Jack thanked the naval commander, then hastened back to the “Farnum” to
communicate the news.

“Me for the shore trip,” declared Eph, promptly. All the others agreed
with him.

“I’ll come back by ten o’clock to-night, though,” volunteered Sam Truax.
“One of the crew ought to be aboard.”

“We’ll stay ashore,” decided Jack, “and return in the morning.”

“I’m coming back to-night,” retorted Truax.

“Keep still, and follow orders,” muttered Eph, digging his elbow into
Truax’s ribs. “The captain gives the orders here.”

Jack, however, had turned away. Within five minutes a boat put off from
shore, bringing two soldiers of the marine guard alongside. With them, in
the shore boat, was a corporal of the guard.

“Any of your crew coming back to-night, sir?” asked the corporal.

“None,” Benson answered. “Will you instruct the sentries to see that none
of the crew are allowed aboard during the night?”

“Very good, sir.”

The shore boat waited to convey them to the landing. Before going, young
Captain Benson closed and locked the manhole entrance to the conning
tower. A sullen silence had fallen over Truax. The instructions to the