ting ready the huge, fish-like monsters
for the flight they were soon to take. There were six of the deadly
instruments of warfare down there. Dan would have liked to go below to
see how the torpedoes were fired by compressed air, but his duties
would not permit him to do so.

"Seaman Hickey and Davis report for signal duty!" called a boatswain's
mate.

"That's us," nodded Dan. "I guess we are going out. That will be
fine."

"Man the small boats and patrol the torpedo course," commanded an
officer from the bridge. "Davis, you will go out with the motor boat.
Hickey, remain on board for signal duty here. We will put some of your
class in the small boats, and distribute them along the course,"
ordered a quartermaster.

Dan's class in wig-wag work had made marvelous progress. They were now
nearly as proficient in signal work as had been the regular signal
corps, who were working on one of the other ships some five miles to
the northeast from where the "Long Island" lay. None of Dan's men had
worked at such long range before. He was glad, therefore, that he had
been assigned to go out on the range, for he could keep a watchful eye
on his men. He had perfect confidence in Sam. The station Hickey had
was very important, for he was to receive messages and to send messages
to all the small boats of the fleet.

"Now, all small boats keep clear of the torpedo course, so that none of
you get hit. Don't fall in too soon after the torpedo goes by. We
want the course kept clear so that we can follow it with our glasses.
Take your places on the range."

The two steamers whistled shrilly, as, with a procession of small boats
in tow, they started out over the course.

"Hickey, take your place abaft of the bridge, within hailing distance
of the commanding officer," ordered the quartermaster.

Sam stationed himself by the side of the box where the signal flags
were kept, and, leaning against it, focused his spyglass on the rapidly
receding small boats.

"Up starboard anchor!" commanded the executive officer.

Anchor chains rattled as the huge anchor was slowly raised from the
sandy bottom of the bay. The torpedoes were to be fired while the ship
was under full speed.

"Once over the course, then fire on the return," ordered the captain.
"Port, fire first."

"Aye, aye, sir."

The battleship completed her course at right angles to the course over
which the torpedo was to be fired, then swung about.

"Full s