Page:The Wireless Operator with the U.S. Coast Guard.djvu/45

 “Out with it,” said the captain. “You mean you haven’t the money, and you were worried about how to get along.”

“That’s exactly the case,” said Henry. “You see, Captain, my father is dead, and I had to work while I went to school, so it put me behind a little. Willie wanted to help me get a job, and he offered to take care of me while I was here. I had enough money to pay my car fare here and back, but that is about all. So you see I couldn’t very well go to a hotel.”

“Well, bless my stars!” ejaculated the captain. “And you wouldn’t take a cent from me this morning.”

“I couldn’t, Captain. Would you take pay from me for saving my life just now?”

“Certainly not, but that’s different. Saving life is part of my job. That’s what I’m paid for. Besides, I didn’t have a thing to do with it. The man on watch saw you fall overboard, and I merely ordered out the boat.”

“I can at least thank you for ordering out the boat. And I want to do something to show my gratitude to the men who fished me out of the water. I was almost gone when they got me, Captain Hardwick.”

Again the captain stepped to his call-bell. “Rollin,” he said, when the attendant appeared, “tell Lieutenant Hill to send the crew of the