CHAPTER XXIII.
“THE BOY ADMIRAL.”
As Frank announced his intention of going alone to save Alice Beulow from the death of a spy, he sprang across the deck in the direction of the little launch.
Lord Hastings jumped quickly after him, and Jack, who had stood silently nearby, during the conversation, also gave chase. Except for these three, the deck in this part of the vessel was unoccupied.
As Frank reached the rail, Jack grabbed him by the arm.
“Don’t be a fool!” he cried.
“Mr. Chadwick!” cried Lord Hastings, hurrying up, “return to your quarters immediately!”
Frank shook off Jack’s detaining hand.
“Let me alone!” he shouted. “Do you think I am going to stand idle while an innocent girl is put to death!”
Again Jack took his friend by the arm.
“Stop! Think what you are about!” he commanded.
“I know what I’m about!” cried Frank angrily. “Let me go!”
“Not by a long shot!” exclaimed Jack, “If I have to hold you I will!”
“Mr. Chadwick!” commanded Lord Hastings, “I am commander of this vessel, and I order you to go to your quarters at once!”
“And I refuse!” cried the lad.
“What! You disobey your commander!” exclaimed Jack.
“Yes,” replied Frank, “when it means the death of an innocent girl. And I am surprised to see you stand by idly!”
“I haven’t lost my senses,” said Jack.
“No,” was Frank’s answer, “but you seem to have lost your nerve!”
Jack released his hold on his friend and stepped back.
“What!” he exclaimed, “do you mean I am a coward?”
“I don’t know what I mean!” cried the now furious lad, “but it looks like it!”
“Enough of this!” spoke Lord Hastings. “Mr. Chadwick! For the last time I order you to return to your quarters!”
“I won’t do it!” cried Frank, and drew closer to the rail.
Lord Hastings drew a revolver.
“Do you know that I would be perfectly justified in shooting you?” he demanded.
“Shoot, then!” cried Frank. “I am going anyhow!”
Lord Hastings drew back in surprise.
“Do you know what you are doing?” he asked. “Do you know that quitting your ship in the face of action is worse than cowardice? That it is desertion?”
Frank was taken aback.
“I—I——” he stammered.
Lord Hastings saw that he had made a point, and pressed it.
“Mr. Chadwick!” he exclaimed. “Frank! You are trying to desert!”
Frank took a step forward.
“Desert!” he muttered huskily. “No, I won’t desert!”
He turned on his heel, and, without another word, rushed headlong to his cabin, where he threw himself down on his bed.
As Frank made his way to his cabin, Jack wiped beads of perspiration from his brow, as he muttered to Lord Hastings:
“I was afraid he would not come to his senses. I was afraid I should have to use force, and Frank is not one to give up without a fight. I am just as greatly alarmed at Miss Beulow’s predicament as he is, but I know my duty.”
“And I am glad you do,” replied Lord Hastings. “Fond as I am of the boy, I should not have allowed him to go. I should even have shot him had it been necessary. Discipline must be maintained at all hazards. I will countenance no disobedience!”
Jack drew back in surprise. This was a new side of Lord Hastings. Heretofore he had always been the best-natured fellow imaginable. But he was plainly very angry now.
Jack saluted and turned to move away. Lord Hastings halted him.
“Tell Mr. Chadwick to report to me in half an hour,” he commanded.
“Great Scott!” exclaimed Jack, as he made his way to his cabin. “He can get awfully mad. I can hardly believe it!”
Frank arose from his bed as Jack entered the cabin, and approached his friend with outstretched hand.
“I guess I made an awful fool of myself,” he exclaimed; “and I called you a coward. I want to apologize. You know I didn’t mean it, don’t you?”
“Of course,” replied Jack, grasping his friend’s hand. “You were angry; that was all. Say no more about it By the way. Lord Hastings wants to see you in half an hour.”
“Why?” exclaimed Frank, in no little alarm. “Was he mad?”
“Was he mad! I should say he was! I don’t know what he wants, though.”
“Well,” said Frank, “I guess I am big enough to take my medicine without crying. But I wish something might be done for Miss Beulow.”
“And I,” replied Jack. “But cheer up. It may not be as bad as we think. Besides, I suppose we shall go into action to-night. After the battle, we can manage to get hold of the Alto in some manner, and matters can be explained then.”
“If it’s not too late,” exclaimed Frank fearfully.
“It just can’t be too late,” replied Jack.
Half an hour later Frank stood before Lord Hastings.
“The first thing I want to impress upon you,” said Lord Hastings, “is the necessity of obedience and discipline. Those qualifications are essential.”
“I am sorry I acted as I did, sir,” replied Frank, “but I was greatly wrought up. I apologize, sir!”
Lord Hastings’ manner underwent a sudden change.
“I know you were, my boy,” he said, “and I forgive you. I don’t know but that I should have done the same when I was no older than you are. But I have learned with age.”
“Thank you, sir,” replied the lad.
“I promise you,” said Lord Hastings, “that immediately the battle is over I shall look into Miss Beulow’s case. I am sure no harm will come to her before that time. Now, I have a little surprise for you!”
“A surprise, sir?”
“Yes; I am going aboard Admiral Jellicoe’s flagship when we join the fleet this evening. How would you and Jack like to go with me? We shall dine with the admiral.”
“Do you mean it, sir?” asked Frank.
“Of course. We shall probably outline our plans for the coming battle, and I am sure you would like to be there.”
“I am sure Jack and I shall both be pleased, sir.”
“All right; you may go now.”
Frank hurried back to his cabin, where he informed Jack of Lord Hastings’ plan.
“Great!” exclaimed the latter. “I have heard a great deal about Admiral Jellicoe. And, if I mistake not, the whole world will have heard of him before this war is over.”
It was mid-afternoon when the first vessel of the great English fleet was raised off Helgoland; and it was well after nightfall when the Sylph, after making her way through the great armada, came to anchor near the flagship, of Vice-Admiral Jellicoe.
Soon one of the Sylph’s small boats was lowered and manned, and Lord Hastings, Frank and Jack jumped into it. Aboard the flagship, the meeting of Admiral Jellicoe and Lord Hastings did not wait on ceremony.
They were too old friends for such formalities. As Lord Hastings reached the deck of the flagship, Admiral Jellicoe rushed forward to meet him. The greeting was affectionate, and, after some few words, Lord Hastings motioned to Frank and Jack to approach.
“I wish to present to your excellency,” said Lord Hastings, in introducing the two lads to the British naval commander, “two of the bravest and most resourceful young men it has ever been my fortune to encounter. They both are midshipmen aboard my vessel.”
Both lads bowed.
“I am pleased to meet you, sirs,” acknowledged Admiral Jellicoe, and led the way to his cabin, Lord Hastings, Jack, Frank and officers following.
And this was the boys’ introduction to Vice-Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, Great Britain’s “Boy Admiral,” the youngest Briton holding such an important command—the man to whom, soon after war with Germany was declared, Winston Churchill, first lord of the Admiralty, sent this laconic message:
“Capture or destroy the German fleet!”