Perhaps the magical paper which they made haste to show him, signed by Kitchener himself, may have had something to do with his amiable manner, for it was simply wonderful how often that document had helped them over rough places. He insisted on the boys making themselves comfortable in his cabin, and begged to hear their whole story, for already he confessed to being deeply interested in two such manly-looking cousins from across the sea.
When mention was made of Frank, and how they had discovered that he was doing remarkable work in the cause of the Allies under the name of Bradford, the Vice-Admiral showed great interest. He had heard more or less about the famous flier who bore that name, although thus far ignorant of the fact that he had joined the aviation corps on duty with the Dardanelles battle fleet.
“You shall stay aboard our ship temporarily, lads,” he told them later on, “and I promise you to do my best to locate the party you seek, if he is indeed out on this station. It is hardly within the rules to have non-combatants aboard during war times, but that wonderful paper you carry would be ample excuse for any infraction, since it calls upon every one in authority to aid you to the best of their ability.”
“You are very kind, Admiral, and we can only thank you, and say we will accept,” Jack assured him, heartily.
“And it won’t be the first time we’ve bunked in a hammock, either, sir,” declared Amos, gleefully, for he began to see the troubles ahead of them vanishing, as had so often been the case in the past.
“I am afraid you will be a little disappointed, then,” the officer told him; “I could not put you with the crew, for many reasons. It happens, however, that one of our officers was invalided home, and his place has not yet been filled, so you must occupy his quarters for the time being.”
After that he asked many more questions, and seemed greatly interested in his two young American guests. Doubtless there would be ways to explain just how they chanced to be aboard the Thunderer, despite all rules and regulations, for a Vice-Admiral is at times a law unto himself.
Finally Jack and Amos were given into the charge of one of the several officers who had been in the cabin during the recital of their story, and all of whom evinced a lively interest in the boys.
“This is something we never dreamed would happen, Jack,” remarked Amos, when the two found themselves left in the comfortable if snug quarters assigned to them. “Think of us aboard a regular battleship that has been in action, and may be again tomorrow, for all we know.”
“We are certainly in great luck,” admitted Jack, yawning sleepily. “Between you and the lamp-post I like that Vice-Admiral a whole lot. He may have gained a name as a fighter and all that, but deep down in his heart he is a fine specimen of a sailor. And to think that he has several sons of his own, all of them serving their country either in the army or the navy.”