CHAPTER XVII
THE LAST HOUR OF COMMAND
Through the night the "Sudbury" rolled lazily over the waves.
A wireless message had carried the news through space to Washington.Orders had come to return to Norfolk, there turning Gray over to theUnited States authorities.
Benson and his comrades were instructed to return to Washington withthe charts and record books.
Down in a berth in the sick bay, lay Gray. The hospital steward hadmade the wounded man as comfortable as possible. The latter waspainfully but not seriously wounded.
At the speed at which the gunboat was now proceeding the "Sudbury" wasdue at anchorage at six in the morning.
Lieutenant Jack had turned in, after leaving orders that he was to becalled a few minutes before five. He wanted to be on deck to enjoythe sensations of his last hour of command on the cruise of a vesselof the United States Navy. Forward, the sailors of the watch weretalking in low tones of their very youthful officers.
"There's the real stuff in those boy officers, mates," grunted onesailor who had been in the boarding party. "It don't make anydifference whether they've been through Annapolis or not. Look at theway the lieutenant and Mr. Somers went up against the shooting. Keptus back, and took the medicine themselves, like real officers."
"You'd expect it of Somers," rejoined another sailor. "There's a bitof the bull-neck about him, and such men always fight. But thelieutenant 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," suggestedanother of Uncle Sam's old salts.
"Oh, you leave Mr. Hastings alone for fighting, if he saw any needto," retorted the sailor who had been the first to speak. "He's oneof your very quiet chaps. Your quiet ones always sail into a fightwhile a brawler is getting his mouth wound up to do some talking."
"Hanged, if I don't wish them lads could remain on board!" mutteredanother old salt.
"With the young lieutenant to command the ship?" asked another.
"Him as well as anyone. He knows what he's doing, for which reason Idon't care for the number of the year he was born in. Why, mates, thelieutenant is the head of them submarine boys we've read so much aboutin the newspapers when layin' in port. And the other two are hismessmates. Now, I'll stand for it that the submarine boys are good forany kind of a job on salt water. I'd foller their lead on a battleship!"
It would have been fine for the three submarine boys had they been ableto know what great opinions the crew held of them.
But Hal was again on the bridge in the last watch, and Eph had gonebelow 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 upto 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 putthrough in record time," said Fullerton, by way of congratulation.
"For which I'm truly glad," smiled Benson. "Yet I could wish ourexperience 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 lastofficial act will be to order the gig into the water to take us onshore. We're under orders to take the next train for Washington,you know."
"Very true," smiled Ensign Fullerton. "But, sir, you are commandingofficer of the 'Sudbury,' no matter where you may be, until you receivean order to relinquish command. Also, sir, your present appointments asofficers 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 tasteof real naval life, to give it all up!
No sooner had the "Sudbury" let go her anchors than Jack called for thegig. He and his comrades hurried below, doffing their uniforms, whichwent back into the dress suit cases. Then, in citizen dress, withtheir precious swords again wrapped in chamois skin, the threesubmarines went over the side.
There was the same ceremony, however, which had attended their comingaboard. The marine guard turned out, presenting arms as LieutenantJack Benson passed to the side gangway. Ensign Fullerton and Mr. Drakestood by to salute Jack, and to receive his formal acknowledgment oftheir courtesy.
Their feet touched the bottom of the gig. They seated themselves, andthe 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 theLieutenant and his comrades report at the Commandant's office."
Early as the hour was, the commandant was at his desk, in uniform, andreceived the young officers most graciously.
"Mr. Benson, and gentlemen," declared the commandant of the navy yard,"you have done your work well, and as quickly as it could have beendone. I congratulate you. The Secretary of the Navy, I believe, willthank you personally, It was splendidly done. And now, if you willcome around to the officers' club with me, you will find that yourbreakfasts have been ordered. It will be an hour and a half, yet,before it will be necessary for me to furnish you with the carriagethat will convey you to the railway station."
In the presence of this much older officer the lads did not attempt tomake too merry at breakfast. Seated in the dining room of theofficers' mess, they listened respectfully to whatever the commandantsaw fit to discuss.
The meal was about over when a marine orderly entered, crossed thedining room, stopped at a respectful distance, and saluted.
"Telegram, sir."
The commandant received the envelope, drawing out the sheet it contained.
"Lieutenant Benson, this will interest you and your comrades," pursuedthe commandant.
"The order revoking my command of the gunboat," thought Jack. Oddlyenough, though he expected it, knew it must happen, the arrival of themoment brought a strange sinking at heart.
"I wonder how on earth it could have happened?" pursued the commandant,his eyes again turned toward the paper. "Millard has escaped from FortCraven, and, so far, has eluded recapture!"