“Quick,” came a voice from the submarine, “we cannot let the ship fall into the hands of the accursed Yankees.  The fuse, man.”

Jack understood this well enough.  He raised his voice in a shout: 

“Cease rowing!”

Frank’s voice repeated the command and the little flotilla advanced no more.

“Put about and make for shore,” shouted Jack.  “Quick.”

The order was obeyed without question, and it was well that it was.  Hardly had the boats reached the shore when there was a terrific explosion, and the water kicked up an angry geyser.

“And that,” said Jack calmly, “is the end of the submarine.  They’ve blown her up—­and themselves with her!”

CHAPTER XXII

WASHINGTON AGAIN

Early the following morning the Essex slipped from her little harbor and put to sea.  Cutlip and his son, who had been put ashore shortly before the departure, stood at the edge of the water and waved farewell.  Following the father’s conversion, he and his son seemed to be closer than before, and they went away happily together.

Jack descended to the radio room.

“Get the Dakota for me,” he instructed the operator.

“Dakota!  Dakota!” flashed the wireless.

Ten minutes later the answer came.

“Destroyer Essex,” flashed the operator again, following Jack’s direction.  “Submarine reported to me yesterday destroyed.  Crew either killed or captured.”

“Fine work, Templeton,” was the reply flashed back a few moments later.

“I’m awaiting instructions,” Jack flashed.

“Proceed to Newport News,” came the answer, “and report in person to Secretary of the Navy.”

“O.K.” flashed the operator.

Jack went to the bridge, where Frank was on watch.

“Well, old fellow,” said Jack, “I guess our present cruise is ended.”

“How’s that?” asked Frank.

“We’re ordered back to Newport News, and I must report to Secretary Daniels.”

“And after that, England again, I suppose?”

“I suppose so.”

“Too bad,” said Frank, “I would like to have had time to go to New York and Boston to see my father.  He could have met me at either place.”

“You’ll see him when the war’s over, I guess,” said Jack, “and to my mind that will be before long now.”

“Think so?” asked Frank.  “Why?”

“Well, take for example the submarine raid off the American coast.  It looks to me like the dying gasp of a conquered foe.  They must be nearing the end of their rope to tackle such a problem.”

“And still they have had some success,” said Frank.

“True.  But not much after all.  What is the total tonnage destroyed in comparison with the tonnage still sailing the seas unharmed?”

“There’s something in that,” Frank agreed.  “But I can’t say that I’m of your opinion.”