“Hanged, if I don’t wish them lads could remain on board!” muttered another old salt.

“With the young lieutenant to command the ship?” asked another.

“Him as well as anyone.  He knows what he’s doing, for which reason I don’t care for the number of the year he was born in.  Why, mates, the lieutenant is the head of them submarine boys we’ve read so much about in the newspapers when layin’ in port.  And the other two are his messmates.  Now, I’ll stand for it that the submarine boys are good for any kind of a job on salt water.  I’d foller their lead on a battleship!”

It would have been fine for the three submarine boys had they been able to know what great opinions the crew held of them.

But Hal was again on the bridge in the last watch, and Eph had gone below for an hour’s sleep ere he, like Jack Benson, was to be called.

Then, at last, two sleepy-eyed boys came from their cabins, going up to the bridge for what they felt was their last hour of real sea-glory.

Ensign Fullerton appeared half an hour before anchorage was made.

“You have the satisfaction, sir, of knowing that your task was put through in record time,” said Fullerton, by way of congratulation.

“For which I’m truly glad,” smiled Benson.  “Yet I could wish our experience with the Navy had not ended so soon.”

“Why, it hasn’t ended yet, sir,” smiled the executive officer.

“It will, in a few minutes more, however,” sighed Jack.  “My last official act will be to order the gig into the water to take us on shore.  We’re under orders to take the next train for Washington, you know.”

“Very true,” smiled Ensign Fullerton.  “But, sir, you are commanding officer of the ‘Sudbury,’ no matter where you may be, until you receive an order to relinquish command.  Also, sir, your present appointments as officers in the service run until the orders appointing you are revoked.”

“But that will all happen before the day is much older,” replied Jack, with a forced smile.

It was going to come harder than he had thought, after this brief taste of real naval life, to give it all up!

No sooner had the “Sudbury” let go her anchors than Jack called for the gig.  He and his comrades hurried below, doffing their uniforms, which went back into the dress suit cases.  Then, in citizen dress, with their precious swords again wrapped in chamois skin, the three submarines went over the side.

There was the same ceremony, however, which had attended their coming aboard.  The marine guard turned out, presenting arms as Lieutenant Jack Benson passed to the side gangway.  Ensign Fullerton and Mr. Drake stood by to salute Jack, and to receive his formal acknowledgment of their courtesy.

Their feet touched the bottom of the gig.  They seated themselves, and the short row to the landing stage commenced.

On the landing stage stood an orderly, who promptly saluted.