CHAPTER XIV
UNDER OLD GLORY
The third section of the first contingent of American troops sent toFrance reached the shores of England safely. After several days ofparading and celebrating they were transported to France and soon theyreached the field of battle, where, for the next few months, they wouldundergo the intensive training that would fit them to take up theirshare of the work along with their British and French allies.
When the transports docked safely in a British port the duties of Frankand Jack ceased so far as they had to do with the American troops.Lord Hastings turned the command of the Lawrence over to a brotherofficer and with Frank and Jack took train for London. The ladsaccompanied Lord Hastings; to his home, where they awaited furtherinstructions.
These instructions came sooner than they had dared hope.
It was at dinner the second day after their return that a peculiarsmile on Lord Hastings' face told Jack and Frank that there wassomething in the air.
Jack restrained his impatience; not so Frank.
"I have a hunch that something is going to happen," he said over thedessert.
"That so?" queried Lord Hastings. "Just what, for instance?"
"Well, I don't know exactly, sir," was the lad's reply, "but itwouldn't surprise me greatly if Jack and I were soon on activeservice."
"And what makes you think so?" asked Lord Hastings.
"You do, sir. I can tell from your expression that you have good newsfor us."
"Then I must learn to control my face better," said Lord Hastings."However, Frank, seeing that you are so impatient, I may as well admitit right now."
"I knew it!" exclaimed Frank joyfully. "What is it, sir?"
"If you will just hold your horses a bit, I'll tell you," was hiscommander's reply. "It seems to me that you promised to restrain yourimpatience."
"So I did, sir," replied Frank, flushing a trifle. "I will try toremember that promise."
"Do," replied Lord Hastings, and continued:
"I don't know just how you'll like this piece I of work, but some onehas to do it and I volunteered your services."
"We are always glad to help in any way possible, sir," said Jackquietly. Lord Hastings nodded.
"That's why I took the liberty of offering your services without firsthaving consulted you," he made reply. "Well, then, tomorrow morningyou will report to Captain Glenn aboard the Albatross."
"The American ship Albatross!" exclaimed Frank. "That's a merchantship, sir."
"So it is," agreed his commander. "It is now an armed merchant ship,to be more precise, it plies between Liverpool and Halifax. Its maincargo from this time forth will be food and other supplies for theAmerican expeditionary forces. You will report to Captain Glenn as hisfirst and second officers. As a result of the United States'declaration of war on Germany there is a dearth of young officers.Most of them have joined the naval forces of the nation. In reality,Captain Glenn is an American naval officer, and now that the UnitedStates has declared war, the Albatross may be classed as an Americannaval vessel. It has been heavily armed that it may make the voyageswithout convoy. There will be considerable danger, of course, but Iknow you are not the lads to shirk that. Come, now, what do you say?"
"We accept, of course, sir," said Frank. "But are you not going withus?"
"No," said Lord Hastings, "I have other work to do here. But I hope tobe able to make use of your services before many days."
"I am sorry you are not going, sir," said Jack, "but I guess that can'tbe helped. We shall report to Captain Glenn in the morning. I takethat to mean that we must leave London tonight?"
"Exactly," was Lord Hastings' reply. "I believe Captain Glenn hasarranged to sail by 8 o'clock."
"Then we may as well pack up, Frank," said Jack.
The two lads made their way to their rooms and got together whatbelongings they considered necessary. Lord Hastings accompanied themto the station, where they took train for Liverpool.
"You will find Captain Glenn a very agreeable commander, I am sure,"said Lord Hastings. "Good-bye and good luck, boys."
The lads shook hands with Lord Hastings and he was gone.
Arriving in Liverpool late that evening they put up at a hotel for thenight and early the following morning sought out the Albatross and wentaboard.
At the rail a young man--he could not have been more than 30--watchedthem calmly as they came over the side. He was attired in apair of dark blue trousers and a blue coat. He wore no insignia ofrank. There was no other person in sight. The two lads approachedhim.
"Can you tell us where we will find Captain Glenn?" asked Jack.
"I'm Captain' Glenn," was the other's response. Jack was a littlesurprised, for he had naturally surmised Captain Glenn would be anolder man. The latter noticed Jack's confusion and smiled.
"You're Lieutenant Templeton, I suppose?" he questioned.
"Yes, sir," replied Jack.
"Good!" The captain extended a hand which Jack grasped. Captain Glennturned to Frank.
"Lieutenant Chadwick?" he questioned.
"Yes, sir," returned Frank, and grasped the captain's hand.
"Very good," said Captain Glenn. "Mr. Templeton, you are the firstofficer of this ship and Mr. Chadwick, you are next in command. Comebelow to my cabin and I will give you our course and other details."
The lads followed him below. The captain explained things in a fewwords and after showing them to their quarters he added:
"We sail at 8 o'clock. It is now 7."
Jack and Frank ascended the bridge fifteen minutes later. Signs oflife became apparent aboard the Albatross. Both lads assumed theirduties at once and soon the Albatross was moving out to sea.
The Albatross, the lads learned, was one of the largest freightersafloat. It carried a crew of more than 200 men. It was loaded inballast for the trip across, but, returning, it would carry a valuablecargo of food and supplies.
The third officer's name was Williams. He was a Welshman. Others ofimportance aboard were Carney, chief engineer; Tompkins, bo's'n;Washington, negro cook and Paul, wireless operator.
Jack was assigned to the first watch. Frank came next in line and thenWilliams. Captain Glenn announced that he himself would take thebridge whenever necessary.
Soon after the Albatross had sailed members of the crew were picked forthe various watches, Captain Glenn retained the bridge until the shipwas well out to sea.
Frank and Jack saw that the Albatross was heavily armed for a tradeship. Forward she was equipped with a battery of 6-inch guns, while asecond battery had been constructed aft. She also carried two 6-inchtorpedoes.
"We should be able to give a good account of ourselves," said Frank,after a survey of the vessel.
"Rather," said Jack dryly; "and remember, we are to have the guns readyfor action every instant."
"I'm not likely to forget," said Frank; "and don't you forget thatorders are to keep the searchlight playing at night."
"I won't be any more likely to forget than you are," said Jack, with asmile. "Remember, we're not out hunting for Germans now. We're tryingto dodge them."
"I know it," said Frank. "That's the trouble with a merchant ship.We'll run while we can and then fight instead of fighting first andrunning if we have to."
"Can't be helped now," said Jack. "We're here and we shall have tomake the best of it."
"Well, you can't tell," replied Frank. "Something is likely to turn upany time."
"Right; but we're here to see that it doesn't turn up if we can helpit. Well, I'm going below. Call me if you want anything."
"Don't worry," said Frank with a smile. "I guess nothing is going tohappen, but if it does you may make sure that you'll hear about it."
Jack went below and turned in for a good night's sleep. Frank held thebridge.
Nothing happened that night nor the following day or night, but whenCaptain Glenn came on deck the morning of the third day he cast anuneasy e
ye toward the northeast.
"Storm brewing," he said quietly to Frank, who stood near.
"Calm enough now, sir," returned Frank. "Sun shinning, too, sir.Doesn't look as though there would be much of a blow."
"What's the barometer say?" asked Captain Glenn.
Frank took a hasty look. "Falling, sir."
"As I thought. We're in for a spell of bad weather. Pipe all hands ondeck, Mr. Chadwick."
Frank gave the necessary command. As the first man appeared frombelow, the sun went out as if a great cloud had blotted it from sight.Outside it became black as right.