Then Williamson stands watch until
three-thirty in the morning. After that Eph comes up and takes the
trick until it's time to call us all."
"When do I come on watch?" asked Jack.
"I never heard the captain of a craft had to stand watch in port,"
laughed Hal Hastings "Besides, old fellow, we couldn't be sure you'd
be aboard to-night. So the watches are all arranged. Anyway, you'd
better turn in and get a full night's sleep, for you've more on your
mind than the rest of us."
"Then tell Williamson, and have him pass the word on to Eph, that watch
ought to be very strictly kept," answered the young captain.
A few minutes Benson remained on deck, chatting with his chum. When he
at last went below the submarine captain lost little time getting into
his berth.
When Machinist Williamson came on deck at midnight a light wind was
blowing, but the air was not really chilly. In his heavy reefer the
machinist felt wholly comfortable after he had lighted his pipe and
started his slow walk back and forth along the deck.
There did not appear to be overmuch sense in keeping this deck watch.
Only a short distance away lay the United States gunboat "Waverly,"
with her alert marine guard. Though there was no moon, the starlight
was bright enough to enable a marine on the gunboat to see anything that
might skim over the water toward the "Benson.
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