ps. "I'm hoping for
'big business' this time!"

Dalzell had used the word "gig" in a figurative sense. It was a power
launch that put smartly away from the "Reed" and was speedily alongside.
Dan waved his hand to his chum, who was leaning over the bridge rail.

Dave did not return to the chart-room. He received the report of his
chief engineer at the bridge telephone, then gazed musingly out over the
crowded waters of the port. It was a busy scene, bristling with war
activities.

Having compared his watch with the clock on the bridge, Dave glanced
frequently at that time-keeper. Five minutes before the hour was up he
gave a quiet order to the watch officer, who telephoned to the
engine-room and then issued brisk deck orders. At this time Lieutenant
Fernald, executive officer, joined the group on the bridge, as did also
the navigation officer.

Promptly to the minute the "Grigsby," anchor up, turned and steamed
slowly out of the harbor. As she passed, none of the other craft made
signals. As though unnoticed Dave's ship slipped out of port, the "Reed"
following.

Then out upon the Channel the two destroyers moved, into the lane now
followed by all craft that sailed between England and the continent.

"All clear hereabouts," signalled the master of a small mine-sweeping
craft, meaning that the destroyers, while in that immediate vicinity,
might feel secure against the hidden mines with which the enemy were wont
to strew these waters.

"A few miles from here," Dave murmured to Fernald, "we shall have to look
after our own security. It is going to be lively work."

"Yes, sir?" Fernald inquired, with a rising inflection, for he did not
know the purpose of this cruise.

Turning to make sure that the signalman could not overhear, Darrin went
on, in a lower voice:

"Our orders take us out to wage war against the German mine-layers!"

"A great work, sir!" replied the executive officer with enthusiasm.
"There is sure to be plenty of sport. Then the enemy mine-layers have
been working more industriously of late?"

"The waters to the north are more thickly strewn with mines than at any
time previously," Dave continued. "Six British mine-sweeping craft have
been sent north to do all they can to remove those hidden perils from the
paths of transports and freighters. Our first mission is to protect the
mine-sweepers as far as possible, but we are also to keep a sharp lookout
for German submarines; and especially submari