coast town of Blankenberghe---a waterway the Germans: had opened
up after their occupation of Belgium.

Jack Hammond got a rousing reception. The story of his escape from the
_Dewey_ and his bold adventure in the German wireless station had
become known and he was roundly cheered. When it was seen that the
Americans had brought back with them a huge German U-boat there was
great jubilation.

The captain of the Tallahassee, who was the ranking officer of the
assembled fleet, decided that the _Farragut_ should tow the captured
U-boat to the American naval base on the English coast, while the
_Dewey_ also was to return to the same port for thorough inspection
and repairs. A number of her crew were in bad shape from the long
confinement in the stranded sub.

"Your men need a bit of play after their hazardous experience," was
the message flashed to the _Dewey_ from the Tallahassee's commander
as he bade "Little Mack" and his men Godspeed.

And so, after an uneventful run across the North Sea, the _Dewey_
came back to England, bringing as her prize a monster U-boat of the
latest design, complete in every detail and ready for service under
the Stars and Stripes.

And with her came Jack Hammond---a new American naval hero, whose deeds
had fitted him for rank among the immortal list.

CHAPTER XX

THE MOTHER SHIP

News of the capture of the German U-boat had preceded the returning
squadron and a great reception was accorded the American submarine and
its gallant crew as it came to anchor again in the harbor at Chatham.
Several American warships were at anchor with other units of the
British and French fleets, and thousands of sailors lined the decks
to cheer the plucky _Dewey_ as it wended its way to its anchorage,
accompanied by the destroyer _Farragut_, the latter towing the
captive German submarine.

During the days that followed, Jack and Ted found themselves lionized
wherever they went while on shore duty. News of the capture had
spread throughout England and France, and the censors had permitted
a generous account of the affair to be forwarded by cable to the
United States.

Letters and messages reached the boys, but none that pleased them more,
amid all the adulation heaped upon them, than a simple cablegram of a
few words, forwarded from Brighton Academy that read: _"Hearty
congratulations. We knew you would make good, and we are proud of you._"
"_The Brighton Boys_."

Closer inspection of t