ad been standing
when the marline spike struck him.

"Which way were you facing?"

"Forward, sir."

"The spike was thrown from behind you then?"

"Yes, sir, it must have been."

"Here is where it hit the deck, sir," called Sam.

"Do you recall how it appeared when you took hold of it?"

"I think the head of the spike was leaning aft. I should say it had
about a forty-degree lean."

The master-at-arms nodded.

"It is quite clear that the spike was thrown at you from the
superstructure. By the way, where's the spike?"

"I have it," said Sam, extending the spike to the petty officer.

"I will take care of this. Say nothing about what has occurred, but
keep your eyes open. If you have reason to suspect any one, let me
know at once. I can hardly believe that we have a man on board the
'Long Island' desperate enough to attempt a crime like this. If ever
there was an attempted murder this is one. Go to your quarters now."

In the excitement following the attempt on his life, Dan had forgotten
all about the letter he had written to his mother. It did not occur to
him until the boys were at gun practice with the seven-inch piece the
following morning. He turned to Sam at the first opportunity.

"What did you do with my letter?" he demanded.

"I put it in my ditty box last night. I was too excited to remember
that it belonged to you. I'll give it to you when we are piped down
for mess."

"All right; I want to add something to it."

"Say, Dynamite," said a companion, "where did you get the game ear?"

"It was hurt," answered Dan evasively.

"It looks as if a bulldog had been chewing at it. You never did that
of your own accord, did you?"

"That is a foolish question. It isn't likely that I would tear half my
ear off, just for the fun of the thing, is it?"

Further conversation was interrupted by an order from the gun captain
to resume dotter practice. For the next hour the attention of the boys
was wholly taken up by this fascinating work.

After mess Dan asked for his letter. Sam got out his ditty box and
handed the letter back rather sheepishly; after which he busied himself
with pawing over the articles in his box.

"Am I to read what you have written?" questioned Dan with a smile.

"You may read it, if you want to," answered Sam, growing very red. "I
didn't figure on your doing so, though."

"Well, you insisted on knowing what I had written to mother, so I guess
you will have to t