As for the young man himself, the thing that touched him most deeply was
the quick, complete and manly acknowledgment of this lieutenant
commander.

"Mr. Farnum," inquired the gunboat's commander, "have you any tow boats
about here that can be used in helping me to get the 'Hudson' off this
sand ledge?"

"The only one in near waters, sir," replied the yard's owner, "is a
craft, not so very much larger than a launch, that ties up some three
miles down the coast. She's the boat I use when I need any towing here.
Of course, I have the two torpedo boats, though their engines were not
constructed for towing work."

"May I offer a suggestion?" asked Jack, when the talk lagged.

"I'll be glad to have you, Mr. Benson," replied Mr. Mayhew, turning
toward the submarine boy.

"Flood tide will be in in about two hours and a half, sir," Benson
followed up. "That ought to raise this vessel a good deal. Then, with
the tow boat Mr. Farnum has mentioned, and with such help as the engines
of the submarines may give, together with your own engines, Mr. Mayhew,
I think there ought to be a good chance of getting the 'Hudson' afloat
with plenty of water under her whole keel. We can even start some of
the engines on shore, and rig winches to haul on extra cables.
Altogether, we can give you a strong pull, sir."

"That sounds like the best plan to me," nodded Jacob Farnum. "I'll
have a message sent at once for that towboat."