"Gentlemen, you will come down to Supper now. Mr. Somers, you will take command of the deck."
"Very good, sir," Eph responded. "Mallock, take the wheel."
Lieutenant Benson seated himself at the head of the table, with Ensign Hastings on his right. The midshipmen filled the remaining seats.
"We're necessarily a little crowded on a craft of this size," explained Benson. "Also the service is not what it would be on a battleship. We can carry but few men, so the cook must also act as waiter."
At once a very good meal was set on the table, and all hands were busily eating when Eph Somers came down the stairs, saluted and reported:
"Sir, we are on the bottom of Chesapeake Bay, with our nose in the mud!"
CHAPTER IX
THE TREACHERY OF MORTON
To the midshipmen that was rather startling news to receive while in the act of enjoying a very excellent meal.
Lieutenant Jack Benson, however, appeared to take the news very coolly.