Lieutenant Cantor will lie to, while the other two launches are being lowered.  Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell will then steam back and report to Lieutenant Cantor.  Under slow speed it will take the launches, commanded by the two ensigns, each about an hour and ten minutes to reach their respective lagoon destinations.  It will take the lieutenant just under thirty minutes to reach the Alvarez lagoon.  Ensign Dalzell will go to the Perdita lagoon, and Ensign Darrin to the Acunda lagoon.  Forty minutes after Dalzell and Darrin have steamed away, Lieutenant Cantor will run in to the Alvarez mill.  Our launches are not likely to be observed from shore, where the ‘Long Island,’ if she remained in these waters, would be sure to be seen and recognized.

“Therefore, after dropping the steamers, we shall go ahead at cruising speed and not return opposite the Alvarez mill until called by a rocket, which Lieutenant Cantor will send up as soon as the rescue has been accomplished—–­or has failed.  But, gentlemen”—–­here Captain Gales’ voice sank low, yet vibrated with intense earnestness—–­“all of you will realize the extreme importance of your mission, and the awful consequences of failure.  Therefore, I feel certain that none of you will break the Navy’s long list of traditions for zealous, careful, successful performance of duty.  Lieutenant Cantor will be in command of the expedition, as a whole.”

For some minutes the officers remained in the captain’s quarters, discussing further the important work of the coming night.

As no instructions for secrecy had been asked or expected, Commander Bainbridge soon told the news to a few of the “Long Island’s” ranking officers, who, in turn passed it on.

“Of all the luck that some officers have!” groaned Lieutenant Trent, as he passed Dave Darrin.  “How did you work it, Darrin, to secure one of the details for to-night that any subordinate officer on this ship would have been delighted to see come his way?”

“I don’t know,” Dave laughingly admitted.

“Darrin, are you hard up?” asked Lieutenant Holton, five minutes later.

“I have a few dollars left,” Dave smiled.

“If you can get me shifted to your detail for to-night I’ll reward you with a month of my pay,” promised the lieutenant.

“Thank you,” Dave smiled, gravely.  “Even if the change could be easily arranged, I’m afraid I wouldn’t give up my chance for six months’ pay.”

“No chance for me, then,” sighed Holton.  “I can’t remember that I ever had six months’ of my pay together at one time.”

“Darrin,” exclaimed Lieutenant Commander Denton, still a little later, “I never realized that you had so much impudence!  The idea of a mere ensign leading such an expedition ashore to-night!  I wanted that myself.”

“I am not at all sure that my performance will be one of glory,” smiled Darrin.

“It won’t, if Cantor can manage to queer you in any way,” murmured Denton to himself, as he moved on.