The diamond drill., 1921-09-03
CHAPTER XII.
The Admiral Has His Say.

came into IL. and gave a cynical twist
20 the lips. He was short man. and
spare, but his bearing had dignity and
every motion significance.
He had had his high moment with
the French admiral. had gwen his com
mands 10 the fleet and had arranged
the disposition Of the captured French
ships. He was In good spirits, and the
wreckage In the feet seemed not 10
shake his nerve. for he had lost In men
far less than the enemy. and had cap
tured many ships-a good days work.
due finally TO the man In sailors
clothes standing there with Captain
Ivy. The admiral took IN the dress Of
Calhoun ut n glance-the trousers OF
stockings OF white silk, the loose. un-
starched collar. the fine black silk
handkerchief az the throat. the waist
coat Of red kerseymere. the shoes like
dancing pumps, and the short, round
blue jacket, with the fiat gold buttons
"a seaman complete. He smiled broad
ly; he liked this mutineer and ex-con-
vict.
captain Calhoun, eh I" he remarked
mockingly. "Well. you've played
strong game, and you've plunged us
into great difficulty"
Dyck did not lose his opportunity.
Happily I've done what I planned 10
do when we left the Thames. admiral"
he said. I'VE came 10 get the chance
OF doing what, by favor OF fate we
have accomplished. Now, sir, as I'm
under arrest, and the ship which !
controlled has done good service. may
beg that the Ariadne's personnel shall
have amnesty. and that l alone be
made TO pay-if that must be-for the
mutiny at the Nore?'
The admiral nodded. 1--WE know OF
your breaking away from the mutinous
fleet, and OF their firing on you as you
passed, and that is In your favor
can also say this: That bringing the
ship here wns mastery work. for
understand there were no officers on
the Ariadne. She always had the repu-
tation OF being one OF the best-trained
ships In the navy, and she has splen-
didly upheld that reputation. How did
you manage II. Mr.. CalhounT
Dyck briefly told how the lieu
tenants were made. and how he him
self had been enormously indebted 20
Greenock, the master of the ship.
The admiral smiled sourly. II have
little power until get instructions
from the admiralty, and that will take
some time. Meanwhile, the Ariadne
shall 20 on as she is. and as II she
were-and had been from the tirst-a
member or my own squadron"
Dyck bowed. explained what re
forms ne had created In the food and
provisions of the Ariadne, and cx-
pressed hope that nothing should be
altered He declared the ship had
proved herself. chiefly because Of his
reforms
Besides. she's been badly ham.
mered She's got great numbers OF
wounded and dead, and for many a
day the men will be busy with repairs"
"For man without naval expert
ence. for a mutineer, an ex-convict and
a usurper. you've done quite well. Mr..
Calhoun; but my instructions we're, II
you fell into my hands, TO try You and
hang you"
AT this point Captain Ivy Intervened.
"Slr," he said, "the instructions you
received were general They could not
anticipate tho special service which
the Arladne has rendered TO the kings
fleet have known Mr.. Calhoun; I
have visited az his fathers house; l
was with him on his Journey TO Dub
lin, which was The beginning OF his bad
luck. would beg of you. sir. 10 give
Mr.. Calhoun his parole OH sea and land
until word comes from the admiralty
as TO what I'm the circumstances, his
fate shall be-"
ITO be kept on the Beatitude on pa
role I" exclaimed the admiral.
Land or sea- Captain Ivy said. I'm
as well born as any man In the kings
fleet declared Dyck. "I've as clean
a record as any officer In his majestys
navy, save for the dark fact that I
was put In prison for killing man;
and will say here, In the secrecy Of
an admlral's cabin, that the man I
killed--or was supposed TO kill--was
traitor. If did kill him, he deserved
death by whatever hand II came.
care not what you do with me"-his
hands clenched, his shoulders drew up,
his eyes blnckened with the dark fire
OF his soul-"whether you put me on
parole, or try me by court-martial, or
hang me from the yard-arm. I've done
piece OF work Of which I'm not
ashamed. I've brought a mutiDous ship
out Of mutiny, sailed her down the
seas for many weeks. disciplined her.
drilled her. trained her. fought her;
helped 10 give the admiral Of the West
Indian squadron his victory. II rm
put ashore at jamaica, I'll keep my
parole; II / stay prisoner here, I'll
keep my parole. II I've done you serv-
Ice, admiral. be sure OF this. II was
done with clear intent My object was