As no instructions for secrecy had been asked or expected, Commander
Bainbridge soon told the news to a few of the "_Long Island's_"
ranking officers, who, in turn passed it on.

"Of all the luck that some officers have!" groaned Lieutenant
Trent, as he passed Dave Darrin. "How did you work it, Darrin,
to secure one of the details for to-night that any subordinate
officer on this ship would have been delighted to see come his
way?"

"I don't know," Dave laughingly admitted.

"Darrin, are you hard up?" asked Lieutenant Holton, five minutes
later.

"I have a few dollars left," Dave smiled.

"If you can get me shifted to your detail for to-night I'll reward
you with a month of my pay," promised the lieutenant.

"Thank you," Dave smiled, gravely. "Even if the change could
be easily arranged, I'm afraid I wouldn't give up my chance for
six months' pay."

"No chance for me, then," sighed Holton. "I can't remember that
I ever had six months' of my pay together at one time."

"Darrin," exclaimed Lieutenant Commander Denton, still a little
later, "I never realized that you had so much impudence! The
idea of a mere ensign leading such an expedition ashore to-night!