This invitation the yard’s owner accepted, asking only time enough to arrange for keeping some of his workmen over-time, awaiting the coming of flood-tide.

So, presently, Jack and his employer found themselves seated at table in the gunboat’s handsome wardroom.  Besides the lieutenant commander there were Lieutenant Halpin, two ensigns, two engineer officers and a young medical officer.  In the “Hudson’s” complement of officers there were also four midshipmen, but these latter ate in their own mess.

The time passed most pleasantly, Mr. Mayhew plainly doing all in his power to atone for his late censure of the submarine boy.

Before dinner was over the small towboat was in the harbor.  At the coming of flood tide this towing craft had a hawser made fast to the gunboat.  With the help of some of the naval machinists aboard the “Hudson,” both submarine craft were also manned and hawsers made fast.  Two cables were passed ashore to winches to which power was supplied by the shipyard’s engines.  When all was ready a mighty pull was, given, the gunboat’s own propellers taking part in the struggle.  For two or three minutes the efforts continued.  Then, at last, the “Hudson,” uninjured, ran off into deep water and shortly afterwards anchored in safety.

It was a moment of tremendous relief for Mr. Mayhew.

“Call the tugboat captain aboard, and I’ll settle with him at my own expense,” proposed the lieutenant commander.

“I trust you will think of nothing of the sort,” replied Jacob Farnum, quickly.  “In this harbor I wish to consider you and your vessel as my guests.”

Again Mr. Mayhew expressed his thanks.  Presently, glancing ashore through the night, he asked: 

“What sort of country is it hereabouts?”

“Mostly flat, as to the surface,” Mr. Farnum replied.  “If your question goes further, there are some fine roads and several handsome estates within a few miles of here.  Mr. Mayhew, won’t you and a couple of your officers come on shore with me?  I’ll telephone for my car and put you over quite a few miles this evening.”

“Delighted,” replied the commander of the gunboat.

One of the “Hudson’s” cutters being now in the water alongside, the party went ashore in this.  Jack, after bidding the naval officers good-night, found Hal and Eph, who had just come ashore from supper on board the “Farnum.”

“No sailing orders yet, I suppose?” Hal asked.

“None,” Jack replied.  “I reckon we’ll start, all right, some time to-morrow morning.”

“What’ll we do to-night?” Eph wondered.

“I don’t know,” replied Jack.  “We’ve few friends around here we need to take the trouble to say good-bye to.  We could call on Mrs. Farnum, but I imagine we’d run into the naval party up at the Farnum house.  We want to keep a bit in the background with these naval officers, except when they may ask for our company.”