“Cassidy is here to obey orders,” interrupted the captain. “Cassidy has a failing, and that failing is drink. No man that takes liquor is ever to be depended on. As long as I’m around, and can watch him, Cassidy keeps pretty straight, but if I’m laid up at Belize, as I expect to be, I prefer to have some one in command of the Grampus whom I can trust implicitly. Read the orders.”
Bob tore open the envelope and removed the inclosed sheet.
“On Board U. S. Cruiser Seminole, at Sea.
“Captain Nemo, Junior, Submarine Grampus.
“Sir: Acting under orders from the secretary of the navy, I have the honor to request that the Grampus lend her aid to the rescue of United States Consul Jeremiah Coleman, who has been sequestered by Central American revolutionists, presumably under orders from Captain James Sixty, of the brig Dolphin, who is now a prisoner in our hands. Mr. Hays Jordan, the United States consul at Belize, will inform you as to the place where Mr. Coleman is being held. This is somewhere up the Rio Dolce, in a place inaccessible even to gunboats of the lightest draft, and it is hoped the Grampus may be able to accomplish something. Present this letter to Mr. Jordan immediately upon reaching Belize, and be guided in whatever you do by his knowledge and judgment. I have the honor to remain, sir, your most obedient,
“Arthur Wynekoop,
“Captain Cruiser Seminole.”
A movement behind Bob caused him to look around. Cassidy had descended quietly from the conning tower and was steering the ship entirely by the periscope.
“We are off Belize, sir,” announced Cassidy, “and two small sailboats are coming this way. We are to anchor at the surface, I suppose?”
Bob did not know how long the mate had been in the periscope room, but supposed he had been there long enough to overhear the instructions.
“Certainly,” said the captain.
Cassidy touched a jingler connected with the engine room. The hum of the motor slowly ceased.
“Get out an anchor fore-and-aft, Speake,” the mate called through one of the speaking tubes.
“Aye, aye, sir,” came the response through the tube.