"Why, by laying for that blooming lot of swabs and taking Matt away from them by main force! Are you with me? In other words, John Henry Glennie, are you a man or just an imitation of one with a uniform and a commission in the United States Navy?"
Dick Ferral certainly was on his mettle! His proposition almost took Glennie's breath; but, notwithstanding, there was a taunt in the last words which did not escape the sensitive ensign.
"By Jupiter!" he exclaimed. "It's a wild, impossible piece of work, but I'm with you!"
"Then lie low here and wait for those fellows to come along!"
[CHAPTER XII.]
DESPERATE MEASURES.
Ensign Glennie was as brave and gallant an officer as ever left Annapolis, but he was taught to look at such enterprises as Dick had broached in a sane and logical manner. This desperate measure, viewed in that light, seemed the height of reckless folly.
Matt had four guards—the captain of the war ship and three marines. The captain was armed—probably with the sword alone—but the marines certainly had muskets.
Here, then, was the situation: He and Ferral, with only their two hands for weapons—Glennie had left his revolver on the submarine—were to attack four armed men in the attempt to rescue Matt!