"How so?"
"The government is going to build three more ships like the Holland."
"That means that they will want three more captains."
"Exactly, Andy, and I intend to put in a good word for you," added Oscar.
"Thank you, Oscar, you always were the best chum in the world. But if I get one of those boats I'll hate to leave you."
"I may become commodore of the squadron and if so I'll see that you are always close to me."
It was now coming morning, and by the gray light of dawn they soon came upon the two Japanese and two Chinese ships getting ready to bombard San Francisco and Oakland.
The Corcoran and her sister ship had disappeared.
"I'm not sorry about the Corcoran," mused Oscar. "Captain Gresson seemed a pretty decent sort of fellow. I would hate to blow him up."
"Suppose Martha Adams is on board one of those ships?" asked Andy.