Captain Foster made Darrin wholly welcome in a few words.
"Hullo, Overton. Where's Terry?" cried Ensign Dave.
More greetings were in order.
"Just as you announced yourself, Mr. Darrin," said Captain Foster, "Mr. Prescott was asking permission to take you on the water as a passenger to-night. I beg to assure you that you will be most heartily welcome to go anywhere with this very small slice of the Army."
Darrin expressed his thanks.
Readers of the third volume of this series are sure to remember Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell, then midshipmen, who visited Prescott and Holmes in the Rocky Mountains and took part in a famous hunting trip. Hal and Noll, then sergeants, then made their first acquaintance with Darrin and Dalzell.
All readers of the "High School Boys' Series" know full well that Darrin and Dalzell were famous members of the Dick & Co. of bygone school days, while readers of the "Annapolis Series" have followed Dave and Dan all through their days at the United States Naval Academy.
"As all you youngsters know each other from old times I fancy you'll have a most agreeable time on the water to-night, if there proves to be nothing to do but swap yarns of former days," smiled Captain Foster.
"Don't you go with us on the water, sir!" inquired Ensign Darrin.
"No; I am on shore. Mr. Overton, however, will give the best account of my hospitality that the limited resources of this boat permit."