Promptly came the reply: "'Strongbow' not to escort prize. Send 'Roldal' into Cromarty Firth with a prize crew."
"Very good," commented Captain Ripponden when the message was delivered. "Mr. Aubyn, you will please take command of the prize, and upon arrival at Dingwall hand her over to the authorities for disposal. Then bring your men on to Leith. We will be putting in there for coal on the 26th, and you can rejoin the ship on that date."
The lieutenant saluted, and turned to go to his cabin and make brief but urgent preparations for his independent command.
"One moment, Mr. Aubyn."
Terence saluted and awaited the captain's pleasure.
"You may as well take Mr. Raeburn with you," continued Captain Ripponden. "Dr. Hardiman seems to think that the sooner he is ashore and able to obtain hospital treatment the better. Now, carry on, and good luck to you."
Ten minutes later Terence and Kenneth were ready to proceed to the prize. The assistant engineer, in spite of the fact that his right arm was still crippled and showed no immediate prospects of healing, was in the best of spirits and, unassisted, gained the stern-sheets of the boat amid a fire of farewell greetings from his brother-officers.
"Give way!" ordered Terence.
The men bent to their supple ash oars with a will, while the lieutenant steered towards the prize.
"What's up, old man?" he asked, suddenly noticing a perplexed look on Raeburn's face.