That was a happy speech, delivered at just the right second. It set all
within hearing to cheering again. And then the thousands beyond caught
it up.

"I'll say this much," shouted back Lieutenant Commander Kimball, as soon
as he could make himself heard: "We'd rather have you with us, Mr.
Benson, than against us."

"You'll have your wish, sir, as long as I'm alive," Jack answered,
turning and lifting his hat in simple yet eloquent salute to the Flag
waving at the gunboat's stern.

All this time Hal Hastings stood by the deck wheel, one hand occasionally
straying to the engine room signal buttons, as he kept the "Benson" just
about a hundred feet from the gunboat and nearly abeam.

"Where shall I anchor, sir?" called Captain Jack, presently.

"Better take it about four points off our port bow and at least four
hundred feet away, Mr. Benson," called back the lieutenant commander.

"Four points off port and four hundred feet it is, sir," answered the
young submarine skipper, saluting. Then he gave the order to Hal.

"As soon as you're anchored, I'll send you over a boat to be at your
disposal this afternoon," called Lieutenant Commander Kimball.

"We'll use the boat, sir, to pay you a visit, if you permit," Jack
shouted back.