s afternoon, when we move up near enough
to put them off," said the captain. "How many signalmen will that
leave us for our work?"

"Let me see," mused the executive officer. "It will leave us three
men. I presume you wish to send the most expert signalmen to the
admiral?"

"By all means."

"That will leave us very short. We shall be practically without a
signal corps. Three of our fellows are merely novices, and can hardly
be depended upon."

"Then I shall have to wire the admiral that we cannot spare the men. I
dislike very much to do that, for we should have plenty of men on board
who are experts with the wig-wag flags."

"Yes, that is so. It would be rather humiliating to have to confess
our weakness. Is there no other way out of it? Perhaps we could get
along without a signal corps for the present."

"Wait a minute. I have an idea," exclaimed the commanding officer, his
face lighting with a smile.

"Yes, sir."

"Is not that young seaman, Dan Davis, handy with the flags?"

"Right you are, sir."

"Was he not one of the signalmen who did such fine work when we were
laying mines, the time Bill Kester was rescued by this same boy?"

"Yes, sir. Both boys took part in that rescue, if you recall the
incident."

"Yes, I remember. That will leave us in fine shape. You will see to
it that the signal corps is put ashore this afternoon."

"Yes, sir."

"And, by the way, I think it might be a good idea to have Davis drill
in some other men while we are about it. I want to see what we can do.
He strikes me as being a most likely lad."

"Both of them are, sir, though Davis is built of a little finer
material than his companion. Have I your instructions to order him to
go ahead with the instruction?"

"Certainly."

"How many men shall we try out?"

"Oh, say a dozen. From the dozen we shall be able to pick at least six
likely ones."

"Shall we assign the men?"

The captain reflected.

"No, let Seaman Davis do that. If he chooses any men we cannot spare
you will so advise him. I want to see what sort of material he will
choose."

"Very good, sir; I will attend to the matter at once."

Shortly after that Dan received orders to report to the executive
officer. The latter explained briefly what was wanted of him.

"For the purpose of the instruction you are clothed with the authority
of a petty officer," said Mr. Coates. "Your orders will be obeyed.
When you have chosen your men hand