"Man the guns!" came Jack's order.
It was the lad's intention to overlook nothing that would protect the ship should it encounter an enemy submarine en route, and, as the lad knew, it was just as possible they would encounter one in the English Channel as elsewhere.
For, despite all precautions taken by British naval authorities, enemy submarines more than once had crept through the channel, once penetrating Dover harbor itself, where they had wreaked considerable damage before being driven away by British destroyers and submarine chasers.
A few moments later Jack signaled the engine room.
"Half speed ahead."
Slowly the Brigadier slipped from her anchorage and moved through the still waters of the harbor. Directly she pushed her nose into the channel, then headed east.
"Full speed ahead!" Jack signaled the engine room.
The Brigadier leaped forward.
"Better turn in, Jack," said Frank. "It's Thompson's watch."
"No, I'll stick until we reach the Atlantic," returned Jack.