"Sure," said the boatswain, "Captain Marcus will be glad to hear the yarn. It's a good one you can spin."
The little boat now drew up against the cruise and quickly all clambered aboard.
As Jack came over the rail, a man of great height—fully six feet five inches—greeted him. He was smooth-faced and ruddy, and the fane-anchor on his collar proclaimed him captain.
"Captain Marcus?" queried Jack, as he leaped to the deck.
"At your service," came the reply in a hearty sailor-like voice.
"I am Lieutenant Jack Templeton, scout cruiser Sylph, sir," said Jack, "and this," turning to Frank, "is Lieutenant Frank Chadwick of the same vessel."
"What are you doing in a dingy in the middle of the North Sea?" demanded the captain.
Briefly once more Jack explained.
"The Sylph sunk!" exclaimed Captain Marcus. "And what of my old friend Lord Hastings?"
"Gone down with his ship, sir," replied Jack, Patiently.