Page:Barbour--For the freedom from the seas.djvu/286

 trical circuit and served gun for upwards of half an hour.' You estimate the time at twenty minutes."

"It might have been a half-hour, sir,"

"It's a bit difficult to judge the passage of time under some circumstances." The officer smiled. "In any case you did good work, Troy, and I shall take pleasure in recommending you for promotion."

Nelson flushed. "Thank you, sir," he murmured. Then: "I didn't do any more than Jennings and Scott and Farley, sir," he disclaimed. "They"

"I understand. I have their names, too. That's all, Troy."

Nelson saluted and made his way out. In the passage he looked down at his right sleeve and tried to vision a white silk eagle and a single red chevron and) possibly, the crossed cannons of a gunner's mate. He smiled happily as he went on to pay a visit to Garey and tell him of his good fortune. The gun captain had been wounded in the left arm, but a week would put him right.

The Gyandotte laid up at South Shields for three days, during which time the sound of pneumatic drills and hammers made life hideous. Then there was painting to be done over the new 261