He struck out lustily, but had not been swimming more than a couple of minutes, when he heard the sharp exhaust of a gasoline launch. Realizing that it must be an American craft, he shouted at the top of his voice. At first there was no response, but as the boat came nearer and he shouted even more loudly, a friendly hail came over the waters. "Where are you?" came the voice as the boat came to a stop. "Here, to your port side," he replied. The launch was started again slowly and Donald was soon able to make himself visible. "Who are you?" was the first question pumped at him by the officer in command. "Special messenger for Gen. Funston," was the response. "Where is your uniform?" "I'm not a soldier. I am a civilian." "A likely story," snapped the officer, who chanced to be an ensign. "I can't help how likely it is," snapped Donald in return. "It's true, and I want to be put ashore as quickly as possible. I have an important message and the safety of one of his staff is involved. There is also a plot on foot to capture the general himself." "Nonsense! And besides, I can't put you ashore. I am carrying a message to Admiral Fletcher." "But my business is important," insisted Donald. "So is mine," declared the ensign. He ordered his launch full speed ahead in the direction of the flagship. "It's pretty tough," commented Donald, "but I'll prove I am right when I get to the ship." "I hope so," was the reply. "I haven't anything against you and you may be telling the truth, but I can't take any chances." Fifteen minutes later they drew up beside the flagship. "Up you go," said the ensign, motioning Donald up the ladder. "I'll present you to the officer of the deck," which he quickly did. "Here's a man I picked up in the water, sir, who says he has a message for Gen. Funston, but I had no time to put him ashore." "Looks more like a boy than a man," replied the officer. Then to Donald: "What's this about you having a message for Gen. Funston?" Donald repeated what he had told the ensign. "What's that?" asked another officer, coming forward out of the shadow of the after turret. The first officer saluted. "Tell the Admiral your story, my lad," he said. Again Donald repeated his story, this time going more into detail. "Come with me," ordered the Admiral, and he led the way to the wireless operator. "Get into communication with Gen. Funston at once," was the admiral's order. "Here he is, sir," was the report a couple of minutes later. "Ask him if he has three American boys on a special mission." The answer came back promptly that he had. "Ask him if Lieut. Grimes is missing." Again came back the answer that he was. "Tell the general that we have one of the lads on the _Arkansas_, and that he has had a strange adventure. Tell him I will send the lad ashore immediately." "Thank you, sir," said Donald. "I knew some one would know what to do."