"All right, Captain," said Jack. "She's yours."
Captain Griswold almost danced a jig there on the deck of the German submarine.
"Won't New York sit up and take notice when old Captain Griswold comes into port towing a submarine?" he chortled. "Well, I guess. Here, Lands, go back to the ship and throw me a line. Then come back and help make it fast."
This was accomplished with astonishing rapidity and amid the cheering of the crew and passengers of the Ventura and the wild hurrahs of the British tars of the Essex.
"Well, she's all fixed," said Captain Griswold, "and to tell you the truth I'm rather sorry. Of course I'm old and all that, but just the same I'd like to go with you fellows."
"You're doing your share, Captain," said Jack seriously. "All of us can't do the fighting, you know. But there's work just as important, and you are doing your part. But we must be moving now. We've wasted time enough."
"So we have," declared Captain Griswold. "Shall you leave us here, sir?"
"No," said Jack, "we'll follow and see you safely in harbor."
"Very well. Then I shall return to the Ventura."
"And I to the Essex, Captain. Good-bye and good luck to you."