"When I went below you made some remark about not letting the derelict
off too easily, Benson. What did you mean?"

"Why, I believe we ought to get square with that old sunken hulk,"
retorted Captain Jack, wheeling around and eyeing the naval officer.

"Great Scott! You mean that we ought to blow up the derelict?"

"Isn't it usually the Navy, sir, that gets such jobs to do?"

"Yes, yes, Benson. But the Navy Department always sends out a vessel
fitted for such work."

"This is a submarine boat. We have one loaded torpedo left on board.
Don't you think we answer the description of a vessel fitted for
destroying a derelict?" smiled Captain Jack, coolly. "To say nothing
of the itch, for revenge that we feel."

"It'll be a ticklish business," muttered Danvers, thoughtfully.

"So is a lot of the Navy's work, isn't it?" persisted Captain Jack.

"See here, lad, do you really mean that you want to make a sure-enough
job of blowing up the derelict?"

"That's what I'm staying here for, sir," rejoined Jack, again swinging
the searchlight. "And over there, three hundred yards yonder, I can
still make out, once in a while, that bit of mast. What do you say,
Lieutenant?"