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Updated: June 16, 2025
Young Cutlip had given necessary directions and the party from the Essex reached the Cutlip home without trouble. As they drew near, a man came to the door of the little cabin that nestled in among a group of trees. Beside him, Frank made out the figure of the boy who had given notice of the visit of some of the submarine crew.
Young Cutlip said nothing, but he knew by the hard look in the man's eyes that he told the truth. In spite of the fact that the boy knew he was in grave peril, he was perfectly cool. He sat down again as the Germans passed from sack to sack, examining the contents. At last the first man stood up and faced the boy.
"Your father, by chance, didn't say anything about pay for this food, did he?" he asked. "No," returned Cutlip. The German grinned. "Guess he knew it wouldn't do much good," he said. "Well, men, let's roll this stuff outside." Again the men bent over the sacks. At that moment there came a shot from without, followed by a volley.
"He's a good father in many ways, sir," he said, "but he seems to be scared to death of the Germans, especially of their submarine boats." "We'll have him up here before we let him go," said Jack. "Mr. Hetherton, pass the word to have; Cutlip brought to my cabin." Lieutenant Hetherton left the cabin.
Cutlip stumbled forward, and sheathing one revolver, Frank caught him by the hand. "Run!" he cried. Cutlip needed no further urging. Together he and Frank sped for the shelter of the woods, which they reached safely and threw themselves on the ground as a rain of bullets passed overhead. "Close shave, son," said Frank. Young Cutlip was trembling, but he was not afraid. "Give me a gun," he cried.
Have you seen anything of them, sir?" "I have not," replied Cutlip firmly. "No one resembling a German, even?" persisted Frank. "No." "You are quite sure?" "Quite sure." "Think again, my man," said Frank. "Look here," said Cutlip, "do you mean to insinuate that I'm lying?" "I don't insinuate anything. I know you are lying. Hold up there!" For Cutlip had taken a threatening step forward.
One after another the unwounded men were questioned, but none would reveal the location of the submarine. "Looks like we would have to find it ourselves," said Jack at length. "There is no use questioning any of the others. They won't tell." Assistance came from an unexpected source. "Maybe I can help out a bit," said the elder Cutlip quietly.
"We're from a British destroyer out there," said Frank, waving a hand in the general direction of the Atlantic, "and we are hunting for submarines that have sunk a dozen or more ships off the coast." "You don't expect to find them here on land, do you?" demanded Cutlip. "Not exactly," said Frank. "But I have reason to believe that the crew of one of the vessels has come ashore.
Early the following morning the Essex slipped from her little harbor and put to sea. Cutlip and his son, who had been put ashore shortly before the departure, stood at the edge of the water and waved farewell. Following the father's conversion, he and his son seemed to be closer than before, and they went away happily together. Jack descended to the radio room.
"But the boy, sir?" said Frank. "Shall we not put him over the side first?" "No; we'll take him with us," Jack decided. As the destroyer began to forge ahead, the Cutlip boy grew alarmed and hurried to Jack's side. "You are not taking me away, are you, sir?" he asked fearfully. "No," replied Jack, and outlined the situation as fully as he deemed wise.
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