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Durham</p></div><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost + and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, + give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project + Gutenberg License <a href="#pglicense" class="tei tei-ref">included with this + eBook</a> or online at <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license" class="tei tei-xref">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a></p></div><pre class="pre tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em">Title: The Submarine Boys and the Middies + +Author: Victor G. Durham + +Release Date: 2006-02-12 [Ebook #17756] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE MIDDIES*** +</pre></div> + </div> + + <hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This ebook was produced by Roger Frank, Taavi Kalju and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net</p> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + +<a name="image01" id="image01" class="tei tei-anchor" style="text-align: center"></a><a name="fig1" id="fig1"></a><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image01.jpg" width="394" height="600" alt="Illustration: "You Are Not Likely to Be of Any Use Here."" title="“You Are Not Likely to Be of Any Use Here.”" /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.81em; margin-top: 0.81em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 81%">“</span><span style="font-size: 81%">You Are Not Likely to Be of Any Use Here.</span><span style="font-size: 81%">”</span></span></div></div> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-style: italic"> Frontispiece.</span></span> + </p> + </div> + + <hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-titlePage" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-docTitle" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-titlePart" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">The Submarine Boys and the Middies</span></span><br /><br /> + <span class="tei tei-titlePart" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 90%">OR</span></span><br /><br /> + <span class="tei tei-titlePart" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 120%">The Prize Detail at Annapolis</span></span><br /><br /> + </span> + <div class="tei tei-byline" style="text-align: center"> + By <span class="tei tei-docAuthor" style="text-align: center">Victor G. Durham</span><br /><br /> + Author of The Submarine Boys on Duty, The Submarine + Boys' Trial Trip, The Submarine Boys + and the Spies, Etc.<br /><br /> + </div> + <span class="tei tei-docEdition" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-style: italic">Illustrated</span></span><br /><br /> + </span> + <span class="tei tei-docImprint" style="text-align: center"> + THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY<br /> + Akron, Ohio · New York<br /> + Made in U.S.A. + </span> + </div> + +<hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="pdf2" id="pdf2"></a> + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Contents</span></h1> + <ul class="tei tei-index tei-index-toc"><li><a href="#toc4">CHAPTER I: THE PRIZE DETAIL</a></li><li><a href="#toc6">CHAPTER II: HOW EPH FLIRTED WITH SCIENCE</a></li><li><a href="#toc8">CHAPTER III: “YOU MAY AS WELL LEAVE THE BRIDGE!”</a></li><li><a href="#toc10">CHAPTER IV: MR. FARNUM OFFERS ANOTHER GUESS</a></li><li><a href="#toc13">CHAPTER V: TRUAX SHOWS THE SULKS</a></li><li><a href="#toc15">CHAPTER VI: TWO KINDS OF VOODOO</a></li><li><a href="#toc17">CHAPTER VII: JACK FINDS SOMETHING “NEW,” ALL RIGHT</a></li><li><a href="#toc19">CHAPTER VIII: A YOUNG CAPTAIN IN TATTERS</a></li><li><a href="#toc21">CHAPTER IX: TRUAX GIVES A HINT</a></li><li><a href="#toc23">CHAPTER X: A SQUINT AT THE CAMELROORELEPHANT</a></li><li><a href="#toc25">CHAPTER XI: BUT SOMETHING HAPPENED!</a></li><li><a href="#toc28">CHAPTER XII: JACK BENSON, EXPERT EXPLAINER</a></li><li><a href="#toc30">CHAPTER XIII: READY FOR THE SEA CRUISE</a></li><li><a href="#toc32">CHAPTER XIV: THE “POLLARD” GOES LAME</a></li><li><a href="#toc34">CHAPTER XV: ANOTHER TURN AT HARD LUCK</a></li><li><a href="#toc36">CHAPTER XVI: BRAVING NOTHING BUT A SNEAK</a></li><li><a href="#toc38">CHAPTER XVII: THE EVIL GENIUS OF THE WATER FRONT</a></li><li><a href="#toc40">CHAPTER XVIII: HELD UP BY MARINES</a></li><li><a href="#toc42">CHAPTER XIX: THE LIEUTENANT COMMANDER'S VERDICT</a></li><li><a href="#toc44">CHAPTER XX: CONCLUSION</a></li></ul> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="pdf3" id="pdf3"></a> + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">List of Figures</span></h1> + <ul class="tei tei-index tei-index-fig"><li><a href="#fig1">“You Are Not Likely to Be of Any Use Here.”</a></li><li><a href="#fig12">Down Dropped the Bag.</a></li><li><a href="#fig27">Eph Raced After Jack, Barking at Him.</a></li></ul> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-body" style="margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page007">[pg 007]</span><a name="Pg007" id="Pg007" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc4" id="toc4"></a> +<a name="pdf5" id="pdf5"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER I: THE PRIZE DETAIL</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-q">“The United States Government doesn't +appear very anxious to claim its property, +does it, sir?”</span> asked Captain Jack +Benson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The speaker was a boy of sixteen, attired in a +uniform much after the pattern commonly worn +by yacht captains. The insignia of naval rank +were conspicuously absent.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, that I've had the good luck to sell the +'Pollard' to the Navy,”</span> responded Jacob Farnum, +principal owner of the shipbuilding yard, +<span class="tei tei-q">“I'm not disposed to grumble if the Government +prefers to store its property here for a while.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Yet the young shipbuilder—he was a man in +his early thirties, who had inherited this shipbuilding +business from his father—allowed his +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page008">[pg 008]</span><a name="Pg008" id="Pg008" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +eyes to twinkle in a way that suggested there +was something else behind his words.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack Benson saw that twinkle, but he did not +ask questions. If the shipbuilder knew more +than he was prepared to tell, it was not for his +young captain to ask for information that was +not volunteered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The second boy present, also in uniform, Hal +Hastings by name, had not spoken in five minutes. +That was like Hal. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">He</span></span> was the engineer +of the submarine torpedo boat, <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard.”</span> +Jack was captain of the same craft, and could +do all the talking.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jacob Farnum sat back, sideways, at his rolltop +desk. On top of the desk lay stacked a +voluminous though neat pile of papers, letters, +telegrams and memoranda that some rival builders +of submarine torpedo boats might have been +willing to pay much for the privilege of examining. +For, at the present moment, there was +fierce competition in the air between rival +American builders of submarine fighting craft +designed for the United States Navy. Even +foreign builders and inventors were clamoring +for recognition. Yet just now the reorganized +Pollard Submarine Boat Company stood at the +top of the line. It had made the last sale to the +United States Navy Department.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At this moment, out in the little harbor that +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page009">[pg 009]</span><a name="Pg009" id="Pg009" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +was a part of the shipyard, the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard”</span> rode +gently at anchor. She was the first submarine +torpedo boat built at this yard, after the designs +of David Pollard, the inventor, a close personal +friend of Jacob Farnum.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Moreover, the second boat, named the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum,”</span> +had just been launched and put in commission, +ready at an hour's notice to take the sea +in search of floating enemies of the United +States.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The United States will take its boat one of +these days, Captain,”</span> Mr. Farnum continued, +after lighting a cigar. <span class="tei tei-q">“By the way, did Dave +tell you the name we are thinking of for the +third boat, now on the stocks?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dave”</span> was Mr. Pollard, the inventor of the +Pollard Submarine boat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, sir,”</span> Captain Jack replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We have thought,”</span> resumed Mr. Farnum, +quietly, after blowing out a ring of smoke, <span class="tei tei-q">“of +calling the third boat, now building, the 'Benson.'”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The—the—what, sir?”</span> stammered Jack, +flushing and rising.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, don't get excited, lad,”</span> laughed the +shipbuilder.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But—but—naming a boat for the United +States Navy after me, sir—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Captain Jack's face flushed crimson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page010">[pg 010]</span><a name="Pg010" id="Pg010" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Of course, if you object—”</span> smiled Mr. Farnum, +then paused.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Object? You know I don't, sir. But I am +afraid the idea is going to my head,”</span> laughed +Jack, his face still flushed. <span class="tei tei-q">“The very idea of +there being in the United States Navy a fine and +capable craft named after me—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, if the Navy folks object,”</span> laughed Farnum, +<span class="tei tei-q">“then they'll change the name quickly +enough. You understand, lad, the names we +give to our boats last only until the craft are +sold. The Navy people can change those names +if they please.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It will be a handsome compliment to me, +Mr. Farnum. More handsome than deserved, I +fear.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Deserved, well enough,”</span> retorted the shipbuilder. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Dave Pollard and I are well enough +satisfied that, if it hadn't been for you youngsters, +and the superb way in which you handled +our first boat, Dave and I would still be sitting +on the anxious bench in the ante-rooms of the +Navy Department at Washington.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, I don't deserve to have a boat named +after me any more than Hal does, or Eph +Somers.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Give us time, won't you, Captain?”</span> pleaded +Jacob Farnum, his face straight, but his eyes +laughing. <span class="tei tei-q">“We expect to build at least five +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page011">[pg 011]</span><a name="Pg011" id="Pg011" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +boats. If we didn't, this yard never would have +been fitted for the present work, and you three +boys, who've done so handsomely by us, +wouldn't each own, as you now do, ten shares of +stock in this company. Never fear; there'll be +a 'Hastings' and a 'Somers' added to our fleet +one of these days—even though some of our +boats have to be sold to foreign governments.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If a boat named the 'Hastings' were sold to +some foreign government,”</span> laughed Jack Benson, +<span class="tei tei-q">“Hal, here, wouldn't say much about it. +But call a boat named the 'Somers,' after Eph, +and then sell it, say, to the Germans or the +Japanese, and all of Eph's American gorge +would come to the surface. I'll wager he'd +scheme to sink any submarine torpedo boat, +named after him, that was sold to go under a +foreign flag.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I hope we'll never have to sell any of our +boats to foreign governments,”</span> replied Jacob +Farnum, earnestly. <span class="tei tei-q">“And we won't either, if +the United States Government will give us half +a show.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That's just the trouble,”</span> grumbled Hal +Hastings, breaking into the talk, at last. <span class="tei tei-q">“Confound +it, why don't the people of this country +run their government more than they do? +Four-fifths of the inventors who get up great +things that would put the United States on top, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page012">[pg 012]</span><a name="Pg012" id="Pg012" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and keep us there, have to go abroad to find a +market for their inventions! If I could invent +a cannon to-day that would give all the power +on earth to the nation owning it, would the +American Government buy it from me? No, +sir! I'd have to sell the cannon to England, +Germany or Japan—or else starve while Congress +was talking of doing something about it +in the next session. Mr. Farnum, you have the +finest, and the only real submarine torpedo boat. +Yet, if you want to go on building and selling +these craft, you'll have to dispose of most of +them abroad.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I hope not,”</span> responded the shipbuilder, +solemnly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Having said his say, Hal subsided. He was +likely not to speak again for an hour. As a +class, engineers, having to listen much to noisy +machinery, are themselves silent.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was well along in the afternoon, a little past +the middle of October. For our three young +friends, Jack, Hal and Eph, things were dull +just at the present moment. They were drawing +their salaries from the Pollard company, yet +of late there had been little for them to do.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Yet the three submarine boys knew that big +things were in the air. David Pollard was +away, presumably on important business. +Jacob Farnum was not much given to speaking +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page013">[pg 013]</span><a name="Pg013" id="Pg013" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +of plans until he had put them through to the +finish. Some big deal was at present <span class="tei tei-q">“on”</span> +with the Government. That much the submarine +boys knew by intuition. They felt, +therefore, that, at any moment, they were likely +to be called into action—to be called upon for +big things.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As Jack and Hal sat in the office, silent, while +Jacob Farnum turned to his desk to scan one of +the papers lying there, the door opened. A boy +burst in, waving a yellow envelope.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Operator said to hustle this wire to you,”</span> +shouted the boy, panting a bit. <span class="tei tei-q">“Said it might +be big news for Farnum. So I ran all the +way.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jacob Farnum took the yellow envelope, +opening it and glancing hastily through the +contents.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">is</span></span> pretty good news,”</span> assented the shipbuilder, +a smile wreathing his face. <span class="tei tei-q">“This is +for you, messenger.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This”</span> proved to be a folded dollar bill. +The messenger took the money eagerly, then +demanded, more respectfully:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Any answer, sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Not at this moment, thank you,”</span> replied Mr. +Farnum. <span class="tei tei-q">“That is all; you may go, boy.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Plainly the boy who had brought the telegram +was disappointed over not getting some +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page014">[pg 014]</span><a name="Pg014" id="Pg014" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +inkling of the secret. All Dunhaven, in fact, +was wildly agog over any news that affected the +Farnum yard. For, though the torpedo boat +building industry was now known under the +Pollard name, after the inventor of these boats, +the yard itself still went under the Farnum +name that young Farnum had inherited from +his father.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While Jacob Farnum is reading the despatch +carefully, for a better understanding, let us +speak for a moment of Captain Jack Benson +and his youthful comrades and chums.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Readers of the first volume in this series, +<span class="tei tei-q">“The Submarine Boys on Duty,”</span> remember +how Jack Benson and Hal Hastings strayed into +the little seaport town of Dunhaven one hot +summer day, and how they learned that it was +here that the then unknown but much-talked-about +Pollard submarine was being built. Both +Jack and Hal had been well trained in machine +shops; they had spent much time aboard salt +water power craft, and so felt a wild desire to +work at the Farnum yard, and to make a study +of submarine craft in general.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">How they succeeded in getting their start in +the Farnum yard, every reader of the preceding +volumes knows; how, too, Eph Somers, a +native of Dunhaven, managed to <span class="tei tei-q">“cheek”</span> his +way aboard the craft after she had been +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page015">[pg 015]</span><a name="Pg015" id="Pg015" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +launched, and how he had always since managed +to remain there.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Our same older readers will remember the +thrilling experiences of this boyish trio during +the early trials of the new submarine torpedo +boat, both above and below the surface. These +readers will remember, also, for instance, the +great prank played by the boys on the watch +officer of one of the stateliest battleships of the +Navy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Readers of the second volume, <span class="tei tei-q">“The Submarine +Boys' Trial Trip,”</span> will recall, among +other things, the desperate efforts made by +George Melville, the capitalist, aided by the latter's +disagreeable son, Don, to acquire stealthy +control of the submarine building company, and +their efforts to oust Jack, Hal and Eph from +their much-prized employment. These readers +will remember how Jack and his comrades +spoiled the Melville plans, and how Captain +Jack and his friends handled the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard”</span> so +splendidly, in the presence of a board of Navy +officers, that the United States Government was +induced to buy that first submarine craft.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After that sale, each of the three boys received, +in addition to his regular pay, a bank +account of a thousand dollars and ten shares of +stock in the new company. Moreover, Messrs. +Farnum and Pollard had felt wholly justified in +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page016">[pg 016]</span><a name="Pg016" id="Pg016" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +promising these talented, daring, hustling submarine +boys an assured and successful future.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jacob Farnum at last looked up from the final +reading of the telegram in his hands. Captain +Jack Benson's gaze was fixed on his employer's +face. Hal Hastings was looking out of a window, +with almost a bored look in his eyes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You young men wanted action,”</span> announced +Mr. Farnum, quietly. <span class="tei tei-q">“I think you'll get it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Soon?”</span> questioned Jack, eagerly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Immediately, or a minute or two later,”</span> +laughed the shipbuilder.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm ready,”</span> declared Captain Jack, rising.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It'll take you a little time to hear about it +all and digest it, so you may as well be seated +again,”</span> declared Farnum.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hal, too, wandered back to his chair.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You've been wondering how much longer +the Government would leave the 'Pollard' +here,”</span> went on Mr. Farnum. <span class="tei tei-q">“I am informed +that the gunboat 'Hudson' is on her way here, +to take over the 'Pollard.'”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What are the Navy folks going to do?”</span> demanded +Captain Jack, all but wrathfully. <span class="tei tei-q">“Do +they propose to <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">tow</span></span> that splendid little craft +away?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hardly that, I imagine,”</span> replied Farnum. +<span class="tei tei-q">“It's the custom of the United States Navy, you +know, to send a gunboat along with every two +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page017">[pg 017]</span><a name="Pg017" id="Pg017" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +or three submarines. They call the larger craft +the 'parent boat.' The parent boat looks out +for any submarine craft that may become disabled.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The cheek of it,”</span> vented Jack, disgustedly. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Why, sir, I'd volunteer to take the 'Pollard,' +unassisted, around the world, if she could carry +fuel enough for such a trip.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But the Navy hasn't been accustomed to +such capable submarine boats as ours, you +know,”</span> replied Mr. Farnum. <span class="tei tei-q">“Hence the +parent boat.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Parent boat?”</span> interjected Hal Hastings, +with his quiet smile. <span class="tei tei-q">“You might call it the +'Dad' boat, so to speak.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Farnum laughed, then continued:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A naval crew will take possession of the +'Pollard,' and the craft will proceed, under the +care of the Dad boat”</span>—with a side glance of +amusement at Hal—<span class="tei tei-q">“to the United States +Naval Academy at Annapolis.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Annapolis—where they train the naval +cadets, the midshipmen, into United States +Naval officers? Oh, how I'd like to go there!”</span> +breathed Captain Jack Benson, eagerly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“As a cadet in the Navy, do you mean?”</span> +asked Mr. Farnum.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, that would have been well enough,”</span> +assented Jack, <span class="tei tei-q">“before I had such a chance in +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page018">[pg 018]</span><a name="Pg018" id="Pg018" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +your submarine service. No; I mean I'd like +to see Annapolis. I'd like to watch the midshipmen +at their training, and see the whole +naval life there.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It's too bad every fellow can't have his wish +gratified as easily,”</span> continued Jacob Farnum.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you mean we're going to Annapolis, +too?”</span> asked Jack Benson, his eyes glowing. +Even Hal Hastings sat up straighter in his +chair, watching the shipbuilder's face closely.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> nodded Jacob Farnum. <span class="tei tei-q">“Permission +has been granted for me to send our second +boat, the 'Farnum,' along with the 'Pollard'—both +under the care of the—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The Dad boat,”</span> laughed Hastings.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes; that will give us a chance to have the +'Farnum' studied most closely by some of the +most capable officers in the United States Navy. +It ought to mean, presently, the sale of the +'Farnum' to the Government.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That's just what it will mean,”</span> promised +Captain Jack, <span class="tei tei-q">“if any efforts of ours can make +the Navy men more interested in the boat.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You three youngsters are likely to be at +Annapolis for some time,”</span> went on Mr. Farnum. +<span class="tei tei-q">“In fact—but don't let your heads become +too enlarged by the news, will you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hal, quiet young Hal, neatly hid a yawn behind +one hand, while Benson answered for both:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page019">[pg 019]</span><a name="Pg019" id="Pg019" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“We're already wearing the largest-sized +caps manufactured, Mr. Farnum. Don't tempt +us too far, please!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, you boys are safe from the ordinary +perils of vanity, or your heads would have burst +long ago. Well, then, when you arrive at Annapolis, +you three are to act as civilian instructors +to the middies. You three are to teach the +midshipmen of the United States Navy the +principles on which the Pollard type of boat is +run. There; I've told you the whole news. +What do you think of it?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Farnum's cigar having burned low, he +tossed it away, then leaned back as he lighted +another weed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What do we think, sir?”</span> echoed Captain +Jack, eagerly. <span class="tei tei-q">“Why, we think we're in sight +of the very time of our lives! Annapolis! And +to teach the middies how to run a 'Pollard' submarine.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“How soon are we likely to have to start, +sir!”</span> asked Hal Hastings, after a silence that +lasted a few moments.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Whenever the 'Hudson' shows up along this +coast, and the officer in command of her gives +the word. That may be any hour, now.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then we'd better find Eph,”</span> suggested +Captain Jack, <span class="tei tei-q">“and pass him the word. Won't +Eph Somers dance a jig for delight, though?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page020">[pg 020]</span><a name="Pg020" id="Pg020" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes; we'd better look both boats over at +once,”</span> replied Mr. Farnum, picking up his hat. +<span class="tei tei-q">“And we'll leave word for Grant Andrews and +some of his machinists to inspect both craft +with us. There may be a few things that will +need to be done.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As they left the office, crossing the yard, Captain +Jack Benson and Hal Hastings felt exactly +as though they were walking on air. Even +Hal, quiet as he was, had caught the joy-infection +of these orders to proceed to Annapolis. +To be sent to the United States Naval Academy +on a tour of instruction is what officers of the +Navy often call <span class="tei tei-q">“the prize detail.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Farnum and his two youthful companions +went, first of all, to the long, shed-like building +in which the third submarine craft to be +turned out at this yard was now being built. +From inside came the noisy clang of hammers +against metal. The shipbuilder stepped inside +alone, but soon came out, nodding. The three +now continued on their way down to the little +harbor. All of a sudden the three stopped +short, almost with a jerk, in the same second, +as though pulled by a string.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At exactly the same instant Jacob Farnum, +Captain Jack Benson and Engineer Hal Hastings +put up their hands to rub their eyes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Their senses had told them truly, however. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page021">[pg 021]</span><a name="Pg021" id="Pg021" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +While the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard”</span> rode serenely at her moorings, +the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum,”</span> the second boat to be +launched, was nowhere to be seen!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What on earth has happened to the other +submarine?”</span> gasped the shipbuilder, as soon +as he could somewhat control his voice.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">What, indeed?</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was not a sign of her. At least, she +had not sunk at her moorings, for the buoys +floated in their respective places, with no manner +of tackle attached to them.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A submarine boat can't slip its own cables +and vanish without human hands!”</span> gasped the +staggered Jack Benson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There's something uncanny about this,”</span> +muttered Hal Hastings.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jacob Farnum stood rooted to the spot, opening +and closing his hands in a way that testified +plainly to the extent of his bewilderment.</p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc6" id="toc6"></a> +<a name="pdf7" id="pdf7"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER II: HOW EPH FLIRTED WITH SCIENCE</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Jack Benson was the first of the trio to +move.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Without a word he broke into a run, +heading for the narrow little shingle of beach.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Got an idea, Captain?”</span> shouted Jacob Farnum, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page022">[pg 022]</span><a name="Pg022" id="Pg022" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +darting after his young submarine +skipper.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir!”</span> floated back over Jack's shoulder.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then what's at the bottom—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Eph and the boat, both together, or I miss +my guess,”</span> Captain Jack shouted back as he +halted at the water's edge, where a rowboat lay +hauled up on the shore.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jacob Farnum's face showed suddenly pallid +as he, also, reached the beach. Hal, who was +in the rear, did not seem so much startled.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you think Eph has gone off on a cruise +all alone?—that he has come to any harm?”</span> +gasped the shipbuilder.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I don't know, but I'm not going to worry +a mite about Eph Somers until I have to,”</span> retorted +Jack Benson, easily.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Eph can generally take care of himself,”</span> +added Hal Hastings. <span class="tei tei-q">“He rarely falls into +any kind of scrape that he can't climb out +of.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But this is a bad time for him to take the +'Farnum' and cruise away,”</span> objected the owner +of the yard. <span class="tei tei-q">“The 'Hudson' may be here at +any hour, you know, and we ought to be ready +for orders.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As he spoke, Mr. Farnum scanned the horizon +away to the south, out over the sea.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There's a line of smoke, now, and not many +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page023">[pg 023]</span><a name="Pg023" id="Pg023" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +miles away,”</span> he announced. <span class="tei tei-q">“It may, as likely +as not, be smoke from the 'Hudson's' pipe.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Going out with us, sir?”</span> inquired Captain +Jack Benson, as Hal took his place at a pair of +oars.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> nodded the owner of the yard, dropping +into a seat at the stern of the boat, after +which Benson pushed off at the bow.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Down on the seashore, on this day just past +the middle of October, the air was keen and +brisk. There had been frost for several nights +past. Sleighing might be looked for in another +month.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Cable's gone from this buoy,”</span> declared Captain +Jack, as Hal rowed close. <span class="tei tei-q">“Over to the +other one, old fellow.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here, too, the cable was missing. Evidently +the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> had made a clean get-away. If +there had been any accident, it must have taken +place after the new submarine boat had slipped +away from her moorings.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Humph!”</span> grunted Jack, scanning the sea. +<span class="tei tei-q">“No sign of the boat anywhere. Eph may be +anywhere within twenty miles of here.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Or within twenty feet, either,”</span> grinned Hal, +looking down into the waters that were lead-colored +under the dull autumn sky.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What are we going to do, Captain?”</span> inquired +Jacob Farnum. <span class="tei tei-q">“There are Grant Andrews +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page024">[pg 024]</span><a name="Pg024" id="Pg024" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and three of his machinists coming down +to the water.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I reckon, sir, we'd better put them aboard +the 'Pollard' first, sir,”</span> Benson suggested.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Farnum nodding, the boat was rowed in +to the shore and Andrews and his men were +put aboard the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard”</span> at the platform deck. +Captain Jack Benson unlocking the door to the +conning tower, was himself the first to disappear +down below. When he came back he carried +a line to which was attached a heavy sounding-lead.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It won't take us long to sound the deep +spots in this little harbor,”</span> said the young skipper, +as he dropped down once more into the +bow of the shore boat. <span class="tei tei-q">“Row about, Hal, over +the places where the submarine could go below +out of sight.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As Hal rowed, Skipper Jack industriously +used the sounding-lead.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For twenty minutes nothing resulted from +this exploration. Then, all of a sudden, Benson +shouted:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Back water, Hal! Easy; rest on your oars. +Steady!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack Benson raised the lead two or three +feet, then let it down again, playing it up and +down very much as a cod fisherman uses his +line and hook.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page025">[pg 025]</span><a name="Pg025" id="Pg025" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“I'm hitting something, and it is hardly a +rock, either,”</span> declared young Benson. <span class="tei tei-q">“Pull +around about three points to starboard, Hal, +then steal barely forward.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Again Benson played see-saw with his sounding-line +over the boat's gunwale.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If my lead isn't hitting the 'Farnum,'”</span> +declared the young skipper, positively, <span class="tei tei-q">“then +it's the 'Farnum's' ghost. Hold steady, now, +Hal.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Immediately afterward, Benson caused the +lead fairly to dance a jig on whatever it touched +at bottom.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What's the good of that, anyway?”</span> demanded +Jacob Farnum.