Page:Barbour--For the freedom from the seas.djvu/44

 The ensign laid a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. "He might have been there, just the same," he said hopefully. "Stranger things have happened. I don't suppose he was wearing a life-belt."

"No, sir, none of us were. We didn't really expert any trouble, although dad had his mind on it that night. I remember his saying he'd be easier when we were out of the submarine zone. But I no more expected what happened than—than nothing at all!"

"Of course you didn't! Who would? Oh, wait till we get a shot at them! We've got a lot of scores to pay off, Troy, and, by the Great Horned Spoon, we'll do it I Now I understand why you're so eager for service, Troy, and I hope you'll soon get across where things are happening. I know that we're taught that revenge is sinful, but"

The ensign shook his head.

"I don't think it is exactly revenge I want," replied Nelson thoughtfully. "Killing a thousand Germans wouldn't bring dad back, if he's really—gone, but things like that aren't right, sir, and I'd like to do my share in stopping them. No nation should be allowed to act like a pirate, to attack neutral ships on the high seas and murder 22