So Jack and Frank dined with the ambassador, and took a late train to Richmond, where they changed early in the morning for Newport News. When they boarded the Essex later in the day they found in Jack's cabin the commandant of Fortress Monroe, who, having learned that the Essex would soon depart for home, had come to pay his respects while he yet had time.
"I want to tell you," he said to Jack, "that the Essex has made quite a name for herself among my men."
"I'm glad to hear that, sir," declared Jack.
"The men are only sorry, and naturally," continued the commandant, "that she was not manned by an American crew."
"Naturally, as you say, sir," Jack agreed. "Yet my first officer is an American."
The Commandant glanced at Frank.
"Can that be true?" he asked.
Frank smiled.
"It's true enough, sir," he said. "Yes, I'm a native of the Bay state and am in the British service merely as the result of an accident."
He explained.