So Jack Runkle departed with his rescuers, but his eyes flashed the vengeance he would take should he meet his despoiler again.
On the way out to the flagship Runkle sat silent and out of the run of talk that was going on around him.
Going up over the side of the "Hudson," Runkle reported himself on board, and then added to the officer of the watch, Lieutenant Totten:
"I've a message for the Captain, sir, and have orders to report to him immediately on coming aboard."
"Orders from an officer of this ship?"
"Yes, sir."
"I'll send an orderly to see if the Captain is still awake," replied Lieutenant Totten.
"I beg your pardon, sir," Runkle persisted, "but I have orders to say that Captain Allen, by his own request, is to be called, if necessary, sir, in order to hear my message."
"Very good," nodded Lieutenant Totten, and turned to an orderly, sending him to Captain Allen's quarters.
"The Captain will see Seaman Runkle at once," the orderly reported a few moments later.