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You don't think I'm doing this just for fun, +do you, sir?”</span> asked Captain Jack, with a smile.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No; I know you generally have an object +when you do anything unusual,”</span> responded the +shipbuilder, good-humoredly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You know, of course, sir, that noises sound +with a good deal of exaggeration when you hear +them under water?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes; of course.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You also know that all three of us have +been practicing at telegraphy a good deal during +the past few weeks, because every man who +follows the sea ought to know how to send and +receive wireless messages at need.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page026">[pg 026]</span><a name="Pg026" id="Pg026" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes; I know that, Benson.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, sir, I guess that the lead has been +hitting the top of the 'Farnum's' hull, and I've +been tapping out the signal—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The signal, 'Come up—rush!'”</span> broke in +Hal, with an odd smile.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Right-o,”</span> nodded Jack Benson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“How on earth did <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">you</span></span> know what the signal +was, Hastings?”</span> demanded Mr. Farnum.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, sir, I've been sitting so that I could +see Jack's arm. I've been reading, from the +motions of his right arm, the dots and dashes of +the Morse telegraph alphabet.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You youngsters certainly get me, for the +things you think of,”</span> laughed the shipyard's +owner.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And the 'Farnum,' or whatever it is, is coming +up,”</span> called Captain Jack, suddenly. <span class="tei tei-q">“I just +felt my lead slide down over the top of her hull. +Hard-a-starboard, Hal, and row hard,”</span> shouted +young Benson, breathlessly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Though Hastings obeyed immediately he was +barely an instant too soon. To his dismay, Mr. +Farnum saw something dark, unwieldy, rising +through the water. It appeared to be coming +up fairly under the stern of the shore boat, +threatening to overturn the little craft and +plunge them all into the icy water.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hal shot just out of the danger zone, though. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page027">[pg 027]</span><a name="Pg027" id="Pg027" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Then a round little tower bobbed up out of the +water. Immediately afterward the upper third +of a long, cigar-shaped craft came up into view, +water rolling from her dripping sides, which +glistened brightly as the sun came out briefly +from behind a fall cloud.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the conning tower, through the thick plate +glass, the three people in the shore boat made +out the carroty-topped head and freckled, +good-humored, honest, homely face of Eph +Somers. The boat lay on the water, under no +headway, drifting slightly with the wind-driven +ripples. Then Eph raised the man-hole cover +of the top of the conning tower, thrusting out +his head to hail them.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hey, you landsmen, do you know a buoy +from an umbrella?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">you</span></span> know the difference between a Sunday-school +text and petty larceny?”</span> retorted +Jack Benson, sternly. <span class="tei tei-q">“What do you mean by +taking the submarine without leave?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I've been experimenting—flirting with +science,”</span> responded Eph, loftily. <span class="tei tei-q">“Say, if you +landsmen know a buoy from a banana, get down +to the bow moorings of this steel mermaid, and +I'll pass you the bow cable. It's a heap easier +to lead this submarine horse out of the stall, +single-handed, than it is to take him back and +tie him.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page028">[pg 028]</span><a name="Pg028" id="Pg028" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Hal rowed easily to the buoy, while Eph, returning +to the steering wheel and the tower controls, +ran the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum,”</span> with just bare headway, +up to where he could toss the bow cable to +those waiting in the boat. A few moments later +the stern cable, also, was made fast, in such a +way as to allow a moderate swing to the bulky +steel craft.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, you can take me ashore, if you feel +like it,”</span> proposed Eph, standing on the platform +deck.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Not quite yet,”</span> returned Skipper Jack, +though the small boat lay alongside. <span class="tei tei-q">“We've +got some inspecting to do. But how did you get +on board in the first place?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, the night watchman was in the yard +for a few minutes, and I got him to put me on +board. I figured I could hail somebody else +when I was ready to go on shore.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But what on earth made you do such a +thing?”</span> demanded Captain Jack, in a low tone. +<span class="tei tei-q">“It's really more than you had a right to do, +Eph, without getting Mr. Farnum's permission.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, I've known you to take the 'Pollard' +and try something when Mr. Farnum wasn't +about,”</span> retorted Somers, looking surprised.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You never knew me to do it when I could +ask permission, although, as captain, I have the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page029">[pg 029]</span><a name="Pg029" id="Pg029" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +right to handle the boat. But that leave doesn't +extend to all the rest, Eph. What were you +doing down there, anyway?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, I came on board, and left the manhole +open for ten minutes,”</span> answered Somers. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Then I found the cabin thermometer standing +at 49 degrees. I wondered how much warmth +could be gained by going below the surface. +I had been down an hour and five minutes +when you began to signal with that sledge-hammer—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Sounding-lead,”</span> Jack corrected him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, it sounded like a sledge-hammer, anyway,”</span> +grinned young Somers. <span class="tei tei-q">“While I was +down below I found that the temperature rose +four degrees.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Part of that was likely due to the warmth of +your body, and the heat of the breath you gave +off,”</span> hinted Benson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You could have gotten it up to eighty +or ninety degrees by turning on the electric +heater far enough,”</span> suggested Hal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I wanted to see whether it would be warmer +in the depths; wanted to find out how low I could +go and be able to do without heat in winter,”</span> +Somers retorted.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I could have told you that, from my reading, +without any experiment,”</span> retorted Skipper +Jack. <span class="tei tei-q">“Close your conning tower and go down +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page030">[pg 030]</span><a name="Pg030" id="Pg030" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +a little way, and the temperature would gradually +rise a few degrees. That's because of the +absence of wind and draft. But, if you could +go down very, very deep without smashing the +boat under the water pressure, you'd find the +temperature falling quite a bit.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Where did you read all that?”</span> inquired +Eph, looking both astonished and sheepish.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Here,”</span> replied Jack, going to a small wall +book-case, taking down a book and turning +several pages before he stopped.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Just my luck,”</span> muttered Eph, disconsolately. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Here I've been dull as ditch-water +for an hour, trying to find out something new, +and it's all stated in a book printed—ten years +ago,”</span> he finished, after rapidly consulting the +title-page.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jacob Farnum had been no listener to this +conversation. Taking the marine glasses from +the conning tower, the shipbuilder was now well +forward on the platform deck, scanning what +was visible of the steam craft to the southward. +At last the yard's owner turned around to say:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I don't believe you young men can have +things ship-shape a second too soon. The craft +heading this way has a military mast forward. +She must be the 'Hudson.' If there's anything +to be done, hustle!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack and Hal sprang below, to scan their respective +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page031">[pg 031]</span><a name="Pg031" id="Pg031" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +departments. Five minutes later Grant +Andrews hailed from the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard,”</span> and Eph +rowed over in the shore boat to ferry over the +machinists.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Half an hour later Andrews and his men had +put in the few needed touches aboard the newer +submarine boat. The sun, meanwhile, had gone +down, showing the hull of a naval vessel some +four miles off the harbor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Darkness came on quickly, with a clouded sky. +As young Benson stepped on deck Grant Andrews +followed him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“All finished here, Grant?”</span> queried the +yard's owner.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir. There's mighty little chance to +do anything where Hal Hastings has charge of +the machinery.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That's our gunboat out there, I think,”</span> went +on Mr. Farnum, pointing to where a white masthead +light and a red port light were visible, +about a mile away.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dunhaven must be on the map, all right, +if a strange navigating officer knows how to +come so straight to the place,”</span> laughed Jack +Benson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, you trust a United States naval officer +to find any place he has sailing orders for,”</span> returned +Jacob Farnum. <span class="tei tei-q">“I wonder if he'll +attempt to come into this harbor?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page032">[pg 032]</span><a name="Pg032" id="Pg032" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“There's safe anchorage, if he wants to do +so,”</span> replied Captain Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While Somers was busy putting the foreman +and the machinists ashore, Mr. Farnum, Jack +and Hal remained on the platform deck, watching +the approach of the naval vessel, which was +now plainly making for Dunhaven.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Suddenly, a broad beam of glaring white light +shot over the water, resting across the deck of +the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I guess that fellow knows what he wants to +know, now,”</span> muttered Benson, blinking after +the strong glare had passed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There, he has picked up the 'Pollard,' too,”</span> +announced Hastings. <span class="tei tei-q">“Now, that commander +must feel sure he has sighted the right place.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There go the signal lights,”</span> cried Captain +Jack, suddenly. <span class="tei tei-q">“Hal, hustle below and turn +on the electric current for the signaling +apparatus.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then Benson watched as, from the yards high +up on the gunboat's signaling mast, colored +electric lights glowed forth, twinkling briefly in +turn. This is the modern method of signaling +by sea at night.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He wants to know,”</span> said Benson, to Mr. +Farnum, as he turned, <span class="tei tei-q">“whether there is safe +anchorage for a twelve-hundred-ton gunboat of +one hundred and ninety-five feet length.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page033">[pg 033]</span><a name="Pg033" id="Pg033" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Reaching the inside of the conning tower at a +bound, the young skipper rapidly manipulated +his own electric signaling control. There was +a low mast on the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum's”</span> platform deck, +a mast that could be unstepped almost in an +instant when going below surface. So Captain +Jack's counter-query beamed out in colors +through the night:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What's your draught?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Under present ballast, seventeen-eight,”</span> +came the answer from the gunboat's signal +mast.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Safe anchorage,”</span> Captain Jack signaled +back.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Can you meet us with a pilot?”</span> questioned +the on-coming gunboat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> Captain Jack responded.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do so,”</span> came the laconic request.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That's all, Hal,”</span> the young skipper called, +through the engine room speaking tube. <span class="tei tei-q">“Want +to row me out and put me aboard the gunboat?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In another jiffy the two young chums had +put off in the boat, Hal at the oars, Jack at the +tiller ropes. The gunboat was now lying to, +some seven hundred yards off the mouth of the +little harbor. Hastings bent lustily to the oars, +sending the boat over the rocking water until +he was within a hundred yards of the steam +craft's bridge.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page034">[pg 034]</span><a name="Pg034" id="Pg034" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Gun boat ahoy!”</span> roared Hal, between his +hands. Then, by a slip of the tongue, and +wholly innocent of any intentional offense, he +bellowed:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Is that the 'Dad' boat?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What's that?”</span> came a sharp retort from +the gunboat's bridge. <span class="tei tei-q">“Don't try to be funny, +young man!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Beg your pardon, sir. That was a slip of +the tongue,”</span> Hal replied, meekly, as he colored. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Are you the gunboat 'Hudson?'”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No; I'm her commanding officer, young +man! Who in blazes are you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm the goat, it seems,”</span> muttered Hastings, +under his breath. But, aloud, he replied:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I have the pilot you requested.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then why don't you bring him on board?”</span> +came the sharp question. <span class="tei tei-q">“Did you think I +only wanted to look at a pilot?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“All right, sir. Shall I make fast to your +starboard side gangway?”</span> Hal called.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In a hurry, young man!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That's the naval style, I guess,”</span> murmured +Jack to his chum. <span class="tei tei-q">“No fooling in the talk. I +wonder if that fellow eats pie? Or is his temper +due to coffee?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Answering only with a quiet grin, Hal rowed +alongside the starboard side gangway. Jack, +waiting, sprang quickly to the steps, ascending, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page035">[pg 035]</span><a name="Pg035" id="Pg035" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +waving his hand to Hal as he went. Young +Hastings quickly shoved off, then bent to his +oars.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Where's the pilot?”</span> came a stern voice, +from the bridge, as Jack Benson's head showed +above the starboard rail.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am the pilot, sir,”</span> Jack replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, you're a boy.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Guilty,”</span> Jack responded.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What does this fooling mean? You're not +old enough to hold a pilot's license.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time Benson was on the deck, immediately +under the bridge. A half dozen sailors, +forward, were eyeing him curiously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I have no license, sir,”</span> Jack admitted. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Neither has anyone else at Dunhaven. For +that matter, the harbor's a private one, belonging +to the shipyard.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hasn't Mr. Farnum a <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">man</span></span> he can send +out?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No one who knows the harbor better than I +do, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who are you? What are you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Jack Benson, sir. Captain of the Pollard +submarine boats.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why didn't you tell me that before?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The question came sharply, almost raspingly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Beg your pardon, sir, but you didn't ask +me,”</span> Jack replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page036">[pg 036]</span><a name="Pg036" id="Pg036" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Come up here, Benson,”</span> ordered the lieutenant +commander, in a loud voice intended to +drown out the subdued titter of some of the +sailors forward.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack ascended to the bridge, to find himself +facing a six-footer in his early thirties. There +was a younger officer at the far end of the +bridge.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Does Mr. Farnum consider you capable of +showing us the way into the harbor?”</span> demanded +the commanding officer of the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I think so, sir. He trusts me with his own +boats.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then you are—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Benson, Mr. Farnum's captain of the submarine +boats.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lieutenant Commander Mayhew gazed in astonishment +for a moment, then held out his +hand as he introduced himself, remarking:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I was told that I would find a very young +submarine commander here, but—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You didn't expect to find one quite as +young,”</span> Jack finished, smiling.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No; I didn't. Mr. Trahern, I want you to +know Captain Jack Benson, of the Pollard +submarines.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ensign Trahern also shook hands with young +Benson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page037">[pg 037]</span><a name="Pg037" id="Pg037" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“And now,”</span> went on the commander of the +<span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson,”</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“I think you may as well show us +the way into the harbor.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You'll want to go at little more than headway, +sir,”</span> Jack replied. <span class="tei tei-q">“The harbor is small, +though there's enough deep water for you. In +parts there are some sand ledges that the tide +washes up.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I can't allow you to pilot us, exactly, but +you'll indicate the course to me, won't you, Mr. +Benson?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The <span class="tei tei-q">“mister”</span> was noticeable, now. Naval +officers are chary of their bestowal of the title +<span class="tei tei-q">“captain”</span> upon one who does not hold it in +the Army or Navy service.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At Mr. Mayhew's order the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson”</span> was +started slowly forward, the searchlight playing +about the entrance to the harbor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“For your best anchorage, sir,”</span> declared +Captain Jack, after he had brought the gunboat +slowly into the harbor, <span class="tei tei-q">“you will do well +to anchor with that main arc-light dead ahead, +that shed over there on your starboard beam, +and the front end of the submarine shed about +four points off your port bow.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Mayhew slowly manœuvred his craft, +while men stood on the deck below, forward, +prepared to heave the bow anchors.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Go four points over to port, Mr. Trahern,”</span> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page038">[pg 038]</span><a name="Pg038" id="Pg038" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +instructed Mr. Mayhew. <span class="tei tei-q">“Now, back the engines—steady!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack Benson opened his mouth wide. Then, +as he saw the way the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson”</span> was backing, +he suddenly called:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Slow speed ahead, quick, sir!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You said—”</span> began Mr. Mayhew.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Gr-r-r-r! The stern of the gunboat dug its +way into a sand ledge, lifting the stern considerably.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Slow speed ahead!”</span> rasped Lieutenant +Commander Mayhew, sharply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But the gunboat could not be budged. She +was stuck, stern on, fast in the sand-ledge.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Benson!”</span> uttered the lieutenant commander, +bitterly, <span class="tei tei-q">“I congratulate you. You've succeeded +in grounding a United States Naval +vessel!”</span></p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc8" id="toc8"></a> +<a name="pdf9" id="pdf9"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER III: </span><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 173%">“</span><span style="font-size: 173%">YOU MAY AS WELL LEAVE THE BRIDGE!</span><span style="font-size: 173%">”</span></span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was so much of overwhelming +censure in the naval officer's tone that +Jack's spirit was stung to the quick.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It's your mistake, sir,”</span> he retorted. <span class="tei tei-q">“You +didn't follow the course I advised. You swung +the ship around to port, and—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Silence, now, if you please, while men are +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page039">[pg 039]</span><a name="Pg039" id="Pg039" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +trying to get this vessel out of a scrape a boy +got her into,”</span> commanded Mr. Mayhem, sternly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack flushed, then bit his tongue. In another +moment a pallor had succeeded the red in his +face.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He was blamed for the disaster, and he was +not really at fault.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Yet, under the rebuke he had just received, +he did not feel it his place to retort further for +the present.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Mayhew and Mr. Trahern conferred in +low tones for a moment or two.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You may as well leave the bridge, young +man,”</span> resumed Mr. Mayhew, turning upon the +submarine boy. <span class="tei tei-q">“You are not likely to be of +any use here.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As Jack, burning inwardly with indignation, +though managing to keep outwardly calm, descended +to the deck below, he caught sight of +Hal Hastings, hovering near in the rowboat. +Hal signaled to learn whether he should put in +alongside to take off his chum, but Benson +shook his head.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Over on the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> the yard's owner and +Eph Somers watched wonderingly. They understood, +well enough, that the new, trim-looking +gunboat was in trouble, but they did not +know that Jack Benson was held at fault.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Down between decks the engines of the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson”</span> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page040">[pg 040]</span><a name="Pg040" id="Pg040" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +were toiling hard to run the craft off out +of the sand. Then the machinery stopped. An +engineer officer came up from below. He and +Mr. Mayhew walked to the stern, while a seaman, +accompanying them, heaved the lead, +reading the soundings.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We're stuck good and fast,”</span> remarked the +engineer officer. <span class="tei tei-q">“We can't drive off out of +that sand for the reason that the propellers are +buried in the grit. They'll hardly turn at all, +and, when they do, they only churn the sand +without driving us off.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Confound that ignoramus of a boy!”</span> muttered +Mr. Mayhew, walking slowly forward. It +was no pleasant situation for the lieutenant commander. +Having run his vessel ashore, he +knew himself likely to be facing a naval board +of inquiry.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hal, finding that the shore boat was not +wanted for the present, had rowed over to the +<span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum's”</span> moorings. Now Jacob Farnum +came alongside in the shore boat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“May I speak with your watch officer?”</span> he +called.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am the commanding officer,”</span> Mr. Mayhew +called down, in the cold, even, dulled voice +of a man in trouble.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am Mr. Farnum, owner of the yard. May +I come on board?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page041">[pg 041]</span><a name="Pg041" id="Pg041" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Be glad to have you,”</span> Lieutenant Commander +Mayhew responded.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So Mr. Farnum went nimbly up over the side.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“May I ask what is the trouble here, sir?”</span> +asked the yard's owner.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The trouble is,”</span> replied Mr. Mayhew, <span class="tei tei-q">“that +your enterprising boy pilot has run us aground—hard, +tight and fast!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jacob Farnum glanced swiftly at his young +captain. Jack shook his head briefly in dissent. +Jacob Farnum, with full confidence in his young +man, at once understood that there was more yet +to be learned.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Come up on the bridge, sir, if you will,”</span> requested +the commander of the gunboat, who was +a man of too good breeding to wish any dispute +before the men of the crew. <span class="tei tei-q">“You may come, +too, Benson.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack followed the others, including the +engineer officer of the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson.”</span> Yet Benson +was clenching his hands, fighting a desperate +battle to get full command over himself. It +was hard—worse than hard—to be unjustly +accused.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jacob Farnum wished to keep on the pleasantest +terms with these officers of the Navy. At +the same time he was man enough to feel determined +that Jack, whether right or wrong, should +have a full chance to defend himself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page042">[pg 042]</span><a name="Pg042" id="Pg042" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“I understand, sir,”</span> began Mr. Farnum, +<span class="tei tei-q">“that you attach some blame in this matter to +young Benson?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Perhaps he is not to be blamed too much, on +account of his extreme youth,”</span> responded Mr. +Mayhew.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Forget his youth altogether,”</span> urged Mr. +Farnum. <span class="tei tei-q">“Let us treat him as a man. I've +always found him one, in judgment, knowledge +and loyalty. Do you mind telling me, sir, in +what way he erred in bringing you in here?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“An error in giving his advice,”</span> replied +Mr. Mayhew. <span class="tei tei-q">“Or else it was ignorance of how +to handle a craft as large as this gunboat. For +my anchorage he told me—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here the lieutenant commander repeated the +first part of Jack's directions correctly, but +wound up with:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He advised me to throw my wheel over four +points to port.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Pardon me, sir,”</span> Jack broke in, unable to +keep still longer. <span class="tei tei-q">“What I said, or intended to +say, was to bring your vessel so that the forward +end of the submarine shed over there would be +four points off the port bow.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What did you hear Mr. Benson say, Mr. +Trahern?”</span> demanded the gunboat's commander, +turning to the ensign who had stood +with him on the bridge.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page043">[pg 043]</span><a name="Pg043" id="Pg043" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Why, sir, I understood the lad to say what +he states that he said.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You are sure of that, Mr. Trahern?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Unless my ears tricked me badly,”</span> replied +the ensign, <span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Benson said just what he now +states. I wondered, sir, at your calling for slow +speed astern.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lieutenant Commander Mayhew gazed for +some moments fixedly at the face of Ensign +Trahern. Then, of a sudden, the gunboat's +commander, who was both an officer and a gentleman, +broke forth, contritely:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“As I think it over, I believe, myself, that +Benson advised as he now states he did. It was +my own error—I am sure of it now.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Wheeling about, Mayhew held out his right +hand.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Benson,”</span> he said, in a deep voice full of +regret, <span class="tei tei-q">“I was the one in error. I am glad to +admit it, even if tardily. Will you pardon my +too hasty censure?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Gladly, sir,”</span> Benson replied, gripping the +proffered hand. Jacob Farnum stood back, +wagging his head in a satisfied way. It had +been difficult for him to believe that his young +captain had been at fault in so simple a matter, +or in a harbor with which he was so intimately +acquainted.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As for the young man himself, the thing that +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page044">[pg 044]</span><a name="Pg044" id="Pg044" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +touched him most deeply was the quick, complete +and manly acknowledgment of this lieutenant +commander.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Farnum,”</span> inquired the gunboat's commander, +<span class="tei tei-q">“have you any towboats about here +that can be used in helping me to get the 'Hudson' +off this sand ledge?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The only one in near waters, sir,”</span> replied +the yard's owner, <span class="tei tei-q">“is a craft, not so very much +larger than a launch, that ties up some three +miles down the coast. She's the boat I use when +I need any towing here. Of course, I have the +two torpedo boats, though their engines were +not constructed for towing work.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“May I offer a suggestion?”</span> asked Jack, +when the talk lagged.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll be glad to have you, Mr. Benson,”</span> replied +Mr. Mayhew, turning toward the submarine +boy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Flood tide will be in in about two hours and +a half, sir,”</span> Benson followed up. <span class="tei tei-q">“That ought +to raise this vessel a good deal. Then, with the +towboat Mr. Farnum has mentioned, and with +such help as the engines of the submarines may +give, together with your own engines, Mr. Mayhew, +I think there ought to be a good chance of +getting the 'Hudson' afloat with plenty of water +under her whole keel. We can even start some +of the engines on shore, and rig winches to haul +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page045">[pg 045]</span><a name="Pg045" id="Pg045" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +on extra cables. Altogether, we can give you a +strong pull, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That sounds like the best plan to me,”</span> +nodded Jacob Farnum. <span class="tei tei-q">“I'll have a message +sent at once for that towboat.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A white-coated steward now appeared on +deck, moving near the lieutenant commander.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Is dinner ready, Greers?”</span> called Mr. Mayhew.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Lay two more plates, then. Mr. Farnum, I +trust you and your young submarine commander +will sit as my guests to-night.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This invitation the yard's owner accepted, +asking only time enough to arrange for keeping +some of his workmen over-time, awaiting the +coming of flood-tide.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So, presently, Jack and his employer found +themselves seated at table in the gunboat's +handsome wardroom. Besides the lieutenant +commander there were Lieutenant Halpin, two +ensigns, two engineer officers and a young medical +officer. In the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson's”</span> complement of +officers there were also four midshipmen, but +these latter ate in their own mess.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The time passed most pleasantly, Mr. Mayhew +plainly doing all in his power to atone for +his late censure of the submarine boy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Before dinner was over the small towboat was +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page046">[pg 046]</span><a name="Pg046" id="Pg046" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +in the harbor. At the coming of flood tide this +towing craft had a hawser made fast to the gunboat. +With the help of some of the naval +machinists aboard the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson,”</span> both submarine +craft were also manned and hawsers +made fast. Two cables were passed ashore to +winches to which power was supplied by the +shipyard's engines. When all was ready a +mighty pull was given, the gunboat's own propellers +taking part in the struggle. For two or +three minutes the efforts continued. Then, at +last, the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson,”</span> uninjured, ran off into deep +water and shortly afterwards anchored in +safety.