"Aye, aye, sir."
"Tell the captain that two men in citizen's clothes are on the quay asking to be put aboard."
The messenger returned a moment later.
"The captain wants to know who they are, sir."
"Tell him they look to me like two of our men, Seamen Davis and Hickey. I do not know why they should be in citizen's clothing, however."
Again the messenger hurried below with the information.
"The captain says it is all right, sir. He says have a cutter go out to meet them, sir, and bring them aboard."
A cutter was launched, and a few minutes later was plunging through the green seas, headed for the quay. Great seas were breaking over the dike, drenching those in the cutter as they shot alongside the quay.
The Battleship Boys were taken off, and shortly afterwards they stepped to the deck of the "Long Island," coming to attention as they saluted the Flag.
"Home again," said Dan, his eyes glowing happily.