There wasn’t much to come aboard. Ammunition and torpedoes were still intact, so they had to take on only oil and water and food, plus some special medical supplies for use in tropical climates. Stan had ordered a few more spare parts for his engines and motors. With his little repair shop, he felt able then to take care of almost anything that might happen in his department.
It was late that afternoon that the Skipper called March to his quarters.
“Sit down, March,” he said. “I’ve decided what to do about another officer, but I think I ought to talk it over with the rest of you first to see if you agree.”
“Whatever you say is all right with the rest of us, Larry,” March said. “You know that.”
“Perhaps,” Larry replied with a smile. “But this involves a little more work for everybody and I want you all to agree that it’s best. You see, I think we’ve got a good crew here—men and officers alike. We get along. We know our business. Getting along together is mighty important in this work, and I don’t know how another officer would fit in even if we could get one.”
“I know,” March agreed. “You can never tell until you’ve lived in each other’s laps for a while, as we have.”
“So I want to skip getting—or trying to get—another officer to replace Ray,” the Skipper went on. “Plenty of subs this size have operated with four officers and so can we. But we’ll have to split up Ray’s work.”
“Okay with me,” March said at once. “What can I take on?”
“That’s why I wanted to talk to you alone first,” Gray said. “I want you to take over Ray’s job, really.”
“You mean as diving officer,” March said, with a thrill.