Dave Darrin and the German Submarines Part 34

Going up over the side of the "Grigsby," Dave was greeted by the watch officer. Then his new executive officer, Lieutenant Fernald, reported to him and greeted him. Dave's baggage was taken to the commanding officer's quarters, and he followed to direct his new steward in the unpacking.

This done, Darrin went out on deck and ordered all officers and men a.s.sembled that he might take over the command formally by reading the orders a.s.signing him to the "Grigsby."

This formality over, Dave sent a messenger after one petty officer whom he had observed in the crew. A boatswain's mate came promptly, saluted and reported.

"I noted your face, Runkle, and I'm glad indeed to see you on this s.h.i.+p," Darrin informed him, heartily.

"I'm glad to hear you say that, sir," replied Runkle, with another salute. "I was ordered to this craft only this forenoon, sir."

"Yes; I'm glad to have you aboard, Runkle, for I remember that I've had some of my best luck when you were at hand. I think I shall have to appoint you my personal mascot," Darry laughed.

"I'll be that, or anything else that will serve, sir," Runkle declared, gravely, his face flus.h.i.+ng with pleasure over Dave's cordiality.

"This is a fine new craft, Runkle."

"Yes, sir; one of the two best destroyers that the United States has put in commission since the war began. I'm eager, sir, to see the best that the 'Grigsby' can do."

"The best that the 'Grigsby' and her complement can do," Dave Darrin amended.

Then, accompanied by the executive officer, Darrin started on a tour of inspection of the "Grigsby."

"It seems a shame, doesn't it," Dave asked, "to think that a magnificent craft like this, costing a huge fortune, can be destroyed in a moment by contact with a single torpedo fired from some sneaking German submarine."

"But it seems just as good the other way, sir, to think that such a craft as this can, perhaps, sink a dozen of the submarines before she meets her own fate."

"I never fully appreciated before this war what war to the hilt meant,"

Dave went on, thoughtfully. "Of course I knew that it spelled 'death'

for many of the fighters, but it also means the destruction of so much property, the ruining of so much material that the world needs for its comfort! The world will be hard up, for a century to come, on account of the waste of useful materials caused by this war's destructiveness."

"But may the 'Grigsby' do her share of that destructive work!" said Lieutenant Fernald, fervently. "The property that we destroy belongs to those who would set the world back a thousand years!"

"I'm afraid we must go on destroying enemy property, and our own, too, in accomplis.h.i.+ng harm to the enemy, Mr. Fernald. The more swiftly we destroy, the sooner our struggles against the German madmen will be ended!"

All was in readiness to sail. Punctually to the minute the "Grigsby" and the "Reed," with anchors up, began to move out of the harbor. Both had their general orders as to the course to be followed, the length and duration of the cruise, too, with discretion as to changing their orders in emergencies such as might arise.

Hardly had they put out from port when the "Grigsby" and the "Reed"

parted company.

For the first hour Darrin, following orders, ran at full speed, then slowed down to cruising speed. Night came upon the waters, with a crescent moon off in the western sky.

"And somewhere out on this wide waste, somewhere west of here, probably, is the 'Griswold,' with Belle aboard. And, unless she has liberty to remain in port, I shall not see her in months, perhaps, or maybe in years."

Dave put the thought aside. He was out again in the haunts of the a.s.sa.s.sins of the sea; out, also, in the track of vessels bringing men and supplies for the world's greatest fight. Disappointed as he was over the impossibility of meeting Belle, he realized how small his own affairs were as compared with the fate of the world.

At midnight he went below, for he had confidence in the new junior officers whom he had met to-day, and he wanted to be awake and on the bridge again just before dawn. So, leaving orders for his calling, he went below to his quarters.

And there he slept, dreaming of Belle, undoubtedly, until an hour before dawn, when an orderly entered hurriedly, shaking him hard by the shoulder.

"Message from liner 'Griswold,' sir, reports by radio that she has just dodged torpedo fired by submarine that is still following."

"The 'Griswold!'" echoed Darrin, awaking instantly and leaping to his feet. "You're sure of the name?"

"Yes, sir!"

Dave pulled on rubber boots and s.n.a.t.c.hed his cap and sheepskin coat.

Then, a second orderly reported:

"S. O. S. from 'Griswold', sir! Just struck and believed to be in sinking condition!"

CHAPTER XXII

DAVE'S NIGHT OF AGONY

"The 'Griswold' sinking! And Belle on board!" hurried into Dave Darrin's mind as he heard further details and learned that the stricken liner lay twenty-five miles away, sou'-sou'-west from the "Grigsby's" present position.

He darted through the doorway and sprang for the bridge.

"Full speed to the 'Griswold'!" he commanded as he darted up the bridge stairs.

But Ensign Weedon had already worked the engine-room telegraph, and hardly had Dave rested two unsteady hands on the bridge rail when he felt the das.h.i.+ng spray in his face, for the "Grigsby" was racing like a hound just freed from its leash.

"Heading straight to the position reported, sir," stated Ensign Weedon.

Lieutenant Fernald, also summoned, came hurrying to the bridge a few moments later.

"Like as not some of our own friends are on the 'Griswold'," muttered Fernald. "I understand she carries a large pa.s.senger list."

"My wife is on board," answered Darrin with a calmness that he did not feel.

Fernald's face fell.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Darrin. We'll do our best to reach the s.h.i.+p in time!"

"Yes, we'll do our level best and go our fastest, just as we would hurry to aid any other stricken s.h.i.+p," Darrin rejoined, steadily, though his hands gripped the rail so tightly that they showed white at the knuckles.

Weedon had already wirelessed to the "Griswold" that help was coming swiftly. Dalzell's craft, too, had picked up the radio messages telling of the "Griswold's" desperate plight. Dan was thirty-two miles away from the s.h.i.+p that bore Belle Darrin.

Then from the "Griswold" came this message:

"Listing so that cannot use bow or stern guns. Submarine risen and is sh.e.l.ling us!"

"The monsters!" groaned Dave, as Fernald, in an unsteady voice, read the radio message to him. "Ask how long the 'Griswold' can keep afloat if not hit further."