“So did we,” laughed Mr. Chadwick in response—“for a minute.”
Surrounded by his mates, Harding made his way up the gangway and on board, after bidding a grateful farewell to those who had risked their lives to save his. For half an hour pleasant chat was exchanged, and the officers of the San Francisco came rowing up and offered apologies for having almost ended the White Shark’s existence.
They were accepted freely. Mr. Chadwick and Mr. Dancer fully understood that to check the way of a big battleship, or even to alter her course, is not the work of an instant. It was due to this that the near-casualty had occurred, the lookouts on the San Francisco not having seen the inconspicuous part of the White Shark which appeared above water till almost above her. It was then too late.
The shock which had shaken the White Shark to its bed plates had not been felt on the battleship any more than a mosquito would be noticeable to a mammoth. Even had the submarine been cut in two, the shock would not have been perceptible on the San Francisco.
“That just shows you that a ship might hit us at night and they’d never know they’d sent us to the bottom,” cried Tom in dismay.
“You’re a cheerful talker,” struck in Jack, who was one of the group; “but come, there go the signals to get under way. The boats are in, and look at the smoke and steam pouring from the funnels! Goodness, what a formidable-looking fleet! Uncle Sam has no reason to be ashamed of his navy.”
“I should say not,” struck in Silas Hardtack; “but on the old Ohio we thought we were pretty good; and I guess we were, too,” he concluded modestly.
Amidst waving and cheering and mutual shouts of good will, the fleet swept by, the crew of the White Shark standing respectfully at salute as one after another the great vessels glided past in stately procession.
At length the last of the column swept by, and then, and only then, did the White Shark head round once more on her course.
“We lost some time,” declared Mr. Chadwick as they stood gazing after the fast diminishing outlines of the battleships, “but it was worth it.”