Part 29 (2/2)

Lieutenant Jack had turned in, after leaving orders that he was to be called a few minutes before five. He wanted to be on deck to enjoy the sensations of his last hour of command on the cruise of a vessel of the United States Navy. Forward, the sailors of the watch were talking in low tones of their very youthful officers.

”There's the real stuff in those boy officers, mates,” grunted one sailor who had been in the boarding party. ”It don't make any difference whether they've been through Annapolis or not. Look at the way the lieutenant and Mr. Somers went up against the shooting. Kept us back, and took the medicine themselves, like real officers.”

”You'd expect it of Somers,” rejoined another sailor. ”There's a bit of the bull-neck about him, and such men always fight. But the lieutenant makes a real officer that I'd be glad to foller anywhere.”

”Mr. Hastings didn't get a chance to show what was in him,” suggested another of Uncle Sam's old salts.

”Oh, you leave Mr. Hastings alone for fighting, if he saw any need to,” retorted the sailor who had been the first to speak. ”He's one of your very quiet chaps. Your quiet ones always sail into a fight while a brawler is getting his mouth wound up to do some talking.”

”Hanged, if I don't wish them lads could remain on board!” muttered another old salt.

”With the young lieutenant to command the s.h.i.+p?” asked another.

”Him as well as anyone. He knows what he's doing, for which reason I don't care for the number of the year he was born in. Why, mates, the lieutenant is the head of them submarine boys we've read so much about in the newspapers when layin' in port. And the other two are his messmates. Now, I'll stand for it that the submarine boys are good for any kind of a job on salt water. I'd foller their lead on a battles.h.i.+p!”

It would have been fine for the three submarine boys had they been able to know what great opinions the crew held of them.

But Hal was again on the bridge in the last watch, and Eph had gone below for an hour's sleep ere he, like Jack Benson, was to be called.

Then, at last, two sleepy-eyed boys came from their cabins, going up to the bridge for what they felt was their last hour of real sea-glory.

Ensign Fullerton appeared half an hour before anchorage was made.

”You have the satisfaction, sir, of knowing that your task was put through in record time,” said Fullerton, by way of congratulation.

”For which I'm truly glad,” smiled Benson. ”Yet I could wish our experience with the Navy had not ended so soon.”

”Why, it hasn't ended yet, sir,” smiled the executive officer.

”It will, in a few minutes more, however,” sighed Jack. ”My last official act will be to order the gig into the water to take us on sh.o.r.e. We're under orders to take the next train for Was.h.i.+ngton, you know.”

”Very true,” smiled Ensign Fullerton. ”But, sir, you are commanding officer of the 'Sudbury,' no matter where you may be, until you receive an order to relinquish command. Also, sir, your present appointments as officers in the service run until the orders appointing you are revoked.”

”But that will all happen before the day is much older,” replied Jack, with a forced smile.

It was going to come harder than he had thought, after this brief taste of real naval life, to give it all up!

No sooner had the ”Sudbury” let go her anchors than Jack called for the gig. He and his comrades hurried below, doffing their uniforms, which went back into the dress suit cases. Then, in citizen dress, with their precious swords again wrapped in chamois skin, the three submarines went over the side.

There was the same ceremony, however, which had attended their coming aboard. The marine guard turned out, presenting arms as Lieutenant Jack Benson pa.s.sed to the side gangway. Ensign Fullerton and Mr. Drake stood by to salute Jack, and to receive his formal acknowledgment of their courtesy.

Their feet touched the bottom of the gig. They seated themselves, and the short row to the landing stage commenced.

On the landing stage stood an orderly, who promptly saluted.

”The Commandant's compliments to Lieutenant Benson, and will the Lieutenant and his comrades report at the Commandant's office.”

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