COMMANDER OF A U.S. GUNBOAT!
"Lieutenant Benson, sir?" inquired a c.o.xswain, saluting.
"Yes," replied Jack, returning the salute.
"The gig is waiting to take you to the "Sudbury" sir."
This information was punctuated by another salute which Jack, as head of the party of three young officers, again returned.
"Lead the way," directed Jack.
For the third time saluting, the c.o.xswain possessed himself of Jack"s suit case and sword, then crossed the wharf to the landing stairs down below, the gunboat"s cutter waited, a natty little craft, occupied by a bowman and four oarsmen.
The three young officers seated themselves at the stern of the gig.
"Cast off," directed the c.o.xswain. "Up oars! Let fall! Give way!"
With the long, steady, magnificent sweep of the Navy which the sailors pulled, the little gig seemed to race through the water.
"Is that the "Sudbury"?" inquired Jack, nodding toward a trim little gunboat some two hundred feet long.
"Yes, sir."
All three of the submarine boys gazed at the gunboat with secret enthusiasm. Had it not been for the guns fore and aft, and at the rail on either side, the "Sudbury" might have been mistaken for some multi-millionaire"s yacht.
In another moment the gig was making fast at the gangway. Then Jack Benson stepped out, and, heading his comrades, went up over the side.
At the head of the gangway a corporal and four marines stood drawn up.
At a low-voiced command from the corporal the marines presented arms, standing thus until the three new young officers, saluting, pa.s.sed.
Just beyond the marines, stood an officer of the Navy. He brought his hand to his cap in a smart salute.
"Lieutenant Benson?" inquired this officer.
"Yes."
"I am Ensign Fullerton, executive officer of this vessel."
They shook hands and Jack presented his comrades.
"I think I had better show you to your cabin, sir," suggested Ensign Fullerton.
"As you please," nodded Jack.
The way was actually led, however, by three of the marines, who, at a word from the corporal, had possessed themselves of the limited baggage of the new arrivals.
In Jack"s cabin was a broad double berth, two deep wardrobe closets, a book-case, desk and several chairs.
"I had no idea junior officers had such roomy quarters," murmured Jack.
"They don"t, usually, sir," smiled Fullerton. "But it"s different, of course, in the case of the commanding officer."
"But I"m not the commanding officer," gasped Jack.
"For the purposes of this cruise you are," smiled Fullerton. "But I forget. You haven"t received your orders. There they are on your desk.
They arrived less than an hour ago by wire."
Like one in a dream young Jack Benson picked up a bulky telegraph envelope and broke the seal. There, before his eyes, danced the words of the latest order from the Secretary of the Navy.
Lieutenant Jack Benson was directed to take command of the United States gunboat, "Sudbury," until further orders. Ensigns Hastings and Somers were directed to a.s.sume such duties aboard as were a.s.signed to them by Lieutenant Benson.
"I didn"t expect this," stammered Jack. "I--I--we thought our temporary rank in the Navy was given us merely that we might have legal standing in making one arrest that is wanted."
"No one ever does know just what is wanted of him, until the order comes," laughed Ensign Fullerton. "At least, that has been the case since Mr. Sanders became Secretary of the Navy. He keeps all officers on the jump. But I guess that is what a good many of them need, sir."
As the Ensign appeared to be at least twenty-five years old that respectful "sir" struck young Benson"s ear queerly.
"Pardon me, gentlemen, but be seated," suggested Lieutenant Jack, suddenly, as he realized that his chums and this one sure-enough naval officer were all standing.
"You have been aboard naval vessels before, sir, haven"t you?" asked Ensign Fullerton.
"Oh, yes; but never in the present way," smiled Benson.
"Then, no doubt, you understand, sir, that the "Sudbury" is under steam, only awaiting your order to put to sea."
"The last part of these orders," replied Jack, picking up the telegram, "advises me that sailing orders will be wired soon."
"Then may I make a suggestion, sir?"
"Of course," nodded young Benson.
"At your direction I will have Mr. Hastings and Mr. Somers shown to their cabins. Then I will send for the one other young man left of the gunboat"s old equipment of officers, and present him to you. After that I would suggest, sir, that I have the crew piped to quarters for brief inspection by the new commanding officer."
Hal and Eph were quickly made acquainted with their own cabins, which were on the port side of the gun-deck, Jack"s being on the starboard.
Ensign Fullerton brought in a slim, very erect young man in a midshipman"s uniform--Mr. Drake, just out of the Naval Academy.
"Our engineers are all warrant machinists or petty officers; no commissioned officers among them," stated Fullerton. "Our highest marine officer is Sergeant Oswald. Besides the sergeant we have eighteen other enlisted men among the marines. Here is the ship"s complete roster," continued the Ensign, taking a doc.u.ment out of a pigeon-hole over the young commander"s desk. "And now, sir, shall I pa.s.s the order for piping the crew to quarters?"
"If you will be so good," Jack nodded, rising.
At this moment Hal and Eph appeared at the doorway.
"Pardon me, gentlemen, for suggesting that you had better put your swords on," suggested Fullerton, "Inspection of crew at quarters is about to come off."
Hal and Eph vanished, but soon reappeared, wearing their new swords and trying hard not to look conscious of the fact. Jack was engaged in adjusting his own side-arm to his belt.