Somers were directed to assume such duties aboard as were assigned to
them by Lieutenant Benson.

"I didn't expect this," stammered Jack. "I--I--we thought our
temporary rank in the Navy was given us merely that we might have legal
standing in making one arrest that is wanted."

"No one ever does know just what is wanted of him, until the order
comes," laughed Ensign Fullerton. "At least, that has been the case
since Mr. Sanders became Secretary of the Navy. He keeps all officers
on the jump. But I guess that is what a good many of them need, sir."

As the Ensign appeared to be at least twenty-five years old that
respectful "sir" struck young Benson's ear queerly.

"Pardon me, gentlemen, but be seated," suggested Lieutenant Jack,
suddenly, as he realized that his chums and this one sure-enough naval
officer were all standing.

"You have been aboard naval vessels before, sir, haven't you?" asked
Ensign Fullerton.

"Oh, yes; but never in the present way," smiled Benson.

"Then, no doubt, you understand, sir, that the 'Sudbury' is under steam,
only awaiting your order to put to sea."

"The last part of these orders," replied Jack, picking up the telegram,
"advises me that sailing orders will be wired soon."

"Then may I make a suggestion, sir?"

"Of course," nodded young Benson.

"At your direction I will have Mr. Hastings and Mr. Somers shown to
their cabins. Then I will send for the one other young man left of
the gunboat's old equipment of officers, and present him to you. After
that I would suggest, sir, that I have the crew piped to quarters for
brief inspection by the new commanding officer."

Hal and Eph were quickly made acquainted with their own cabins, which
were on the port side of the gun-deck, Jack's being on the starboard.

Ensign Fullerton brought in a slim, very erect young man in a
midshipman's uniform--Mr. Drake, just out of the Naval Academy.

"Our engineers are all warrant machinists or petty officers; no
commissioned officers among them," stated Fullerton. "Our highest
marine officer is Sergeant Oswald. Besides the sergeant we have
eighteen other enlisted men among the marines. Here is the ship's
complete roster," continued the Ensign, taking a document out of a
pigeon-hole over the young commander's desk. "And now, sir, shall I
pass the order for piping the crew to quarters?"

"If you will be so good," Jack nodded, rising.

At this moment Hal and Eph appeared at the doorw