His enthusiasm was contagious; I got it. Besides, I exulted on my own account. To bring such tangible evidence into a court of law and the world's tribunal of such stupendous importance raised my operations to a magnitude unequaled, and must without effort attract attention of "The All Highest." I had developed from two warrants for minor offenses a matter in which the whole world was intensely interested. With these ruminations came the thought of safety. We had the Hun boat. We could see it. Another day and its conning tower would be out, and another ought to enable us to tow her away. And we were insufficiently protected.
"Howard, we must not depend on the protection of the guns on this boat. Too much is at stake. We should have a patrol that will prevent any boat or vessel coming within at least three miles. The _Titian_ is too small. Your _Sprite_ would be the thing. She is big enough to mount the five-pound gun to enforce such a limit to all vessels."
"How are we going to get her; she is anchored in the bay at home."
"Can the old darkey, Don, run the _Sprite_, do you think?"
"I have been out of touch with Washington now for nearly forty-eight hours, and should go to Key West to get a line on what is happening. Suppose I take him in the little _Titian_, call at Canby's, leave him to bring the _Sprite_, and go on to Key West. I ought to be back here in three or four hours."
"Fine, but put the juice to the _Titian_; she can fly if you give her the gas. You're right: we ought to have the _Sprite_ to patrol and also ought to know what the Boche is up to outside, if anything," he agreed quickly.
During the night the pumps worked unceasingly with a punch and force, imparted by Howard's care and vigilance. As the last word in Boche submarine ships came nearer the surface, he seemed to actually scorn either sleep or rest and took his food while walking about vigilantly. He realized it was a supreme moment. Energies he had stored by a comparatively quiet existence for years he used unstintingly.
Before daylight the next morning I took Don in the _Titian_ to Canby's, saw him on his way from there with the _Sprite_, then rushed to Key West and established communication at once with the powers that be.