He was still reflecting over this when Colonel Minturn, with Sam close on his heels, entered.
Jack saluted him.
“Good morning,” said the colonel, introducing himself, “I am Colonel Minturn. I have just received a cipher dispatch and want to send a reply.”
“I guess I’ll have to relay it through the Iowa if it is for Washington,” said Jack.
“That is just its destination,” was the rejoinder. “By the way, I hear from the captain that you did a very brave act last night in climbing the foremast in the storm and repairing the wireless. That was nervily done and I want to compliment you on it.”
“Glory! And he didn’t even breathe a word of it to me!” muttered Sam under his breath.
Jack got red in the face. “Why, that was nothing, Colonel,” he said. “It had to be done, and nobody but I could have done it.”
“You are as modest as all true heroes,” said the colonel approvingly. “But, now, here is the dispatch I want you to send. You see, like the other, it is in cipher. The government’s secrets have to be closely guarded.”
Jack took the message and filed it and then proceeded to raise the Iowa again.
Before long came a reply to his insistent calls.