of the Ventura to Jack, grinning
like a boy. "Lucky I happened to come back."

"It is indeed," said Jack. "But won't this gas affect us, Captain?"

"Not out here," was the reply. "It's not strong enough. You can barely
smell it now. Now what are you going to do with the submarine?"

Jack considered a moment.

"I'll tell you Captain," he said, "it strikes me that this submarine is
really the prize of the Ventura. At all events, I cannot be bothered with
it, for there is still patrol work to do in these waters. Can't you tow
her into port?"

"Can't I?" shouted Captain Griswold. "You bet I can. You give the word and
I'll tie her on behind right now."

"All right, Captain," said Jack. "She's yours."

Captain Griswold almost danced a jig there on the deck of the German
submarine.

"Won't New York sit up and take notice when old Captain Griswold comes
into port towing a submarine?" he chortled. "Well, I guess. Here, Lands,
go back to the ship and throw me a line. Then come back and help make it
fast."

This was accomplished with astonishing rapidity and amid the cheering of
the crew and passengers of the Ventura and the wild hurrahs of the British
tars of the Essex.

"Well, she's all fixed," said Captain Griswold, "and to tell you the truth
I'm rather sorry. Of course I'm old and all that, but just the same I'd
like to go with you fellows."

"You're doing your share, Captain," said Jack seriously. "All of us can't
do the fighting, you know. But there's work just as important, and you are
doing your part. But we must be moving now. We've wasted time enough."

"So we have," declared Captain Griswold. "Shall you leave us here, sir?"

"No," said Jack, "we'll follow and see you safely in harbor."

"Very well. Then I shall return to the Ventura."

"And I to the Essex, Captain. Good-bye and good luck to you."

Captain Griswold shook hands heartily with Jack, and then insisted on
shaking hands as well with Frank, and every officer and member of the
British crew aboard the submarine. Then he put off for his ship.

Jack and the others returned to the Essex. When the lad reached the
bridge, the Ventura was already moving, the submarine trailing behind.

"A fine man, Captain Griswold," said Frank.

"Right," Jack agreed. "And the U-87 is his so far as I'm concerned. He
might hang it on his parlor wall for a souvenir."

"Or wear it as a watch charm," added Frank with a grin.

CHAPTER XVIII

ASHORE

For