the flutter of a flag up aloft."

"No need of telescopes when you are around," said the coxswain, placing
a glass to his eyes.

"Recall for the gig is up," he said. "Get under way. Davis, you hold
the stroke oar on the way back."

"How fast, sir?"

"About eighteen strokes to the minute for a time. We will increase it
to twenty and so on up. Don't wear your men out before you get home,
though."

"No, sir; I won't."

The men settled down to the long, leisurely stroke, which they kept up
until they were within about a mile of the ship.

"Shall I hit her up?"

"Yes."

"How fast?"

"Use your judgment. Do you want to make a finish?"

"Yes, sir; it will do us all good."

"Go ahead."

From eighteen strokes to the minute Dan worked it up to thirty, but so
gradually that the men did not realize how fast they were going. They
were drawing near the ship.

"Now, every man of you look alive to his work," warned the coxswain.
"We do not want to make an exhibition of ourselves when we get near the
ship. The whole ship's crew would have the laugh on us. Row as if you
were in a race. Watch your stroke oar. That's it. Settle right down
and saw wood."

The boat leaped ahead. Thirty-two strokes to the minute rolled up,
then thirty-five.

The white foam was shooting from the bow of the gig, while the coxswain
was stooping forward, his glistening eyes fixed on the battleship.
With a great burst of speed the gig dashed up, every man pulling, every
back glistening, under the salt spray that covered it.

The rails were lined with jackies. They set up a great cheer as the
boat drew in and the command, "Toss oars!" was given.

It had been a great practice cruise and the ship's company was filled
with wild excitement and anticipation. Dan had made a wonderful sprint
as the stroke oar.

CHAPTER XXII

AN EXCITING MOMENT

"You are on the crew, you and Seaman Hickey," said the boatswain's mate
later in the evening. "I think I will put you in the stroke-oar
position, after all."

"The other man will be displeased, will he not!" asked Dan.

"Every man in that boat must be willing to do whatever he can to
perfect our organization, to help us win the race, even if he has to
jump overboard to do it."

Dan nodded his approval.

"I wouldn't jump overboard for any old race," muttered Sam. "I can get
wet enough by staying on board."

Every day thereafter the racing crew went out. No change in the cre