“What do you want to do, Mr. Somers?”
“Want to do, sir?” retorted Eph. “I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to slip moorings and chase after that knockabout. What I wish to know from you, sir, is whether you'll send another marine or two on board, so that I can back up my demand to find my friends?”
“I'll have to ask the lieutenant commander about that, Mr. Somers.”
“Can you do it, now, sir?” asked Eph, energetically.
“Instantly. I'll let you know the decision as soon as it's made.”
Eph, hanging at the rail in the silence that followed, had no notion of whether his request had been a correct one. All he knew was that his suspicions had surged to the surface, and were threatening to boil over. It was a huge [pg 184] relief to the boy when Mr. Mayhew's voice sounded from the rail of the gunboat. Somers swiftly answered all questions.
“Your craft and crew are in a measure under our protection and orders,” decided Mr. Mayhew. “I think we may properly extend you some help. I will send some men to you, and a cadet midshipman who will have my instructions.”
“Will you send them quickly, sir?” begged Eph.
“I'll have men on board of you by the time that your engines are running,” promised the lieutenant commander.
“Engines?” That word came as a fortunate reminder to the submarine boy. He darted below, almost yanking Williamson from his berth, nearly pulling the machinist into his clothes. By the time that Williamson was really wide awake he found himself standing by the motors forward.