swung lazily at her
moorings the little port town came into view. On all sides were signs of
war. Forts upreared their grim walls. Earthen redoubts screened guns that
alert artillerymen could bring into play at a moment's notice. Overhead,
dirigibles floated and airplanes buzzed dinfully to and fro.

Readers of the preceding volume in this series know how Dave Darrin came
to be ordered to the command of the brand-new, big and up-to-the-minute
destroyer, "Asa Grigsby," while Dan Dalzell, reaching the grade of
lieutenant-commander, had been ordered to the command of the twin
destroyer, "Joseph Reed."

At the door there sounded a knock so insistent that Darrin knew
instantly that it was a summons. Springing from his chair, reaching for
his uniform cap and setting it squarely on his head, he drew the curtains
aside.

"Special signal for the 'Grigsby,' sir, from the flagship," reported an
orderly.

Returning the young seaman's salute, Dave, with Dalzell close at his
heels, darted up the steps to the bridge.

"Signal 'Ready to receive,'" was Darrin's command to his signalman, who
stood waiting, signal flags in hand.

Rapidly the two flags moved, then paused. Dave's eyes, like Dan's, were
turned toward the United States battleship that had lately acted as
flagship for the destroyers and other small Yankee craft assembled in
this port.

Brief indeed were the motions of the signalman on the bridge of the
battleship, but the signal, translated, read:

"Proceed to sea in an hour, under instructions already received by you.
Am proceeding to new station. Report to British admiral, this port,
hereafter. No additions to these orders."

Instantly Darrin ordered the signal wigwagged back:

"Understood."

Immediately following this the flagship signalled the "Reed," Dan's ship,
giving the same order, which Dan's executive officer, from the bridge of
the other destroyer, acknowledged.

"Now, Darry, if you'll have your man signal for my gig," Dan urged, in a
low voice, "I'll return to my ship. You and I are to cruise in company,
as far as it may be done, and you are ranking officer. I am to part
company from you only on your order."

"That is the admiral's order," Darrin acquiesced.

"Good-bye, old chap!" said Dan, with more than his wonted fervor,
gripping his brother officer's hand. "And may we have the best of luck!"

"The best of a 'business' kind," smiled Dave.

"That's it!" laughed Dan, as he started down the ste