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was a moment of tremendous relief for +Mr. Mayhew.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Call the tugboat captain aboard, and I'll +settle with him at my own expense,”</span> proposed +the lieutenant commander.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I trust you will think of nothing of the sort,”</span> +replied Jacob Farnum, quickly. <span class="tei tei-q">“In this harbor +I wish to consider you and your vessel as +my guests.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Again Mr. Mayhew expressed his thanks. +Presently, glancing ashore through the night, he +asked:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What sort of country is it hereabouts?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mostly flat, as to the surface,”</span> Mr. Farnum +replied. <span class="tei tei-q">“If your question goes further, there +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page047">[pg 047]</span><a name="Pg047" id="Pg047" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +are some fine roads and several handsome +estates within a few miles of here. Mr. Mayhew, +won't you and a couple of your officers +come on shore with me? I'll telephone for my +car and put you over quite a few miles this +evening.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Delighted,”</span> replied the commander of the +gunboat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One of the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson's”</span> cutters being now in +the water alongside, the party went ashore in +this. Jack, after bidding the naval officers +good-night, found Hal and Eph, who had just +come ashore from supper on board the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No sailing orders yet, I suppose?”</span> Hal +asked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“None,”</span> Jack replied. <span class="tei tei-q">“I reckon we'll start, +all right, some time to-morrow morning.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What'll we do to-night?”</span> Eph wondered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I don't know,”</span> replied Jack. <span class="tei tei-q">“We've few +friends around here we need to take the trouble +to say good-bye to. We could call on Mrs. Farnum, +but I imagine we'd run into the naval party +up at the Farnum house. We want to keep a bit +in the background with these naval officers, +except when they may ask for our company.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Let's take a walk about the old town, then,”</span> +Hal suggested.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So the three submarine boys strolled across +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page048">[pg 048]</span><a name="Pg048" id="Pg048" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the shipyard. Just as they were passing +through the gate a man of middle height and +seemingly about thirty years of age quickened +his pace to reach them.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Is this shipyard open nights?”</span> he queried.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Only to some employees,”</span> Jack answered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I suppose Mr. Farnum isn't about?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Captain Benson?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Benson is my name.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This letter is addressed to Mr. Farnum,”</span> +went on the stranger, <span class="tei tei-q">“but Mr. Pollard told me +I could hand it to you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Captain Jack took the letter from the unsealed +envelope.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Farnum,”</span> ran the enclosure, +<span class="tei tei-q">“since you're short a good machinist for the +engine room of the 'Farnum,' the bearer, Samuel +Truax, seems to me to be just the man you +want. I've examined him, and he understands +the sort of machinery we use. Better give him +a chance.”</span> The note was signed in David Pollard's +well-known, scrawly handwriting.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm sorry you can't see Mr. Farnum to-night,”</span> +said Benson, pleasantly. <span class="tei tei-q">“He'll be +here early in the morning, though.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“When do you sail?”</span> asked Truax, quickly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That you would have to ask Mr. Farnum, +too,”</span> smiled Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page049">[pg 049]</span><a name="Pg049" id="Pg049" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“But, see here, Mr. Pollard engaged me to +work aboard one of your submarines.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It looks that way, doesn't it?”</span> laughed the +young skipper.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And you're the captain?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes; but I can't undertake to handle Mr. +Farnum's business for him.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You'll let me go aboard the craft to sleep +for to-night, anyway?”</span> coaxed Truax.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, that's just what I'm not at liberty to +do,”</span> replied the young submarine captain. +<span class="tei tei-q">“No; I couldn't think of that, in the absence +of Mr. Farnum's order.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But that doesn't seem hardly fair,”</span> protested +Truax. <span class="tei tei-q">“See here, I have spent all my +money getting here. I haven't even the price +of a lodging with me, and this isn't a summer +night.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, I'll tell you what I'll do,”</span> Benson +went on, feeling in one of his pockets. <span class="tei tei-q">“Here's +a dollar. That'll buy you a bed and a breakfast +at the hotel up the street. If you want to get +aboard with us in time, you'd better show up +by eight in the morning.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That's really all I can do,”</span> Jack Benson +hastily assured the fellow. <span class="tei tei-q">“I'm not the +owner of the boat, and I can't take any liberties. +Oh, wait just a moment. I'll see if there's +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page050">[pg 050]</span><a name="Pg050" id="Pg050" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +any chance of Mr. Farnum coming back to-night.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack knew well enough that there wasn't any +chance of Mr. Farnum returning, unless possibly +at a very late hour with the naval officers, but +the boy had seen the night watchman peering +out through the gateway.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Retracing his steps, Jack drew the night +watchman inside, whispering:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Just a pointer for you. You've seen that +man on the street with us? He has a letter +from Mr. Pollard to Mr. Farnum, but I wouldn't +let him in the yard to-night, unless Mr. Farnum +appears and gives the order.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I understand,”</span> said the night watchman, +nodding.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That's all, then, and thank you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack Benson hastily rejoined the others on +the sidewalk.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I don't believe, Mr. Truax, it will be worth +your while to come here earlier than eight in +the morning. Better go to the hotel and tie +up to a good sleep. Good night.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Say, why did you take such a dislike to the +fellow?”</span> queried Eph, as the three submarine +boys strolled on up the street, Truax following +slowly at some distance in the rear.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I didn't take a dislike to him,”</span> Jack replied, +opening his eyes wide.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page051">[pg 051]</span><a name="Pg051" id="Pg051" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“You choked him off mighty short, then.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If it looked that way, then I'm sorry,”</span> Benson +protested, in a tone of genuine regret. <span class="tei tei-q">“All +I wanted to make plain was that I couldn't pass +him on to our precious old boat without Mr. +Farnum's order.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Truax plodded slowly along behind the submarine +boys, a cunning look in the man's eyes +as he stared after Jack Benson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You're a slick young man, or else a wise +one,”</span> muttered Truax. <span class="tei tei-q">“But I think I'm smart +enough to take it out of you!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nor did Sam Truax go to the hotel. He had +his own plans for this evening—plans that +boded the submarine boys no good.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The three boys strolled easily about town, +getting a hot soda or two, and, finally, drifting +into a moving picture show that had opened +recently in Dunhaven. This place they did not +leave until the show was over. They were half-way +home when Captain Jack remembered that +he had left behind him a book that he had +bought earlier in the evening.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You fellows keep right on down to the yard. +I'll hurry back, get the book and overtake +you,”</span> he proposed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack ran back, but already the little theatre +was closed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm out that book, then, if we sail in the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page052">[pg 052]</span><a name="Pg052" id="Pg052" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +morning,”</span> he muttered, as he trudged along +after his friends.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the way toward the water front Benson +had to pass a vacant lot surrounded by a high +board fence on a deserted street. He had +passed about half way along the length of the +fence, when a head appeared over the top followed +by a pair of arms holding a small bag +of sand. Down dropped the bag, striking Jack +Benson on the top of the head, sending him unconscious +to the ground.</p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc10" id="toc10"></a> +<a name="pdf11" id="pdf11"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER IV: MR. FARNUM OFFERS ANOTHER GUESS</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Close at hand there was a loose board in +the fence. Through this Sam Truax +thrust his head, peering up and down +the street. Not another soul was in sight.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With a chuckle Truax stepped through the +hole in the fence. Swiftly he gathered up the +young submarine captain, bearing him through +the aperture and dropping him on the ground +behind the fence. At the same time he took +with him the small bag of sand.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Knocked you out, but I don't believe you'll +be unconscious long,”</span> mused Truax, standing +over his young victim, regarding him critically. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page055">[pg 055]</span><a name="Pg055" id="Pg055" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“There wasn't steam enough in the blow to +hurt you for long. You're sturdy, following +the sea all the time, as you do.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With a thoughtful air Sam Truax drew a +small bottle from his pocket, sprinkling some +of the contents over Jack's uniform coat. Immediately +the nauseating smell of liquor rose +on the air.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, if someone finds you before you come +to, you'll look like a fellow that has been drinking +and fighting,”</span> muttered Truax under his +breath. <span class="tei tei-q">“If you come to and get back to the +yard without help, you'll walk unsteadily and +have that smell about your clothes. Usually, +it needs only a breath of suspicion to turn folks +against a boy!”</span></p> + +<a name="image02" id="image02" class="tei tei-anchor" style="text-align: center"></a><a name="fig12" id="fig12"></a><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image02.jpg" width="390" height="600" alt="Illustration: Down Dropped the Bag." title="Down Dropped the Bag." /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.81em; margin-top: 0.81em"><span style="font-size: 81%">Down Dropped the Bag.</span></div></div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Pausing only long enough to learn that Jack's +pulses were beating, and that the submarine +boy was breathing, Truax stole off into the +night, carrying the bag of sand under his overcoat. +At one point he paused long enough to +empty the sand from the bag over a fence. The +bag itself he afterwards burned in the open fireplace +in the room assigned to him at Holt's +Hotel.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For twenty minutes Jack Benson lay as he +had been left. Then he began to stir, and groan. +Then he opened his eyes; after a while he managed +to sit up.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page056">[pg 056]</span><a name="Pg056" id="Pg056" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Ugh!”</span> he grunted. <span class="tei tei-q">“What's the odor? +Liquor! How does that happen? Oh, my +head!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He got slowly to his feet, using the board +fence as a means to help steady himself. Then, +though he found himself weak and tormented +by the pain in his head, Benson managed to feel +his way along the fence until he came to the +opening made by the loose board. Holding +himself here, he thrust his head beyond.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Now, Hal and Eph, having waited for some +time at the shore boat, before going out on board +the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum,”</span> had at last made up their minds +to go back and look for their missing leader. +They came along just at the moment that the +young captain's head appeared through the +opening in the fence.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There he is,”</span> muttered Hal, stopping short. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Gracious! He acts queerly. I wonder if +anything can have happened to him? Come +along, Eph!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The two raced across the street.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Jack, old fellow! What on earth's the matter?”</span> +demanded Hal Hastings, anxiously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I wish you could tell me,”</span> responded Jack +Benson, speaking rather thickly, for he was still +somewhat dazed. <span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, my head!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There has been some queer work here,”</span> muttered +Hal in Eph's ear. <span class="tei tei-q">“Don't torment him +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page057">[pg 057]</span><a name="Pg057" id="Pg057" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +with questions. Just help me to get him down +to the yard.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While the two submarine boys were guiding +their weak, dizzy comrade out to the sidewalk +a man came by with a swinging stride. Then +he stopped short, staring in amazement.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hullo, boys! What on earth has happened?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was Grant Andrews, foreman of the submarine +work at the yard, and a warm personal +friend of Benson's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I don't believe the old chap feels like telling +us just now,”</span> muttered Hal, with a sour +face.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Whiskey!”</span> muttered Andrews, almost under +his breath. <span class="tei tei-q">“What does it mean? Benson +never touched a drop of that vile stuff, did +he?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He'd sooner drown himself,”</span> retorted Hal, +with spirit.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Of course he would,”</span> agreed Grant Andrews. +<span class="tei tei-q">“But what is the meaning of all this?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, there's some queer, hocus-pocus business +on foot,”</span> muttered Hal, bitterly. <span class="tei tei-q">“But I +don't believe Jack feels much like telling us +anything about it at present.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In truth, Jack didn't seem inclined to conversation. +He was too sore and dazed to feel +like talking. He couldn't collect his ideas +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page058">[pg 058]</span><a name="Pg058" id="Pg058" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +clearly. The most that he actually knew was +that the pain in his head was tormenting.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll pick him right up in my arms and carry +him,”</span> proposed Andrews. <span class="tei tei-q">“I'll take him to +Mr. Farnum's office. Then I'll get a doctor. +We don't want much noise about this, or folks +will be telling all sorts of yarns against Jack +Benson and his drinking habits, when the truth +is he's about the finest, steadiest young fellow +alive!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just as Andrews was about to carry his purpose +into action, however, an automobile turned +the nearest corner and came swiftly toward +them. In another instant it stopped alongside. +It contained Mr. Farnum and his chauffeur, besides +three naval officers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What's wrong, Andrews?”</span> called the +yard's owner. <span class="tei tei-q">“Why, that's Jack Benson! +What has happened to him?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hal and Eph stood supporting their comrade, +almost holding him, in fact. Jacob Farnum +leaped from his automobile. Lieutenant +Commander Mayhew followed him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Liquor, eh?”</span> exclaimed the naval officer, the +odor reaching his nostrils.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No such thing,”</span> retorted Farnum, turning +upon the officer. <span class="tei tei-q">“At least, Jack Benson has +been drinking no such stuff.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It was only a guess,”</span> murmured Mr. Mayhew, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page059">[pg 059]</span><a name="Pg059" id="Pg059" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +apologetically. <span class="tei tei-q">“You know your young +man better than I do, Mr. Farnum.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There is liquor on his clothing,”</span> continued +the shipbuilder. <span class="tei tei-q">“It looks as though someone +had assaulted the lad, laid him out, and then +sprinkled him. It's a wasted trick, though. I +know him too well to be fooled by any such +clumsy bit of nonsense.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A stupid trick, indeed,”</span> agreed Lieutenant +Commander Mayhew, but the naval officer did +not quite share the shipbuilder's confidence in +the submarine boy's innocence. Mr. Mayhew +had known of too many cases of naval apprentices +ruined through weak indulgence in liquor. +Indeed, he had even known of rare instances in +which cadets had been dismissed from the Naval +Academy for the same offense. The lieutenant +commander's present doubt of Jack Benson was +likely to work to that young man's disadvantage +later on.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Others of the party left the auto. Hal and +Mr. Farnum got into the tonneau, supporting +Jack there between them. Thus they carried +him to Mr. Farnum's office at the yard, Grant +Andrews then going in the car after a doctor, +while the others stretched Jack on the office sofa. +The naval officers returned to the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson,”</span> at +anchor in the little harbor below.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The young man acts as though he had been +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page060">[pg 060]</span><a name="Pg060" id="Pg060" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +struck on the head,”</span> was the physician's verdict. +<span class="tei tei-q">“No bones of the skull are broken. The +odor of liquor is on his coat, but I can't seem to +detect any on the breath.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Of course you can't,”</span> commented Jacob +Farnum, crisply. <span class="tei tei-q">“Will Benson be fit to sail in +the morning?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I think so,”</span> nodded the doctor. <span class="tei tei-q">“But there +ought to be a nurse with him to-night.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Take my car, Andrews, and get a man nurse +at once,”</span> directed Mr. Farnum. <span class="tei tei-q">“Doctor, can +the young man be moved to his berth on the +'Farnum'?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Safely enough,”</span> nodded the medical man. +They waited until the nurse arrived, when Jack +was put to bed on the newer submarine craft.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack slept through the night, moaning once +in a while. Mr. Farnum and the Dunhaven +doctor were aboard early to look at him. The +surgeon from the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson”</span> also came over.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Under the effects of medicine Jack Benson +was asleep when, at ten o'clock that morning, the +two submarine torpedo boats slipped their +moorings, following the <span class="tei tei-q">“parent boat,”</span> the +<span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson,”</span> out of the harbor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ten minutes later the motion of the sea awoke +the young skipper.</p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page061">[pg 061]</span><a name="Pg061" id="Pg061" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc13" id="toc13"></a> +<a name="pdf14" id="pdf14"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER V: TRUAX SHOWS THE SULKS</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Hullo!”</span> muttered the young submarine +skipper, staring curiously +about the little stateroom aft. He +had it to himself, the nurse having been put on +shore. <span class="tei tei-q">“Under way, eh? This is the queerest +start I ever made on a voyage.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nor was it many moments later when Jack +Benson stood on his feet. His clothes were +hung neatly on nails against the wall. One after +another Jack secured the garments, slowly donning +them.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“How my head throbs and buzzes!”</span> he muttered, +his voice sounding unsteady. <span class="tei tei-q">“Gracious! +What could have happened? Let me see. The +last I remember—passing that high fence—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But it was all too great a puzzle. Benson +finally decided to stop guessing until some +future time. He went on with his dressing. +Finally, with his blouse buttoned as exactly as +ever, and his cap placed gingerly on his aching +head, he opened the stateroom door, stepping +out into the cabin.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accustomed as he was to sea motion, the slight +roll of the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> did not bother the young +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page062">[pg 062]</span><a name="Pg062" id="Pg062" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +skipper much. He soon reached the bottom of +the short spiral stairway leading up into the conning +tower. Up there, in the helmsman's seat, +he espied Hal Hastings with his hands employed +at the steering apparatus. Hal was looking out +over the water, straight ahead.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Sailing these days without word from your +captain, eh?”</span> Jack called, in a voice that carried, +though it shook.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Gracious—you?”</span> ejaculated Hal, looking +down for an instant. Then Hastings pressed a +button connecting with a bell in the engine room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm going up there with you,”</span> Jack volunteered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Right-o, if you insist,”</span> clicked Eph Somers, +appearing from the engine room and darting to +the young skipper's side. True, Jack's head +swam a bit dizzily as he climbed the stairs, but +Eph's strong support made the task much +easier. There was space to spare on the seat +beside Hal, and into this Jack Benson sank.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Say, you ought to sleep until afternoon,”</span> +was Hastings's next greeting, but Jack was +looking out of the conning tower at the scene +around him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The three craft were leaving the coast directly +behind. About three hundred yards away, +abeam, steamed the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson”</span> at a nine-knot +gait.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page063">[pg 063]</span><a name="Pg063" id="Pg063" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“The 'Pollard' is on the other side of the gunboat, +isn't she?”</span> asked Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> Hal nodded.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Naval crew aboard her?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes; Government has taken full possession +of the 'Pollard.'”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who's running this boat? Just you and +Eph?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No; that new man, Truax, is on board, and +at the last moment Mr. Farnum put Williamson, +one of the machinists, aboard, also. You can +send Williamson back from Annapolis whenever +you're through with him.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Williamson is all right,”</span> nodded Jack, +slowly. <span class="tei tei-q">“But how about Truax?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I think he's going to be a useful man,”</span> Hal +responded. <span class="tei tei-q">“He seems familiar with our type +of engines. Of course, he knows nothing about +the apparatus for submerging the boat or making +it dive. But he doesn't need to. Now, +Jack, old fellow, we're going along all right. +Why not let Eph help you back to your bunk, or +one of the seats in the cabin, and have your sleep +out?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I've had it out,”</span> Benson declared, with a +laugh. <span class="tei tei-q">“I'm ready, now, to take my trick at the +wheel.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Nonsense,”</span> retorted Hal Hastings. <span class="tei tei-q">“I've +been here a bare quarter of an hour, and I'm +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page064">[pg 064]</span><a name="Pg064" id="Pg064" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +good for more work than that. Jack, you're +nothing but a fifth wheel. You're not needed; +won't be all day, and at night we anchor in some +harbor down the coast. Go and rest, like a good +fellow.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Can't rest, when I know I'm doing nothing,”</span> +Benson retorted, stubbornly. <span class="tei tei-q">“Besides, this is +the first time I've ever found myself moving +along in regular formation with the United +States Navy. I feel almost as if I were a Navy +officer myself, and I mean to make the most of +the sensation. Say, Hal, wouldn't it be fine if +we really <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">did</span></span> belong to the Navy?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Gee-whiz!”</span> murmured young Hastings, his +cheeks glowing and his eyes snapping.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If we only belonged to the old Flag for life, +and knew that we were practising on a boat like +this as a part of the preparation for real war +when it came?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Don't!</span></span>”</span> begged Hal, tensely. <span class="tei tei-q">“For you +know, old fellow, it can't come true. Why, we +haven't even a residence anywhere, from which +a Congressman could appoint one of us to +Annapolis!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">One</span></span> of us?”</span> muttered Jack, scornfully. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Then it would have to be you. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">I</span></span> wouldn't go, +even as a cadet at Annapolis, and leave you behind +in just plain, ordinary life, Hal Hastings!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, it's no use thinking about it,”</span> sighed +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page065">[pg 065]</span><a name="Pg065" id="Pg065" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Hal, practically. <span class="tei tei-q">“Neither one of us is in any +danger of getting appointed to Annapolis, so +there's no chance that either one of us ever will +become an officer in the Navy. Let's not talk +about it, Jack. I've been contented enough, so +far, but now it makes me almost blue, to think +that we can only go on testing and handling submarine +craft like these, while others will be their +real officers in the Navy, and command them in +any war that may come.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Though his head throbbed, and though a dizzy +spell came over him every few minutes, Jack +Benson stuck it out, up there beside his chum, +for an hour. Then, disdaining aid, he crept +down the stairs, stretching himself out on one of +the cabin seats. Eph brought him a pillow and +a blanket. Jack soon slept, tossing uneasily +whenever pain throbbed dully in his head.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Guess I'll go out and have a little look at the +young captain,”</span> proposed Sam Truax, an hour +later.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Try another guess,”</span> retorted Eph, curtly. +<span class="tei tei-q">“You'll stay here in the engine room. Jack +Benson isn't going to be bothered in any way.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm not going to bother him; just going to +take a look at him,”</span> protested Truax, moving +toward the door that separated the engine room +from the cabin.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But young Somers caught the stranger by the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page066">[pg 066]</span><a name="Pg066" id="Pg066" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +sleeve of the oily jumper that Sam had donned +on beginning his work.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you know what folks say about me?”</span> demanded +Eph, with a significant glare.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What do they say?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Folks have an idea that, at most times, I'm +one of the best-natured fellows on earth,”</span> declared +Eph, solemnly. <span class="tei tei-q">“Yet they <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">do</span></span> say that, +when I'm crossed in anything my mind's made +up to, I can be tarnation ugly. I just told you +I don't want the captain disturbed. Do you +know, Sam Truax, I feel a queer notion coming +over me? I've an idea that that feeling is just +plain ugliness coming to life!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Truax came back from the door, a grin on his +face. Yet, when he turned his head away, there +was a queer, almost deadly flash in the fellow's +eyes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack slept, uneasily, until towards the middle +of the afternoon. As soon as Eph found him +awake, that young man brought the captain a +plate of toast and a bowl of broth, both prepared +at the little galley stove.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Sit up and get away with these,”</span> urged Eph, +placing the tray on the cabin table. <span class="tei tei-q">“Wait a +minute. I'll prop you up and put a pillow at +your back.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This boat isn't a bad place for a fellow +when he's knocked out,”</span> smiled Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page067">[pg 067]</span><a name="Pg067" id="Pg067" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Any place ought to be good, where your +friends are,”</span> came, curtly, from young Somers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As Captain Jack ate the warm food he felt his +strength coming back to him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Poor old Hal has been up there in the conning +tower all these hours,”</span> muttered Captain +Jack, uneasily. <span class="tei tei-q">“He must have that cramped +feeling in his hands.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Humph!”</span> retorted Eph. <span class="tei tei-q">“Not so you could +notice it much, I guess. It's a simpleton's job +up in the conning tower to-day. All he has to +do is to shift the wheel a little to port, or to starboard, +just so as to keep the proper interval +from the 'Dad' boat. Besides, I've been up +there on relief, for an hour while you slept, and +Hal came down and sat with the engines. Cheer +up, Jack. No one misses you from the conning +tower.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Benson laughed, though he said, warningly:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I reckon we'll do as well to drop calling the +gunboat the 'Dad boat' instead of the 'parent +vessel.'”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, you needn't bother at all about the +conning tower to-day,”</span> wound up Eph, glancing +at his watch. <span class="tei tei-q">“It's after half-past three at this +moment and I understand we're to drop anchor +about five o'clock.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So Skipper Jack settled back with a comfortable +sigh. Truth to tell, it was pleasant not to +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page068">[pg 068]</span><a name="Pg068" id="Pg068" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +have any immediate duty, for his head throbbed, +every now and then, and he felt dizzy when he +tried to walk.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who could have hit me in that fashion, last +night, and for what earthly purpose?”</span> wondered +the boy. <span class="tei tei-q">“I've had some enemies, in the +past, but I don't know a single person about +Dunhaven, now who has any reason for wishing +me harm.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Never a thought crossed his mind of suspecting +Sam Truax. That worthy had come with a +note from David Pollard, the inventor of the +boats. Sam, therefore, must be all right, the +boy reasoned.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack lay back on the upholstered seat. He +sat with his eyes closed most of the time, though +he did not doze. At last, however, he heard the +engine room bell sound for reduced speed. Getting +up, the young captain made his way to the +foot of the conning tower stairs.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Making port, Hal?”</span> he called.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yep,”</span> came the reply. <span class="tei tei-q">“We'll be at anchor +in five minutes more.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack made his way slowly to the door of the +engine room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Eph,”</span> he called, <span class="tei tei-q">“as soon as you've shut +off speed, take Truax above and you two attend +to the mooring.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Take this other man up with you,”</span> urged +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page069">[pg 069]</span><a name="Pg069" id="Pg069" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Sam Truax. <span class="tei tei-q">“I don't know anything about tying +a boat up to moorings.