The Brighton Boys with the Submarine FleetDriscoll, James R.
General
The Brighton Boys with the Submarine Fleet
Driscoll, James R.
Submarines (Ships) -- Juvenile fiction; World War, 1914-1918 -- Naval operations -- Juvenile fiction
It was disquieting news, and Ted hurried forward to talk it over with
Jack. As he passed the control station he saw Cleary and Binns in
animated conference with the chief engineer. He surmised they were
debating the best course under the circumstances.
In the bunk room Ted found Jack had revived considerably under the
influence of hot bouillon and strong coffee provided by Jean Cartier,
and a change of clothing with a stiff rub-down that had done wonders
for him.
"Monsieur is a brave man; he wins the American Croix de Guerre for
saving the life of his commander so bravely," Jean was saying as Ted
reappeared upon the scene.
Jack was trying hard to be modest.
"I'm feeling fine again, chum," was his rejoinder in response to Ted's
query. "Come along. I'm going to look in on 'Little Mack.'" And
grabbing Ted's arm he walked off with him to the lieutenant's quarters.
They found McClure now conscious, but very faint from his ordeal. It was
certain that he could not assume command of the _Dewey_ for some time.
The boys clambered on deck to unlimber a bit. Executive Officer
Cleary was in charge. In the commotion attendant upon the collision
with the mine and the rescue of the submarine commander the disabled
German cruiser had been forgotten. There was now no trace of the doomed
ship nor of the English "limey" that had been standing by.
"What do you suppose we will do now?" asked Ted.
"Reckon we'll have to drift around awhile and wait for somebody to
come along and give us a lift," said Jack hopefully.
Night came on, but there was no response to the wireless call of the
_Dewey_. Once a "limey" was spoken, but signaled in return that she
was speeding to the assistance of a Scandinavian liner that had
reported being under the shell fire of a German U-boat.
Jack was ordered to turn in right after evening "chow" despite his
insistence that he was perfectly recovered from his dip in the sea.
Ted was to report to the conning tower at four bells for duty on watch.
All night long the _Dewey_ tossed in a rough sea. At the appointed
hour Ted took up his station as lookout in the conning tower. He had
instructions to maintain a sharp watch for enemy ships and to keep
Acting Commander Cleary informed on all wireless registrations. The
hours passed slowly.
Presently a storm rolled up out of the North Sea. Forked lightning
and the distant rumble of thunder heralded its advance. The breeze
increased to a gale before long and the sea became rough and angry.
Awakened by the tossing of the little craft and the ominous thunder,
Jack appeared in the conning tower. Saluting the ship's executive
officer, he declared he was feeling quite recovered from his strenuous
dip in the sea of the previous day and quite ready for any service.
Jack, accordingly, was posted at the reserve periscope. Ted was at
the observation ports in the tower and Officer Cleary at the other
periscope.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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