gure of a man, and a thorough sailor, swung around in h

g to you about, Mr. Secretary," h

manner in which he had been addressed, that the stranger was one of the "big-wigs" of the naval department. Herc turn

quite as excited as was his shipmate and chum. Eagerly he waited for

he Secretary nodded his head an

he said. "And now," with a kindly smile at the two embarrassed

or you to confer upon you, at the request of the Secretary of the Na

roper for them to have made any comments or to have spoken, except

g

appear to be worthy of still higher promotion than you have yet achieved. I think that you both possess executive ability, and the Secretary and

saluted. But within their breasts was a wild tumult

e join the gunboat Seneca. You will convoy two submarines for use in scout work against the Blue fleet,

g

o taken by surprise that he was deprived of

to report, sir

nd exchanged glances with

lves. That is, you will be

iscipline deserted hi

d? I-I'm afra

ur period of attachment to the Seneca. She is a small boat of not very modern design, but I shall expect to see you perform some important work with her. She is equipped with wireless, of course, and the fact[Pg

keep silent any longer. As for Ned, outwardly cool an

" was the reply. "Here

ments which to the Dreadnought Boys appeared the

poke some words that sent the boy soarin

lieutenant, junior grade, in the United States Navy. Taylor, yo

to open them till you have cleared. From time to time you will get other instructions by wireless, couched in the terms of

e commander turned to his table again. The

eecy clouds of wonderful brightne

c strutted with all the pride of a peacock to th

Jenks," returned Herc with so

g

your back. You haven't been working hard enough l

d, with dancing eyes. "But I can't realize yet that I'm not as

minute and then c

pmate," said he. "You

l only hold out as long as the war game, and then we'll be b

iver and the great yard with its life and movement and busy note of preparation. He