Dave Darrin at Vera Cruz | Page 8

was not now there. Dave walked about by himself until Lieutenant

Trent came over and spoke to him.
"Dalzell is busy, I suppose, sir?" Dave inquired.
"Forward and below, directing the stowage of stores," replied Trent.
"Have you been detailed to a division yet, Mr. Darrin?"
"Yes, sir; to Lieutenant Cantor's division."
"Ah, so?" inquired Trent. He did not say more, from which Dave
wondered if Trent did not like Cantor. If such were the case, then
Darrin's opinion of Lieutenant Trent would run all the higher.
"Cantor is a very efficient officer," Trent said, after a pause, not long
enough to be construed unfavorably.
Dave did not answer this, for he could think of nothing to say.
"Some of our newest youngsters haven't wholly liked him," Trout went
on, with a smile. "I fancy that perhaps he works them a bit too
grillingly."
"After four years at the Naval Academy," smiled Ensign Darrin, "it
puzzles me to understand how any officer can resent grilling."
"You'll find life very different on one of these big ships," Lieutenant
Trout continued. "You will soon begin to realize that we are in a
cramped atmosphere. With fifteen hundred officers and men abroad
there is barely elbow room at any time, and sometimes not that."
"This ship looks big enough to carry a small city full of people," Darrin
smiled.
"See here!" Trent stepped to the starboard rail, looking forward.
"Just look ahead, and see the magnificent distance to the bow,"
continued the officer of the deck. "We call a ship 'she,' Darrin, and let
me assure you, 'she' is some girl! Look at the magnificent length and
breadth. Yet, when we are at sea, you will soon begin to realize how

cramped the life is."
After chatting a little longer with Lieutenant Trent, Ensign Darrin
started forward along the decks, taking in all he could see of this huge,
floating castle.
Presently he returned to the quarter-deck, but Lieutenant Trent was
busy with a lieutenant of the marine guard. Dave stepped inside.
Almost immediately he heard a step at his side. Glancing around, Dave
looked into the face of Lieutenant Cantor.
"A while ago I noticed you talking with Trent," Dave's division officer
remarked, in a low voice.
"Yes, sir."
"Did you discuss me?"
"Yes, sir."
"What did you say, Darrin?"
"I mentioned that you were my division officer."
"Did Trent say anything?"
"Mr. Trent said that you were a very efficient officer."
"Did you tell him anything---about---er---about last night?"
"Nothing," Dave answered.
"Positive about that?" insinuated Cantor.
"Sir," Dave answered, "I am an officer and, I trust---a gentleman."
"Then you told Trent nothing about last night?"
"I have already told you, sir, that I didn't."

"Nor to anyone else on this ship?" pressed the lieutenant.
"I told Dalzell, last night, that I had met with a stranger who was-----"
"That will do!" snapped Cantor.
"Very good, sir."
"Have you told Dalzell about me since coming aboard?"
"I have not."
"And you won't?" pressed Cantor.
"On that point, sir, I decline to pledge myself," Darrin responded, with
unusual stiffness.
"Darrin, do you want to make an enemy?"
"Mr. Cantor, I never, at any time, wish to make an enemy. I am not
trying to make one of you."
"I will regard that as a promise from you," returned Cantor, then moved
quickly away.
"It would have been better," murmured Darrin, softly, turning and
regarding the moving figure, "if you had heard me out. However, Mr.
Cantor, though you are not now here to hear me say it, I did not
promise silence. Yet it is difficult to conceive what would make me
open my mouth on the subject of last night's happening. I have never
been a tale-bearer, and, much as I may despise that fellow, and the
affront that he offers the Navy, in remaining in the service, I fancy his
secret is safe from all---except Dalzell. Danny and I haven't yet begun
to have secrets from each other."
Presently Dan Dalzell, wearing his sword and pulling on his white
gloves as he came, appeared, walking aft. There was time only for a
smiling nod, for Dave suddenly remembered, with a start that it was
time for him to report for change of watch.

Hastening down the passage-way Dave hung his sword on, then hastily
rummaged the suit case for a pair of white gloves that he had
previously tucked in there.
Hastening, he reached the deck just as the watch was being changed.
With quick step Ensign Darrin took his momentary post. Then, when
the old watch had gone off duty, Lieutenant Cantor turned to his
subordinate with a frown.
"Ensign Darrin, you made a bad beginning, sir," declared the new
watch officer, crisply. "In the future, I trust you will be more mindful of