Page:Barbour--For the freedom from the seas.djvu/73

 Cochran with much gusto had put a three-inch shell through their motor boat and the Wanderer was hiking back to New Bedford. There was a conversation between the captain and Lieutenant Haegel in the after cabin on the way back, attended by Ensign Stowell, but what was said no one else aboard ever knew. Nelson's personal interest in the affairs of the four conspirators ended soon after he had worried down a small portion of diluted broth, for he went to sleep and slept until the Wanderer reached port. It was the rattling of the winch that aroused him. Presently Ensign Stowell entered.

"How's the arm, Troy?" he enquired. "I was down here an hour ago, but you were sleeping."

"It doesn't hurt, sir," replied Nelson, not very truthfully.

"Good! I'm going to send you up to the hospital and have that bullet out. You'd better stay there a few days. No use trying to use your arm until the stiffness has gone. When they discharge you, report back on board. We'll be glad to see you again. I'll send one of the men to help you dress. Good, luck, Troy."

It was Billy Masters who appeared to act the rôle of valet, but Billy divided between resentment at being kept out of the underground fracas 51