Bacon's bucket of clothes sailing diagonally over the lee rail,
scattering a fountain of soapy water as it whirled; his late laundryman
coming toward them with head erect, as though he might have owned the
ship and himself; and Johnson, limping slightly, making for the crowd
of blue-jackets at the gangway. With these he fraternized at once,
telling them things in a low voice, and somewhat profanely, while the
two mates at the fife-rail eyed him reprovingly, but did not interrupt.

Breen advanced to the ensign, and said, as he extended his hand: "I am
Lieutenant Breen. Did you bring the clothing? This is an extremely
fortunate meeting for me; but I can thank you--you and your brother
officers--much more gracefully aboard the cruiser."

The officer took the extended hand gingerly, with suspicion in his
eyes. Perhaps, if it had not been thoroughly clean from its late
friction with soap and water, he might have declined taking it; for
there was nothing in the appearance of the haggard, ragged wreck before
him to indicate the naval officer.

"There is some mistake," he said coldly. "I am well acquainted with
Lieutenant Breen, and you are certainly not he."

Breen's face flushed hotly, but before he could reply, the captain
broke in.

"Some mistake, hey?" said he, derisively. "I guess there is--another
mistake--another bluff that don't go. Get out o' here; and I tell you
now, blast yer hide, that if you make me any more trouble 'board my
ship yer liable to go over the side feet first, with a shackle to yer
heels. And you, young man," he stormed, turning to the ensign, "you
look round, if you like. There's my crew. All the navy officers you
find you can have, and welcome to 'em." He turned his back, stamped a
few paces along the deck, and returned, working himself into a fury.

Breen had not moved, but, with a slight sparkle to his eyes, said to
the young officer:

"I think, sir, that if you take the trouble to investigate, you will be
satisfied. There are two Breens in the navy. You know one, evidently; I
am the other. Lieutenant William Breen is on shore duty at Washington,
I think. Lieutenant John Breen, lately in command of the torpedo-boat
_Wainwright_, with his signalman Thomas Johnson, are shanghaied on
board this ship. There is Johnson talking to your men."

The young man's face changed, and his hand went to his cap in salute;
but the mischief was done. Captain Bacon's indignation was at
bursting-pressure, and