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Time you learned, then,”</span> returned Eph +Somers, <span class="tei tei-q">“if you're to stay aboard a submarine +craft.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Take this other man up with you,”</span> again +urged Truax.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Eph Somers turned around to face him with +a good deal of a glare.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What ails you, Truax? You heard the captain's +order. You'll go with me.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Don't be too sure of that,”</span> uttered Sam +Truax, defiantly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If you don't go above with me, and if you +don't follow every order you get aboard this +boat, I know where you <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">will</span></span> go,”</span> muttered +Eph, decisively.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Where?”</span> jeered Sam.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ashore—in the first boat that can take you +there.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You seem to forget that I'm on board by +David Pollard's order,”</span> sneered Truax.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“All I am sure of,”</span> retorted Eph, <span class="tei tei-q">“is that +Jack Benson is captain on board this craft. +That means that he's sole judge of everything +here when this boat is cruising. If you were +here by the orders of both owners, Jack Benson +would fire you ashore for good, just the +same, after you've balked at the first order.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page070">[pg 070]</span><a name="Pg070" id="Pg070" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Humph! I—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Clang! Jangle! The signal bell was sounding.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Shut up,”</span> ordered Eph Somers, briskly. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I've got the engine to run on signal from the +watch officer.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There followed a series of signals, first of all +for stopping speed, then for a brief reversing of +engines. A moment later headway speed ahead +was ordered. So on Eph went through the +series of orders until the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> had been +manœuvred to her exact position. Then, from +above, Captain Jack's voice was heard, roaring +in almost his usual tones:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Turn out below, there, to help make fast!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Take the lever, Williamson,”</span> directed Eph. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Come along lively, Truax.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Humph! Let Williamson go,”</span> grumbled +Truax.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You come along with me, my man!”</span> roared +Eph, his face blazing angrily. <span class="tei tei-q">“Hustle, too, or +I'll report you to the captain for disobedience of +orders. Then you'll go ashore at express speed. +Coming?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sam Truax appeared to wage a very brief +battle within himself. Then, nodding sulkily, +he followed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hustle up, there!”</span> Jack shouted down. +<span class="tei tei-q">“We don't want to drift.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page071">[pg 071]</span><a name="Pg071" id="Pg071" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Jack Benson stood out on the platform deck, +holding to the conning tower at the port side. +A naval launch had just placed a buoy over an +anchor that had been lowered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Get forward, you two,”</span> Jack called briskly, +<span class="tei tei-q">“and make the bow cable fast to that buoy.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hal still sat at the wheel in the tower. As +Eph and Truax crept forward over the arched +upper hull of the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum,”</span> Hal sounded the +engine room signals and steered until the boat +had gotten close enough to make the bow cable +fast. Then the stern cable was made fast, with +more line, to another buoy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A neat hitch, Mr. Benson,”</span> came a voice +from the bridge of the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson,”</span> which lay a +short distance away. Jack, looking up, saw +Lieutenant Commander Mayhew leaning over +the bridge rail.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thank you, sir,”</span> Jack acknowledged, saluting +the naval officer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The parent vessel and her two submarine +charges now lay at anchor in the harbor at Port +Clovis, one of the towns down the coast from +Dunhaven. This mooring overnight was to be +repeated each day until Annapolis should be +reached.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Within fifteen minutes the craft were surrounded +by small boats from shore. Some of +these contained merchandise that it was hoped +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page072">[pg 072]</span><a name="Pg072" id="Pg072" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +sailors would buy. Other boats <span class="tei tei-q">“ran”</span> for +hotels, restaurants, drinking places, amusement +halls, and all the varied places on shore that +hope to fatten on Jack Tar's money.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'd like to go ashore, sir,”</span> announced Sam +Truax, approaching Captain Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“When?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“For how long?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Until ten o'clock to-night.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Be back by that hour, then,”</span> Jack replied. +<span class="tei tei-q">“If you're not, you'll find everything shut tight +aboard here.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Truax quickly signaled one of the hovering +boats, and put off in it. Eph watched the boat +for a few moments before he turned to Captain +Jack to mutter:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Somehow, I wouldn't feel very badly about +it if that fellow got lost on shore!”</span></p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc15" id="toc15"></a> +<a name="pdf16" id="pdf16"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER VI: TWO KINDS OF VOODOO</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +On the second day of the cruise Jack +Benson returned to full duty.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For four nights, in all, the submarine +squadron tied up at moorings in harbors +along the coast. On the fifth night, as +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page073">[pg 073]</span><a name="Pg073" id="Pg073" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +darkness fell, the squadron continued under +way, in Chesapeake Bay, for Annapolis was but +three hours away.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Immediately after supper Captain Jack took +his place in the conning tower. He concerned +himself principally with the compass, his only +other task being to keep the course by the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson's”</span> +lights, for the parent boat supplied in +its own conduct all the navigation orders beyond +the general course. The <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum's”</span> searchlight +was not used, the gunboat picking up all +the coast-marks as they neared land.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Annapolis is the place I've always wanted to +see,”</span> Jack declared, as Hal joined him in the +conning tower.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It's the place where I've always wanted to +be a cadet,”</span> sighed Hal. <span class="tei tei-q">“But there's no +chance for me, I fear. Jack, I'd rather be an +officer of the Navy than a millionaire.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Same here,”</span> replied Jack, steadily. <span class="tei tei-q">“It's +hard to have to feel that I'll never be either.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As she entered the mouth of the Severn River +the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson”</span> signaled to the submarines to +follow, in file, the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard”</span> leading. A little +later the three craft entered the Basin at the +Academy. While the gunboat anchored off the +Amphitheatre, the two submarine boats were +ordered to anchorage just off the Boat House. +Then a cutter came alongside.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page074">[pg 074]</span><a name="Pg074" id="Pg074" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“The lieutenant commander's compliments +to Mr. Benson. Will Mr. Benson go aboard the +'Hudson'?”</span> asked the young officer in command +of the cutter. Captain Jack lost no time +in presenting himself before the lieutenant +commander.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Benson,”</span> said Mr. Mayhew, after greeting +the submarine boy, <span class="tei tei-q">“your craft will be under +a marine guard to-night, and at all times while +here at the Naval Academy. If you and your +crew would like to spend the night ashore, in +the quaint little old town of Annapolis, there's +no reason why you shouldn't. But you will all +need to report back aboard, ready for duty, by +eight in the morning.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack thanked the naval commander, then hastened +back to the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> to communicate +the news.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Me for the shore trip,”</span> declared Eph, +promptly. All the others agreed with him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll come back by ten o'clock to-night, +though,”</span> volunteered Sam Truax. <span class="tei tei-q">“One of the +crew ought to be aboard.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We'll stay ashore,”</span> decided Jack, <span class="tei tei-q">“and return +in the morning.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm coming back to-night,”</span> retorted Truax.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Keep still, and follow orders,”</span> muttered +Eph, digging his elbow into Truax's ribs. <span class="tei tei-q">“The +captain gives the orders here.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page075">[pg 075]</span><a name="Pg075" id="Pg075" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Jack, however, had turned away. Within +five minutes a boat put off from shore, bringing +two soldiers of the marine guard alongside. +With them, in the shore boat, was a corporal of +the guard.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Any of your crew coming back to-night, +sir?”</span> asked the corporal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“None,”</span> Benson answered. <span class="tei tei-q">“Will you instruct +the sentries to see that none of the crew +are allowed aboard during the night?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Very good, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The shore boat waited to convey them to the +landing. Before going, young Captain Benson +closed and locked the manhole entrance to the +conning tower. A sullen silence had fallen over +Truax. The instructions to the corporal of the +guard, and the prompt acceptance of those instructions, +told Sam, beyond any doubt, that he +was <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">not</span></span> coming back on board that night.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Truax followed the others as they passed +through the Academy grounds. Beyond the +large, handsome buildings, there was not much +to be seen at night. Lights shone behind all the +windows in Cadet Barracks. Nearly all of the +cadets of the United States Navy were in their +quarters, hard at study. Here and there a +marine sentry paced. A few naval officers, in +uniform, passed along the walks. That was all, +and the submarine party had crossed the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page076">[pg 076]</span><a name="Pg076" id="Pg076" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +grounds to the gate through which they were to +pass into the town of Annapolis.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Coming with us, Truax?”</span> asked Williamson, +as the party passed out into a dimly lighted +street.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No,”</span> replied the fellow, sullenly. <span class="tei tei-q">“I'll +travel by myself.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You're welcome to,”</span> muttered Eph, under +his breath.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The others climbed the steps to the State Capitol +grounds, continuing until they reached one +of the principal streets of the little town.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Say, but this place must have gone to sleep +before we got ashore,”</span> grumbled Eph. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Hanged if I don't think Dunhaven is a livelier +little place!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There isn't much to do, except to wander +about a bit, then go to the Maryland House for a +good sleep on shore,”</span> Jack admitted.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For more than an hour the submarine boys +wandered about. The principal streets contained +some stores that had a bright, up-to-date +look, and in these principal streets the evening +crowds much resembled those to be found in any +small town. There were other streets, however, +on which there was little traffic. In some of these +quieter streets were quaint, old-fashioned houses +built in the Colonial days.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Annapolis is more of a place to see by daylight, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page077">[pg 077]</span><a name="Pg077" id="Pg077" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +I reckon,”</span> suggested Hal. <span class="tei tei-q">“How about +that sleep, Jack?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The greatest fun, by night, I guess, consists +in finding a drug-store and spending some of our +loose change on ice cream sodas,”</span> laughed the +young submarine skipper.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This done, they found their way to the Maryland +House. Jack and Hal engaged a room together, +Eph and Williamson taking the adjoining +one.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“As for me, in an exciting place like this,”</span> +grimaced Eph, <span class="tei tei-q">“I'm off for bed.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Williamson followed him upstairs. For some +minutes Hal sat with his chum in the hotel office. +Then Jack went over and talked with the night +clerk for a few moments.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There's a place near here, Hal, where a fellow +can get an oyster fry,”</span> Benson explained, +returning to his chum. <span class="tei tei-q">“With that information +came the discovery that I have an appetite. +Come and join me?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No,”</span> gaped Hal. <span class="tei tei-q">“I reckon I'll go up and +turn in.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll be along in half an hour, then.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack found the oyster house readily. As he +entered the little, not over-clean place, he found +himself the only customer. He gave his order, +then picked up the local daily paper. As he ate, +Jack found himself yawning. The drowsiness +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page078">[pg 078]</span><a name="Pg078" id="Pg078" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +of Annapolis by night was coming upon him. +Little did he dream how soon he was to discover +that Annapolis, in some of its parts, can be +lively enough.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As he paid his bill and stepped to the street, a +young mulatto hurried up to him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Am Ah correct, sah, in supposin' yo' Cap'n +Jack Benson?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That's my name,”</span> Jack admitted.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Den Ah's jes' been 'roun' to de hotel, lookin' +fo' yo', sah. One ob yo' men, Mistah Sam +Truax, am done took sick, an' he done sent me +fo' yo'.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Truax ill? Why, I saw him a couple of +hours ago, and he looked as healthy as a man +could look,”</span> Jack replied, in astonishment.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I reckon, sah, he's mighty po'ly now, sah,”</span> +replied the mulatto. <span class="tei tei-q">“He done gib me money +fo' to hiah a cab an' take yo' to him. Will yo' +please to come, sah?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> agreed Jack. <span class="tei tei-q">“Lead the way.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“T'ank yo', sah; t'ank yo', sah. Follow me, +sah.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack's mulatto guide led him down the street +a little way, then around a corner. Here a +rickety old cab with a single horse attached, +waited. A gray old darkey sat on the driver's +seat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Step right inside, sah. We'll be dere +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page079">[pg 079]</span><a name="Pg079" id="Pg079" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +direckly. Marse Truax'll be powahful glad to +see yo', sah.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“See here,”</span> demanded Jack, after they had +driven several blocks at a good speed, <span class="tei tei-q">“Truax +hasn't been getting into any drinking scrapes, +has he? Hasn't been getting himself arrested, +has he?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For young Benson had learned, from the night +clerk at the hotel, that, quiet and <span class="tei tei-q">“dead”</span> as +Annapolis appears to the stranger, there are +<span class="tei tei-q">“tough”</span> places into which a seafaring stranger +may find his way.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, sah; no, sah,”</span> protested the mulatto. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Marse Truax done got sick right and proper.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, confound it, we're leaving the town +behind,”</span> cried Jack, a few moments later, after +peering out through the cab window.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dat's all right, sah. Dere ain' nuffin' to be +'fraid ob, sah.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Afraid?”</span> uttered Jack, scornfully, with a +side glance at the mulatto. The submarine boy +felt confident that, in a stretch of trouble, he +could thrash this guide of his in very short +order.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ah might jess well tell yo' wheah we am +gwine, sah,”</span> volunteered the mulatto, presently.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> Benson retorted, drily. <span class="tei tei-q">“I think you +may.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Marse Truax, sah, he done hab er powah ob +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page080">[pg 080]</span><a name="Pg080" id="Pg080" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +trouble, sah, las' wintah, wid rheumatiz, sah. +He 'fraid he gwine cotch it again dis wintah, +sah. Now, sah, dere am some good voodoo +doctahs 'roun' Annapolis, so Marse Truax, he +done gwine to see, sah, what er voodoo can +promise him fo' his rheumatiz. I'se a runnah, +sah, for de smahtest ole voodoo doctah, sah, in +de whole state ob Maryland.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then you took Truax to a voodoo doctor to-night?”</span> +demanded Jack, almost contemptuously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sah; yes, sah.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I thought Truax had more sense than to go +in for such tomfoolery,”</span> Jack Benson retorted, +bluntly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The mulatto launched into a prompt, energetic +defense of the voodoo doctors. Young +Benson had heard a good deal about these clever +old colored frauds. In spite of his contempt, +the submarine boy found himself interested. +He had heard about the charms, spells, incantations +and other humbugs practised on colored +dupes and on some credulous whites by these +greatest of all quacks. The voodoo methods of +<span class="tei tei-q">“healing”</span> are brought out of the deepest jungles +of darkest Africa, yet there are many +ignorant people, even among the whites, who +believe steadfastly in the <span class="tei tei-q">“cures”</span> wrought by +the voodoo.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page081">[pg 081]</span><a name="Pg081" id="Pg081" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +While the mulatto guide was talking, or answering +Jack's half-amused questions, the cab +left Annapolis further and further behind.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yo' see, sah,”</span> the guide went on, <span class="tei tei-q">“Marse +Truax wa'n't in no fit condition, sah, to try de +strongest voodoo medicine dat he called fo'. So, +w'ile de voodoo was sayin' his strongest chahms, +Marse Truax done fall down, frothin' at de +mouth. He am some bettah, now, sah, but he +kain't be move' from de voodoo's house 'cept +by a frien'.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll get a chance to see one of these old voodoo +frauds, anyway,”</span> Jack told himself. <span class="tei tei-q">“This +new experience will be worth the time it keeps +me out of my bed. What a pity Hal missed a +queer old treat like this!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the cab at last stopped, Benson looked +out to find that the place was well down a lonely +country road, well lined with trees on either +side. The house, utterly dark from the outside, +was a ramshackle, roomy old affair.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Shall Ah wait fo' yo'?”</span> asked the old colored +driver.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, wait for me,”</span> directed Jack, briefly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yeah; wait fo' de gemmun. He's all right,”</span> +volunteered the mulatto.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mebbe yo' kin see some voodoo wo'k, too, ef +yo's int'rested,”</span> hinted the guide, in a whisper, +as he fitted a key to a lock, and swung a door +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page082">[pg 082]</span><a name="Pg082" id="Pg082" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +open. In a hallway stood a lighted lantern, +which the guide picked up.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, go quiet-lak, on tip-toe. Sh!”</span> cautioned +the guide, himself moving stealthily into +the nearest room. Jack Benson began to feel +secretly awestruck and <span class="tei tei-q">“creepy,”</span> though he +was too full of grit to betray the fact.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the further end of the room the guide, +holding the lantern behind his body as though by +accident, threw open another door.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Pass right on through dis room, ahead ob +me, sah,”</span> begged the guide, respectfully.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But Jack drew back, instinctively, out of the +darkness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Don' yo', a w'ite man, be 'fraid ob ole voodoo +house,”</span> advised the mulatto, still speaking +respectfully.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Afraid? Of course not. Relying on his muscle +and his agility, Jack stepped ahead. By a +sudden jerk of his arm the mulatto guide shook +out the flame in the lantern.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Here, you! What are you about?”</span> growled +Jack Benson, wheeling like a flash upon his +escort.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Go 'long, yo' w'ite trash!”</span> jeered the +mulatto. He gave the boy a sudden, forceful +shove.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack Benson, under the impetus of that push, +staggered ahead, seeking to recover his balance. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page083">[pg 083]</span><a name="Pg083" id="Pg083" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Without a doubt he would have done so, but, +just then, the floor under his feet ended. With +a yell of dismay, the submarine boy tottered, +then plunged down, alighting on a bed of soft +dirt many feet below.</p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc17" id="toc17"></a> +<a name="pdf18" id="pdf18"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER VII: JACK FINDS SOMETHING </span><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 173%">“</span><span style="font-size: 173%">NEW,</span><span style="font-size: 173%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 173%"> ALL RIGHT</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Jack Benson was on his feet in an instant. +An angrier boy it would have +been hard to find.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From overhead came the sound of a loud +guffaw.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, you infernal scoundrel!”</span> raged the submarine +boy, shaking his fist in the dark.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“W'at am de matter wid yo', w'ite trash?”</span> +came the jeering query.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Let me get my hands on you, and I'll show +you!”</span> quivered Benson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yah! Listen to yo'! Yo' wait er minute, +an' Ah'll show yo' a light.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Gr-r-r-r! Gr-r-r-r! That sound from overhead +was not pleasant. Jack, in the few +seconds that were left to him, could only guess +as to the cause of the sounds. Then, some fifteen +feet over his head, a tiny flame sputtered. +This match-end was carried to the wick of the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page084">[pg 084]</span><a name="Pg084" id="Pg084" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +lantern that the yellowish guide had been carrying, +and now the light illumined the place into +which Jack Benson had fallen.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That place was a square-shaped pit, with +boarded sides. Up above, on a shelf of flooring, +knelt the late guide, grinning down with a +look of infernal glee. On either side of the +mulatto stood a heavy-jowled bull-dog. Both +brutes peered down, showing their teeth in a +way to make a timid man's blood run cold.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Put those dogs back and come down here,”</span> +challenged Jack, shaking his fist. <span class="tei tei-q">“Come down, +and I'll teach you a few things, you rascal!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Don' yo' shake yo' fist at me, or dem dawgs +will sure jump down and tackle yo',”</span> grinned +the guide, gripping at the collars of the brutes, +which, truly, showed signs of intending to spring +below.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack fell back, his hands dropping to his sides. +Had there been but one dog, the submarine boy, +with all his grit forced to the surface, might +have chosen to face the brute, hoping to despatch +it with a well-aimed kick. But with two dogs, +both intent on <span class="tei tei-q">“getting”</span> him, young Benson +knew that he would stand the fabled chance of +a snow-flake on a red-hot stove.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dat's right, gemmun, yo' keep cool,”</span> observed +the mulatto, mockingly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You've decoyed me—trapped me here with +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page085">[pg 085]</span><a name="Pg085" id="Pg085" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +a mess of lies,”</span> flung back Captain Jack, +angrily. <span class="tei tei-q">“What's your game?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dis am a free lodgin' house—ho, ho, ho!”</span> +chuckled the late guide. <span class="tei tei-q">“Ah's gwine gib yo' +er place to sleep fo' de night. Yo' sho'ly must +feel 'bleeged to me—ho, ho, ho!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You lied to me about Sam Truax!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yeah! Ah done foun' dat was de name ob a +gemmun in yo' pahty dat wasn't wid yo'. +Truax do as well as any odder name—yah! +Now, Ah's gwine leab yo' heah t' git a sleep. +Ah'll toss down some blankets. 'Pose yo'se'f +and gwine ter sleep, honey. Don't try to clim' +up outer dat, or dem dawgs'll sho'ly jump down +at yo'. Keep quiet, an' go ter sleep, an' de +dawgs done lay heah an' jest watch. But don' +try nuffin' funny, or de dawgs'll sho'ly bring +trubble to yo'. Dem is trained dawgs—train' +fo' dis business ob mine. Ho, ho, ho!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mulatto and light vanished, but enraged, +baffled, helpless Captain Jack could hear the +two dogs moving about ere they settled down on +the shelf of flooring overhead.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No matter how much of a liar that rascal is, +he didn't lie to me about the dogs,”</span> reflected +Jack, his temper cooling, but his bitterness increasing. +<span class="tei tei-q">“They're fighting dogs, and one +wrong move would bring them bounding down +here on me—the two together. Ugh-gh!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page086">[pg 086]</span><a name="Pg086" id="Pg086" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +After a few moments the mulatto reappeared +with a light and tossed down three heavy +blankets.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, Ah's gwine leave yo' fo' de night,”</span> +clacked the late guide. <span class="tei tei-q">“Ef yo' done feel lonesome, +yo' jes' whistle de dawgs down to yo'. +Dey'll come!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While the light was still there Benson, in raging +silence, gathered the blankets and arranged +them.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Roll up one fo' a pillow, under yo' haid,”</span> +grinned the mulatto. <span class="tei tei-q">“Dat's all right, sah. +Now, good night, Marse Benson. Ef yo' feel +lonesome, Marse Benson, jes' whistle fo' de +dawgs. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Dey'll come!</span></span>”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The light vanished while the mulatto's sinister +words were ringing in the boy's ears. Would +the dogs jump down? Jack knew they would, +at the first false move or sound on his part. He +huddled softly, stealthily, on the blankets, there +in the darkness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As he lay there, thinking, Benson's sense of +admiration gradually got to the surface.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, of all the slick man-traps!”</span> he gasped. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I never heard of anything more clever. Nor +was there ever a bigger idiot than I, to walk +stupidly into this same trap! What's the game, +I wonder? Robbery, it must be. And I have a +watch, some other little valuables and nearly a +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page087">[pg 087]</span><a name="Pg087" id="Pg087" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +hundred and fifty dollars in money on me. Oh, +I'm the sleek, fat goose for plucking!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lying there, in enforced stillness, Jack Benson, +after an hour or so, actually fell asleep. A +good, healthy sleeper at all times, he slumbered +on through the night. Once he awoke, just a +trifle chilled. He heard one of the dogs snoring +overhead. Crawling under one of the blankets, +Benson went to sleep again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hey, yo', Marse Benson. It am mawnin'. +Time yo' was wakin' up an' movin' erlong!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was the voice of the same mulatto, calling +down into the pit. Again the rays of the lantern +illumined the darkness. Both bull-dogs +displayed their ferocious muzzles over the edge +of the pit. Jack sat up cautiously, not caring to +attract unfriendly interest from the dogs.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ah want yo' to take off all yo' clothes 'cept +yo' undahclothes, an' den Ah'll let down a string +fo' yo' to tie 'em to,”</span> declared the mulatto, +grinning. <span class="tei tei-q">“Yo' needn't try ter slip yo' wallet, +nor nuffin' outer mah sight, cause Ah'll be +watchin'. Now, git a hurry on, Marse Benson, +or Ah'll done push dem dawgs ober de aidge +ob dis flooring.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack hesitated only a moment. Then, with a +grunt of rage, he began removing his outer garments. +Down came a twine, to the lower end of +which the boy made fast his garments, one after +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page088">[pg 088]</span><a name="Pg088" id="Pg088" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +another. His money and valuables went up in +the pockets, for the sharp eyes of the mulatto +could not have been eluded by any amateur +slight-of-hand.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, yo' cap an' yo' shoes,”</span> directed the +grinning monster above.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">These, too, Benson passed up at the end of the +cord. The mulatto disappeared, leaving the +two dogs still on guard. At last, back came the +light and the yellowish man with it.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yo' sho' is good picking, Marse Benson,”</span> +grinned the guide of the night before. <span class="tei tei-q">“Yo' +has good pin feathers. Ah hope Ah'll suttinly +meet yo' again.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I hope we do meet at another time!”</span> Jack +Benson flared back, wrathily. The cool insolence +of the fellow cut him to the marrow, yet +where was the use of disobeying a rascal flanked +by two such willing and capable dogs?</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, yo' jes' put dese t'ings on, Marse Benson, +ef yo' please, sah,”</span> mocked the mulatto, +tossing down some woefully tattered, nondescript +garments, and, after them, a battered, +rimless Derby hat and a pair of brogans out at +the toes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll be hanged if I'll put on such duds!”</span> +quivered Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Jes' as yo' please, ob co'se, Marse Benson,”</span> +came the answer, from above. <span class="tei tei-q">“But, ef yo' +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page089">[pg 089]</span><a name="Pg089" id="Pg089" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +don' put dem t'ings on, yo'll sho'ly hab ter +gwine back ter 'Napolis in yo' undahclo's. +An' yo's gwine back right away, too, so, ef yo' +wants ter gwine back weahin' ernuff clo'es—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, well, then—!”</span> ground out the submarine +boy, savagely enough.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He attired himself in these tattered ends of +raiment. Had he not been so angry he must +have roared at sight of his comical self when the +dressing was completed.</p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc19" id="toc19"></a> +<a name="pdf20" id="pdf20"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER VIII: A YOUNG CAPTAIN IN TATTERS</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Now, yo'll do, Ah reckons.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With that, the mulatto guide of the +night before threw down one end of +an inch rope.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ah reckon yo's sailor ernuff to clim' dat. +Come right erlong, 'less yo' wants de dawgs ter +jump down dar.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But they'll tackle me if I come up,”</span> objected +Jack Benson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, dey won't. Dem dawgs is train' to dis +wo'k. Ah done tole yo' dat. Come right +erlong. Ah'll keep my two eyes on dem +dawgs.