"Am I wanted?" was returned quickly.
"Of course, if you like to go," laughed the young officer, and Allyne
strode forward.
Their loitering had widened the space between them and the girls, and
suddenly Tom Allyne began, in a low voice,
"Carnegie, I haven't had an opportunity before, so now I make haste to
say that I thank you for showing me that a fellow need not be of the
namby-pamby kind because he lets the stuff alone. I used to think that
boys with any spirit must drink and carouse, occasionally, but I've
learned better now. I watched you last night."
The other turned with a rapid movement.
"Watched me?"
"Yes, you were cool and brave. When the captain needed volunteers you
worked like a Trojan, and never flinched. And I believe you knew the
special danger too, as well as----"
"Sh-h!" Carnegie glanced about with an alarmed air. "Did you know
too?"
"I began to suspect soon after we went to work, and a low word of the
captain to his mate, which I, too, caught, convinced me. You see, we
were packed close in there! It wasn't any too safe."
Chester Carnegie's eyes were upon him.
"And you praise me for bravery when you were there and knew it all?" he
said. "I begin to think somebody else is no coward, either, Allyne!"
He held out his hand, and they clasped silently. Then the latter said,
in a deprecating tone,
"Personal fear is not my weakness. I wonder, Carnegie, if these
passengers will ever know how close that fire came to your consignment
of ammunition, last night.
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