"No," Jack answered. "I'll be the last one to put off to-night."

Nor did he forget to reward the darkey's enterprise by handing him
rather more than the usual boat hire.

As he stepped aboard Jack found Hal pacing the platform deck.

"Keeping deck watch, old fellow? I'm glad see that," Captain Jack
said, commendingly.

"Yes; I'm on until midnight. Then Williamson stands watch until
three-thirty in the morning. After that Eph comes up and takes the
trick until it's time to call us all."

"When do I come on watch?" asked Jack.

"I never heard the captain of a craft had to stand watch in port,"
laughed Hal Hastings "Besides, old fellow, we couldn't be sure you'd
be aboard to-night. So the watches are all arranged. Anyway, you'd
better turn in and get a full night's sleep, for you've more on your
mind than the rest of us."

"Then tell Williamson, and have him pass the word on to Eph, that watch
ought to be very strictly kept," answered the young captain.

A few minutes Benson remained on deck, chatting with his chum. When he
at last went below the submarine captain lost little time getting into
his berth.