"I don't know just how you'll like this piece I of work, but some one has to do it and I volunteered your services."
"We are always glad to help in any way possible, sir," said Jack quietly. Lord Hastings nodded.
"That's why I took the liberty of offering your services without first having consulted you," he made reply. "Well, then, tomorrow morning you will report to Captain Glenn aboard the Albatross."
"The American ship Albatross!" exclaimed Frank. "That's a merchant ship, sir."
"So it is," agreed his commander. "It is now an armed merchant ship, to be more precise, it plies between Liverpool and Halifax. Its main cargo from this time forth will be food and other supplies for the American expeditionary forces. You will report to Captain Glenn as his first and second officers. As a result of the United States' declaration of war on Germany there is a dearth of young officers. Most of them have joined the naval forces of the nation. In reality, Captain Glenn is an American naval officer, and now that the United States has declared war, the Albatross may be classed as an American naval vessel. It has been heavily armed that it may make the voyages without convoy. There will be considerable danger, of course, but I know you are not the lads to shirk that. Come, now, what do you say?"
"We accept, of course, sir," said Frank. "But are you not going with us?"
"No," said Lord Hastings, "I have other work to do here. But I hope to be able to make use of your services before many days."
"I am sorry you are not going, sir," said Jack, "but I guess that can't be helped. We shall report to Captain Glenn in the morning. I take that to mean that we must leave London tonight?"
"Exactly," was Lord Hastings' reply. "I believe Captain Glenn has arranged to sail by 8 o'clock."
"Then we may as well pack up, Frank," said Jack.