Читать книгу The Wireless Operator—With the U. S. Coast Guard онлайн

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“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 motor-boat to my cabin when they get back with this lad’s suit-case.”

“Yes, sir. I think they are here now, sir.” And the attendant hurried up the companionway.

A moment later three sailors appeared, one of them carrying Henry’s suit-case. They came into the cabin and stood at attention.