“I wish we could go with her,” declared Shirley.
“So do I,” agreed Dick.
General Fullaway was silent for some moments, and then he said:
“Perhaps it can be done. There will be no danger. I don’t believe Captain Ainslee would object. The Tennessee will not sail before morning. I shall communicate with the captain immediately, and let you know before morning. He will probably wish to hear your story anyhow.”
Shirley, Mabel and the others returned to the hotel, where they prepared for bed. Mr. Willing was just about to retire when there was a knock at the door. Opening it, a bellboy passed him a message. It was from General Fullaway and said that Captain Ainslee would expect the Willing party aboard the Tennessee by 8 o’clock in the morning.
Mr. Willing called this piece of news to Dick and the two girls, and all were greatly pleased.
“Just think of taking a trip on a warship!” exclaimed Shirley.
All were about early the next morning and were soon at the pier, where they found that a cutter from the Tennessee had been sent to meet them. Captain Ainslee himself greeted them as they made their way over the side of the cruiser, and conducted them to his cabin.
Here he left them for a few minutes while he gave orders to get the ship under way. Directly it began to move slowly through the waters of the harbor, Captain Ainslee returned to the others.
“Now,” he said to Mabel, “I should be glad to hear your story at first hand.”