Captain Griswold almost danced a jig there on the deck of the German submarine.

“Won’t New York sit up and take notice when old Captain Griswold comes into port towing a submarine?” he chortled.  “Well, I guess.  Here, Lands, go back to the ship and throw me a line.  Then come back and help make it fast.”

This was accomplished with astonishing rapidity and amid the cheering of the crew and passengers of the Ventura and the wild hurrahs of the British tars of the Essex.

“Well, she’s all fixed,” said Captain Griswold, “and to tell you the truth I’m rather sorry.  Of course I’m old and all that, but just the same I’d like to go with you fellows.”

“You’re doing your share, Captain,” said Jack seriously.  “All of us can’t do the fighting, you know.  But there’s work just as important, and you are doing your part.  But we must be moving now.  We’ve wasted time enough.”

“So we have,” declared Captain Griswold.  “Shall you leave us here, sir?”

“No,” said Jack, “we’ll follow and see you safely in harbor.”

“Very well.  Then I shall return to the Ventura.”

“And I to the Essex, Captain.  Good-bye and good luck to you.”

Captain Griswold shook hands heartily with Jack, and then insisted on shaking hands as well with Frank, and every officer and member of the British crew aboard the submarine.  Then he put off for his ship.

Jack and the others returned to the Essex.  When the lad reached the bridge, the Ventura was already moving, the submarine trailing behind.

“A fine man, Captain Griswold,” said Frank.

“Right,” Jack agreed.  “And the U-87 is his so far as I’m concerned.  He might hang it on his parlor wall for a souvenir.”

“Or wear it as a watch charm,” added Frank with a grin.

CHAPTER XVIII

ASHORE

For two days the Essex had been cruising up and down the coast on patrol duty, looking for submarines.  Several times the destroyer had been ordered farther out to sea to form an escort for an incoming steamer, but after her encounter with the U-87 she had sighted no more of the enemy.

Following the report of two vessels sunk off the coast on May 10, the day on which the presence of German raiders off the coast was first reported, the number of sinkings increased the following day, and the next.  After that they fell off, however, and upon the fifth day only one ship—­a small schooner—­was sent to the bottom off the coast of Delaware.

The prisoners taken from the U-87 were stowed safely away below-decks on the Essex, after which Jack got in touch with Admiral Sellings, on the Dakota, by wireless.  He reported the capture of the submarine and the fact that it was being towed into port by the Ventura.  Admiral Sellings ordered Jack to continue his patrol of the coast until further notice.

Nevertheless, the Essex escorted the Ventura almost to port, before putting about and resuming her patrol duty.