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"Of course not; that was a joke," said Coggins. "Good-night then," said the boys. They went up on deck. It was perfectly dark. Not even a riding light was shown, and through the darkness at top speed raced the Firefly. "Sort of thrilling, isn't it?" said Porky in a low tone as they leaned over the rail and looked down at the mysterious water below them. "Gee, I hope we don't get torpedoed!
The fact was, though of course Dick knew nothing of it, that this soldier, whose name was Ferguson, and the other, Coggins, were enemies, having had an encounter once, in which Ferguson had gotten rather the best of it, though the fight did not go to a finish, it having been stopped by order of the colonel. Soon the soldiers stretching themselves on blankets and going to sleep.
He had taken a dislike to the boastful redcoat, and as he was a brave youth, and also had always found himself a match for any man he had ever engaged in a physical struggle with, he had no fear of this fellow. "There's good nerve, for you!" remarked a soldier, admiringly. "How do you like it, Coggins?" It was evident that this particular soldier, Coggins, was not very well liked by his comrades.
"I will say this, that I think you will find the people of America as brave as those of your country or any other, and I think, too, that they will make as brave and effective soldiers." "That's right, youngster, hold up for your own people," said one of the soldiers approvingly. "The boy's all right, Coggins," to the ill-natured soldier. "You had no business talking as you did."
"Do you think I'm a fool, to get myself laughed at for engaging in a fight with a green country boy?" growled Coggins. "I'll do no such thing." Rising, he walked away with a swagger, but he gave Dick a look of hatred as he did so. A number of the soldiers grinned, and two or three chuckled aloud, and unless Coggins was deaf, he must have heard them.
"I won't, sir, and thank you for your friendly words." "You're welcome. I don't like Coggins myself, and I don't care who knows it. He knows it, all right, I guess," with a short laugh.
"I will say I don't get many thrills out of this being cooped downstairs when there are subs all around." "Downstairs!" quoted Coggins scornfully. "Don't let the Captain hear you talking about the 'downstairs' of his ship, you landlubber, you!" "Well, I don't care what you call it! It's downstairs to me anyhow! And whatever you call it, I don't want to sleep there." "Bosh!" said Coggins.
"Air it your'n?" asked the woman wonderingly. "I jes' now fund it, an' I war tried ter know who had drapped it hyar." The officer, without a word, untied the knot which Amos Brierwood had made in one corner, while the Coggins looked on in open-mouthed amazement.
As it grew lighter, they could see that she was a huge transport with her convoys about her. Carl Coggins leaped to a seat, tearing off a silk shirt as he did so. He ran a big oar through the sleeves and waved it wildly. "I have always wanted to do this," he cried. "Now you see why I wouldn't wear a service shirt under my tunic!" "Wave ahead!" said the Colonel. "Here's hoping they see you!"
Glass, it appeared, hailed from Maine, from the vicinity of one of the "obscots" or "coggins." He had followed various callings carpenter, market gardener, and grocer with indifferent success; but he had succeeded in accumulating a few thousand dollars. His eldest girl was not well. Consumption ran in her mother's family. The doctor had ordered a dryer climate, a higher altitude.