‘Stop both!’ rapped the captain. ‘Group up! Astern both!’
The water bore aft as the propellers checked her way. Heaving lines were thrown fore and aft, ‘123’ thought about it, shuddered, and stopped dead alongside.
‘Stop both. Finished with motors. Make fast fore and aft,’ called Raymond. ‘Is the “Sperry” stopped, Boyd?’
‘Yes, sir. I stopped her when we got on the bearing,’ replied the navigator.
‘Right-oh. Come on the pair of you. Time for a gin and bitters.’
‘Clear up below, coxswain,’ cried Seagrave, as the gang plank went out; and five minutes later the three officers of H.M. Submarine ‘123’ were in the Parentis’s ward room clamouring at the top of their voices for gin, bitters, and baths.
THE MOTHERS
I
We knew them in their infancy,
We knew them as our sons;