CHAPTER XXIII.
"THE BOY ADMIRAL."
As Frank announced his intention of going alone to save Alice Beulowfrom the death of a spy, he sprang across the deck in the direction ofthe little launch.
Lord Hastings jumped quickly after him, and Jack, who had stood silentlynearby, during the conversation, also gave chase. Except for thesethree, the deck in this part of the vessel was unoccupied.
As Frank reached the rail, Jack grabbed him by the arm.
"Don't be a fool!" he cried.
"Mr. Chadwick!" cried Lord Hastings, hurrying up, "return to yourquarters immediately!"
Frank shook off Jack's detaining hand.
"Let me alone!" he shouted. "Do you think I am going to stand idle whilean innocent girl is put to death!"
Again Jack took his friend by the arm.
"Stop! Think what you are about!" he commanded.
"I know what I'm about!" cried Frank angrily. "Let me go!"
"Not by a long shot!" exclaimed Jack, "If I have to hold you I will!"
"Mr. Chadwick!" commanded Lord Hastings, "I am commander of this vessel,and I order you to go to your quarters at once!"
"And I refuse!" cried the lad.
"What! You disobey your commander!" exclaimed Jack.
"Yes," replied Frank, "when it means the death of an innocent girl. AndI am surprised to see you stand by idly!"
"I haven't lost my senses," said Jack.
"No," was Frank's answer, "but you seem to have lost your nerve!"
Jack released his hold on his friend and stepped back.
"What!" he exclaimed, "do you mean I am a coward?"
"I don't know what I mean!" cried the now furious lad, "but it lookslike it!"
"Enough of this!" spoke Lord Hastings. "Mr. Chadwick! For the last timeI order you to return to your quarters!"
"I won't do it!" cried Frank, and drew closer to the rail.
Lord Hastings drew a revolver.
"Do you know that I would be perfectly justified in shooting you?" hedemanded.
"Shoot, then!" cried Frank. "I am going anyhow!"
Lord Hastings drew back in surprise.
"Do you know what you are doing?" he asked. "Do you know that quittingyour ship in the face of action is worse than cowardice? That it isdesertion?"
Frank was taken aback.
"I--I----" he stammered.
Lord Hastings saw that he had made a point, and pressed it.
"Mr. Chadwick!" he exclaimed. "Frank! You are trying to desert!"
Frank took a step forward.
"Desert!" he muttered huskily. "No, I won't desert!"
He turned on his heel, and, without another word, rushed headlong to hiscabin, where he threw himself down on his bed.
As Frank made his way to his cabin, Jack wiped beads of perspirationfrom his brow, as he muttered to Lord Hastings:
"I was afraid he would not come to his senses. I was afraid I shouldhave to use force, and Frank is not one to give up without a fight. I amjust as greatly alarmed at Miss Beulow's predicament as he is, but Iknow my duty."
"And I am glad you do," replied Lord Hastings. "Fond as I am of the boy,I should not have allowed him to go. I should even have shot him had itbeen necessary. Discipline must be maintained at all hazards. I willcountenance no disobedience!"
Jack drew back in surprise. This was a new side of Lord Hastings.Heretofore he had always been the best-natured fellow imaginable. But hewas plainly very angry now.
Jack saluted and turned to move away. Lord Hastings halted him.
"Tell Mr. Chadwick to report to me in half an hour," he commanded.
"Great Scott!" exclaimed Jack, as he made his way to his cabin. "He canget awfully mad. I can hardly believe it!"
Frank arose from his bed as Jack entered the cabin, and approached hisfriend with outstretched hand.
"I guess I made an awful fool of myself," he exclaimed; "and I calledyou a coward. I want to apologize. You know I didn't mean it, don'tyou?"
"Of course," replied Jack, grasping his friend's hand. "You were angry;that was all. Say no more about it By the way. Lord Hastings wants tosee you in half an hour."
"Why?" exclaimed Frank, in no little alarm. "Was he mad?"
"Was he mad! I should say he was! I don't know what he wants, though."
"Well," said Frank, "I guess I am big enough to take my medicine withoutcrying. But I wish something might be done for Miss Beulow."
"And I," replied Jack. "But cheer up. It may not be as bad as we think.Besides, I suppose we shall go into action to-night. After the battle,we can manage to get hold of the _Alto_ in some manner, and matters canbe explained then."
"If it's not too late," exclaimed Frank fearfully.
"It just can't be too late," replied Jack.
Half an hour later Frank stood before Lord Hastings.
"The first thing I want to impress upon you," said Lord Hastings, "isthe necessity of obedience and discipline. Those qualifications areessential."
"I am sorry I acted as I did, sir," replied Frank, "but I was greatlywrought up. I apologize, sir!"
Lord Hastings' manner underwent a sudden change.
"I know you were, my boy," he said, "and I forgive you. I don't know butthat I should have done the same when I was no older than you are. But Ihave learned with age."
"Thank you, sir," replied the lad.
"I promise you," said Lord Hastings, "that immediately the battle isover I shall look into Miss Beulow's case. I am sure no harm will cometo her before that time. Now, I have a little surprise for you!"
"A surprise, sir?"
"Yes; I am going aboard Admiral Jellicoe's flagship when we join thefleet this evening. How would you and Jack like to go with me? We shalldine with the admiral."
"Do you mean it, sir?" asked Frank.
"Of course. We shall probably outline our plans for the coming battle,and I am sure you would like to be there."
"I am sure Jack and I shall both be pleased, sir."
"All right; you may go now."
Frank hurried back to his cabin, where he informed Jack of LordHastings' plan.
"Great!" exclaimed the latter. "I have heard a great deal about AdmiralJellicoe. And, if I mistake not, the whole world will have heard of himbefore this war is over."
It was mid-afternoon when the first vessel of the great English fleetwas raised off Helgoland; and it was well after nightfall when the_Sylph_, after making her way through the great armada, came to anchornear the flagship, of Vice-Admiral Jellicoe.
Soon one of the _Sylph's_ small boats was lowered and manned, and LordHastings, Frank and Jack jumped into it. Aboard the flagship, themeeting of Admiral Jellicoe and Lord Hastings did not wait on ceremony.
They were too old friends for such formalities. As Lord Hastings reachedthe deck of the flagship, Admiral Jellicoe rushed forward to meet him.The greeting was affectionate, and, after some few words, Lord Hastingsmotioned to Frank and Jack to approach.
"I wish to present to your excellency," said Lord Hastings, inintroducing the two lads to the British naval commander, "two of thebravest and most resourceful young men it has ever been my fortune toencounter. They both are midshipmen aboard my vessel."
Both lads bowed.
"I am pleased to meet you, sirs," acknowledged Admiral Jellicoe, and ledthe way to his cabin, Lord Hastings, Jack, Frank and officers following.
And this was the boys' introduction to Vice-Admiral Sir John Jellicoe,Great Britain's "Boy Admiral," the youngest Briton holding such animportant command--the man to whom, soon after war with Germany wasdeclared, Winston Churchill, first lord of the Admiralty, sent thislaconic message:
"Capture or destroy the German fleet!"
The Boy Allies on the North Sea Patrol Page 23
