"Then go down and send him up."
Dick reached the periscope room in a few moments.
"Dick," said Matt, "our periscope is out of commission and we've got to pass the fort on the surface of the river. We could wait until night. That would give the rebels less of a chance at us, but it would also make our dash for the gulf a good deal more dangerous. The daylight has advantages as well as disadvantages, and so has the night. What do you say?"
"I'm for running their bally old fort," answered Dick. "We'll go so fast they can't hit us."
"Get the Stars and Stripes out of the locker, Dick," said Matt. "We'll haul it up to the staff as we pass and see if it commands their respect."
Matt threw open the conning-tower hatch. The next moment, with his body half exposed above the hatch, he rang for full speed ahead.
As the Grampus started on the last leg of her dangerous voyage, Dick forced his way up beside his chum.
"Give me room, old ship," said he, between his teeth. "I'm going out on deck. If the flag commands any respect, it will be under my personal supervision."
"Run up the flag and then get back below," answered Matt, squeezing to one side of the tower so that Dick could pass.
Dick had kicked off his shoes and thrown aside his hat. Stripped for action, he bent the flag to the halyards as the submarine swept onward toward the threatening wall of the fort.