t
home."

"By Jove, that's a bully attitude, and I know you mean it!" cried the
staff officer, holding out his hand. "I must not delay you. Good-bye,
Darrin, and the best of good luck to you!"

A moment later the British officer was over the side and being borne back
to the flagship, while quick orders rang out on the "Grigsby." In as
short a time as the thing could be done the anchor was stowed, and the
destroyer was on her way out of port at half speed.

Just beyond the harbor Darrin gave the order for full speed ahead. From
the bridge, three miles farther out on the course, he made out the two
mine-sweepers.

"All starts well," commented Dave to Lieutenant Fernald. "May all end as
well! By the way, Mrs. Darrin is said to be on board the 'Gloucester'."

"Congratulations," said Fernald, heartily. "And you may look, sir, for
every officer and man aboard this craft to redouble his efforts to make
the day's task a complete success."

"I don't want it for that reason, although I expect from all on board the
fullest efficiency. Fernald, I'm not running an American naval vessel
primarily for the safety of my family."

For this trip the lookouts were trebled. They stood at every point of
vantage from which anything on the sea might be sighted.

Mile after mile the "Grigsby" logged, plunging and dipping in the sea,
her decks running water and spray dashing continuously over the bridge.
It was wet work, and over all was the roaring racket of the ship's
powerful machinery. To Darrin it was music; the dash and the sense of
responsibility thrilled him.

At last came the anxiously awaited hail from the lookout aloft:

"Topmasts of a ship almost dead ahead, sir."

"Keep her constantly in sight, and as soon as you can make out the hull
report whether she displays the hospital Red Cross," the watch officer
called back.

"Aye, aye, sir."

To those on the bridge the mastheads were soon visible. After that came
the lookout's hail:

"She's a hospital ship, sir. I can make out the Red Cross plainly through
the glass."

"It must be the 'Gloucester,' then," remarked Lieutenant Fernald.

"Pass the word that the first man really to sight a periscope or a
conning tower shall have a fortnight's shore leave extra," Dave ordered.

He smiled as he heard the scattering cheer that greeted that
announcement.

"The real way to the sailorman's heart lies through extra shore leave,"
he told Fernald.

"I wouldn't mind winning tha