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It looked like a highly risky bit of business, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page090">[pg 090]</span><a name="Pg090" id="Pg090" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +but Jack told himself that, now he had been deprived +of his valuables, this yellow worthy must +be genuinely anxious to be rid of the victim. So +he took hold of the rope and began to climb. +The mulatto and the dogs disappeared from the +upper edge of the pit.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As his head came up above the level of the +flooring Benson saw the mulatto and the dogs +in the next room, the connecting door of which +had been taken from its hinges.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Come right in, Marse Benson. Dere ain' +nuffin' gwineter hu't yo',”</span> came the rascal's +voice reassuringly. Jack obeyed by stepping +into the next room, though he kept watch over +the dogs out of the corners of his eyes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, yo' lie right down on de flo', Marse +Benson,”</span> commanded the master of the situation. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Ah's gotter tie yo' up, befo' Ah can +staht yo' back ter 'Napolis, but dere ain' no +hahm gwine come ter yo'.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Making a virtue of necessity, Captain Jack +lay down as directed, passing his hands behind +his back. These were deftly secured, after +which his ankles were treated in the same +fashion. Immediately the mulatto, who was +strong and wiry, lifted the boy and the lantern +together. The dogs remaining behind, Jack +was carried out into the yard, where he discovered +that daylight was coming on in the East. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page091">[pg 091]</span><a name="Pg091" id="Pg091" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +He was dumped on the ground long enough to +permit his captor to lock the door securely. +Then the submarine boy was lifted once more, +carried around the corner of the house and +dumped in the bottom of a shabby old delivery +wagon. A canvas was pulled over him, concealing +him from any chance passer. Then the +mulatto ran around to the seat, picking up the +reins and starting the horse.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It seemed like a long drive to the boy, though +Benson was certainly in no position to judge +time accurately. At last the team was halted, +along a stretch of road in a deep woods. The +mulatto lifted the submarine boy out to the +ground.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, w'en yo's got yo' se'f free, yo' can +take de road in dat direckshun,”</span> declared the +fellow, pointing. <span class="tei tei-q">“Bimeby yo' come in sight ob +de town. Now, Marse Benson, w'at happen to +yo' las' night am all in de co'se ob a lifetime, an' +Ah hope you ain't got no bad feelin's. Yo' suttinly +done learn somet'ing new in de way ob +tricks. Good-bye, sah, an' mah compliments to +yo', Marse Benson.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With that the guide of the night before swiftly +cut the cords at Jack's wrists, then as swiftly +leaped to the seat of the wagon, whipping up the +horse and disappearing in a cloud of dust.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack, having now no knife, and the bonds +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page092">[pg 092]</span><a name="Pg092" id="Pg092" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +about his ankles being tied with many hard +knots, spent some precious minutes in freeing +his feet. At last he stood up, fire in his eyes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, pshaw! There's no sense in trying to +run after that rascal and his wagon,”</span> decided +the young submarine skipper. <span class="tei tei-q">“I haven't the +slightest idea what direction he took after he +got out of sight, and—oh, gracious! I'm under +orders to be aboard the 'Farnum' at eight this +morning. And on Mr. Farnum's business, at +that!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Clenching his hands vengefully, Jack started +along in the direction pointed out by his late +captor. Brisk walking wore some of the edge +off his great wrath. Catching a comprehensive +glimpse of himself, Jack could not keep back a +grim laugh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, I certainly am a dandy to spring myself +on the trim and slick Naval Academy!”</span> he +gritted. <span class="tei tei-q">“What a treat I'll be to the cadets! +That is, if the sentry ever lets me through the +gate into the Academy grounds.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As he hurried along, Jack Benson decided +that he simply could not go to the Naval +Academy presenting any such grotesque picture +as he did now. Yet he had no money about him +with which to purchase more presentable clothes +in town. So he formed another plan.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Within a few minutes he came in sight of +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page093">[pg 093]</span><a name="Pg093" id="Pg093" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Annapolis. Hurrying on faster, he at last entered +the town. The further he went the more +painfully conscious the boy became of the +ludicrous appearance that he made. He saw +men and women turn their heads to look after +him, and his cheeks burned to a deep scarlet that +glowed over the sea-bronze of his skin.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The single consolation I have is that not a +solitary person in town knows me, anyway,”</span> +he muttered. Then he caught sight of a clock +on a church steeple—twenty-five minutes of +eight.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That means a fearful hustle,”</span> he muttered, +and went ahead under such steam that he all but +panted. At last he came to the Maryland +House, opposite the State Capitol grounds. +Into the office of the hotel he darted, going +straight up to the desk.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A clerk who had been on duty for hours, and +who was growing more drowsy every moment, +stared at the boy in amazement.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“See here, you ragamuffin, what—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My name is Benson,”</span> began the boy, breathlessly. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I'm a guest of the house—arrived last +night. I—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You, a guest of <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">this</span></span> house?”</span> demanded the +clerk of the most select hotel in the town. +<span class="tei tei-q">“You—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That was as far as the disgust of the clerk +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page094">[pg 094]</span><a name="Pg094" id="Pg094" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +would permit him to go in words. A score of +well-dressed gentlemen were staring in astonishment +at the scene. The clerk nodded to two +stout porters who had suspended their work +nearby.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It had been Jack Benson's purpose to go to +his room and keep out of sight, while despatching +one of the colored bell-boys of the hotel with +a note to Hal Hastings, asking that chum to send +him up a uniform and other articles of attire. +However, before the young submarine captain +fully realized what was happening, the two porters +had seized him. Firmly, even though +gently, they hustled him out through the entrance +onto the street.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Scat!”</span> advised one of the pair.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack started to protest, then realized the +hopelessness of such a course. In truth, he did +not blame the hotel folks in the least.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, well,”</span> he sighed, paling as soon as the +new flush of mortification had died out, <span class="tei tei-q">“there's +nothing for it but to hurry to the Academy. I +hope the sentries won't shoot when they see +me,”</span> he added, bitterly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Across the State Capitol grounds he hurried, +then down through a side street until he arrived +at the gate of the Academy grounds.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Halt!”</span> challenged a sentry, as soon as Jack +showed his face through the gateway.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page095">[pg 095]</span><a name="Pg095" id="Pg095" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Young Benson stopped, bringing his heels together +with a click.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What do you want? Where are you going?”</span> +demanded the marine.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I know I look pretty tough,”</span> Jack admitted, +shamefacedly. <span class="tei tei-q">“But I belong aboard the 'Farnum,' +one of the submarines that arrived last +night. And I'm due there at this minute. +Please don't delay me.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“All right,”</span> replied the sentry, after surveying +the boy from head to foot once more. Then +he added, in a lower tone, with just the suspicion +of a grin showing at the corners of his mouth:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Say, friend, for a stranger, you must have +had a high old frolic in the town last night.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack frowned. The sentry's grin broadened +a bit. As he did not offer to detain the boy +longer, Benson hurried on along one of the +walks. He took as short a course as he could +making straight for the Basin, where he made +out the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson”</span> and the two submarines.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hey! There's the captain!”</span> shouted Eph, +wonderingly, for Somers's eyes were sharp at +all times.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Out of the conning tower sprang Hal Hastings, +looking eagerly in the direction in which +Eph Somers pointed:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Eh?”</span> muttered another person, lounging +near the rail of the gunboat. Then Lieutenant +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page096">[pg 096]</span><a name="Pg096" id="Pg096" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Commander Mayhew, after a keen, wholly disapproving +look at the hard-looking figure of a +young man at the landing, started, as he muttered:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Benson, by all that's horrible! How did he +come to be in that fearful shape? He must have +been in one of the worst resorts within miles of +Annapolis!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This isn't the first time the young man has +come back the worse for wear,”</span> the lieutenant +commander continued, under his breath. <span class="tei tei-q">“His +friends were loyal enough to him, that time. I +wonder if they can be, to-day?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One of the shore boats, waiting about in the +Basin, put young Benson aboard the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> +as soon as he explained who he was. Hal +and Eph stood awaiting the coming of their +young commander, their faces full of concern +and anxiety. Both gripped Jack's hand as soon +as he gained the platform deck of the submarine.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Come below,”</span> whispered Hal. <span class="tei tei-q">“We'll talk +there. You need a bath and to get into a uniform +as quickly as you can.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This need Jack Benson proceeded to realize +without an instant's delay. While he washed +himself off, in one of the staterooms aft, he +talked through the door, which had been left +ajar. He continued his story while he dressed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page097">[pg 097]</span><a name="Pg097" id="Pg097" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“We were fearfully anxious this morning,”</span> +Hal confessed. <span class="tei tei-q">“I went to sleep last night, and +didn't know of your absence until this morning. +Then Eph and I decided to come on down to the +boat to see if you were here. We were just +planning to send quiet word to the Annapolis +police when Eph spotted you coming.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And Truax?”</span> inquired Captain Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He and Williamson are forward in the +engine-room, now, at breakfast.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, well, Truax wouldn't know anything +about the scrape, anyway,”</span> returned Jack. +<span class="tei tei-q">“His name was learned and used—that's all.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Are you going to try to find that place, catch +the mulatto and force the return of your +money?”</span> demanded Eph Somers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I've got to think that over,”</span> muttered Jack, +as he drew on a spick-and-span uniform blouse. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I don't know whether there'll be any use in +trying to find that mulatto. I haven't the least +idea where his place is. Even if I found it, it's +ten to one I wouldn't find the fellow there.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“'Farnum,' ahoy!”</span> roared a voice alongside, +the voice coming down through the open conning +tower.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Eph ran to answer. When he returned, he +announced:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Compliments of Lieutenant Commander +Mayhew, and will Mr. Benson wait on the lieutenant +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page098">[pg 098]</span><a name="Pg098" id="Pg098" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +commander on board the parent boat?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I will,”</span> assented Jack, with a wry face, <span class="tei tei-q">“and +here's where I have to do some tall but truthful +explaining to a man who isn't in the least likely +to believe a word I say. I can guess what Mr. +Mayhew is thinking, and is going to keep on +thinking!”</span></p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc21" id="toc21"></a> +<a name="pdf22" id="pdf22"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER IX: TRUAX GIVES A HINT</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +It was a tailor-made, clean, crisp and new-looking +young submarine commander who +stepped into the naval cutter alongside.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack Benson looked as natty as a young man +could look, and his uniform was that of a naval +officer, save for the absence of the insignia of +rank.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Up the side gangway of the gunboat Jack +mounted, carrying himself in the best naval +style. On deck stood a sentry, an orderly waiting +beside him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Lieutenant Commander Mayhew will see +you in his cabin, sir,”</span> announced the orderly. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I will show you the way, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Mayhew was seated before a desk in his +cabin when the orderly piloted the submarine +boy in. The naval officer did not rise, nor did +he ask the boy to take a seat. Jack Benson was +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page099">[pg 099]</span><a name="Pg099" id="Pg099" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +very well aware that he stood in Mr. Mayhew's +presence in the light of a culprit.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Benson,”</span> began Mr. Mayhew, eyeing +him closely, <span class="tei tei-q">“you are not in the naval service, +and are not therefore amenable to its discipline. +At the same time, however, your employers have +furnished you to act, in some respects, as a civilian +instructor in submarine boating before the +cadets. While you are here on that duty it is +to be expected, therefore, that you will conform +generally to the rules of conduct as laid down at +the Naval Academy.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir,”</span> replied Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“As I am at present in charge of the submarine +purchased by the United States from +your company, and at least in nominal charge +of the 'Farnum,' as well, I am, in a measure, +to be looked upon, for the present, as your commanding +officer.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir,”</span> assented the boy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You came aboard your craft, this morning, +in a very questionable looking condition.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack Benson's composure was perfect. His +sense of discipline was also exact. He did not +propose to offer any explanations until such +were asked of him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Have you anything to say, Mr. Benson, as +to that condition, and how you came to be in it?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page100">[pg 100]</span><a name="Pg100" id="Pg100" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Shall I explain it to you, sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I shall be glad to hear your explanation.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thereupon, the submarine boy plunged into +a concise description of what had happened to +him the night before. The lieutenant commander +did not once interrupt him, but, when +Jack had finished, Mr. Mayhew observed:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That is a very remarkable story, Mr. Benson. +Most remarkable.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir, it is. May I ask if you doubt my +story?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack looked straight into the officer's eyes as +he put the question bluntly. An officer of the +Army or of the Navy <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">must not</span></span> answer a question +untruthfully. Neither, as a rule, may he +make an evasive answer. So the lieutenant +commander thought a moment, before he replied:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I don't feel that I know you well enough, +Mr. Benson, to express an opinion that might be +wholly fair to you. The most I can say, now, +is that I very sincerely hope such a thing will +not happen again during your stay at the Naval +Academy.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It won't, sir,”</span> promised Jack Benson, <span class="tei tei-q">“if I +have hereafter the amount of good judgment +that I ought to be expected to possess.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I hope not, Mr. Benson, for it would destroy +your usefulness here. A civilian instructor +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page101">[pg 101]</span><a name="Pg101" id="Pg101" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +here, as much as a naval instructor, must possess +the whole confidence and respect of the +cadet battalion. I hope none of the cadets who +may have seen you this morning recognized +you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then, taking on a different tone, Mr. Mayhew +informed his young listener that a section of +cadets would board the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> at eleven +that morning, another section at three in the +afternoon, and a third at four o'clock.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Of course you will have everything aboard +your craft wholly shipshape, Mr. Benson, and I +trust I hardly need add that, in the Navy, we +are punctual to the minute.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You will find me punctual to the minute +before, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Very good, Mr. Benson. That is all. You +may go.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack saluted, then turned away, finding his +way to the deck. The cutter was still alongside, +and conveyed him back to the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Mayhew demanded your story, of +course?”</span> propounded Hal Hastings. <span class="tei tei-q">“What +did he think?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He didn't say so,”</span> replied Jack Benson, +with a wry smile, <span class="tei tei-q">“but he let me see that he +thought I was out of my element on a submarine +boat.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“How so?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page102">[pg 102]</span><a name="Pg102" id="Pg102" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Why, it is very plain that Mr. Mayhew +thinks I ought to employ my time writing improbable +fiction.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, Mayhew be bothered!”</span> exploded Eph.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hardly,”</span> retorted Jack. <span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Mayhew is +an officer and a gentleman. I admit that my +yarn <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">does</span></span> sound fishy to a stranger. Besides, +fellows, Mr. Mayhew represents the naval officers +through whose good opinion our employers +hope to sell a big fleet of submarine torpedo +boats to the United States Government.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then what are you going to do about it?”</span> +asked Hal, as the three boys reached the cabin +below.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“First of all, I'm going to rummage about and +get myself some breakfast.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If you do, there'll be a fight,”</span> growled Eph +Somers. <span class="tei tei-q">“I'll hash up a breakfast for you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And, afterwards?”</span> persisted Hal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm going to try to win Mr. Mayhew's good +opinion, and that of every other naval officer or +cadet I may happen to meet.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why the cadets, particularly?”</span> asked Eph +Somers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Because, for one business reason, the cadets +are going to be the naval officers of to-morrow, +and the Pollard Submarine Boat Company +hopes to be building craft for the Navy for a +good many years to come.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page103">[pg 103]</span><a name="Pg103" id="Pg103" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Good enough!”</span> nodded Hal, while Eph +dodged away to get that breakfast ready.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sam Truax lounged back in the engine room, +smoking a short pipe. With him stuck Williamson, +for Eph had privately instructed the +machinist from the Farnum yard not to leave +the stranger alone in the engine room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why don't you go up on deck and get a few +whiffs of fresh air?”</span> asked Truax.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, I'm comfortable down here,”</span> grunted +the machinist, who was stretched out on one of +the leather-cushioned seats that ran along the +side of the engine room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I should think you'd want to get out of here +once in a while, though,”</span> returned Truax.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why?”</span> asked the machinist. <span class="tei tei-q">“Anything +you want to be left alone here for?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, of course not,”</span> drawled Truax, blowing +out a cloud of tobacco smoke.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then I guess I'll stay where I am,”</span> nodded +Williamson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Sorry, but you'll have to stop all smoking in +here now,”</span> announced Eph, thrusting his head +in at the doorway. <span class="tei tei-q">“There'll be a lot of cadets +aboard at eleven o'clock, and we want the air +clear and sweet. You'd better go all over the +machinery and see that everything is in applepie +order and appearance. Mr. Hastings will +be in here soon to inspect it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page104">[pg 104]</span><a name="Pg104" id="Pg104" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Just what rank does <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">that</span></span> young turkey-cock +hold on board?”</span> sneered Truax, when the door +had closed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Don't know, I'm sure,”</span> replied Williamson. +<span class="tei tei-q">“All I know is that the three youngsters are +aboard here to run the boat and show it off to +the best advantage. My pay is running right +along, and I've no kick at taking orders from +any one of them.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This is where I go on smoking, anyway,”</span> +declared Truax, insolently, striking a match and +lighting his pipe again. Williamson reached +over, snatching the pipe from between the other +man's teeth and dumping out the coals, after +which the machinist coolly dropped the pipe into +one of his own pockets.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If you go on this way,”</span> warned Williamson, +<span class="tei tei-q">“Captain Benson will get it into his head to put +you on shore in a jiffy, and for good.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'd like to see him try it,”</span> sneered Sam +Truax.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You'll get your wish, if you go on the way +you've been going!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Humph! I don't believe the Benson boy +carries the size or the weight to put me ashore.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He doesn't need any size or weight,”</span> retorted +Williamson, crisply. <span class="tei tei-q">“If Captain Benson +wants you off this boat, it's only the matter +of a moment for him to get a squad of marines +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page105">[pg 105]</span><a name="Pg105" id="Pg105" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +on board—and you'll march off to the 'Rogues' +March.'”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“So that's the way he'd work it, eh?”</span> demanded +Sam Truax, turning green and ugly +around the lips.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You bet it is,”</span> retorted the machinist. +<span class="tei tei-q">“We're practically a part of the United States +Navy for these few days, and naval rules will +govern any game we may get into.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On that hint things went along better in the +engine room. When Hal Hastings came in to +inspect he found nothing to criticise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the minute of eleven o'clock a squad of +some twenty cadets came marching down to the +landing in front of the boat house. There Lieutenant +Commander Mayhew and one of his +engineer officers met them. Two cutters manned +by sailors brought the party out alongside, +where Jack and Hal stood ready to receive them.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A very natty looking squad of future admirals +came aboard, grouping themselves about on the +platform deck. It was rather a tight squeeze +for so many human beings in that space.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After greeting the submarine boys, Mr. Mayhew +turned to the cadets, calling their attention +to the lines and outer construction of the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum.”</span> +Then he turned to the three submarine +boys, signing to them to crowd forward.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“These young gentlemen,”</span> announced the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page106">[pg 106]</span><a name="Pg106" id="Pg106" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +lieutenant commander, <span class="tei tei-q">“are Mr. Benson, Mr. +Hastings and Mr. Somers. All three are thoroughly +familiar with the Pollard type of boat. +As the Navy has purchased one Pollard boat, +and may acquire others, it is well that you +cadets should understand all the working details +of the Pollard Submarine Company's crafts. A +few of you at a time will now step into the conning +tower, and Mr. Benson will explain to you +the steering and control gear used there.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Half a dozen of the cadets managed to squeeze +into the conning tower. Jack experienced an +odd feeling, half of embarrassment, as he explained +before so many attentive pairs of eyes. +Then another squad of cadets took the place of +the first on-lookers. After a while all had been +instructed in the use of the conning tower +appliances.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Benson,”</span> continued the lieutenant commander, +<span class="tei tei-q">“will now lead the way for all hands to +the cabin. There he will explain the uses of the +diving controls, the compressed air apparatus, +and other details usually worked from the +cabin.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Down below came the cadets, in orderly fashion, +without either haste or lagging. Having +warmed up to his subject, Jack Benson lectured +earnestly, even if not with fine skill. At last he +paused.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page107">[pg 107]</span><a name="Pg107" id="Pg107" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Any of the cadets may now ask questions,”</span> +announced Lieutenant Commander Mayhew.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was a pause, then one of the older +cadets turned to Jack to ask:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What volume of compressed air do you +carry at your full capacity?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Benson's present status,”</span> rapped Mr. +Mayhew, quickly, <span class="tei tei-q">“is that of a civilian instructor. +Any cadet who addresses Mr. Benson will +therefore say 'sir,' in all cases, just as in addressing +an officer of the Navy.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The cadet so corrected, who was at least +twenty-one years old, flushed as he glanced +swiftly at sixteen-year-old Jack. To say <span class="tei tei-q">“sir”</span> +to such a youngster seemed almost like a +humiliation. Yet the cadet repeated his question, +adding the <span class="tei tei-q">“sir.”</span> Jack quickly answered +the question. Then two or three other questions +were asked by other cadets. It was plain, +however, that to all of the cadets the use of +<span class="tei tei-q">“sir”</span> to so young a boy appealed, at least, to +their sense of humor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Through the engine room door Sam Truax +and Williamson stood taking it all in. Sam saw +a flash in the eye of one big cadet when the question +of <span class="tei tei-q">“sir”</span> came up.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Presently the squad filed into the engine room. +Here Hal Hastings had the floor for instruction. +He did his work coolly, admirably, though he +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page108">[pg 108]</span><a name="Pg108" id="Pg108" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +asked Jack Benson to explain a few of the +points.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then the questions began, directed at Hal. +This time none of the cadets, under the watchful +eyes of Mr. Mayhew, forgot to say <span class="tei tei-q">“sir”</span> when +speaking to Hastings.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sam Truax edged up behind the big cadet +whose eyes he had seen flash a few moments +before.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Go after Benson, good and hard,”</span> whispered +Truax.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The cadet looked keenly at Truax.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You can have a lot of fun with Benson,”</span> +whispered Truax, <span class="tei tei-q">“if you fire a lot of questions +at him, hard and fast. Benson is a conceited fellow, +who knows a few things about the boat, but +you can get him rattled and red-faced in no +time.”</span></p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc23" id="toc23"></a> +<a name="pdf24" id="pdf24"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER X: A SQUINT AT THE CAMELROORELEPHANT</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The big cadet wheeled upon Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Benson, how long have you been +engaged on submarine boats, sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Since July,”</span> Jack replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“July of this year?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And it is now October. Do you consider +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page109">[pg 109]</span><a name="Pg109" id="Pg109" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +that enough time, sir, in which to learn much +about submarine boats?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That depends,”</span> Skipper Jack replied, +<span class="tei tei-q">“upon a man's ability in such a subject.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Is it long enough time, sir, for a boy?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That was rather a hard dig. Instantly the +other cadets became all attention.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It depends upon the boy, as it would upon +the man,”</span> Jack answered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you consider, Mr. Benson, that you know +all about submarine boats, sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, no.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who does, sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No one that I ever heard of,”</span> Jack answered. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Few men interested in submarine +boats know much beyond the peculiarities of +their own boats.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And that applies equally to boys, sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> Jack smiled.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you consider yourself, sir, fully competent +to handle this craft?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'd rather someone else would say it,”</span> Jack +replied. <span class="tei tei-q">“My employers, though, seem to consider +me competent.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What is this material, sir?”</span> continued the +cadet, resting a hand on a piston rod.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Brass,”</span> Benson replied, promptly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you know the specific gravity and the +tensile strength of this brass?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page110">[pg 110]</span><a name="Pg110" id="Pg110" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Before Jack could answer Mr. Mayhew broke +in, crisply:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That will do, Mr. Merriam. Your questions +appear to go beyond the limits of ordinary instruction, +and to partake more of the nature of +a cross-examination. Such questions take up +the time of the instruction tour unnecessarily.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Cadet Merriam flushed slightly, as he saluted +the naval officer. Then the cadet's jaws settled +squarely. He remained silent.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A few more questions and the hour was up.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lieutenant Commander Mayhew gave the +order for the cadets to pass above and embark +in the cutters. He remained behind long +enough to say to the three submarine boys:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You have done splendidly, gentlemen—far +better than I expected you to do. If you manage +the sea instruction as well, in the days to +come, our cadets will have a first-class idea of +the handling of the Pollard boats.