"But we smashed the hulk of the 'Oriole,' Mr. Coates. We saw her go
under."

"If we did she has pulled herself together and come back from Davy
Jones's Locker to a certainty. There's a man at the wheel, sir. I
believe that is Seaman Davis."

"Send a boat's crew out to meet her at once."

A cutter was quickly launched. By this time the rails of the
battleship were crowded with jackies. The word had been passed around
that the strange craft was none other than the schooner that officers
and crew supposed they had broken to pieces in the gale the night
before.

Officers, through their glasses, saw the cutter run alongside the
schooner. Then, with the lone mariner on board, they began the return
trip to the battleship. The cutter came alongside, a few minutes
later, and Seaman Daniel Davis ran up the sea ladder, leaped through
the rope railing and came to attention before the commander of the
battleship.

The instant his salute was returned, Dan ran to the port side of the
after deck, where stood a child, clinging to its mother's hand.

"Young lady," he said, "I've brought your parrot to you. But I must
say he has about the worst disposition of any parrot that I ever knew."

Dan handed the parrot over to the eager hands of the child.

"Lubber!" shrieked the parrot, making a vicious grab for the Battleship
Boy's hand.

The jackies of the "Long Island" set up a mighty cheer that was heard
far off on the mainland, wafted there by the quarter gale that was
still blowing. At the same time one by one the officers strode
forward, grasping the hand of the plucky lad, showering him with
congratulations. Dan Davis had performed a feat that would be talked
of on shore as well as on the high seas for a long time to come.

"Ord'ly," called the captain sharply.

"Aye, aye, sir."

"Tell the master-at-arms to see to it that Seaman Davis gets a warm
meal, the best that the ship affords, and at once. Davis, you will
draw a suit of clothes from the canteen at my expense. Yours are
ruined. After that you will turn in and stay there till to-morrow
morning."

Dan saluted gravely.

As the hulk of the "Oriole" would be dangerous to navigation, she was
towed within the Delaware Breakwater and delivered to the proper
authorities, and the passengers and crew of the ill-starred schooner
went ashore.

CHAPTER V

THE LOSS OF THE TOMPION

That night being Saturday the crew gave a banquet in honor of the
Battle