The Boy Allies with the Victorious Fleets | Page 7

declared.
"It looks like a pretty good country to me, from what I saw of it last trip.
Almost as good as England, I guess."
"Almost?" repeated Frank. "Say, let me tell you something. The United
States is the greatest country under the sun and don't you forget it. You
Johnny Bulls seem to think that England is the only spot on the map."
"Well," returned Jack with a smile, "it strikes me that you boast
considerably 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 talk
too 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
aboard ship, but right now, with no witnesses present to hear what I say,
I'll say what I like."
"Come, come, now," said Jack with a smile, "don't get all out of humor
just because I joke you a little bit."
Frank grinned.
"Well, then don't always thinks I'm angry just because I make a hot
reply," he said.
Jack let it go at that.
"Well, here we are at the water front," he said a few moments later,
"and if I'm not mistaken that's the Brigadier about a hundred yards off
shore there."
"That's the Brigadier, all right," said Frank, "I can see her name
forward even at this distance. By George! but the camouflage artists
have certainly 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.
Jack swung himself up on deck and Frank climbed up behind him.
A young lieutenant greeted Jack respectfully after a quick glance at the
latter'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

leave before."
"Very well, sir," replied the young officer, "but may I ask who you are,
sir?"
"Certainly," replied Jack, "I'm the commander of this ship, Captain
Templeton. 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 until
further 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
to take the deck while I go to my cabin."
Frank seemed about to remark upon Jack's sudden change in manner.
Then he thought better of it and walked off, grumbling to himself.
"Wonder what he's in such an all-fired rush about? He's not wasting
any time, 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 take
the deck, Lieutenant Hetherton? I'm going below."
Lieutenant Hetherton took the deck, and thus relieved, Frank went
below and 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.
CHAPTER IV
THE START
Inside Jack's cabin, Frank found his commander and chum engaged in
conversation with the engineer officer, who had sought his new
commander immediately after giving instructions below. He saluted
Frank as the lad entered.
"My first officer, Lieutenant Chadwick, Mr. Winslow," Jack introduced
them. "I am sure you will get along together."
"So am I, sir," agreed the engineer. "And when shall we be moving,
sir?"
"I can't say, exactly," replied Jack. "Probably not before morning, but I
wish to be ready to leave on a moment's notice."
"Very well, sir," said the engineer, "As I said before, I'll have steam up
in two hours."
"Do so, sir."
The engineer saluted and left Jack's cabin.
Jack turned to Frank.
"Now," he said, "what are you doing here? I thought I left you to take
the deck?"
"I turned the deck over to Hetherton," replied Frank with a grin. "I
wanted to find out what all this rush is about?"
"Don't you know it's bad form to ask questions of your commander?"
Jack said severely.
"Maybe it is," Frank agreed, "but I just wanted to find out."

"Well, I wouldn't do it in front of any of the other officers or the men,"
said Jack. "It's bad for the ship's discipline. However, I'll tell you, I just
wanted to have things ready, that's all. Come, we'll go