It took only a few
minutes to prepare the slips and they were collected by Officer
Cleary, who in turn deposited them in the code box. Captain McClure
stirred them around for a moment and then directed Officer Cleary to
begin drawing.
Every man in the group viewed the proceedings with a tense face. Not
a word was spoken as the executive officer thrust his hand into the
box and drew out the first slip and handed it to Officer Binns.
"Joe Sampson," read the navigating officer as he handed the slip
to Commander McClure, who, with pencil and paper, was ready to write
the names of his men 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.
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