n as they were drawn. Joe was one of the
electricians, a boy of nineteen from New York who had shipped on
the _Dewey_ with Jack and Ted.

The drawing continued until every name had been polled. Mike Mowrey
was second on the list, Officer Binns third. Bill Witt was drawn as
No. 7 and Ted as No. 16.

"But where is your name?" asked Executive Officer Cleary, turning to
his chief.

"Little Mack" merely smiled and made no reply.

And then it dawned upon Ted, who suddenly realized that the name of
his gallant chief had not been called in the lottery. "Little Mack"
had purposely withheld his own name and meant to be the last man in
the _Dewey_ after every other man had gone!

There was a commotion in the excited group as various members of the
crew sought to take exception to their captain's voluntary omission
of his own name. But the young lieutenant held up his hand for silence.

"I am the captain of this ship and take orders, from no man," he
announced bravely. "One man has to stay behind and I reserve that
honor for myself."

He paused for an instant and then added:

"The first man will go out at three o'clock to-morrow morning. We
shall have to get busy at that time before we have exhausted the
compressed air that yet remains in our tanks. It will require
considerable pound pressure for this job and we might as well be
at it while there is yet time. As near as I can estimate we are
not more than a mile off shore. Once afloat, I would advise each
of you to swim for land and take your chances there. That's all."

And with a wave of his hand he dismissed his men.

The hours dragged on into the afternoon and evening. Some of the men
crouched alone in their quarters, facing in solitude the impending
ordeal; others conversed together in low tones debating how they would
choose their method of escape. Bill Witt, true to his inherent
optimism, toted out his old banjo.

"Old Black Joe," he sang, and all the old familiar home songs. And
then, while some of the braver spirits were singing he swung into
"The Star Spangled Banner."

Instantly every man was on his feet and standing at attention. Thus
they stood until Bill picked his way through to "the home of the brave."

Yes, the "home of the brave!" Here were sons of Uncle Sam, wrecked on
the bottom of the sea, exemplifying that bravery that has characterized
the boys of our army and navy in every stage of our history. Not a
man in the _Dewey_ but w