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I wish, sir,”</span> Jack replied, after thanking the +officer, <span class="tei tei-q">“that the cadets were not required to say +'sir' to us. It sounds odd, and I am quite certain +that none of the young men like it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It is necessary, though,”</span> replied Mr. Mayhew. +<span class="tei tei-q">“They are required to do it with all +civilian instructors, and it would never do to +draw distinctions on account of age. Yes; it is +necessary.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page111">[pg 111]</span><a name="Pg111" id="Pg111" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +When the second squad of cadets arrived, in +the afternoon, the three submarine boys found +themselves ready for their task without misgivings. +Eph took more part in the explanations +than he had done in the forenoon. Then came a +third squad of cadets, to be taken over the same +ground. The young men of both these squads +used the <span class="tei tei-q">“sir”</span> at once, having been previously +warned by one of the naval officers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That will be all for to-day, Mr. Benson, and +thank you and your friends for some excellent +work,”</span> said Lieutenant Commander Mayhew, +when the third squad had filed away.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Say, for hard work I'd like this job right +along,”</span> yawned Eph Somers, when the three +were alone in the cabin. <span class="tei tei-q">“Just talking three +times a day—what an easy way of living!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It's all right for a while,”</span> agreed Jack. +<span class="tei tei-q">“But it would grow tiresome after a few weeks, +anyway. Lying here in the Basin, and talking +like a salesman once in a while, isn't like a life +of adventure.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, you can sigh for adventure, if you +wish,”</span> yawned Eph. <span class="tei tei-q">“As for me, I've had +enough hard work to appreciate a rest once in a +while. Going into the town to-night, Jack?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Into town?”</span> laughed the young skipper. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I went last night—and some of the folks didn't +do a thing to me, did they?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page112">[pg 112]</span><a name="Pg112" id="Pg112" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Aren't you going to report the robbery to +the police?”</span> demanded Hal, opening his eyes in +surprise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Not in a rush,”</span> Jack answered. <span class="tei tei-q">“If I do, +the police may start at once, and that mulatto +and his friends, being on the watch, will take +the alarm and get away. If I wait two or three +days, then the mulatto's crowd will think I've +dropped the whole thing. I reckon the waiting +game will fool them more than any other.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, and all the money they got away from +you will be spent,”</span> muttered Eph.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack, none the less, decided to wait and think +the matter over.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Supper over, the submarine boys, for want of +anything else to do, sat and read until about nine +o'clock. Then Jack looked up.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This is getting mighty tedious,”</span> he complained. +<span class="tei tei-q">“What do you fellows say to getting +on shore and stretching our legs in a good +walk?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In town?”</span> grinned Eph, slyly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack flushed, then grinned.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No!”</span> he answered quietly; <span class="tei tei-q">“about the +Academy grounds.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I wonder if it would be against the regulations +for a lot of rank outsiders like us to go +through the grounds at this hour?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“'Rank outsiders'?”</span> mimicked Jack Benson, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page113">[pg 113]</span><a name="Pg113" id="Pg113" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +laughing. <span class="tei tei-q">“You forget, Hal, old fellow, that +we're instruct—hem! civilian instructors—here.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I wonder, though, if it would be in good +taste for us to go prowling through the grounds +at this hour?”</span> persisted Hal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There's one sure way to find out,”</span> proposed +Benson. <span class="tei tei-q">“We can try it, and, if no marine sentry +chases us, we can conclude that we're moving +about within our rights. Come along, fellows.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Putting on their caps, the three went up on +the platform deck. The engine room door was +locked and Williamson and Truax had already +turned in. There was a shore boat at the landing. +Jack sent a low-voiced hail that brought +the boat out alongside.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Will it be proper for us to go through the +Academy grounds at this hour?”</span> Jack inquired +of the petty officer in the stern.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir; there's no regulation against it. +And, anyway, sir, you're all stationed here, just +now.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thank you. Then please take us ashore.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At this hour the walks through the grounds +were nearly deserted. A few officers, and some +of their ladies living at the naval station, were +out. The cadets were all in their quarters in +barracks, hard at study, or supposed to be.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For some time the submarine boys strolled +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page114">[pg 114]</span><a name="Pg114" id="Pg114" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +about, enjoying the air and the views they obtained +of buildings and grounds. Back at Dunhaven +the air had been frosty. Here, at this +more southern port, the October night was +balmy, wholly pleasant.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I wonder if these cadets here ever have any +real fun?”</span> questioned Eph Somers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I've heard—or read—that they do,”</span> +laughed Hal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What sort of fun?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, for one thing, the cadets of the upper +classes haze the plebe cadets a good deal.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Humph! That's fun for all but the plebes. +Who are the plebes, anyway?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The new cadets; the youngest class at the +Academy,”</span> Hal replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What do they do to the plebe?”</span> Eph wanted +to know.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I guess the only way you could find that out, +Eph, would be to join the plebe class.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Reckon, when I come to Annapolis, I'll enter +the class above the plebe,”</span> retorted Somers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The three submarine boys had again approached +the cadet barracks building.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Here comes a cadet now, Eph,”</span> whispered +Jack. <span class="tei tei-q">“If he has the time, I don't doubt he'd +be glad to answer any questions you may have +for him.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Young Benson offered this suggestion in a +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page115">[pg 115]</span><a name="Pg115" id="Pg115" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +spirit of mischief, hoping the approaching cadet, +when questioned, would resent it stiffly. Then +Eph would be almost certain to flare up.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The cadet, however, suddenly turned, coming +straight toward them, smiling.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Good evening, gentlemen,”</span> was the cadet's +greeting.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Good evening,”</span> was Jack's hearty reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You've never been here before, have you, +sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Never,”</span> Jack confessed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then I take it you have never, sir, seen the +camelroorelephant?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The cam—”</span> began Eph Somers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then he stopped, clapping both hands to his +right jaw.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Won't you please hand that to us in +pieces?”</span> begged Eph, speaking as though with +difficulty.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The cadet laughed heartily, then added:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Don't try to pronounce it, gentlemen, until +you've seen the camelroorelephant. It's a cadet +joke, but it's well worth seeing. Shall I take +you to it?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, yes, if you'll be good enough,”</span> Jack +assented, heartily.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The cadet glanced quickly about him, then +said in a low voice:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This way, please, gentlemen.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page116">[pg 116]</span><a name="Pg116" id="Pg116" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +He led the strangers quickly around the end +of barracks to an open space in the rear. Here +he halted.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Gentlemen, I must ask you to close your +eyes, and keep them closed, on honor, until I ask +you to open them again. You won't have to +keep your eyes closed more than sixty seconds +before the camelroorelephant will be ready for +inspection. Now, eyes closed, please.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lingering only long enough to make sure that +his request had been met, the cadet stole noiselessly +away.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nor was it many seconds later when all three +of the submarine boys began to feel suddenly +suspicious.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm going to open my eyes,”</span> whispered +Eph.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You're on honor not to,”</span> warned Jack Benson, +also in a whisper.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I didn't give my word,”</span> retorted Eph, <span class="tei tei-q">“and +I'm going to—oh, great shades of Santiago!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The very genuine note of concern in Eph's +voice caused Jack and Hal to open their own +eyes instantly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nor could any of the three repress a quick +start.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From all quarters naval cadets were advancing +stealthily upon them. Something in the +very attitude and poise of the young men told +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page117">[pg 117]</span><a name="Pg117" id="Pg117" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the submarine boys that these naval cadets were +out for mischief.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We're in for it!”</span> breathed Jack, in an undertone. +<span class="tei tei-q">“We're in for something real and +startling, I reckon. Fellows, brace up and take +your medicine, whatever it is, like men!”</span></p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc25" id="toc25"></a> +<a name="pdf26" id="pdf26"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER XI: BUT SOMETHING HAPPENED!</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Nor was Jack's guess in the least wrong.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Even had the submarine boys attempted +to bolt they would have found +it impossible. They were surrounded.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The cadets closed quickly in upon them. +There were more than thirty of these budding +young naval officers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was Cadet Merriam who stepped straight +up to Jack, giving him a grotesque and exaggerated +salute, as he rumbled out:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Good evening, SIR!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Like a flash Jack Benson comprehended. +These cadets intended fully to even up matters +for having been obliged to say <span class="tei tei-q">“sir”</span> to these +very youthful <span class="tei tei-q">“civilian instructors.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Good evening,”</span> Jack smiled.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You have come to see the camelroorelephant, +SIR?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page118">[pg 118]</span><a name="Pg118" id="Pg118" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“We've been told that we might have that +pleasure,”</span> Jack responded, still smiling.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Perhaps you may,”</span> retorted Cadet Merriam, +<span class="tei tei-q">“though, first of all, it will be necessary +to prove yourselves worthy of the privilege, +SIR.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Anything within our power,”</span> promised +Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then, SIR, let me see you all three stand 'at +attention.'”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“At attention”</span> is the rigid attitude taken by +a United States soldier or sailor when in the +presence of his officers. Jack had already seen +men in that attitude, and did his best to imitate +it in smart military manner. Eph and Hal did +likewise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, no, no, you dense blockheads!”</span> uttered +Cadet Midshipman Merriam. <span class="tei tei-q">“'At attention' +upside down—on your hands!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The other cadet midshipmen now hemmed in +closely about the three. Jack thought he caught +the idea. He bent over, throwing his feet up in +the air and resting on his hands. Unable to +keep his balance, he walked two or three steps.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I didn't tell you to walk your post, blockhead!”</span> +scowled Mr. Merriam. <span class="tei tei-q">“Stand still +when at attention.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack tried, but of course made a ludicrous +failure of standing still on his hands. So did +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page119">[pg 119]</span><a name="Pg119" id="Pg119" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Hal and Eph. The latter, truth to tell, didn't +try very hard, for his freckled temper was coming +a bit to the surface.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You're the rawest recruits, the worst landlubbers +I've ever seen,”</span> declared Cadet Midshipman +Merriam, with severe dignity. <span class="tei tei-q">“Rest, +before you try it any further.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The smile had all but left Jack Benson's lips, +though he tried to keep it there. Hal Hastings +made the most successful attempt at looking +wholly unconcerned. Eph's face was growing +redder every minute. It is a regrettable fact +that Eph was really beginning to want to fight.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“See here,”</span> ordered Mr. Merriam, suddenly, +taking Jack by the arm, <span class="tei tei-q">“you're a horse, a full-blooded +Arab steed—understand!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He gave young Benson a push that sent that +youngster down to the ground on all fours.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You're General Washington, out to take a +ride on your horse,”</span> announced Mr. Merriam, +turning to Hal. <span class="tei tei-q">“It's a ride for your health. +Do you understand? It will be wholly for your +health to take that ride!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hal Hastings couldn't help comprehending. +With a sheepish grin he sat astride of Jack Benson's +back as the latter stood on all fours.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Go ahead with your ride, General,”</span> called +Mr. Merriam.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack pranced as best he could, on all fours, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page120">[pg 120]</span><a name="Pg120" id="Pg120" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Hal making the load of his own weight as light +as he could. Over the ground the pair moved +in this nonsensical ride, the cadets following and +grinning their appreciation of the nonsense.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Two of the young men followed, holding Eph +by the arms between them. Mr. Merriam now +turned upon the unhappy freckled boy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Down on all fours,”</span> ordered Mr. Merriam. +<span class="tei tei-q">“You're the measly dog that barked at General +Washington on that famous ride. Bark, you +wretched yellow cur—bark, bark, <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">bark</span></span>!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Though Eph Somers was madder than ever, +he had just enough judgment remaining to feel +that the wisest thing would be to obey instructions. +So, on all fours, Eph raced after Jack, +barking at him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“See how frightened the horse is,”</span> muttered +one of the midshipmen.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Taking the hint, Jack shied as well as he +could.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That's all,”</span> said Mr. Merriam, at last. +<span class="tei tei-q">“All of that, at least.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As the three submarine boys rose, each found +himself gently held by a pair of cadet midshipmen. +It was a more or less polite hint that the +ordeal was not yet over. Mr. Merriam turned to +whisper to one of the cadets, who darted inside +the barracks building. He was back, promptly, +carrying a folded blanket on his arm.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page123">[pg 123]</span><a name="Pg123" id="Pg123" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +A grin spread over the faces of the assembled +cadet midshipmen. The bearer of the blanket +at once unfolded it. As many of the cadets as +could got hold of the edges, bending, holding the +blanket spread out over the ground.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack Benson's two captors suddenly hurled +him across the length of the blanket with no gentle +force. Instantly the cadets holding the +blankets straightened up, jerking it taut. Up +into the air a couple of feet bounded Jack. As +his body came down the cadets holding the +blanket gave it a still harder jerk. This time +Jack shot up into the air at least four feet. It +was the same old blanket-tossing, long popular +both in the Army and Navy. Every time Jack +landed the blanket was given a harder jerk by +those holding it. Benson began to go higher +and higher.</p> + +<a name="image03" id="image03" class="tei tei-anchor" style="text-align: center"></a><a name="fig27" id="fig27"></a><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image03.jpg" width="389" height="600" alt="Illustration: Eph Raced After Jack, Barking at Him." title="Eph Raced After Jack, Barking at Him." /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.81em; margin-top: 0.81em"><span style="font-size: 81%">Eph Raced After Jack, Barking at Him.</span></div></div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now the cadets broke into a low, monotonous +chant, in time to their movements. It +ran:</p> + +<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 2.00em">Sir, sir, surcingle!</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 4.00em">Sir, sir, circle!</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 2.00em">Sir, sir, with a shingle—</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 4.00em">Sir, sir, sir!</div> +</div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As regular as drumbeats the cadets ripped out +the syllables of the refrain. At each word Jack +Benson's body shot higher and higher. These +young men were experts in the gentle art of +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page124">[pg 124]</span><a name="Pg124" id="Pg124" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +blanket-tossing. Ere long the submarine boy +was going up into the air some eight or nine feet +at every tautening of the blanket.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As for escape, that was out of the question. +No sooner did the submarine boy touch the +blanket than he shot skyward again. Had he +desired to he could not have called out. The +motion and the sudden jolts shook all the breath +out of him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ugh! Hm! Pleasant, isn't it?”</span> uttered +Hal Hastings, grimly, under his breath.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If they try to do that to me,”</span> whispered +Eph, hotly, under his breath, <span class="tei tei-q">“I'll fight.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“More simpleton you, then!”</span> Hal shot back +at him in warning. <span class="tei tei-q">“What chance do you think +you stand against a crowd like this?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just as suddenly as it had begun the blanket-tossing +stopped. Yet, hardly had Jack been allowed +to step out than Hal Hastings was unceremoniously +dropped athwart the blanket. The +tossing began again, to the chant of:</p> + +<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 2.00em">Sir, sir, surcingle!</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 4.00em">Sir, sir, circle!</div> +</div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Right plentifully were these cadet midshipmen +avenging themselves for having had to say +<span class="tei tei-q">“sir”</span> to these young submarine boys that day.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Woof!”</span> breathed Jack, as soon as breath +entered his body again. Eph clenched his fists +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page125">[pg 125]</span><a name="Pg125" id="Pg125" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +tightly, as Hal continued to go higher and +higher. But at last Hastings's ordeal was over.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I suppose they'll try that on me!”</span> gritted +Eph Somers to himself. <span class="tei tei-q">“If they do—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That was far as he got, for Eph was suddenly +flung upon the blanket.</p> + +<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 2.00em">Sir, sir, surcingle!</div> +</div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then how Eph <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">did</span></span> go up and down! It was +as though these cadet midshipmen knew that it +would make Eph mad, madder, maddest! These +budding young naval officers fairly bent to their +work, tautening and loosening on the blanket +until their muscles fairly ached.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was lofty aerial work that Eph Somers was +doing. Up and up—higher and higher! Without +the need of any effort on his own part young +Somers was now traveling upward at the rate of +ten or eleven feet at every punctuated bound.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then, suddenly, there came a sound that +chilled the blood of every young cadet midshipman +hazer present.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Halt!</span></span> Where you are!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Under the shadow of the barracks building a +naval officer had appeared. He now came forward, +a frown on his face, eyeing the culprits.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It is no merry jest for cadet midshipmen to +be caught at hazing! And here were some +thirty of them—red-handed!</p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page126">[pg 126]</span><a name="Pg126" id="Pg126" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc28" id="toc28"></a> +<a name="pdf29" id="pdf29"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER XII: JACK BENSON, EXPERT EXPLAINER</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +At the first word of command from the +officer several of the cadet midshipmen +who were near enough to an open doorway +vanished through it.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As the officer strode through the group of +startled young men a few more, left behind his +back, made a silent disappearance.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There were left, however, as the officer looked +about him, sixteen of the young men, all too +plainly headed and led by Cadet Midshipman +Merriam.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Young gentlemen,”</span> said the officer, severely, +<span class="tei tei-q">“I regret to find so many of you engaged in +hazing. It is doubly bad when your victims are +men outside the corps. And, if I mistake not, +these young gentlemen are here as temporary +civilian instructors in submarine work.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Merriam and his comrades made no reply +in words. Nor did their faces express much. +They stood at attention, looking stolidly ahead +of them, though their faces were turned toward +the officer. It was not the place of any of them +to speak unless the officer asked questions.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Severe as the hazing had been, however, Jack +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page127">[pg 127]</span><a name="Pg127" id="Pg127" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and Hal, at least, had taken it all in good part. +Nor was Jack bound by any of the rules of etiquette +that prevented the cadets from speaking.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“May I offer a word, sir?”</span> asked Jack, +wheeling upon the officer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You were one of the victims of a hazing, +were you not?”</span> demanded the officer, regarding +Jack, keenly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, could you call it that, sir?”</span> asked +Jack, a look of innocent surprise settling on his +face. <span class="tei tei-q">“We called it a demonstration—an +explanation.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Demonstration? Explanation?”</span> repeated +the officer, astonished in his turn. <span class="tei tei-q">“What do +you mean, Mr.—er—?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Benson,”</span> Jack supplied, quietly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I think you would better tell me a little more, +Mr. Benson,”</span> pursued the unknown naval +officer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, it was like this, sir,”</span> Jack continued. +<span class="tei tei-q">“My two friends—Hastings and Somers—and +myself were talking about the West Point and +Annapolis hazings, of which we had heard and +read. We were talking about the subject when +a cadet came along. I suggested to Somers that +we ask the cadet about hazing. Well, sir, to +make a long story short, some of the cadets +undertook to show us just how hazing is—or +used to be—done at Annapolis.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page128">[pg 128]</span><a name="Pg128" id="Pg128" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh! Then it was all thoroughly good-natured, +all in the way of a joke, to show you +something you wanted to know?”</span> asked the +naval officer, slowly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That's the way I took it,”</span> replied Jack. +<span class="tei tei-q">“So did Hastings and Somers. We've enjoyed +ourselves more than anyone else here has.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was truth surely enough, for, in the last +two minutes, not one of the cadet midshipmen +present could have been accused of <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">enjoying</span></span> +himself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then what took place here, Mr. Benson, +really took place at your request?”</span> insisted the +naval officer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It all answered the questions that we had +been asking,”</span> Jack replied, promptly, though, +it must be admitted, rather evasively.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This is your understanding, too, Mr. Hastings?”</span> +demanded the officer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Surely,”</span> murmured Hal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You, Mr. Somers?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I—I haven't had so much fun since the gasoline +engine blew up,”</span> protested Eph.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We entered most heartily into the spirit of +the thing,”</span> Jack hastened on to say, <span class="tei tei-q">“and feel +that we owe the deepest thanks to these young +gentlemen of the Navy. Yet, if our desire to +know more about the life—that is, the former +life—of the Academy is to result in getting our +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page129">[pg 129]</span><a name="Pg129" id="Pg129" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +entertainers into any trouble, we shall never +cease regretting our unfortunate curiosity.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For some moments the naval officer regarded +the three submarine boys, solemnly, in turn. +From them he turned to look over the cadet midshipmen. +The latter looked as stolid, and stood +as rigidly at attention, as ever.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Under this presentation of the matter,”</span> said +the officer, after a long pause, <span class="tei tei-q">“I am not prepared +to say that there has been any violation +of discipline. At least, no grave infraction. +However, some of these young gentlemen are, I +believe, absent from their quarters without +leave. Mr. Merriam?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I have permission to be absent from my +quarters between nine and ten, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Caldwell?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Absent from quarters without permission, +sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So on down through the list the officer ran. +Nine of the young men proved to have leave to +be away from their quarters. The other seven +did not have such permission. The names of +these seven, therefore, were written down to be +reported. The seven, too, were ordered at once +back to their quarters.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Having issued his instructions, the naval officer +turned and walked away. Jack and his +comrades, too, left the scene.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page130">[pg 130]</span><a name="Pg130" id="Pg130" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Yet they had not gone far when they heard +a low hail behind. Turning, they saw Cadet +Midshipmen Merriam hastening toward them.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Gentlemen,”</span> he said, earnestly, as he +reached them, <span class="tei tei-q">“it may not be best for me to be +seen lingering here to talk with you. But my +comrades wanted me to come after you and to +say that we think you bricks. You carried that +off finely, Mr. Benson. None of us will ever +forget it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It wasn't much to do,”</span> smiled Jack, +pleasantly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It was quick-witted of you, and generous +too, sir,”</span> rejoined Mr. Merriam, finding it now +very easy to employ the <span class="tei tei-q">“sir.”</span> <span class="tei tei-q">“Probably you +agree with us that no great crime was committed, +anyway. But, just the same, hazing is +under a heavy ban these days. If you hadn't +saved the day as you did, sir, all of our cadet +party might have been dismissed the Service. +Those absent from quarters without leave +will get only a few demerits apiece. We +have that much to thank you for, sir, and we +do. All our thanks, remember. Good night, +sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My courage was down in my boots for a +while,”</span> confessed Hal Hastings, as the three +chums continued their walk back to the Basin.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“When?”</span> demanded Eph, grimly. <span class="tei tei-q">“When +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page131">[pg 131]</span><a name="Pg131" id="Pg131" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +your boots—and the rest of you—were so high +up in the air over the blanket?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No; when the cadets were caught at it,”</span> +replied Hal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Say, Jack,”</span> demanded Eph, <span class="tei tei-q">“do you ever +give much thought to the future life?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Meaning the life in the next world?”</span> questioned +Benson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I sometimes give a good deal of thought to +it,”</span> Jack confessed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then where do you expect to go, when the +time comes?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“After the whoppers you told that officer?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I didn't tell him even a single tiny fib,”</span> protested +Jack, indignantly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, you George Washington!”</span> choked Eph +Somers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, I didn't,”</span> insisted Jack. <span class="tei tei-q">“Now, just +stop and think. Weren't we all three discussing +hazing?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then that part of what I told the officer was +straight. Now, Eph, when we saw that first +cadet come along, didn't I suggest to you to ask +him about hazing?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ye-es,”</span> admitted Somers, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then, didn't the cadet midshipmen offer to +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page132">[pg 132]</span><a name="Pg132" id="Pg132" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +show us all about hazing pranks, and didn't they +do it?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, rather,”</span> muttered Eph.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, young man, that's all I told the officer, +except that we enjoyed our entertainment +greatly.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Did</span></span> we enjoy it, though?”</span> demanded Eph +Somers, bridling up.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I did,”</span> replied Jack, <span class="tei tei-q">“and I spoke for myself. +I enjoyed it as I would enjoy almost any +new experience.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“So did I,”</span> added Hal, warmly. <span class="tei tei-q">“It was +rough—mighty rough—but now I know what an +Annapolis hazing is like, and I'm glad I do.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, I want to tell you I didn't enjoy it,”</span> +blazed Eph. <span class="tei tei-q">“It was a mighty cheeky—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then why did you let the officer imagine you +enjoyed it?”</span> taunted Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While Hal put in, slyly:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Eph, you're too quick to talk about others +fibbing. From the evidence just put in, it's +evident that you're the only one of the three who +fibbed any. Won't you please walk on the +other side of the road? I never did like to +travel with liars.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, you go to Jericho!”</span> flared Eph. But, +as he walked along, he blinked a good deal, and +did some hard thinking.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll tell you,”</span> broke out Jack, suddenly, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page133">[pg 133]</span><a name="Pg133" id="Pg133" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“who thanks us even more than the cadets themselves +do.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who?”