He felt that he must rescue the girl, no matter what the cost, for to him Martha Adams was the loveliest young woman on the face of the globe.
Day after day went by and at last they approached the coast of California once more.
Here a stop was made for provisions and for some extra ammunition, and Oscar reported to the authorities what had been done at Cape Nome.
But the news had already come in from Alaska by telegraph.
The Navy Department at San Francisco also had news for Oscar which caused him much pleasure.
Congress had awarded him and his men a special medal for bravery and it was broadly hinted that Oscar would soon be made a commodore.
"We'll get to the top of the naval ladder—if this war lasts long enough," said Oscar.
"That's what we want," answered Andy. He was equally delighted, for he scented a captaincy ahead.
From San Francisco the run was straight to Central America, and then to the entrance of the great canal.
At the east end of the canal it was learned that several foreign warships had been sighted in the Caribbean Sea off the south coast of Cuba.