"Good!" he exclaimed. "I wouldn't care much to encounter a submarine." The commander of the submarine, Captain Nicholson, came aboard the Sylph to pay his respects to Lord Hastings. "I suppose you are aware," he said during the course of the conversation, "that Turkey has declared war on England, France and Russia?" "What!" cried Lord Hastings. "Turkey has declared war! I hadn't heard of it." "Well, it's true, nevertheless," replied Captain Nicholson. Lord Hastings smiled grimly. "I guess it will be 'The Sick Man of Europe's' last illness," he said pointedly. Captain Nicholson laughed. "It will," he said briefly. "But what are you doing in these waters?" asked Lord Hastings, having already explained his own presence there. "Well," said Captain Nicholson, "I understand that there are at least three Turkish cruisers anchored in the mouth of the Euphrates, in the Persian gulf. I suppose they are there to protect Bassora, about 70 miles up the river, from possible attacks. I had thought of attempting to sink them." "What, alone?" said Lord Hastings. The captain of the submarine shrugged his shoulders. "Why not?" he wanted to know. "Well," said Lord Hastings, "it's a desperate venture, but if you are successful, it will be a feather in your cap." "I'm not looking for glory," replied Captain Nicholson. "But I would give my right arm to destroy those Turkish cruisers, guarded as they are by a fort. And I mean to have a try at it." "I'd like to go with you," said Lord Hastings, "but the Sylph would be worse than useless in such an encounter." "True," said Captain Nicholson. "But I have an idea. Have you ever been aboard a submarine in action?" "I have been aboard many submarines, yes," replied Lord Hastings, "but one in action, no." "Then why not come with me?" "I would like to," said Lord Hastings, "but what of the Sylph?" "Your first officer could take command until you returned." "No," said Lord Hastings, "it can't be done." He was struck with a sudden idea, and turned to Jack and Frank. "How would you two lads like to make such an excursion?" he asked. "We would like nothing better, sir," replied Frank. "Indeed, we would like it immensely," agreed Jack. Lord Hastings turned again to Captain Nicholson. "Why not take these two lads as substitutes for me?" he asked. The commander of the submarine looked somewhat dubious. "Oh, I'll guarantee they won't be in the way," said Lord Hastings with a laugh, and he proceeded to relate to the astounded commander some of the things the lads had already accomplished. Captain Nicholson arose, and took each lad by the hand. "I shall account it an honor to have you with me,"' he said quietly. "So be it, then," said Lord Hastings. "I shall remain here with the Sylph until you return." Both lads thanked Lord Hastings heartily for giving them this opportunity of seeing something of under-the-sea fighting aboard a British vessel.