</span> queried Hal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That officer who caught the crowd at it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you think he cared?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Of course he did,”</span> said Jack, positively. +<span class="tei tei-q">“He'd rather have gone hungry for a couple of +days than have to report that bunch for +hazing.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then why was he so infernally stiff with +the young men?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He had to be; that's the answer. That officer, +like every other officer of the Navy detailed +here, is sworn to do his full duty. So he has to +enforce the regulations. But don't you suppose, +fellows, that officer was hazed, and did +some hazing on his own account, when he was +a cadet midshipman here years ago? Of course! +And that's why the officer didn't question us any +more closely than he did. He was afraid he +might stumble on something that would oblige +him to report the whole crowd for hazing. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">He</span></span> +didn't want to do it. That officer, I'm certain, +knew that, if he questioned us too closely, he'd +find a lot more beneath the surface that he +simply didn't want to dig up.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Would you have told the truth, if he had +questioned you searchingly, and pinned you +right down?”</span> demanded Eph Somers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page134">[pg 134]</span><a name="Pg134" id="Pg134" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Of course I would,”</span> Jack replied, soberly. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I'm no liar. But I feel deeply grateful to that +officer for not being keener.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Before nine o'clock the next morning news of +the night's doings back of barracks had spread +through the entire corps of cadet midshipmen.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With these young men of the Navy there was +but one opinion of the submarine boys—that +they were trumps, wholly of the right sort.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As a result, Jack, Hal and Eph had hundreds +of new friends among those who will officer the +Navy of the morrow.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Not so bad, even just as a stroke of business!</p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc30" id="toc30"></a> +<a name="pdf31" id="pdf31"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER XIII: READY FOR THE SEA CRUISE</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +For the next ten days things moved along +without much excitement for the submarine +boys.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During that time they had an average of four +sections a day of cadet midshipmen to instruct +in the workings of the Pollard type of submarine +torpedo boat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the last few days short cruises were +taken on the Severn River, in order that the +middies might practise at running the motors +and handling the craft. At such times one +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page135">[pg 135]</span><a name="Pg135" id="Pg135" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +squad of midshipmen would be on duty in the +engine room, another in the conning tower and +on the platform deck.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Of course, when the midshipmen handled the +<span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum,”</span> under command of a Navy officer, +the submarine boys had but little more to do +than to be on board. Certainly they were not +overworked. Yet all three were doing fine +work for their employers in making the Navy +officers of the future like the Pollard type of +craft.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After waiting a few days Jack Benson reported +to the Annapolis police his experience +with the mulatto <span class="tei tei-q">“guide.”</span> The police thought +they recognized the fellow, from the description, +and did their best to find him. The mulatto, +however, seemed to have disappeared from that +part of the country.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There came a Friday afternoon when, as the +last detachment of middies filed over the side +into the waiting cutter, Lieutenant Commander +Mayhew announced:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This, Mr. Benson, completes the instruction +desired in the Basin and in the river. To-morrow +and Sunday you will have for rest. On +Monday, at 10 <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">a.m.</span></span>, a section will report aboard +for the first trip out to sea. Then you will show +our young men how the boat dives, and how she +is run under water. As none of our cadet midshipmen +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page136">[pg 136]</span><a name="Pg136" id="Pg136" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +have ever been below in a submarine +before, you will be sure of having eager +students.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And perhaps some nervous ones,”</span> smiled +Skipper Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Possibly,”</span> assented Mr. Mayhew. <span class="tei tei-q">“I doubt +it, though. Nervousness is not a marked trait +of any young man who has been long enrolled at +the Naval Academy.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Can we have a slight favor done us, Mr. +Mayhew?”</span> Jack asked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Any reasonable favor, of course.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then, sir, we'd like to spend a little time +ashore, as we've been confined so long aboard. +If I lock up everything tight on the boat until +Sunday night, may we know that the 'Farnum' +will be under the protection of the marine +guard?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I feel that there will not be the slightest difficulty +in promising you that,”</span> replied Mr. Mayhew. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I will telephone the proper authorities +about it as soon as I go on shore.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">All hands on board were pleased over the +prospect of going ashore, with the exception of +Sam Truax.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You don't need any guard on the boat,”</span> he +protested. <span class="tei tei-q">“I don't want to go ashore. Leave +me here and I'll be all the guard necessary.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We're all going ashore,”</span> Jack replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page137">[pg 137]</span><a name="Pg137" id="Pg137" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“But I haven't any money to spend ashore,”</span> +objected Truax.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll let you have ten dollars on account, +then,”</span> replied Jack, who was well supplied with +money, thanks to a draft received from Jacob +Farnum.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I don't want to go ashore, anyway.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm sorry, Truax, but it doesn't really make +any difference. The boat will be closed up +tight, and there wouldn't be any place for you +to stay, except on the platform deck.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You're not treating me fairly,”</span> protested +Sam Truax, indignantly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm sorry you think so. Still, if you're not +satisfied, all I can do is to pay you off to date. +Then you can go where you please.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm here by David Pollard's order. Do you +forget that?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He sent you along to us, true,”</span> admitted +Jack, <span class="tei tei-q">“but I have instructions from Mr. Farnum +to dismiss anyone whose work on board I +don't like. Now, Truax, you're a competent +enough man in the engine room, and there's no +sense in having to let you go. You're well paid, +and can afford the time on shore. I wouldn't +make any more fuss about this, but do as the +rest of us are going to do.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, I'll have to, then, since you're boss +here,”</span> grumbled Truax, sulkily.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page138">[pg 138]</span><a name="Pg138" id="Pg138" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“I don't want to make it felt too much that I +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">am</span></span> boss here,”</span> Jack retorted, mildly. <span class="tei tei-q">“At the +same time, though, I'm held responsible, and +so I suppose I'll have to have things done the +way that seems best to me.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sam Truax turned to get his satchel. The +instant his back was turned on the young commander +Sam's face was a study in ugliness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, I'll take this all out of you,”</span> muttered +the fellow to himself. <span class="tei tei-q">“I don't believe, Jack +Benson, you'll go on the cruising next week. +If you do, you won't be much good, anyway!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ten minutes later a shore boat landed the +entire party from the submarine craft.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Going with the rest of us, Truax?”</span> inquired +Jack, pleasantly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No; I'm going to find a boarding-house. +That will be cheaper than the hotel.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So the other four kept straight on to the +Maryland House, giving very little more thought +to the sulky one.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was not until after supper that Eph turned +the talk back to Sam Truax.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I don't like the fellow, at all,”</span> declared +young Somers. <span class="tei tei-q">“He always wants to be left +alone in the engine room, for one thing.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And I've made it my business, regular,”</span> +added Williamson, the machinist, <span class="tei tei-q">“to see that +he doesn't have his wish.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page139">[pg 139]</span><a name="Pg139" id="Pg139" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“He's always sulky, and kicking about everything,”</span> +added Eph. <span class="tei tei-q">“I may be wrong, but I +can't get it out of my head that the fellow came +aboard on purpose to be a trouble-maker.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, what object could he have in that?”</span> +asked Captain Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Blessed if I know,”</span> replied Eph. <span class="tei tei-q">“But +that's the way I size the fellow up. Now, take +that time you were knocked senseless, back in +Dunhaven. Who could have done that? The +more I think about Sam Truax, the more I suspect +him as the fellow who stretched you out.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Again, what object could he have?”</span> inquired +Benson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Blessed if I know. What object could anyone +have in such a trick against you? It was a +state prison job, if the fellow had been caught +at the time.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, there's one thing Truax was innocent +of, anyway,”</span> laughed Captain Jack. <span class="tei tei-q">“He +didn't have any hand in the way I was tricked +and robbed by the mulatto.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Blamed if I'm so sure he didn't have a hand +in that, too,”</span> contended Eph Somers, stubbornly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yet Mr. Pollard recommended him,”</span> urged +Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, and a fine fellow Dave Pollard is—true +as steel,”</span> put in Hal Hastings, quietly. <span class="tei tei-q">“Yet +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page140">[pg 140]</span><a name="Pg140" id="Pg140" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +you know what a dreamer he is. Always has his +head in the air and his thoughts among the stars. +He'd as like as not take a fellow like Truax on +the fellow's own say-so, and never think of looking +him up.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, we've no reason to think Truax isn't +honest enough,”</span> contended Jack Benson. +<span class="tei tei-q">“He's certainly a fine workman. As to his +being sulky, you know well enough that's a common +fault among men who spend their lives listening +to the noise of great engines. A man +who can't make himself heard over the noise of +a big engine hasn't much encouragement to talk. +Now, a man who can't find much chance to talk +becomes sulky a good many times out of ten.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We'll have trouble with that fellow, Truax, +yet,”</span> muttered Eph.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, I hope not,”</span> Jack answered, then added, +significantly:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If he <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">does</span></span> start any trouble he may find that +he has been trifling with the wrong crowd!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Very little more thought was given to the +sulky one. The submarine boys and their companion, +Williamson, enjoyed Saturday and +Sunday ashore.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">All of them might have felt disturbed, however, +had they known of one thing that happened.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The naval machinists aboard the first submarine +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page141">[pg 141]</span><a name="Pg141" id="Pg141" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +boat, the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard,”</span> now owned by the +United States Government, found something +slightly out of order with the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard's”</span> +engine that they did not know exactly how to +remedy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sam Truax, hanging around the Basin that +Sunday forenoon, was called upon. He gladly +responded to the call for help. For four hours +he toiled along in the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard's”</span> engine room. +Much of that time he spent there alone.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The job done, at last, Truax quietly received +the thanks of the naval machinists and went +ashore again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Yet, as he turned and walked toward the main +gate of the grounds, there was a smile on Sam +Truax's face that was little short of diabolical.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, if I can only get the same chance at the +'Farnum's' engines!”</span> he muttered, to himself. +<span class="tei tei-q">“If I can, I think Mr. Jack Benson will find himself +out of favor with his company, for his company +will be out of favor with the Navy Department +at Washington!”</span></p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page142">[pg 142]</span><a name="Pg142" id="Pg142" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc32" id="toc32"></a> +<a name="pdf33" id="pdf33"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER XIV: THE </span><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 173%">“</span><span style="font-size: 173%">POLLARD</span><span style="font-size: 173%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 173%"> GOES LAME</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-q">“The submarine boats when out in the +Bay will keep abreast of the 'Hudson,' +two hundred yards off on either +beam. The speed will be fourteen knots when +the signal is given for full speed. The general +course, after leaving the mouth of the Bay will +be East.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Such were the instructions called from the +rail of the gunboat, through a megaphone, +Monday forenoon.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On each of the submarine craft were sixteen +cadet midshipmen, out for actual practice in +handling a submarine in diving and in running +under water. On board the gunboat were eighty +more cadets. Thus a large class of the young +men were to receive instruction during the +cruise, for the detachments aboard the submarines +could be changed at the pleasure of +Lieutenant Commander Mayhew, who was in +charge of the cruise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Captain Jack, his own hands on the conning +tower wheel, ran the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> out into the +river, first of all. Then the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard,”</span> under +command of a naval officer, followed. Both +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page143">[pg 143]</span><a name="Pg143" id="Pg143" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +backed water, then waited for the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson”</span> to +come out, for the gunboat was to lead the way +until the Bay was reached. Then the formation +ordered would be followed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Though it was nearing the first of November, +the day, near land, was ideally soft and balmy. +As many of the midshipmen as could sought the +platform deck of the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum.”</span> Those, however, +who belonged to the engineer division were +obliged to spend the greater part of their time +below.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By the time that the three craft were in the +ordered formation, abreast, and well started +down Chesapeake Bay, the parent vessel signaled +that the designated cadets were to take +charge of the handling of the submarine +boats.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack Benson cheerfully relinquished the wheel +to Cadet Midshipman Merriam, and stepped out +on to the platform deck. At need, as in case of +accident or misunderstanding of signals or +orders, Benson was still in command. While all +ran smoothly, however, Mr. Merriam enjoyed +command.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hal, being likewise relieved in the engine +room, came also out on deck.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Where's Eph?”</span> inquired the young commander +of the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In the engine room,”</span> smiled Hal. <span class="tei tei-q">“He said +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page144">[pg 144]</span><a name="Pg144" id="Pg144" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +I could leave, if I wanted, but that he'd be +hanged if he'd let Truax out of his sight while +I was away.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Eph seems to have Truax on the brain,”</span> +laughed Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, Truax <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">is</span></span> a queer and surly one,”</span> Hal +admitted. <span class="tei tei-q">“This morning he gives one the impression +of peeking over his shoulder all the +time to see whether he's being watched.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“So Eph means to humor him by watching +him, eh?”</span> asked Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hal laughed quietly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Some of the cadets who were familiar with +the landmarks of Chesapeake Bay pointed out +many of the localities and sights to the two +submarine boys.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last, however, Eph was obliged to call for +Hal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You know, Hal, old fellow, I've got to look +out for the feeding of a lot of boarders to-day,”</span> +complained Eph, whimsically.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This task of Eph's took time, though it was +not a hard one. The food for the cadets had +been sent aboard. Eph had to make coffee and +heat soup. For the rest, cold food had to do. +The young men, on this trip, were required to +wait on themselves.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hal found Sam Truax sitting moodily in a +corner of the engine room, though there was +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page145">[pg 145]</span><a name="Pg145" id="Pg145" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +something about the fellow's appearance that +suggested the watchfulness of a cat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why don't you go on deck a while, Truax?”</span> +asked Hal, kindly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Don't want to,”</span> snapped the fellow, irritably. +So Hal turned his back on the man.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Doesn't that part need loosening up a bit, +sir?”</span> asked the cadet in charge of the engineer +division.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> replied Hastings, after watching a +moment; <span class="tei tei-q">“it does.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll do it, then,”</span> proposed Truax, roughly. +He attempted to crowd his way past Hal, but the +latter refused to be crowded, and stood his +ground until the midshipman passed him a +wrench. Then Hastings loosened up the part.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You might let me do a little something,”</span> +growled Sam Truax, in a tone intentionally +offensive.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Don't forget, Truax, that I'm in command +in this department,”</span> retorted Hal, in a quieter +tone than usual, though with a direct, steady +look that made Sam Truax turn white with +repressed wrath.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You won't let me forget it, will you?”</span> +snarled the fellow.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No; for I don't want you to forget it, and +least of all on this cruise,”</span> responded Hal Hastings.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page146">[pg 146]</span><a name="Pg146" id="Pg146" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“You don't give me any chance to—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Silence!”</span> ordered Hal, taking a step toward +him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sam Truax opened his mouth to make some +retort, then wisely changed his mind, dropping +back into his former seat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The noon meal was served to all hands. By +the time it was well over the mouth of the Bay +was in sight, the broad Atlantic rolling in +beyond.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The sea, when reached, proved to be almost +smooth. It was ideal weather for such a cruise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then straight East, for an hour they went, +getting well out of the path of coasting vessels.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hullo! What in blazes does that mean?”</span> +suddenly demanded Hal, pointing astern at +starboard.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard”</span> lay tossing gently on the +water, making no headway. Hardly ten seconds +later the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson”</span> signaled a halt.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then followed some rapid signaling between +the gunboat and the submarine that had +stopped. There was some break in the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard's”</span> +machinery, but the cause had not yet +been determined.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Blazes!”</span> muttered Jack, uneasily. <span class="tei tei-q">“It +couldn't have happened at a worse time. This +looks bad for our firm, Hal!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> now lay to, as did the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson,”</span> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page147">[pg 147]</span><a name="Pg147" id="Pg147" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +for the officer in command of the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard”</span> +signaled that his machinists were making +a rapid but thorough investigation of the unfortunate +submarine's engines.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Finally, a cutter put off from the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson,”</span> +with a cadet midshipman in charge. The small +boat came over alongside, and the midshipman +called up:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The lieutenant commander's compliments, +and will Mr. Benson detail Mr. Hastings to go +over to the 'Pollard' and assist?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My compliments to the lieutenant commander,”</span> +Jack replied. <span class="tei tei-q">“And be good enough +to report to him, please, that Mr. Hastings and +I will both go.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My orders, sir, are to convey you to the +'Pollard' before reporting back to the parent +vessel,”</span> replied the midshipman.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The cutter came alongside, taking off the two +submarine boys, while Eph Somers devoted himself +to watching Sam Truax as a bloodhound +might have hung to a trail.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Arrived on board the good, old, familiar +<span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard,”</span> Jack and Hal hurried below.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The machinery is too hot to handle, now, +sir,”</span> reported one of the naval machinists, <span class="tei tei-q">“but +it looks as though something was wrong right in +there”</span>—pointing.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Put one of the electric fans at work there, at +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page148">[pg 148]</span><a name="Pg148" id="Pg148" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +once,”</span> directed Hal. <span class="tei tei-q">“Then things ought to be +cool enough in half an hour, to make an examination +possible.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After seeing this done, the two submarine boys +left for the platform deck, for the engine room +was both hot and crowded.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“How long is it going to take you, Mr. Hastings?”</span> +asked the naval officer in command of the +<span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Half an hour to get the parts cool enough +to examine, but I can't say, sir, how long the +examination and repairs will take.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So the officer in command signaled what +proved to be vague and unsatisfactory information +to Lieutenant Commander Mayhew.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This is a bad time to have this sort of thing +happen,”</span> observed the naval officer in charge.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A mighty bad time, sir,”</span> Jack murmured.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And the engines of the 'Pollard' were supposed +to be in first-class condition.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“They <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">were</span></span> in A-1 condition, when the boat +was turned over to the Navy,”</span> Jack responded.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you imagine, then, Mr. Benson, that +some of the naval machinists have been careless +or incompetent?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, that would be a wild guess to make, +sir, when one remembers what high rank your +naval machinists take in their work,”</span> Jack +Benson replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page149">[pg 149]</span><a name="Pg149" id="Pg149" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“And this boat was sold to the Navy with the +strongest guarantee for the engines,”</span> pursued +the officer in charge.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack and Hal were both worried. The sudden +break had a bad look for the Pollard boats, +in the success of which these submarine boys +were most vitally interested.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last, from below, the suspected parts of +the engine were reported to be cool enough for +examination. The naval officer in charge followed +Jack and Hal below.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Taking off his uniform blouse and rolling up +his sleeves, Hal sailed in vigorously to locate the +fault. Machinists and cadets stood about, passing +him the tools he needed, and helping him +when required.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last, after disconnecting some parts, Hal +drew out a long, slender brass piston.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As he held it up young Hastings's face went +as white as chalk.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you see this?”</span> he demanded, hoarsely.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Filed, crazily, and it also looks as though the +inner end had been heated and tampered with,”</span> +gasped Jack Benson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This, sir,”</span> complained Hal, turning around +to face the naval officer in charge, <span class="tei tei-q">“looks like a +direct attempt to tamper with and damage the +engine. Someone has done this deliberately, +sir. It only remains to find the culprit.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page150">[pg 150]</span><a name="Pg150" id="Pg150" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Then we'll find out,”</span> retorted the naval officer, +<span class="tei tei-q">“if it takes a court of inquiry and a court +martial to do it. But are you sure of your +charge, Mr. Hastings?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Am I sure?”</span> repeated Hal, all the soul of +the young engineer swelling to the surface. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Take this piston, sir, and examine it. Could +such a job have been done, unless by sheer +design and intent?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Will the lieutenant permit me to speak?”</span> +asked the senior machinist, taking a step forward +and saluting.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes; go ahead.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yesterday morning, sir,”</span> continued the +senior machinist, <span class="tei tei-q">“we thought the engines +needed some overhauling by someone more accustomed +to them than we were. We saw one +of the machinists of the 'Farnum,' sir, hanging +about on shore. So we invited him aboard and +asked him to look the engines over.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Describe the man,”</span> begged Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The senior machinist gave a description that +instantly denoted Sam Truax as the man in +question.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Did you leave him alone in here, at any +time?”</span> demanded Hal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Let me see. Why, yes, sir. The man must +have been alone in here some three-quarters of +an hour.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page151">[pg 151]</span><a name="Pg151" id="Pg151" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Jack and Hal exchanged swift glances.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There seemed, now, very little need of carrying +the investigation further.</p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc34" id="toc34"></a> +<a name="pdf35" id="pdf35"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER XV: ANOTHER TURN AT HARD LUCK</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +When he could trust himself to speak +Hal Hastings addressed the naval +officer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I think Mr. Benson and myself understand, +sir, how it happened that this damage was done. +There are extra parts in the repair kit. In +twenty minutes, sir, I think we can have the +engines running smoothly once more.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The naval officer was wise enough not to press +the questioning further just then. Instead, he +went on deck.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Working like beavers, and with the assistance +of others standing about, Jack and Hal had the +piston replaced and all the other parts in place +within fifteen minutes. Then, once more, Hal +turned on the gasoline, set the ignition, and +watched.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The engine ran as smoothly as ever.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There won't be any more trouble, unless +someone is turned loose here with files and a +blast lamp,”</span> pronounced Hal. Then he and +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page152">[pg 152]</span><a name="Pg152" id="Pg152" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +his chum sought the deck, to report to the officer +in charge.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You think we're in running order, now?”</span> +asked that officer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If you give the speed-ahead signal, sir, I +think you'll feel as though you had a live engine +under your deck,”</span> Hal assured him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The signal was given, the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard”</span> immediately +responding. She cut a wide circle, at +good speed, returning to her former position, +where the propellers were stopped.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You suspect your own machinist, who was +aboard?”</span> asked the naval officer, in a low tone, +of the submarine boys.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If you'll pardon our not answering directly, +sir,”</span> Captain Jack replied, <span class="tei tei-q">“we want to have +more than suspicions before we make a very +energetic report on this strange accident. But +we shall not be asleep, sir, in the matter of finding +out. Then we shall make a full report to +Mr. Mayhew.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Success to you—and vigilance!”</span> muttered +the naval officer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The gunboat's cutter came alongside, transferring +Jack and Hal back to the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hal went directly below to the engine room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You fixed the trouble with the 'Pollard'?”</span> +demanded Eph Somers, eagerly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> Hal admitted.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page153">[pg 153]</span><a name="Pg153" id="Pg153" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“What was wrong?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, I don't know as I'd want to commit +myself in too offhand a way,”</span> replied Hal, +slowly, as though thinking.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What appeared to be at the bottom of the +trouble?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, it <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">may</span></span> have been that one of the naval +machinists, not understanding our engines any +too well, allowed one of the pistons to get overheated, +and then resorted to filing,”</span> Hal replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What? Overheat a piston, and then try to +correct it with a file?”</span> cried young Somers, disgustedly. +<span class="tei tei-q">“The crazy blacksmith! He ought +to be set to shoeing snails—that's all he's fit +for.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It looks that way,”</span> Hal assented, smiling.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Artful, clever Hal! He had carried it all off +so coolly and naturally that Sam Truax, who +had been closely studying Hastings's face from +the background, was wholly deceived.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This fellow, Hastings, isn't as smart as I had +thought him,”</span> muttered Truax, to himself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The interrupted cruise now proceeded, the +parent vessel signaling for a temporary speed +of sixteen knots in order to make up for lost +time.