"But the passengers—" he began.
"The passengers be hanged," said the captain of the Ventura. "Besides, we're safer here under the nose of this destroyer than we would be prowling off by ourselves."
The first officer protested no longer. A boat was lowered and Captain Griswold and half a dozen sailors climbed in and put off for the submarine, where they arrived just in time to overhear Jack say that if the Germans in the submarine didn't surrender they would go after them. Captain Griswold laid a hand on Jack's shoulder.
"You're some scrapper, youngster," he said.
Jack was thus made aware for the first time that the Ventura had not rushed for her home port.
"I thought you'd gone, Captain," he said.
"I was on my way," said the captain of the Ventura, "until I saw you fighting these murderers single-handed. I came back to see if I could help."
"Thanks," Jack laughed, "but I guess there are enough of us to attend to them without you, Captain."
"I'm not sure about that," declared Captain Griswold. "I just heard you say you were going below after those fellows?"
"Well?" questioned Jack.