“Why, sir, I understood the lad to say what he states that he said.”

“You are sure of that, Mr. Trahern?”

“Unless my ears tricked me badly,” replied the ensign, “Mr. Benson said just what he now states.  I wondered, sir, at your calling for slow speed astern.”

Lieutenant Commander Mayhew gazed for some moments fixedly at the face of Ensign Trahern.  Then, of a sudden, the gunboat’s commander, who was both an officer and a gentleman, broke forth, contritely: 

“As I think it over, I believe, myself, that Benson advised as he now states he did.  It was my own error—­I am sure of it now.”

Wheeling about, Mayhew held out his right hand.

“Mr. Benson,” he said, in a deep voice full of regret, “I was the one in error.  I am glad to admit it, even if tardily.  Will you pardon my too hasty censure?”

“Gladly, sir,” Benson replied, gripping the proffered hand.  Jacob Farnum stood back, wagging his head in a satisfied way.  It had been difficult for him to believe that his young captain had been at fault in so simple a matter, or in a harbor with which he was so intimately acquainted.

As for the young man himself, the thing that touched him most deeply was the quick, complete and manly acknowledgment of this lieutenant commander.

“Mr. Farnum,” inquired the gunboat’s commander, “have you any tow boats about here that can be used in helping me to get the ‘Hudson’ off this sand ledge?”

“The only one in near waters, sir,” replied the yard’s owner, “is a craft, not so very much larger than a launch, that ties up some three miles down the coast.  She’s the boat I use when I need any towing here.  Of course, I have the two torpedo boats, though their engines were not constructed for towing work.”

“May I offer a suggestion?” asked Jack, when the talk lagged.

“I’ll be glad to have you, Mr. Benson,” replied Mr. Mayhew, turning toward the submarine boy.

“Flood tide will be in in about two hours and a half, sir,” Benson followed up.  “That ought to raise this vessel a good deal.  Then, with the tow boat Mr. Farnum has mentioned, and with such help as the engines of the submarines may give, together with your own engines, Mr. Mayhew, I think there ought to be a good chance of getting the ‘Hudson’ afloat with plenty of water under her whole keel.  We can even start some of the engines on shore, and rig winches to haul on extra cables.  Altogether, we can give you a strong pull, sir.”

“That sounds like the best plan to me,” nodded Jacob Farnum.  “I’ll have a message sent at once for that towboat.”

A white-coated steward now appeared on deck, moving near the lieutenant commander.

“Is dinner ready, Greers?” called Mr. Mayhew.

“Yes, sir.”

“Lay two more plates, then.  Mr. Farnum, I trust you and your young submarine commander will sit as my guests to-night.”