f the man nearest him.

"You'd have broken your neck, sir, if Mr. Darrin hadn't jumped forward
and broken the force of your fall."

"I'd rather any other man had saved me," muttered the sullen one, slowly
aiding himself to sit up. "How did Mr. Darrin do it?"

"Well, sir," responded Bob, "he stopped you partly with his head, and it
would have been broken, only he had his hands out and gripped you at the
shoulders or trunk. It may be that his head was split as it was, but I
hardly think so."

Two more liberal douses of water, and Dave, too, opened his eyes.

"Is Jetson all right?" was Darrin's first question.

"Yes," muttered Midshipman Jetson, "and thanks to you, as I
understand it."

"Oh, if you're all right, then I'm glad," responded Dave. "Bob, have you
time to help me to stand up?"

"How do you feel, sir?" asked Bob, after he had complied and stood
supporting Midshipman Darrin on his feet.

"Just a bit dizzy, Bob; but that'll pass off in a moment. Jetson, I'm
glad to see you alive. Not badly jolted, I hope?"

Jim was now aiding Jetson to his feet.

"Do you want a surgeon, either of you?" asked Bob.

Both midshipmen shook their heads.

"I think I'll go over to one of the side seats," remarked Darrin, and
Bob piloted him there, while Jim aided Jetson out to the shower room
and locker.

Dave Darrin soon conquered the dizzy feeling enough to stand up and walk
without assistance.

"I think I'll go, now," he told Bob. "I don't believe there is anything
that I can do for Mr. Jetson."

"There is, sir, if you don't mind," interposed Jim, striding up. "Mr.
Jetson has just asked if you mind waiting for him."

"My compliments to Mr. Jetson, and I shall be glad to wait for him."

The sulky midshipman soon hove in sight, having donned his uniform. He
came up to Dave looking decidedly embarrassed.

"Mr. Darrin, I fear I must thank you for having stopped my course to the
floor," admitted Jetson, with a sheepish grin.

"I won't make it too hard to thank me," replied Dave, with a smile.
"I'll just say that you're wholly welcome."

"But if you hadn't caught me in just the way that you did, your skull
would have been smashed by the impact with my head. You risked your life
for me, Mr. Darrin."

"I didn't stop to think of that, at the time. At any rate, risking one's
life goes with the Naval service, doesn't it?"

"It was a splendid thing for you to do, Mr. Darrin! May I walk along
with you?"

Dave nodded.