UNDER OLD GLORY
The third section of the first contingent of American troops sent to
France reached the shores of England safely. After several days of
parading and celebrating they were transported to France and soon they
reached the field of battle, where, for the next few months, they would
undergo the intensive training that would fit them to take up their
share of the work along with their British and French allies.
When the transports docked safely in a British port the duties of Frank
and Jack ceased so far as they had to do with the American troops.
Lord Hastings turned the command of the Lawrence over to a brother
officer and with Frank and Jack took train for London. The lads
accompanied Lord Hastings; to his home, where they awaited further
instructions.
These instructions came sooner than they had dared hope.
It was at dinner the second day after their return that a peculiar
smile on Lord Hastings' face told Jack and Frank that there was
something in the air.
Jack restrained his impatience; not so Frank.
"I have a hunch that something is going to happen," he said over the
dessert.
"That so?" queried Lord Hastings. "Just what, for instance?"
"Well, I don't know exactly, sir," was the lad's reply, "but it
wouldn't surprise me greatly if Jack and I were soon on active
service."
"And what makes you think so?" asked Lord Hastings.
"You do, sir. I can tell from your expression that you have good news
for us."
"Then I must learn to control my face better," said Lord Hastings.
"However, Frank, seeing that you are so impatient, I may as well admit
it right now."
"I knew it!" exclaimed Frank joyfully. "What is it, sir?"
"If you will just hold your horses a bit, I'll tell you," was his
commander's reply. "It seems to me that you promised to restrain your
impatience."
"So I did, sir," replied Frank, flushing a trifle. "I will try to
remember that promise."
"Do," replied Lord Hastings, and continued:
"I don't know just how you'll like this piece I of work, but some one
has to do it and I volunteered your services."
"We are always glad to help in any way possible, sir," said Jack
quietly. Lord Hastings nodded.
"That's why I took the liberty of offering your services without first
having consulted you," he made reply. "Well, then, tomorrow morning
you will report to Captain Glenn aboard the Albatross."
"The American ship Albatross!" exclaimed Frank. "That's a merchant
ship, sir."
"So it is," agreed his commander. "It is now an armed merchant ship,
to be more precise, it plies between Liverpool and Halifax. Its main
cargo from this time forth will be food and other supplies for the
American expeditionary forces. You will report to Captain Glenn as his
first and second officers. As a result of the United States'
declaration of war on Germany there is a dearth of young officers.
Most of them have joined the naval forces of the nation. In reality,
Captain Glenn is an American naval officer, and now that the United
States has declared war, the Albatross may be classed as an American
naval vessel. It has been heavily armed that it may make the voyages
without convoy. There will be considerable danger, of course, but I
know you are not the lads to shirk that. Come, now, what do you say?"
"We accept, of course, sir," said Frank. "But are you not going with
us?"
"No," said Lord Hastings, "I have other work to do here. But I hope to
be able to make use of your services before many days."
"I am sorry you are not going, sir," said Jack, "but I guess that can't
be helped. We shall report to Captain Glenn in the morning. I take
that to mean that we must leave London tonight?"
"Exactly," was Lord Hastings' reply. "I believe Captain Glenn has
arranged to sail by 8 o'clock."
"Then we may as well pack up, Frank," said Jack.
The two lads made their way to their rooms and got together what
belongings they considered necessary. Lord Hastings accompanied them
to the station, where they took train for Liverpool.
"You will find Captain Glenn a very agreeable commander, I am sure,"
said Lord Hastings. "Good-bye and good luck, boys."
The lads shook hands with Lord Hastings and he was gone.
Arriving in Liverpool late that evening they put up at a hotel for the
night and early the following morning sought out the Albatross and went
aboard.
At the rail a young man--he could not have been more than 30--watched
them calmly as they came over the side. He was attired in a
pair of dark blue trousers and a blue coat. He wore no insignia of
rank. There was no other person in sight. The two lads approached
him.
"Can you tell us where we will find Captain Glenn?" asked Jack.
"I'm Captain' Glenn," was the other's response. Jack was a little
surprised, for he had naturally surmised Captain Glenn would be an
older man. The latter noticed Jack's confusion and smiled.
"You're Lieutenant Templeton, I suppose?" he questioned.
"Yes, sir," replied Jack.
"Good!" The captain extended a hand which Jack grasped. Captain Glenn
turned to Frank.
"Lieutenant Chadwick?" he questioned.
"Yes, sir," returned Frank, and grasped the captain's hand.
"Very good," said Captain Glenn. "Mr. Templeton, you are the first
officer of this ship and Mr. Chadwick, you are next in command. Come
below to my cabin and I will give you our course and other details."
The lads followed him below. The captain explained things in a few
words and after showing them to their quarters he added:
"We sail at 8 o'clock. It is now 7."
Jack and Frank ascended the bridge fifteen minutes later. Signs of
life became apparent aboard the Albatross. Both lads assumed their
duties at once and soon the Albatross was moving out to sea.
The Albatross, the lads learned, was one of the largest freighters
afloat. It carried a crew of more than 200 men. It was loaded in
ballast for the trip across, but, returning, it would carry a valuable
cargo of food and supplies.
The third officer's name was Williams. He was a Welshman. Others of
importance aboard were Carney, chief engineer; Tompkins, bo's'n;
Washington, negro cook and Paul, wireless operator.
Jack was assigned to the first watch. Frank came next in line and then
Williams. Captain Glenn announced that he himself would take the
bridge whenever necessary.
Soon after the Albatross had sailed members of the crew were picked for
the various watches, Captain Glenn retained the bridge until the ship
was well out to sea.
Frank and Jack saw that the Albatross was heavily armed for a trade
ship. Forward she was equipped with a battery of 6-inch guns, while a
second battery had been constructed aft. She also carried two 6-inch
torpedoes.
"We should be able to give a good account of ourselves," said Frank,
after a survey of the vessel.
"Rather," said Jack dryly; "and remember, we are to have the guns ready
for action every instant."
"I'm not likely to forget," said Frank; "and don't you forget that
orders are to keep the searchlight playing at night."
"I won't be any more likely to forget than you are," said Jack, with a
smile. "Remember, we're not out hunting for Germans now. We're trying
to dodge them."
"I know it," said Frank. "That's the trouble with a merchant ship.
We'll run while we can and then fight instead of fighting first and
running if we have to."
"Can't be helped now," said Jack. "We're here and we shall have to
make the best of it."
"Well, you can't tell," replied Frank. "Something is likely to turn up
any time."
"Right; but we're here to see that it doesn't turn up if we can help
it. Well, I'm going below. Call me if you want anything."
"Don't worry," said Frank with a smile. "I guess nothing is going to
happen, but if it does you may make sure that you'll hear about it."
Jack went below and turned in for a good night's sleep. Frank held the
bridge.
Nothing happened that night nor the following day or night, but when
Captain Glenn came on deck the morning of the third day he cast an
uneasy eye toward the northeast.
"Storm brewing," he said quietly to Frank, who stood near.
"Calm enough now, sir," returned Frank. "Sun shinning, too, sir.
Doesn't look as though there would be much of a blow."
"What's the barometer say?" asked Captain Glenn.
Frank took a hasty look. "Falling, sir."
"As I thought. We're in for a spell of bad weather. Pipe all hands on
deck, Mr. Chadwick."
Frank gave the necessary command. As the first man appeared from
below, the sun went out as if a great cloud had blotted it from sight.
Outside it became black as right.