Two minutes later and they saw someone come aboard. The lieutenant of the big battleship met him and there ensued a short talk in low tones. Doubtless he was first of all handing over something which was to be taken ashore, possibly mail for the Territorials from their home ports. Then Jack guessed he must be giving the Vice-Admiral’s orders that the two American boys be landed at the camp, particular care being taken to insure their safety.
Immediately afterwards the officer belonging to the Thunderer turned and made a gesture with his hand that Jack knew must be meant for them. Accordingly he and his comrade drew forward.
“You are to be put in charge of this gentleman, who will see that you are taken ashore. It is the admiral’s orders, and we hope you will meet in your search with the success you certainly deserve.”
The British officer would not likely say as much as that to most strangers, but somehow these two wide-awake lads had become favorites in the mess-room during their brief stay aboard the grim war vessel.
Shaking hands with the lieutenant, after he had made the first move himself, the boys managed to drop into the waiting boat with a fair amount of agility. Although they may not have been born seamen, and indeed, until lately, had had very little to do with boats of any size, at the same time they were naturally nimble, and athletic as well.
The two sailors rowed them across to the destroyer which was acting as a dispatch boat, awaited their coming, lying like a bird on the heaving bosom of the sea. They lost no time in getting aboard, after which the boat was hoisted with as little noise as possible.
Indeed, silence seemed to be at a premium in these exciting times. Every block had apparently been well oiled so that when the ropes pulled through there would be no squeaking to announce the fact. Smaller things than this have betrayed the presence of a boat to lurking foes; and evidently the order had gone forth that nothing should be left undone to baffle those who would only too willingly open a battery upon them.
Now they were off.
The boys first of all noticed the difference in motion when aboard the speedy destroyer as compared with the bulky battleship.
“I guess the one might be called a bulldog and the other a greyhound, so far as looks and speed go,” said Amos, speaking almost in a whisper, for everything seemed to be done in such a ghostly fashion that he did not dare talk out in his natural tones.