CHAPTER XX
Henry’s Exoneration
WITH such a line of evidence against Black, the outcome of the court-martial that quickly followed was a certainty. Black was convicted, dishonorably discharged from the Coast Guard service, sentenced to serve a prison term, and thrust into the brig, after being stripped of his uniform.
Quite as naturally Henry was appointed to fill his place. The appointment, however, could not become really effective until Henry should receive his mother’s permission to enlist. He had no doubt her consent would be forthcoming. He had already written to obtain it, and was expecting a reply soon. Everybody on board seemed genuinely glad when Henry was completely exonerated, and nobody was more pleased than Captain Hardwick. He had come to like the lad immensely.
“Henry,” he said, “I never had more satisfaction in appointing any one to a position under my command than I have in appointing you. If you continue to be as faithful as you have been so far, there won’t be any question, when your probationary three months are up, about your265
