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"How is it going to work, having him aboard?" he mused. "Will
things get better or will they grow worse?" But he forced himself to
stop worrying; the answer would only be found in the future.

Picking up some last minute reports, he left his recent thoughts
behind and took up the important job at hand. He had earlier re-
ceived urgent orders to head for Area B, and to this course he concen-
trated all of his efforts.

Days passed with normal routine patrol, surfacing for short inter-
vals when they could, and cruising submerged for most of the time.
During this period, friction developed between the skipper and his
new communication officer, and it became apparent to the other offi-
cers and crew members. It was a perplexing situation to all aboard,
yet no individual mentioned it to another. That the captain was per-
sonally interested in the Lieutenant seemed clear, but at the same time
Mr. Darwin appeared eager to avoid the skipper. The crew had a
deep admiration for their captain, and this antagonism on the part of
Lt. Darwin was truly mystifying.

The morning of the fourth day brought the submarine further
north and facing rougher seas. Flemington, remaining constantly on
the lookout, took advantage of these conditions by raising his peri-
scope cautiously in the white-capped water that made its "feather" less

detectable.
Each time he upped the periscope there seemed to be nothing in

view, just. more sea and horizon. Suddenly he spied something; yes, it
was a raft. Quickly walking the periscope, the skipper checked fore
and aft, starboard and port, and then gave the order.

"Down periscope! Take her up!" he roared. "We've got a raft
upstairs with some of our boys possibly aboard."

Breaking surface, the skipper manned the bridge, and the rescue
party made ready with the lines. Half a mile away the flyers waved
and cheered at the approaching submarine. Then out of the bright
sun overhead broke three enemy planes. The gun crews flew to their
stations and shells burst instantly into the air. The planes dived and
came in savagely, strafing the deck of the submarine. One man went
down instantly on the first pass, and still the ship pressed forward to-
ward the downed flyers. On the third pass the planes came in closer,
wounding Lt. Cmdr. Brown in the chest. Flemington, still on the
bridge, took the situation in hand and, weighing in his mind what had
to be done, sounded the order:

"Take her down!"

Alarm blaring, the ~vi?m~rjne burrowed under the foaming wa-

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