ON A MISSION OF GREAT TRUST
WHEN the "Grigsby," in broad daylight, steamed into the base port with a
captured submarine and her crew, and a German commanding officer who was
liable for a dastardly crime at sea, there was great rejoicing both on
the other naval vessels and on shore.
If the German prisoners expected a stormy reception when they were landed
and placed under a guard of soldiers, they were disappointed, for nothing
of the sort awaited them.
The British populace, though it turned out to see the captives marched
through the streets, proved to be too good sportsmen to make a violent
demonstration against their now helpless enemies.
Darrin had no sooner turned over the prize and made his report to the
British admiral than he was ready for sea once more.
"Mr. Darrin," said the admiral, heartily, "when you went out the other
day you promised to show me results. I take this opportunity to assure
you that you have. You yourself have made some notable captures, and have
destroyed some enemies whom you could not capture. Mr. Dalzell's record
has also been a splendid one. The plan by which you are catching
mine-layers on or near the shoals before they start out on new
mine-laying work is one that has enabled our mine-sweeping craft to
accomplish more than they have hitherto been able to do. The record of
mines discovered and swept out of the paths of navigation is a fine one,
but you have done even better work in blocking the enemy so thoroughly in
their operation of laying the mines in the first instance. Your successes
are assuming extremely notable proportions. To-morrow the dirigible will
be ready to start out again to aid in finding mine-cargo-carrying
submarines bound for these waters."
"Sir," Dave replied, "I greatly appreciate your words of praise, and I
can speak in the same vein for Mr. Dalzell. Now, as he has had no share
in destroying the submarines that bring over cargoes of mines I intend to
detail him for that work to-morrow."
"That fits in with my plans," nodded the admiral. "If you will put to sea
and find the 'Reed,' and then return to this port, dropping anchor, but
keeping up steam, I shall have for you, to-night or to-morrow, a special
task of the greatest importance."
"Very good, sir. Is that all for the present?"
"Yes. Your further instructions will be given to you when the time
comes."
"Very good, sir. Thank you."
Saluting, Darrin left the flagship, returning at once to the "Grigsby,"
which soon put to sea. The weather being now comparatively clear, Darrin
raced away at nearly full speed. Not long afterward he overhauled and
boarded the "Reed," informing Dalzell of his chance to go on the hunt for
the submarine mine-carrying craft on the morrow.
"I had been wondering if I was to have a little share in that sport of
kings," said Dan, with one of his grins.
"You prevaricator!" Darrin uttered, sternly. "When did I ever hog all of
the best sport and leave you the rind?"
"Kamerad! Don't shoot!" begged Dan, with another grin.
"Kamerad" (comrade) is the word the German soldiers employ when offering
to surrender to Allied troops. But "Kamerad" does not always mean as much
as it conveys, for instances have been numerous when Germans have
pretended so to surrender, then have whipped out hitherto hidden weapons
and slain their captors.
Returning to port before dark, Darrin put in that night in catching up
with his sleep. He slumbered almost without stirring, for it had been
long since he had enjoyed more than a part of his needed rest at sea.
Officers and men, too, made the most of their opportunity to sleep that
night. Only one officer at a time kept deck watch, and only one engineer
officer down below. The "Grigsby" was ready to put to sea almost on an
instant's notice from the flagship, but no word came.
Fully refreshed, and in the best of condition, Dave Darrin enjoyed a
famously good breakfast the next morning, as did every officer and man on
the destroyer. Still the orders for special duty had not arrived, and
Dave was beginning to chafe under the delay.
"If it were the first of April I might suspect the bluff old admiral were
playing a joke on us," Dave confided to Lieutenant Fernald. "I might
think this was his way of affording us all a chance to get even with our
rest. I am wondering much what the special duty is to be."
"You will know, sir, in the same breath that you are ordered away to that
duty," smiled the executive officer.
"Yes, this is war-time and advance information is very rare," Darrin
admitted.
It was, in fact, nearly eleven o'clock when a man of the deck watch
reported that a boat had put off from the flagship and was apparently
heading for the "Grigsby."
"I'll go out to receive the visitor," said Fernald, rising and leaving
the chart-room.
The boat was, indeed, heading for the destroyer. It soon came alongside,
bringing a staff officer from the admiral. Lieutenant Fernald received
the visitor, conducted him to the chart-room, presented the officer
caller to Dave, then discreetly withdrew.
"The admiral's compliments, Mr. Darrin. He spoke to you yesterday of
special duty of a most important nature. I have the honor to bear his
final instructions."
"Then you are doubly welcome," smiled Dave, "for we have been chafing a
bit, fearing that the admiral's plans might have been changed."
"There has been considerable activity on the part of German submarines in
these waters of late," continued the British naval staff officer. "As a
rule the Huns keep out of the channel, but they have been so active
lately that we fear for the safety of the hospital ship 'Gloucester,'
which is bringing home about two thousand wounded men. It was the
admiral's plan to have you leave port, under full speed, an hour before
the sailing time of the 'Gloucester' from France."
"Is there still time for us to get that hour's start?" asked Darrin,
rising.
"Unfortunately, the orders were misunderstood, Mr. Darrin. The
'Gloucester' actually sailed about an hour ago. You will find her exact
course written on this paper, and you are directed by the admiral to
reach her with all speed and convoy her----"
"One moment, please!"
Darrin broke off the conversation long enough to telephone the executive
officer, instructing him to transmit the needful orders to the engineer
officer on duty, and to pipe all hands on deck.
"I am listening, sir," Darrin resumed, wheeling about.
"Outside you will find two of our fastest mine-sweepers," continued the
staff officer. "They are to follow you as closely as possible, and, on
nearing the 'Gloucester,' they are to turn and sweep the course ahead of
the hospital ship, while you are to be extremely alert for submarines."
"I understand, sir," Darrin nodded. "Are there any further orders?"
"No, Mr. Darrin. Whatever else comes up must be left to your own
discretion to handle. The admiral bade me state that he has the fullest
confidence in your proven ability to handle circumstances as they arise."
"My thanks to the admiral for his good opinion, and to yourself for
informing me of it," smiled Dave, still on his feet and moving slowly
toward the door.
"I--er--have some further information, Mr. Darrin, that will prove of
considerable interest to you," resumed the naval staff officer, also
moving toward the door.
"Yes?"
"It possesses a personal interest for you. There are, of course, nurses
on board, and other Red Cross workers. One of them is Mrs. Darrin."
Dave's quick smile of happiness was reflected in the staff officer's
ruddy face.
"So, you see, Mr. Darrin, you have more than a professional interest in
meeting the hospital ship and bringing her through safely, for in doing
so you will also be guarding your wife. It is rather an unusual stimulus
to duty, isn't it?"