"And your father sent you for help, I suppose," added Frank.
"No," said the boy. "I came of my own accord. My father is badly frightened. He has gone to find the food for the strangers. I slipped away and ran toward the sea. Then I saw your ship, sir, and I hurried to tell you."
"You have done well," said Jack, laying a hand on the lad's shoulder. "And now you will be willing to help us further, will you not?"
"Of course I shall, sir."
"Very good. Now you look around the ship to your heart's content, while I hold a conference with my officers."
"Very well, sir."
The boy walked away. Jack held a consultation with his officers on the bridge.
"If the boy is telling the truth," he said, "and I have no doubt of it, we are in luck. It may be that we can capture this German crew ashore and then take possession of the submarine."
"But, sir," protested Lieutenant Hetherton, "if the submarine were to come to the surface now and catch sight of the Essex it would never come back again."
"I had thought of that," replied Jack, "and I have a plan that will offset it. You see that projecting reef there?" and Jack pointed to the north. The others signified that they did. "Well," Jack continued, "back of that is as cosy a little harbor as you would care to see. I noticed it as we came by. We'll take the Essex there, and she will be hidden well enough."