"You may use your searchlight, of course," proposed the commander, "and proceed just as though you were trying to pick up a battleship of the enemy without much exposing yourself."
As the broad, bright beam of the searchlight shone out over the waters ahead, Captain Benson called down for the best speed.
Commander Ennerling watched the boat's performance, and the work of the young captain for some minutes before he said:
"Benson, I'll admit that the more I see of this craft the more anxious
I am to see her under our Navy flag."
"I'm glad to hear you say that, sir," cried Jack, his face glowing.
"Yet I'm a bit puzzled, after all."
"How so, sir?"
"Why, the more I think about it, the more I wonder just how much of my delight and interest are due to the boat itself, and how much to the splendidly expert way in which you young men handle her."
"You call us experts, sir?"
"Don't you believe, yourselves, that you are?"