d him most deeply was
the quick, complete and manly acknowledgment of this lieutenant commander.

"Mr. Farnum," inquired the gunboat's commander, "have you any towboats
about here that can be used in helping me to get the 'Hudson' off this
sand ledge?"

"The only one in near waters, sir," replied the yard's owner, "is a craft,
not so very much larger than a launch, that ties up some three miles down
the coast. She's the boat I use when I need any towing here. Of course, I
have the two torpedo boats, though their engines were not constructed for
towing work."

"May I offer a suggestion?" asked Jack, when the talk lagged.

"I'll be glad to have you, Mr. Benson," replied Mr. Mayhew, turning toward
the submarine boy.

"Flood tide will be in in about two hours and a half, sir," Benson
followed up. "That ought to raise this vessel a good deal. Then, with the
towboat Mr. Farnum has mentioned, and with such help as the engines of the
submarines may give, together with your own engines, Mr. Mayhew, I think
there ought to be a good chance of getting the 'Hudson' afloat with plenty
of water under her whole keel. We can even start some of the engines on
shore, and rig winches to haul on extra cables. Altogether, we can give
you a strong pull, sir."

"That sounds like the best plan to me," nodded Jacob Farnum. "I'll have a
message sent at once for that towboat."

A white-coated steward now appeared on deck, moving near the lieutenant
commander.

"Is dinner ready, Greers?" called Mr. Mayhew.

"Yes, sir."

"Lay two more plates, then. Mr. Farnum, I trust you and your young
submarine commander will sit as my guests to-night."

This invitation the yard's owner accepted, asking only time enough to
arrange for keeping some of his workmen over-time, awaiting the coming of
flood-tide.

So, presently, Jack and his employer found themselves seated at table in
the gunboat's handsome wardroom. Besides the lieutenant commander there
were Lieutenant Halpin, two ensigns, two engineer officers and a young
medical officer. In the "Hudson's" complement of officers there were also
four midshipmen, but these latter ate in their own mess.

The time passed most pleasantly, Mr. Mayhew plainly doing all in his power
to atone for his late censure of the submarine boy.

Before dinner was over the small towboat was in the harbor. At the coming
of flood tide this towing craft had a hawser made fast to the gunboat.
With the help of some of the