“Well, what did he say?” demanded Frank, as they made their way back toward the launch.

“Said it would be well to continue to Newport News,” said Jack.  “Docking facilities are better there right now.  We can tie up alongside one of the piers there, or anchor off shore, as we choose.  Said he would send word of our coming.”

“Good,” said Frank.  “Then I suppose we shall continue without delay?”

“Yes.”

“But if memory serves,” said Frank, “Newport News is on the James River, and not Hampton Roads.”

“Correct,” replied Jack.

“Well, I didn’t know the river was navigable by a vessel of our draught.”

“It is, nevertheless,” replied Jack.

They stepped into the launch, and were soon back aboard the Essex.  Jack immediately gave the necessary commands and the vessel moved forward.

Two hours later the Essex anchored in the James River half a mile off shore.  Frank took in the scene about him, and expressed his wonder.

Shipping of all the allied and many of the neutral nations was to be seen on every hand.  Almost over night, it seemed, Newport News had grown from a port of little importance to one of the greatest shipping centers in the United States.  There, half a mile away, Frank saw one of the great German merchantmen, which had been interned soon after the outbreak of the war, but which was later to be converted into a United States auxiliary cruiser.

“Well,” said Jack, “there is no use delaying here.  The commandant at the fort informed me that about the quickest way to get to Washington now is to take a boat up the Potomac.”

“And where do we get the boat?” asked Frank.

“Norfolk.  But what’s the matter with you, Frank?  Where’s your geography?  Seems to me that if I were born and lived most of my life in the United States I would know something about it.”

“I do know something about it,” declared Frank; “but how do you expect me to know all these details?  This is the first time I’ve ever been in Newport News, and I’ve never been to Norfolk.  How do we get there from here?”

“Either in the Essex’s launch, or by ferry.”

“Which way do you choose?”

“Ferry, I guess.  It will save trouble all around.”

“Any way suits me,” said Frank.

“You talk like you were dead certain of going along,” remarked Jack with a grin.

“Of course I do.  I know you could not be hard-hearted enough to leave me behind.”

“Nevertheless,” Jack declared, “I’m not sure I shouldn’t leave you in command here.”

“By George!  That’s no way to talk,” declared Frank.  “Hetherton can stick on the job here.”

“Well, I guess it will be all right,” said Jack.  “We may as well pack what belongings we shall need.  We shouldn’t be gone more than a day or two.”

“I hope so, and I feel sure we shall.  There has been no sign yet of enemy activities in this water.”