“It doesn't, for a fact,” laughed Jack Benson.
“Hi, ho—ah, hum!” yawned young Somers, stretching. “It will be mine for early bunk to-night, I reckon.”
At this moment a boat was observed rounding the stern of the “Hudson.” It came up alongside, landing a marine sentry.
“Anybody on the 'Farnum' want to go ashore to-night?” hailed a voice from the gunboat's rail. “The shore boat will be ready in five minutes.”
“I believe I would like to take just a run through the village,” declared Jack, turning to his chum. “Do you feel like a land-cruise with me, Hal?”
“I think I'd better go,” laughed Hastings. “You seem to get into trouble when you go alone.”
“All right, then. And, Eph since you're so sleepy, you can turn in as soon as you want. The boat will be under sufficient protection,” [pg 171] Jack added, nodding toward the marine slowly pacing the platform deck.
Williamson was called too, but declared that he felt like turning in early. So, when the shore boat came, it had but two passengers to take from the submarine. There were a few shore-leave men, however, from the gunboat.
“This boat will return to the fleet, gentlemen, every hour up to midnight,” stated the petty officer in charge, as Jack and Hal stepped ashore at a rickety little wharf.
“Judging from what we can see of the town from here, we'll be ready to go back long before midnight,” Jack Benson laughingly told his companion.