“Yes.”

“And what of the size of our crews?”

“They shall be large enough to handle the vessel.  That is all.  The crew of each ship shall be reduced to the minimum.”

“And how about our submarines?”

“They must be surrendered first.”

“But the surrender cannot be completed in one day.”

“I am aware of it,” replied Admiral Beatty.  “As I have instructed you, the first of the German fleet will leave Helgoland on the night of November 19.  By that I mean the submarines.  They must steam on the surface.  The first flotilla to be composed of twenty-seven vessels.”

“I understand,” returned the German admiral.

“Very well.  My ships will be stretched out in a fifty-mile line on either side of your ships as they approach and will fire at the first sign of treachery.”

“There shall be no treachery, sir.  You have the word of a German admiral.”

“Very well I shall acquaint you with other details from time to time.”

This was the conversation that Jack heard that day.

At noon on November 18, Jack, together with other commanders, received word from Admiral Beatty to steam toward Harwich, on the English coast, and to take his place in the long line of ships that would be gathered there to receive the surrender of the enemy fleet.

Excitement thrilled the crew of the Essex.  They were about to witness one of the greatest events of world history and there wasn’t a man aboard who didn’t know it.  Nevertheless, there was no confusion, and the Essex steamed rapidly westward.

“Hope we get up near the front of the line,” said Frank to his chum.  “Also that we are close to Admiral Beatty’s flagship.”

“Here too,” said Jack.  “It will be a sight worth seeing.”

“Rather.”

“Well, we can’t kick no matter where they place us, you know.  I suppose I shall receive the necessary instructions in plenty of time.”

Jack did.  The instructions came the following morning, while the Essex was still possibly a hundred miles off the English coast.

“You will report to Admiral Tyrwhitt,” Jack’s message read, “who will assign you to your station.”

Jack immediately got in touch with Admiral Tyrwhitt by wireless.  The latter gave his position and informed the lad that his place in line would be next to the Admiral’s flagship.

“I thought Admiral Beatty would be up toward the front,” said Jack.

“He probably will,” was Frank’s reply.  “I have it figured out like this, from what you have told me of the fact that the submarines will be surrendered first:  Admiral Tyrwhitt probably will receive the surrender of the U-Boats, while Admiral Beatty will receive the formal surrender of Admiral von Wimpfen himself.”

“Maybe that’s it,” Jack agreed.

It was well after noon when the Essex sighted the flagship of Admiral Tyrwhitt, the Invincible, and reported for duty.  Jack received instructions to lay to just west of the flagship.  He obeyed.