Page:Cruise of the Dry Dock.djvu/350

. “I'll take a turn o' this linen around your shoulder.” Suddenly he paused as he glanced into the sufferer's face. “Why—why, hit's the Lieut'nant!” he stammered. Then he stood erect and saluted properly. “Would you 'ave a bandage, sir?” he asked in a different one.

Caradoc assented wearily and shifted his shoulder for the band of linen. The fellow must have been a surgeon's helper, for he applied the strip rather dexterously as the cutter steamed about picking up the rest of the Vulcan's crew who had survived the catastrophe.

Half an hour later friendly hands helped the waifs up the Panther's accommodation ladder, where a group of officers and men waited to be of service to the Vulcan's crew.

The deck of the cruiser was torn and blackened from the German fire; here and there were sailors in bandages. Stretchers were placed at the head of the ladder for the tug's wounded.

The crew, of the Panther showed the utmost cordiality and also the utmost curiosity toward their visitors. A dapper young midshipman gripped Madden's hand as he stepped on the broad deck.