Ensign Fullerton appeared half an hour before anchorage was made.
"You have the satisfaction, sir, of knowing that your task was put
through in record time," said Fullerton, by way of congratulation.
"For which I'm truly glad," smiled Benson. "Yet I could wish our
experience with the Navy had not ended so soon."
"Why, it hasn't ended yet, sir," smiled the executive officer.
"It will, in a few minutes more, however," sighed Jack. "My last
official act will be to order the gig into the water to take us on
shore. We're under orders to take the next train for Washington,
you know."
"Very true," smiled Ensign Fullerton. "But, sir, you are commanding
officer of the 'Sudbury,' no matter where you may be, until you receive
an order to relinquish command. Also, sir, your present appointments as
officers in the service run until the orders appointing you are revoked."
"But that will all happen before the day is much older," replied Jack,
with a forced smile.
It was going to come harder than he had thought, after this brief taste
of real naval life, to give it all up!
No sooner had the "Sudbury" let go her anchors than Jack called for the
gig.
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