“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 towboat 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.”

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.”