From time to time now other vessels appeared and reported to Admiral Tyrwhitt and were assigned places in the long line.

Suddenly there was a cheer from the crews of the many ships.  Jack glanced across the water, as did Frank.  And then the latter went wild with excitement.

Steaming majestically toward them came five great battleships flying the Stars and Stripes.

“So the Americans will be in at the finish,” said Jack.

“You bet they will,” declared Frank.  “We’re always in at the finish.”

“Well, you deserve to be this time, I guess,” said Jack with a smile.

“We always deserve to be,” declared Frank.

“So?” replied Jack.  “I’m not going to argue with you about it.”

“It wouldn’t do any good,” declared Frank.  “Let me tell you something.  If it hadn’t been for the United States this war wouldn’t be over yet.”

“Is that so?” demanded Jack.  “Why wouldn’t it?”

“Because all the British and French together don’t seem to have been able to lick the Germans.”

“Rats,” exclaimed Jack.  “We would have done it in time.”

“Maybe so, but there is nothing sure about it It was the Americans who turned the tide at Chateau-Thierry.”

“They did some wonderful work, I’m not gain-saying that,” Jack admitted.  “But I can’t see that it was any more remarkable than what the Canadians did at Vimy Ridge.”

“Well,” said Frank smiling, “while the Canadians are really British subjects, nevertheless they come from the same part of the world as the Yankees.  They’re made out of the same pattern.”

Jack smiled.

“I seem to have spoiled my own argument there, don’t I?” he said.

Frank grinned too.

“You’ve got to admit,” he said, “that when the Americans start a thing they go through with it.  They never turn back.”

“True enough,” Jack admitted, “but to my mind it takes them a deuced long time to get started.”

“They just want to be sure they’re right first,” Frank explained.

“Have it your own way.  But those five American ships approaching now look mighty good, I’ll admit that.”

“I never saw a more beautiful sight,” declared Frank, and he meant it.

Majestically the American warships steamed along, the leading vessel flying the flag of Admiral Sims.  They approached almost to the flagship of Admiral Tyrwhitt and the guns of the two flagships boomed out an exchange of salutes.  Then the American flotilla slowed down and swung to leeward, and took its places in the long line.

“Going to be quite an event this surrender, if you ask me,” said Frank.

“It certainly is,” Jack replied.  “I understand King George and Queen Mary, together with many other distinguished British, French, Americans and Italians, will be present to witness the surrender.”

“Including ourselves,” grinned Frank.