"But where are you bound for?"
"That is none of your business, as you are no longer in command here. One bell ahead, sir."
Boggs looked as though he were going to balk flat, until he saw Hal turn as though to summon a soldier. Then the tug's master reached for the bell-pull. Clang! The tug's propeller began to churn slowly.
"Throw the wheel over two points to port," Hal continued. "Now, hold her steady ahead."
Still at half speed the craft moved out into the river some four hundred feet.
"Stop your speed, Captain."
Boggs obeyed, demanding next, "What now!"
"Nothing until I tell you," Lieutenant Hal responded.
"But the drift will carry us downstream."
"If we get too far down we'll steam back. Mate!"