"Yes," cried Frank, falling in with the idea at once. "May we, captain?"
The captain mused silently for some time.
"It would be very irregular," he said at length.
"We would certainly be pleased to see service under another flag," persisted Jack.
"Indeed we would," agreed Frank; "and we would be willing to go in any capacity. If we go to London we may have a long wait before being assigned to another ship."
Suddenly Captain Dreyfuss slapped his leg with his hand and got to his feet.
"It shall be done," he said; "and, I may say that I shall be glad of your company. I will have you shown your quarters. As it happens, I am short handed. I shall see that your crew is set ashore and given passage for London."
At his signal a young midshipman entered the cabin and came to attention.
"I place these young men in your charge," Captain Dreyfuss said to him. "You will show them quarters. From this time on they will be your shipmates."
The young Frenchman saluted, and the lads followed him from the commander's cabin.