“Some day, then, if you please, when I have more leisure than I have now,” Jack retorted, dryly. “This man is all yours, corporal.”
Truax was foolish enough to try to hang back [pg 166] on his conductors. A slight jab through the clothing from one of the marines' bayonets caused the prisoner to stop that trick. He was taken on deck and over the side.
“Coxswain, return for me after you've taken the prisoner to the 'Hudson,'” directed Mr. Mayhew. “Now, Mr. Benson, I would like to see what has been done to your engines.”
“That's just what I want to know, too,” responded Jack.
They found Hal and Williamson hard at work, inspecting the motors.
“The ignition power was lowered, and that may have been the most that the fellow did,” said Hal. “Yet, at the same time, before putting these engines to any severe test, I believe they ought to be cooled and looked over.”
Lieutenant Commander Mayhew frowned.
“These delays eat up our practice cruise time a whole lot,” he grumbled.
“I'll put the engines through their paces, and chance mischief having been done to them, if you wish, sir.”
“No; that won't do either, Mr. Hastings,” replied the naval officer. “This craft is private property, and I have no right to give orders that may damage private property. I'll hold the fleet until you've had time to inspect your engines properly. By that time, however, we'll [pg 167] have to put back to the coast for the night, for our practice time will be gone.”