CHAPTER III
OFF FOR AMERICA
"Then everything went first rate your first trip, Captain?" questionedLord Hastings.
"First rate, sir," Jack replied.
The lads were back in Dover where, the first thing after their arrival,they sought an audience with their former commander.
"Yes, sir," Frank agreed, "Jack makes an A-1 captain."
"I'm glad to hear it," was Lord Hastings' comment. "I've other work inhand and I wouldn't want to trust it to a man who is nervous under fire."
"But we were not under fire this time, sir," said Jack.
"You mustn't always take me literally, Jack," smiled Lord Hastings. "Itwas your first venture in your present rank and you acquitted yourselfcreditably. That is what I meant."
"And what is the other venture, sir?" Frank asked eagerly.
"There you go again, Frank," said Lord Hastings. "How many times have Itold you that you must restrain your impatience."
Frank was abashed.
"Your warnings don't seem to do much good, I'll admit, sir. Nevertheless,I'll try to do better."
"See that you do," returned Lord Hastings gravely. "Nothing was evergained by too great impatience. Remember that."
"I'll try, sir."
"Very well. Then I shall acquaint you with the nature of the work inhand."
The boys listened intently to Lord Hastings' next words.
"As you know," His Lordship began, "the seas have virtually been clearedof all enemy ships. All German merchant vessels have been captured orsunk. What few raiders that preyed on our commerce for a time have beenput out of business."
"Yes, sir," said Jack. "Our merchant vessels no longer have anything tofear from the foe."
"They shouldn't, that's true enough," replied Lord Hastings.
"You mean they have, sir?" asked Jack, incredulously.
Lord Hastings nodded.
"I do," he admitted gravely. "Particularly shipping on the other side ofthe Atlantic."
"America, sir?"
"Exactly."
"But surely," Frank put in, "surely our blockade is tight enough toprevent the enemy from breaking through."
"We have not yet found means," replied Lord Hastings, "of effectuallyblockading the submarine."
"Oh, I see," said Frank. "You mean that the Germans plan to open asubmarine campaign upon allied shipping in American waters."
"Such is my information," declared Lord Hastings.
"And," said Jack, "you wish us to cross the Atlantic and take a hand inthe game of taming the U-Boats, sir."
"Such is my idea," Lord Hastings admitted. "Let me explain. My informationis not authentic, but nevertheless, knowing the Germans as I do, I amtempted to credit it."
"Then why not warn the United States, sir?" asked Frank. "There are enoughAmerican ships of war off the coast to deal effectually with all thesubmarines the Germans can get across."
"So I would," was Lord Hastings' reply, "but for the fact that someofficials of the admiralty are opposed to it."
"Opposed?" exclaimed Jack. "And why, sir?"
"Because they labor under the delusion that such a warning would throw thepeople of the United States into a panic and would prevent the sending ofadditional troops to France."
"What a fool idea! By George!" exclaimed Frank, "what do they think theAmerican people are made of?"
"You'll have to ask them," was Lord Hastings' answer to this question."For my own part, I feel that it is hardly fair to keep this informationfrom the American authorities."
"I should say it isn't fair," declared Frank.
"I agree with you," said Jack. "But just where do Frank and I come in,sir?"
"I'll make that plain to you very quickly," replied Lord Hastings.
He drew a paper from his pocket and passed it to Jack.
"Here," he said, "is your commission as captain of H.M.S. Brigadier." Hepassed a second paper to Frank. "This," he continued, "is your commissionas first officer of the same vessel. Now, through channels known only tomyself, I have induced the admiralty to send you to America with certainpapers for Secretary Daniels of the navy department. At the same time, Ihave other personal papers which I shall have you deliver to the secretaryof the navy for me. These will acquaint him with the facts I have justlaid before you."
"I see, sir," said Jack. "But, if you will pardon my asking, what willhappen to you sir should it be found out you have acted contrary to thewishes of the admiralty majority?"
Lord Hastings shrugged his shoulders disdainfully.
"What's the difference?" he wanted to know. "Our allies must be warned."
"I agree with you, sir," declared Jack.
"And I, sir," said Frank.
