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Updated: June 16, 2025
"You run ahead, now; we'll wait here for an hour." He called a halt. Young Cutlip ran on ahead. Frank explained the reason for the halt to Lieutenant Hetherton, who agreed that the lad had acted wisely. "No use getting the boy in trouble if we can help, it, sir," he said. An hour later Frank ordered the march resumed.
It was not a long march to the Cutlip home, and the Essex party reached there some time before nightfall. Young Cutlip now whispered a word of caution to Frank. "My father will not like this," he said. "He is naturally a cautious man. If he thinks I have given the alarm am responsible for your being here it will go hard with me." "Then he must not know it," said Frank decidedly.
They put off over the side in small boats and rowed toward the shore, where they landed less than an hour after the Essex dropped anchor. Jack waved a hand to his chum from the bridge. "Good luck!" he called. Frank waved back at him, then addressed his men. "By fours! Forward march!" he commanded. The party, with young Cutlip in their midst, moved inland.
He appears to think they are something supernatural. He believes the crews of the submarines can whip anyone, sir. That is why he is likely to tarry and give an alarm." "In that case," said Frank, "we'll have to tie him up until the game is over." "He's my father, sir, and I don't want you to hurt him," said young Cutlip, "but that would be the best way, sir." "Very well," said Frank.
"Unless the submarine should chance to come to the surface there," was Frank's objection. "We'll have to leave something to chance," declared Jack. "In which event your plan is as good as any I can conceive," said Frank. "But after we get the Essex there, then what?" "Why," said Jack, "I'll take a party of half a hundred men or so and surround the house of this Cutlip boy.
But if you have not returned soon after daylight, we'll start a search for you." "I can see no reason why we should be longer," said Frank. "We'll do the best we can." "Then I would suggest that you go ashore at once," said Jack. "You must reach the Cutlip home while it is yet daylight in order to lay your plans." "Right, sir," said Frank, saluting. "We shall go ashore at once."
There was silence in the ranks after this, for it was now growing dark and it was possible that the Germans might appear at any moment. Every man strained his eyes as he peered through the trees. Inside the cabin a faint light glowed. Young Cutlip was in there, playing a braver part than could his father, doing his best for his country as enemies threatened her existence. Frank smiled to himself.
Young Cutlip was plainly eager to help in the capture of the German submarine crew. "And you feel sure they will come back to-night?" Jack questioned. "Yes, sir. They must be very hungry. If you could have seen those three men devour what little food I gave them! They seemed to be half starved."
"Here, Cutlip!" he called. The boy ran toward him. Frank, a revolver in each hand, stopped and awaited the lad's approach. Two Germans raised their rifles to shoot Cutlip down. Frank's eye caught the glint of the steel in the darkness. His revolvers spoke sharply twice, and Cutlip came on unharmed. A bullet sang past Frank's right ear, another grazed his left. More bullets began to sing by him.
Two or three of their number had gone down at the first fire, and they were almost demoralized, so sudden and unexpected was the attack. Consequently, young Cutlip had time almost to get clear of the enemy. In fact, by quick dodging, he did get beyond them. Out the door now rushed the three Germans in the cabin, apparently in command of the men without.
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