given, the gunboat's own propellers taking part in the struggle. For
two or three minutes the efforts continued. Then, at last, the
"Hudson," uninjured, ran off into deep water and shortly afterwards
anchored in safety.

It was a moment of tremendous relief for Mr. Mayhew.

"Call the tugboat captain aboard, and I'll settle with him at my own
expense," proposed the lieutenant commander.

"I trust you will think of nothing of the sort," replied Jacob Farnum,
quickly. "In this harbor I wish to consider you and your vessel as my
guests."

Again Mr. Mayhew expressed his thanks. Presently, glancing ashore
through the night, he asked:

"What sort of country is it hereabouts?"

"Mostly flat, as to the surface," Mr. Farnum replied. "If your question
goes further, there are some fine roads and several handsome estates
within a few miles of here. Mr. Mayhew, won't you and a couple of your
officers come on shore with me? I'll telephone for my car and put you
over quite a few miles this evening."

"Delighted," replied the commander of the gunboat.

One of the "Hudson's" cutters being now in the water alongside, the
party went ashore in this. Jack, after bidding the naval officers
good-night, found Hal and Eph, who had just come ashore from supper