“Yes; it’s all right,” he replied. He drew from his pocket two official and important looking papers. “Here are your appointments as midshipmen in his majesty’s navy. You have been assigned to the Sylph, under my command.”
“Hurrah!” cried Frank.
“Hurrah!” shouted Jack.
Lord Hastings smiled quietly at their enthusiasm.
“I am glad you are pleased,” he said.
“You bet we are pleased,” said Jack. “We can never thank you enough.”
“We certainly can’t,” declared Frank. “But when do we go?”
“Now, don’t get excited,” laughed Lord Hastings. “There is plenty of time. We shall go on board the Sylph to-night and sail about midnight. Now come with me, and we’ll see about getting your uniforms.”
Their uniforms obtained and their other needs having been supplied, the boys spent the rest of the day strolling about the city. So great was their impatience to be off that the hours dragged by slowly and time hung heavily on their hands as they wandered about, waiting for six o’clock, when they were to meet Lord Hastings at his home.
As with everything, however, the time came and passed, and Frank and Jack at last stood again upon the deck of the Sylph. It was almost midnight when the little scout cruiser finally slipped her cable and steamed proudly down the Thames.