"It is possible," said Lord Hastings, "that should I take the matter upwith the King or with the war ministry I might get action; but that wouldtake time, and I want this message delivered at the earliest possiblemoment. Should I entrust it to the cables, under the circumstances, thereis nothing certain of its arrival."
"I see, sir," said Jack. "Then you may be sure that I shall deliver themessage personally to Secretary Daniels."
"It is well," said Lord Hastings. "I knew I could depend upon you boys."
"Always, sir," replied Jack simply.
"Then be off with you," said Lord Hastings, rising. "You can go aboardyour ship to-night. Here is the message I wish delivered to the Americansecretary of the navy," and he passed a second paper to Jack. "Theadmiralty message you are to take will probably reach you some time in themorning, together with your sailing orders."
Lord Hastings extended his hand.
"Good-bye and good luck," he said.
Jack and Frank shook hands with him and took their departure.
"I'll be glad to get back to America if only for a short time," saidFrank, as they walked toward the water front.
"I won't mind another look at the United States myself," Jack declared."It looks like a pretty good country to me, from what I saw of it lasttrip. Almost as good as England, I guess."
"Almost?" repeated Frank. "Say, let me tell you something. The UnitedStates is the greatest country under the sun and don't you forget it. YouJohnny Bulls seem to think that England is the only spot on the map."
"Well," returned Jack with a smile, "it strikes me that you boastconsiderably about your own land."
Frank's face reddened a trifle.
"Maybe I do," he admitted, "but it's worth it."
"So is England," said Jack quietly.
"By George! So it is, Jack," said Frank. "Maybe it is a fact that I talktoo much sometimes."
"No 'maybes' about it," declared Jack. "It's just a plain fact."
"Look here," said Frank, somewhat nettled, "you may be my boss aboardship, but right now, with no witnesses present to hear what I say, I'llsay what I like."
"Come, come, now," said Jack with a smile, "don't get all out of humorjust because I joke you a little bit."
Frank grinned.
"Well, then don't always thinks I'm angry just because I make a hotreply," he said.
Jack let it go at that.
"Well, here we are at the water front," he said a few moments later, "andif I'm not mistaken that's the Brigadier about a hundred yards off shorethere."
"That's the Brigadier, all right," said Frank, "I can see her nameforward even at this distance. By George! but the camouflage artists havecertainly done a good job on her."
"So they have," Jack agreed. "But we may as well go aboard."
They commandeered a small boat and rowed rapidly to the Brigadier. Jackswung himself up on deck and Frank climbed up behind him.
A young lieutenant greeted Jack respectfully after a quick glance at thelatter's bars.
"What can I do for you, sir?" he asked.
"You may go below and tell the engineer to get steam up immediately,"replied Jack. "We may not sail before morning, but I may desire to leavebefore."
"Very well, sir," replied the young officer, "bu
t may I ask who you are,sir?"
"Certainly," replied Jack, "I'm the commander of this ship, CaptainTempleton. This is Mr. Chadwick, my first officer. What is your name,sir?"
"Hetherton, sir, second officer of the Brigadier."
"Very good, Lieutenant. You shall stay on here as second officer untilfurther notice. Now below with you."
Lieutenant Hetherton disappeared.
"I guess he won't ask many more questions," said Frank grimly.
"Perhaps not," said Jack. "Now, Mr. Chadwick, will you be so kind as totake the deck while I go to my cabin."
Frank seemed about to remark upon Jack's sudden change in manner. Then hethought better of it and walked off, grumbling to himself.
"Wonder what he's in such an all-fired rush about? He's not wasting anytime, that's sure."
He took the deck. Ten minutes later Lieutenant Hetherton reported to him,saluting at the same time.
"Engineer says he'll have steam up in two hours, sir."
"Very well," replied Frank, returning the salute. "Will you kindly takethe deck, Lieutenant Hetherton? I'm going below."
Lieutenant Hetherton took the deck, and thus relieved, Frank went belowand sought out Jack's cabin.
"Now," he said, "I'll find out what all this rush is about."
Without the formality of a knock, he went in.
Boy Allies with the Victorious Fleets; Or, The Fall of the German Navy Page 3
