Upon seeing Mackinder’s face, Ned halted in amazement.
A smile spread over the other’s countenance as he noted Ned’s look of wonder. But beneath the appearance of amused indifference the lad’s quick eye detected a look of care. He was not the same Mackinder.
For a brief moment nothing was said. Then the officer saluted the commander, who recognized the act. The boys were presented.
“So, my friends,” the commander began, “you were adrift on the North Sea in an open boat? Have you suffered greatly?”
“No, thank you,” replied Ned, acting as spokesman. “We have not been adrift very long. The vessel on which we were riding struck something which we took to be a floating mine. The crew got away quickly in one of the boats, while we left a little later in another.”
The shrewd eyes of the commander narrowed perceptibly.
“And what was the name and rig of the vessel?”
“The Lena Knobloch, a schooner, of Amsterdam,” replied Ned.
“And the name of her captain?” continued the commander.