"Looks like a patchwork affair," declared Hal, more interested than
ever.
"Has she a built-on stern?" demanded Somers, half a minute later.
"By Jove, I half believe she has. Eph, without that stern and the yawl
mast, would you say the craft looks like the 'Juanita'?"
"I believe she would," muttered young Somers, excitedly. "Marine
orderly!"
A sea-soldier came quickly up the bridge stairs, saluting.
"Mr. Somers's compliments to Mr. Fullerton, and will the executive
officer come to the bridge?"
Again saluting the marine vanished aft. It doesn't take a naval officer
long to report, even when he has to rouse himself out of a sound sleep
to do it.
Ensign Fullerton reached the bridge rubbing his eyes, but he listened
intently to what the two younger ensigns had to say.
"Marine orderly!" called the executive officer. "Mr. Fullerton's
compliments to the commanding officer, and will he come to the bridge?"
Barely a minute later, Jack Benson stood on the bridge, listening to his
subordinate officers and staring across the gap of water at the
unknown craft.
"Mr. Fullerton," directed the young commander, "prepare to fire a signal
shot and to lower the power launch.
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