sign it."

"Very good, sir," responded Dave briefly.

The Navy lieutenant's questions drew out only the simplest account
of the affair. Of all the heavy, swift work he had done for the
safety of his crew after the foundering Dave gave only the barest
sketch. Lieutenant Edgecombe then wrote down a brief, dry recital
of fact, read it over, and Darrin signed it.

During this time the commandant of midshipmen had sat by, a quiet
listener.

"Mr. Darrin," said Commander Jephson, at last, "I am obliged to
say that, in some respects, your report does not agree with that
of members of your crew."

"I have made a truthful statement, sir, just as I recall the incidents
of the affair," replied Dave, flushing to the temples.

"Don't jump too speedily at false conclusions, Mr. Darrin," cautioned
the commandant. "My remark is founded on the statement, made
by other midshipmen of your crew, that you displayed the utmost
judgment and coolness, with great bravery added. That you clung
to Mr. Page to the last, and even went below with him at the almost
certain risk of being drowned yourself."

"You didn't expect me, sir, to include any praise of myself, in
my official report?" questioned Darrin.

"You have me there, Mr. Darrin," laughed the commandant, while
the lieutenant turned to hide a smile. "I am quite satisfied
with your official report, but I wish to ask you some questions,
on my own account, about your own experience in rescuing Mr. Page."

This it took some minutes to draw out. Darrin did not balk, nor
try to conceal anything, but he had a natural aversion to singing
his own praises, and answered questions only sparingly at first.
Yet, at last, the commandant succeeded in drawing out a story,
bit by bit, that made the old seadog's eyes glisten with pride.

"Mr. Darrin," announced the commandant, "from experience and
observation, through a rather long life in the Navy, I am able
to state that the kind of courage which enables a man go down in
drowning with a comrade, sooner than leave the comrade to his fate,
is the highest type of courage known among brave men!"

"You must have been aware, Mr. Darrin," added Lieutenant Edgecombe,
"that you were taking at least ninety-nine chances in a hundred
of offering up your life."

"Gentlemen," replied Dave, rather restless under so much praise,
"I have signed under the Flag, to give my life up for it at any
time in the line of duty. Does it make very much difference