“I understand the batteries, are pretty well exhausted,” he said.  “They were just going to recharge when we ran into that mine.  Blaine says we have only enough juice to last us two hours, moderate running.”

He paused for a moment as Ted grasped the significance of the situation.

“Furthermore,” Sammy continued, “we cannot dive to any considerable depth.”

“With that leak in the reservoir plates Cleary and Blame say it would be foolhardy to go down very far for fear the Dewey would spread wide open and we would be flooded.”

It was disquieting news, and Ted hurried forward to talk it over with Jack.  As he passed the control station he saw Cleary and Binns in animated conference with the chief engineer.  He surmised they were debating the best course under the circumstances.

In the bunk room Ted found Jack had revived considerably under the influence of hot bouillon and strong coffee provided by Jean Cartier, and a change of clothing with a stiff rub-down that had done wonders for him.

“Monsieur is a brave man; he wins the American Croix de Guerre for saving the life of his commander so bravely,” Jean was saying as Ted reappeared upon the scene.

Jack was trying hard to be modest.

“I’m feeling fine again, chum,” was his rejoinder in response to Ted’s query.  “Come along.  I’m going to look in on ‘Little Mack.’” And grabbing Ted’s arm he walked off with him to the lieutenant’s quarters.

They found McClure now conscious, but very faint from his ordeal.  It was certain that he could not assume command of the Dewey for some time.

The boys clambered on deck to unlimber a bit.  Executive Officer Cleary was in charge.  In the commotion attendant upon the collision with the mine and the rescue of the submarine commander the disabled German cruiser had been forgotten.  There was now no trace of the doomed ship nor of the English “limey” that had been standing by.

“What do you suppose we will do now?” asked Ted.

“Reckon we’ll have to drift around awhile and wait for somebody to come along and give us a lift,” said Jack hopefully.

Night came on, but there was no response to the wireless call of the Dewey.  Once a “limey” was spoken, but signaled in return that she was speeding to the assistance of a Scandinavian liner that had reported being under the shell fire of a German U-boat.

Jack was ordered to turn in right after evening “chow” despite his insistence that he was perfectly recovered from his dip in the sea.  Ted was to report to the conning tower at four bells for duty on watch.

All night long the Dewey tossed in a rough sea.  At the appointed hour Ted took up his station as lookout in the conning tower.  He had instructions to maintain a sharp watch for enemy ships and to keep Acting Commander Cleary informed on all wireless registrations.  The hours passed slowly.