“Unless he was picked up by the U-boat that attacked us,” answered the boy quietly.
“By the U-boat? Why, yes, that’s possible, of course. Do you know whether she searched the schooner before she sank her?”
“We couldn’t be sure, sir. She didn’t show any lights, of course, but it was sort of half moonlight, and after we’d rowed off about two miles we thought we saw something approach the schooner. We didn’t stay around long, because we were afraid they would see us and start shelling.”
“I see. But you stood by the ship long enough to have rescued your father if he had been afloat, eh?”
“Yes, sir, we rowed around for about fifteen minutes. Then the shells were getting pretty thick and the sailors wouldn’t stay any longer so we rowed out of range. That’s what I don’t understand. If dad wasn’t on board, and Mr. Cupples says they searched all over for him, he must have been in the water. But we couldn’t find him there, and——” The boy’s voice trailed into silence.
The ensign laid a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. “He might have been there, just the same,” he said hopefully. “Stranger things have happened. I don’t suppose he was wearing a life-belt.”
“No, sir, none of us were. We didn’t really expect any trouble, although dad had his mind on it that night. I remember his saying he’d be easier when we were out of the submarine zone. But I no more expected what happened than—than nothing at all!”
“Of course you didn’t! Who would? Oh, wait till we get a shot at them! We’ve got a lot of scores to pay off, Troy, and, by the Great Horned Spoon, we’ll do it! Now I understand why you’re so eager for service, Troy, and I hope you’ll soon get across where things are happening. I know that we’re taught that revenge is sinful, but——”
The ensign shook his head.