
It is taking long chances, but I am going in to find out. Two of you
come in with me this time. Be careful that you do not start anything.
Take no part in any fight that may occur unless I tell you to do so."
At a carry arms, two of the detail followed Dan into the office of the
place.
Approaching the proprietor, he said:
"Do you speak English?"
The man, a fat, red-faced Frenchman, nodded surlily, his eyes on the
two armed men standing at attention at one side of the room.
"Are any of our men in your place?"
The fellow shook his head.
"I have reason to believe there are."
"No men here."
"Do you wish me to report your conduct to the Prefect of Police?"
The fellow's face took on a darker shade.
"Unless you convince me that none of our sailors are under your
roof, I shall place a guard at the door to see that none of our men
leave; then I shall go to the police and enter a complaint against
you. They don't love you any too well now, you know."
51. Davis had taken a long shot, but he saw, from the expression on the
proprietor's face that it had reached the mark.
Just then the Englishman, followed by the other men whom Dan had
imprisoned in the store room, burst into the office. Espying the
Battleship Boy, the Englishman made a dash toward him.
"There he is! Grab him!"
The men behind the Englishman started forward. None had
observed the two jackies standing rigidly at one side of the room
with eyes front.
"Stop where you are!" commanded Davis.
They paid no attention to his command.
"Port arms!" he commanded sharply, turning to his own men.
"Load!"
Two audible metallic clicks sounded above the noise in the room.
"Take aim! Steady, there," he ordered, in a voice just loud enough
for his men to hear. "I wouldn't have you pull the triggers for a
million dollars. Don't get excited."
The rush stopped instantly.
"Now, you fellows, I want you to stand out of my way. At the first
sign of opposition on your part I shall order my men to fire. Mr.
Proprietor, lead the way through your place."
Backed by the two armed men, Davis started in the wake of the
proprietor. They examined all the rooms on the ground floor, after
which Dan, leaving his men in the hallway to guard the rear,
proceeded upstairs where a number of rooms had been arranged for
lodging places. In one of these he found three sailors sound asleep
on the floor. They were awakened with no little difficulty.
"Guard, there!" called Dan down the stairway.
52. "Aye, aye."
"One of you come up here. Take these men out to the patrol with
instructions for two of them to march these fellows down to the
steamer. Tell the men to report back at once. If the other two have
returned, send one of them in to me!"
The sailors, rubbing their eyes, rose, grinning sheepishly.
"Where are we heading, matey?" demanded one of them.
"For the ship and perhaps the brig," answered Dan shortly.
"What for?"
"Overstaying your leave. Come, hurry out of here!"
The men ruefully made their way down the stairs, and a few minutes
later were on their way to the landing stage, where the steamer was
waiting to receive them. Dan was convinced that the men had not
intentionally overstayed their leave. Still, he had little sympathy for
men who had so light a regard for their duty as to forget it entirely.
"Now, Mr. Proprietor, what other rooms have you in this
establishment?"
"None."
"I am afraid I can't take your word for anything after the way you
have tried to deceive me. We will look about below a little. Where
does that door lead to?" he asked, espying a small door under the
stairway after they had reached the hallway again.
"To the cellar. There's nothing down there."
"Open the door."
The owner of the place did so. Dan peered down into the darkness
and was about to turn away, when he thought he heard voices. He
listened intently.
53. "Who is down there?" he asked of the proprietor.
"No one."
"Get a light and lead the way."
The proprietor did so, his face working convulsively as he sought to
control his rage.
Leading the way across the cellar, the fellow threw open a door. A
great wave of damp, smoky air smote the newcomers in the face.
"So that's the game, is it?" demanded Dan triumphantly. There were
the others of the missing men, enjoying themselves immensely.
They were laughing and joking.
"Attention!" commanded Davis.
A loud laugh greeted his order.
"Bring him in here. It's Little Dynamite!" shouted the men. "Hurrah,
for Little Dynamite! Hurrah!"
Sudden silence settled over the room. Behind the stern-faced
Battleship Boy the eyes of the occupants of the room all at once
made out their companions, armed with Krag rifles.
They understood.
"Attention! Forward march!" ordered Dan.
The men rose, hesitated, then bowing before the authority that they
knew represented the United States Government, they filed from the
room, up the stairs and into the hallway, where another guard stood
at attention.
Dan led the way through the hall, on through the two rooms. He
paused at the street door, while the men filed past him. They lined
up in the street where Dan had halted them.
"Right dress. Twos right, forward march!"
54. The disconsolate sailors started away down the street, guarded in
front and rear by armed men, with the Battleship Boy at their head.
Dan had had a lively time, but he had carried out his orders
faithfully.
No conversation was indulged in, and, reaching the landing stage,
the men were ordered into the little steamer, which quickly got
under way and headed for the battleship. Shortly after that the
delinquents were climbing up a sea ladder to the deck, the
gangways having been taken in in preparation for getting under way.
"All present, sir," announced Dan, saluting the officer of the deck.
55. CHAPTER XI
BETWEEN SKY AND SEA
"You got them all, did you?" questioned the captain.
"Yes, sir."
"Good work! Did you have any trouble?"
"Nothing very much, sir."
"You look it," the captain laughed. "You will appear at mast this
afternoon, at one o'clock, and give such evidence as you may have
obtained, relating to where you found the men, and who of them
offered resistance."
"Aye, aye, sir."
"Mr. Coates, are all our men accounted for?"
"I will ascertain, sir."
The executive officer returned a few minutes later and saluted.
"The master-at-arms reports that the ship's crew is on board."
"Very good; we will get under way at once. Davis, I take pleasure in
commending you for your excellent work. You have done much
better than I had any idea you could possibly do. That will be all.
Your uniform needs attention."
"Aye, aye, sir."
Dan seemed fated to lose his clothes. He was without a hat, his
garments were torn and soiled and his hair looked as if it had not
56. felt the touch of a comb in many days. His condition necessitated
another visit to the canteen for fresh supplies.
"If this keeps on I shall be spending all my wages for uniforms," said
the boy with a happy laugh, as he drew a cap, a new jacket, a
blouse, and a new rating badge.
The forecastle presented a scene of activity when finally Dan
emerged upon it from the forward companionway. Orders were
being passed rapidly, boatswain's mates were piping up their
different watches and jackies were making all snug about the decks.
"I think we are ready, Mr. Coates," announced the captain.
"Up anchor!" roared the executive through his megaphone.
Chains rattled and clanked as the powerful electric apparatus began
hauling in the heavy anchors.
"Anchors shipped, sir," sang a midshipman from the forecastle.
"Slow speed ahead, both engines," ordered the captain.
The ship swung slowly about, clouds of black smoke belching from
her funnels. Poking her nose out into the English Channel, the
battleship headed southward for a long cruise.
The band on the quarter-deck about this time struck up "The Red,
White and Blue," every jackie on the decks raising his voice in the
words of the song. It was an inspiring scene.
Dan Davis felt an unusual pride that afternoon. He had accomplished
something of which he was proud, and for which he had a right to
be proud.
Shortly after mess the mast court was called, at which all the
delinquents that the Battleship Boy and his squad had rounded up
were arraigned on deck. This was the part of his work that the boy
did not like. He was placed in a position where, if he should tell the
truth, he would be obliged to give information that would send some
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