"Ahoy, there! Where do you belong?" demanded the officer in charge of the launch.
"I have a letter to the President of the United States," answered the boy with quivering lips.
"Whose vessel is this? Let down the gangway."
Two black sailors sprang from the hold of the mysterious vessel to obey.
"She belongs to the United States," replied the boy. "Please let me take the letter. You can take the boat."
Astounded beyond measure, the officer leaped on board. No name was visible.
"What is her name?" he asked eagerly.
"She has none. The President can name her. She was called the 'Lightning,'" said the boy steadily.
"By ——! I might have known," cried the officer. "Where is He? Who are you?"
"He is not here. The letter tells, sir. I am his son."