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Twenty minutes later came the signal from +the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson:”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“At the command, the submarines will dash +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page154">[pg 154]</span><a name="Pg154" id="Pg154" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +ahead at full speed, each making its best time. +During this trial, which will end at the firing of +a gun from the parent vessel, all cadets will be +on deck.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Word was immediately passed below, and all +the cadets of the engineer division came +tumbling up.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">To these, who had been in the engine room +constantly for hours, the cool wind blowing +across the deck was highly agreeable.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For the speed dash Captain Jack Benson had +again taken command. He passed word below +to Eph Somers to take the wheel in the conning +tower.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Eph, therefore, came up with the last of the +cadets from below. In the excitement of the +pending race it had not been noticed by any of +the submarine boys that Williamson was already +on deck, aft. That left Sam Truax below in sole +possession of the boat's engine quarters.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The gunboat now fell a little behind, leaving +the two submarines some four hundred yards +apart, but as nearly as possible on a line.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Look at the crowd over on the 'Pollard's' +decks,”</span> muttered Hal. <span class="tei tei-q">“They're all Navy +folks over there.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And they mean to beat such plain 'dubs' as +they must consider us,”</span> laughed Captain Jack, +in an undertone.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page155">[pg 155]</span><a name="Pg155" id="Pg155" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Will they beat us, though?”</span> grinned Hal +Hastings. <span class="tei tei-q">“You and I, Jack, happen to know +that the 'Farnum' is a bit the faster boat by +rights.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Suddenly the signal broke out from the gunboat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Race her, Eph!”</span> shouted Captain Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Aye, aye, sir!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Eph Somers's right hand caught at the speed +signals beside the wheel. He called for all +speed, the bell jangling merrily in the engine +room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A little cheer of excitement went up from the +cadets aboard the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> as that craft shot +ahead over the waters. The cadets were catching +the thrill of what was virtually a race. At +the same time, though, these midshipmen could +not help feeling a good deal of interest in the +success of the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard,”</span> which was manned +wholly by representatives of the Navy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the first three minutes the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> stole +gradually, though slowly, ahead of the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard.”</span> +Then, to the disgust of all three of the +submarine boys, the other craft was seen to be +gaining. Before long the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard”</span> had the +lead, and looked likely to increase it. Already +gleeful cheers were rising from the all-Navy +crowd on the deck of the other submarine.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Behind the racers sped the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson,”</span> keeping +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page156">[pg 156]</span><a name="Pg156" id="Pg156" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +just far enough behind to be able to observe +everything without interfering with either +torpedo craft.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From looking at the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard”</span> Captain Jack +glanced down at the water. His own boat's +bows seemed to be cutting the water at a fast +gait. The young skipper, knowing what he +knew about both boats, could not understand this +losing to the other craft.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The Navy men must know a few tricks with +engines that we haven't guessed,”</span> he observed, +anxiously, to young Hastings.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I don't know what it can be, then,”</span> murmured +Hal, uneasily. <span class="tei tei-q">“There aren't so confusingly +many parts to a six-cylinder gasoline +motor. They aren't hard engines to run. More +depends on the engine itself than on the +engineer.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But look over there,”</span> returned Captain +Jack Benson. <span class="tei tei-q">“You see the 'Pollard' taking +the wind out of our teeth, don't you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> Hal admitted, looking more puzzled.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you think our engines are doing the top-notch +of their best?”</span> asked Benson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes; for Williamson is a crackerjack +machinist. He knows our engines as well as +any man alive could do.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you think it would do any good for you +to go below, Hal?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page157">[pg 157]</span><a name="Pg157" id="Pg157" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“I will, if you say so,”</span> offered Hastings. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Yet there's another side to it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Williamson might get it into his head that +I went below because I thought he was making +a muddle of the speed. As a matter of fact, he +knows every blessed thing I do about our motors, +and Williamson is loyal to the core.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I know,”</span> nodded Captain Jack. <span class="tei tei-q">“I'd hate to +hurt a fine fellow's feelings. Yet—confound it, +I <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">do</span></span> want to win this burst of speed. It means, +perhaps, the quick sale of this boat to the Navy. +If we're beaten it means, to the Secretary of the +Navy, that he already has our best boat, and he +might not see the need of buying the 'Farnum' +at all.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Give Williamson two or three minutes +more,”</span> begged Hal. <span class="tei tei-q">“You might tell Eph, +though, to repeat, and repeat, the signal for top +speed. That'll show Williamson we're losing.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack Benson walked to the conning tower, instructing +Eph Somers in a low tone.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I've signaled twice, since the first time,”</span> +Eph replied. <span class="tei tei-q">“But here goes some more.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I wonder what's going wrong with our engines, +then,”</span> muttered Captain Jack, uneasily.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It ain't in careless steering, anyway,”</span> +grumbled Eph. <span class="tei tei-q">“I'm going as straight as a +chalk line.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page158">[pg 158]</span><a name="Pg158" id="Pg158" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“I noticed that,”</span> Captain Jack admitted.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He continued to look worried, for, by this +time, the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard”</span> was at least a good two +hundred and fifty yards to the good in the lead.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm afraid,”</span> muttered Hal, rejoining Benson, +<span class="tei tei-q">“that I'll simply have to go below.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm afraid so,”</span> nodded Jack. <span class="tei tei-q">“We simply +can't afford to lose this or any other race to the +'Pollard.'”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Williamson knows that fully as well as we +do, though,”</span> Hal Hastings went on. <span class="tei tei-q">“And +Williamson—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Of a sudden Hal stopped short. He half +staggered, clutching at a rail, while his eyes +stared and his lips twitched.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why—why—there's Williamson—aft on the +deck!”</span> muttered Hastings.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack, too, wheeled like a flash. Back there +in a crowd of cadets stood the machinist upon +whom the submarine boys were depending for +the best showing that the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> could +make.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Williamson up here!”</span> gasped Hal. <span class="tei tei-q">“And—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That fellow, Truax, all alone with the +motors!”</span> hissed Captain Jack. Then, after a +second or two of startled silence:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Come on, Hal!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page159">[pg 159]</span><a name="Pg159" id="Pg159" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +The naval cadets were too much absorbed in +watching the race to have overheard anything. +Williamson, too, standing at the rail, looking out +over the water, had not yet discovered that Hal +Hastings was up from the engine room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack Benson stole below on tip-toe, though +with the machinery running so much stealth was +not necessary. Right behind him followed Hal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As the two gained the doorway of the engine +room Sam Truax had his back turned to them, +and so did not note the sudden watchers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was a smile of malicious triumph on +Truax's face as he turned a lever a little way +over, thus decreasing the ignition power of the +motors.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Both Jack and Hal could see that the gasoline +flow had been turned on nearly to the full +capacity. It was the poor ignition work that +was making the motors respond so badly. A +little less, and a little less, of the electric spark +that burned the gasoline and air mixture—that +was the secret of the gradually decreasing +speed, while all the time it looked as though the +<span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> was doing her level best to win the +race.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Whistling, as he bent over, Sam Truax caught +up a long, slender steel bar. With this he +stepped forward, intent upon his next wicked +step.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page160">[pg 160]</span><a name="Pg160" id="Pg160" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Gracious! The scoundrel is going to run +that bar in between the moving parts of the +engine and bring about a break-down!”</span> +quivered Hal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sam Truax stood watching for his chance to +thrust the steel bar in just where it would inflict +the most damage. Then raising the bar +quickly, he poised for the blow.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Stop that, you infernal sneak!”</span> roared Jack +Benson, bounding into the engine room.</p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc36" id="toc36"></a> +<a name="pdf37" id="pdf37"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER XVI: BRAVING NOTHING BUT A SNEAK</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-q">“You—here?”</span> hissed Truax, wheeling +about.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He had not had time to make the +thrust with the steel bar.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Instead, as he wheeled, he raised it above his +head, drawing back in an attitude of guard.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As he did so, a vile oath escaped Truax's lips.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Put that bar down!”</span> commanded Jack +Benson, standing unflinchingly before the angry +rascal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll put it down on your head, if you don't +get out of here!”</span> snarled the wretch.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Put it down, and consider yourself off duty +here, for good and all,”</span> insisted Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page161">[pg 161]</span><a name="Pg161" id="Pg161" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Are you going to get out of here, or shall +I brain you?”</span> screamed Truax, his face working +in the height of his passion.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Neither,”</span> retorted Captain Jack, coolly. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I command here, and you know it. Put that +bar down, and leave the engine room.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Come and take the bar from me—if you +dare!”</span> taunted the fellow, a more wicked gleam +flashing in his eyes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hal!”</span> called Jack, sharply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Aye!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Call two or three of the cadets down here. +Don't make any noise about it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This order was called without Benson's turning +his head. He still stood facing the sneak +while Hal sped away.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, I've got you alone!”</span> gloated Truax. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I'll finish you!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A scornful smile curled Jack's lips as he gazed +steadily back at his foe.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Truax, you're a coward, as well as a sneak.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am—eh?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With another nasty oath Truax stepped +quickly forward, the steel bar upraised.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He took but one step, however, for Captain +Jack Benson had not retreated an inch.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nor did Jack have his hands up in an attitude +of guard.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Are you going to put that bar down, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page162">[pg 162]</span><a name="Pg162" id="Pg162" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Truax?”</span> the young skipper demanded, in a +voice that betrayed not a tremor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then you'll have to make good in a moment, +for we're going to attack you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bah! I can stave in two or three heads before +any number of you could stop me,”</span> sneered +the fellow, in an ugly voice.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You could, but you won't dare.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I won't?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Not you!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At that instant rapid steps were heard. Hal +Hastings returned with three of the midshipmen, +behind them Williamson trying to crowd +his way into the scene.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Just tell us what you want, Mr. Benson,”</span> +proposed Cadet Merriam, amiably.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This fellow has been 'doping' our engines,”</span> +announced Captain Jack. <span class="tei tei-q">“And now he's +threatening to stand us off. We'll close in on +him from both sides. If he tries to use that +steel bar on any of us—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If he does, he'll curse his unlucky star,”</span> +declared Midshipman Merriam. <span class="tei tei-q">“Come on, +gentlemen. We'll show him some of the Navy +football tactics!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The three midshipmen approached Truax +steadily from the right. Jack, Hal and Williamson +stepped in on the left.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page163">[pg 163]</span><a name="Pg163" id="Pg163" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +With a yell like that of a maniac Sam Truax +swung the bar.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Having to watch both sides at once, however, +he made a fizzle of it. The bar came down, but +struck the floor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then, with a yell, the midshipmen leaped in on +one side, Jack leading the submarine forces on +the other. Mr. Merriam's trip and Jack's +smashing blow with the fist brought Truax down +to the floor in a heap.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, cart this human rubbish out of here!”</span> +ordered Jack Benson, sternly. <span class="tei tei-q">“Don't hit him—he +isn't man enough to be worthy of a blow!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Swooping down upon the prostrate one, Hal +and the midshipmen seized Sam Truax by his +arms and legs, carrying him bodily out of the +engine room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Williamson,”</span> commanded Captain Jack, +<span class="tei tei-q">“stop the speed.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In the race, sir. We—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Stop the speed,”</span> repeated Benson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You're the captain,”</span> admitted Williamson. +Grasping the twin levers of the two motors he +swung them backward.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Disregard any signal to go ahead until +we've had a chance to inspect the motors,”</span> +added Captain Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then the submarine skipper darted out into +the cabin.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page164">[pg 164]</span><a name="Pg164" id="Pg164" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Sam Truax lay sprawling on the floor. Midshipman +Merriam, a most cheerful smile on his +face, sat across the fellow, while Hal and the +other two midshipmen stood by, looking on.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hold him please, until I can have the wretch +taken care of,”</span> requested Captain Jack, making +for the spiral stairway to the conning tower.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just as the young skipper stepped out on deck +he heard the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson's”</span> bow-gun break out +sharply in the halting signal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Taking a megaphone, Benson stood at the rail +until the gunboat ranged up alongside.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Have you broken down?”</span> came the hail +from the gunboat's bridge.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I thought it best to stop speed, sir. We'll +have to look over our engines before it will be +safe to attempt any more speed work,”</span> Captain +Jack answered. <span class="tei tei-q">“I've caught a fellow tampering +with our machinery. We hold him a +prisoner, now. Can you take him off our +hands, sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“One of <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">your own</span></span> men?”</span> came back the +question.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Of course, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We'll send a marine guard to take him, on +your complaint, Mr. Benson.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thank you, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The gunboat's engines slowed down. Ere +long her port side gangway was lowered. Jack +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page165">[pg 165]</span><a name="Pg165" id="Pg165" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +saw not only two marines and a corporal come +down over the side, but Lieutenant Commander +Mayhew appeared in person. That officer came +over in the cutter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You've had treachery aboard, have you?”</span> +asked the lieutenant commander, as he climbed +up over the side.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Rather. A new machinist, taken aboard +just before we sailed from Dunhaven. The +same fellow who must have played the trick on +the 'Pollard's' engines yesterday,”</span> Benson +replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll be glad to have a fellow like that in irons +in the brig aboard the 'Hudson,' then,”</span> muttered +Mr. Mayhew. <span class="tei tei-q">“I couldn't understand, +Mr. Benson, how you were doing so badly in the +full speed ahead dash.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The prisoner below is the answer, sir,”</span> Captain +Jack replied. He then led the corporal and +two marines below. The corporal produced a +pair of handcuffs, which he promptly snapped +over Truax's wrists.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You'll be sorry for this, one of these days,”</span> +threatened Truax, with a snarl that showed his +teeth.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Some day, then, if you please, when I have +more leisure than I have now,”</span> Jack retorted, +dryly. <span class="tei tei-q">“This man is all yours, corporal.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Truax was foolish enough to try to hang back +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page166">[pg 166]</span><a name="Pg166" id="Pg166" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +on his conductors. A slight jab through the +clothing from one of the marines' bayonets +caused the prisoner to stop that trick. He was +taken on deck and over the side.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Coxswain, return for me after you've taken +the prisoner to the 'Hudson,'”</span> directed Mr. +Mayhew. <span class="tei tei-q">“Now, Mr. Benson, I would like to +see what has been done to your engines.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That's just what I want to know, too,”</span> +responded Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They found Hal and Williamson hard at +work, inspecting the motors.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The ignition power was lowered, and that +may have been the most that the fellow did,”</span> +said Hal. <span class="tei tei-q">“Yet, at the same time, before putting +these engines to any severe test, I believe +they ought to be cooled and looked over.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lieutenant Commander Mayhew frowned.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“These delays eat up our practice cruise time +a whole lot,”</span> he grumbled.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll put the engines through their paces, and +chance mischief having been done to them, if +you wish, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No; that won't do either, Mr. Hastings,”</span> +replied the naval officer. <span class="tei tei-q">“This craft is private +property, and I have no right to give orders that +may damage private property. I'll hold the +fleet until you've had time to inspect your +engines properly. By that time, however, we'll +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page167">[pg 167]</span><a name="Pg167" id="Pg167" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +have to put back to the coast for the night, for +our practice time will be gone.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In the days to follow, sir,”</span> put in Benson, +earnestly, <span class="tei tei-q">“I think we can more than make up +for this delay. We won't have the traitor +aboard after this.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What earthly object can the fellow have had +for wanting to damage your motors?”</span> demanded +the naval officer, looking hopelessly +puzzled.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I can't even make a sane guess, sir,”</span> Jack +Benson admitted.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">An hour and a half later the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson”</span> and +the two submarines headed back for a safe little +bay on the coast. Here the three craft anchored +for the night.</p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc38" id="toc38"></a> +<a name="pdf39" id="pdf39"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER XVII: THE EVIL GENIUS OF THE WATER FRONT</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +It was nearly eight in the evening when the +three craft were snug at anchor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The bay was a small one, hardly worthy +of the name. The only inhabited part of the +shore thereabouts consisted of the fishing village +known as Blair's Cove, a settlement containing +some forty houses.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hardly had all been made snug aboard the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page168">[pg 168]</span><a name="Pg168" id="Pg168" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> when Jack, standing on the platform +deck after the cadets had been transferred +to the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson”</span> for the night, saw a small boat +heading out from shore.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Is that one of the new submarine crafts?”</span> +hailed a voice from the bow of the boat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir,”</span> Jack answered, courteously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">No more was said until the boat had come up +alongside.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I thought maybe you'd be willing to let me +have a look over a craft of this sort,”</span> said the +man in the bow. He appeared to be about forty +years of age, dark-haired and with a full, black +beard. The man was plainly though not +roughly dressed; evidently he was a man of some +education.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, I'm mighty sorry, sir,”</span> Captain Jack +Benson replied. <span class="tei tei-q">“But I'm afraid it will be impossible +to allow any strangers on board during +this cruise.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, I won't steal anything from your craft,”</span> +answered the stranger, laughingly. <span class="tei tei-q">“I won't +be inquisitive, either, or go poking into forbidden +corners. Who's your captain?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then you'll let me come aboard, just for a +look, won't you?”</span> pleaded the stranger.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Such curiosity was natural. The man seemed +like a decent fellow. But Jack shook his head.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page169">[pg 169]</span><a name="Pg169" id="Pg169" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“I'm sorry, sir, but I'm positive our owners +wouldn't approve of our allowing any strangers +to come on board.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Had any trouble, so far, with strangers?”</span> +asked the man.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I didn't say that,”</span> Jack replied, evasively. +<span class="tei tei-q">“But the construction of a submarine torpedo +boat is a secret. It is a general rule with our +owners that strangers shan't be allowed on +board, unless they're very especially vouched +for. Now, I hate to appear disobliging; yet, if +you've ever been employed by anyone else, you +will appreciate the need of obeying an owner's +orders.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You're under the orders of the boss of that +gunboat?”</span> asked the stranger, pointing to the +<span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“On this cruise, yes, sir,”</span> Jack nodded.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Maybe, if I saw the fellow in command of +the gunboat, then he'd give me an order allowing +me to come on board.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm very certain the lieutenant commander +wouldn't do anything of the sort,”</span> Benson +responded.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The stranger gave a comical sigh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then I'm afraid I don't see a submarine boat +to-night—that is, any more than I can see of it +now.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That's about the way it looks to me, also,”</span> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page170">[pg 170]</span><a name="Pg170" id="Pg170" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Jack answered, smiling. <span class="tei tei-q">“Yet, believe me, I +hate awfully to seem discourteous about it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, all right,”</span> muttered the stranger, nodding +to the two boatmen, who had rowed him out +alongside.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Good!”</span> grunted Eph. <span class="tei tei-q">“I'm glad you +didn't let him on board, Captain. On this cruise +our luck doesn't seem to run with strangers.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It doesn't, for a fact,”</span> laughed Jack Benson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hi, ho—ah, hum!”</span> yawned young Somers, +stretching. <span class="tei tei-q">“It will be mine for early bunk +to-night, I reckon.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At this moment a boat was observed rounding +the stern of the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson.”</span> It came up alongside, +landing a marine sentry.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Anybody on the 'Farnum' want to go ashore +to-night?”</span> hailed a voice from the gunboat's +rail. <span class="tei tei-q">“The shore boat will be ready in five +minutes.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I believe I would like to take just a run +through the village,”</span> declared Jack, turning to +his chum. <span class="tei tei-q">“Do you feel like a land-cruise with +me, Hal?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I think I'd better go,”</span> laughed Hastings. +<span class="tei tei-q">“You seem to get into trouble when you go +alone.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“All right, then. And, Eph since you're so +sleepy, you can turn in as soon as you want. +The boat will be under sufficient protection,”</span> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page171">[pg 171]</span><a name="Pg171" id="Pg171" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Jack added, nodding toward the marine slowly +pacing the platform deck.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Williamson was called too, but declared that +he felt like turning in early. So, when the shore +boat came, it had but two passengers to take +from the submarine. There were a few shore-leave +men, however, from the gunboat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This boat will return to the fleet, gentlemen, +every hour up to midnight,”</span> stated the petty +officer in charge, as Jack and Hal stepped ashore +at a rickety little wharf.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Judging from what we can see of the town +from here, we'll be ready to go back long before +midnight,”</span> Jack Benson laughingly told his +companion.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“All I want is to shake some of the sea-roll +out of my gait,”</span> nodded Hastings. <span class="tei tei-q">“It surely +doesn't seem to be much of a town.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By way of public buildings there turned out +to be a church, locked and dark, a general store +and also a drug-store that contained the local +post-office. But the drug-store carried no ice +cream or soda, so the submarine boys turned +away.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was one other <span class="tei tei-q">“public”</span> place that the +boys failed to discover at once. That was a low +groggery at the further end of the town. Here +two of the sailors who had come on shore leave +turned in for a drink or two. They found a +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page172">[pg 172]</span><a name="Pg172" id="Pg172" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +suave, black-bearded man quite ready to buy +liquor for Uncle Sam's tars.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Three-quarters of an hour later Jack and Hal +felt they had seen about as much of the town as +they cared for, when a hailing voice stopped +them.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Finding it pretty dull, gentlemen?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, good evening,”</span> replied Captain Jack, +recognizing the bearded man whom he had +refused admittance to the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Pretty stupid town, isn't it, Captain?”</span> +asked the stranger, holding out his hand, which +Jack Benson took.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“As lively as we thought it would be,”</span> Hal +rejoined. <span class="tei tei-q">“We just came ashore to stretch ourselves +a bit. Thought we might lay a course to +an ice-cream soda, too, but failed.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“These fishermen don't have such things,”</span> +smiled the stranger. <span class="tei tei-q">“They are content with +the bare necessities of life, with a little grog and +tobacco added. Speaking of grog, would you +care to try the best this town has, gentlemen?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thank you,”</span> Jack answered, politely. +<span class="tei tei-q">“We've never either of us tasted the stuff, and +we don't care to begin.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Drop into the drug-store and have a cigar, +then?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We don't smoke, either, thank you,”</span> came +from Hal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page173">[pg 173]</span><a name="Pg173" id="Pg173" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“You young men are rather hard to entertain +in a place like this,”</span> sighed the stranger, but his +eyes twinkled.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We are just as grateful for the intention,”</span> +Jack assured him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Tell you what I can do, gentlemen,”</span> proposed +the stranger, suddenly. <span class="tei tei-q">“I might invite +you down to my shack for a little while, and +show you my books and some models of yachts +and ships that I've been collecting. I'm quite +proud of my collection in that line. Won't you +come?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Anything in the line of yacht or ship-models +interested both of these sea-loving boys from the +shipyard at Dunhaven. Jack graciously accepted +the invitation for them both.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And, though I have no soda fountain,”</span> continued +the bearded one, <span class="tei tei-q">“I can offer you some +soft drinks. I always keep some about the +place.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“How do you come to be living in a place like +this, if I'm not too inquisitive?”</span> queried Benson, +as the three strolled down the street.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Doctor's orders,”</span> replied the bearded one. +<span class="tei tei-q">“So I've rented the best old shack I could get +here, down by the water. I spend a good deal +of my time sailing a sloop that I have. Curtis +is my name.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack and Hal introduced themselves in turn.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page174">[pg 174]</span><a name="Pg174" id="Pg174" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Curtis's shack proved to be well away from +the village proper, and down near the waterfront. +A light shone from a window near the +front door as the three approached the small +dwelling.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I think I can interest you for an hour, gentlemen,”</span> +declared the bearded one, as he +slipped a key in the lock of the door.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He admitted them to a little room off the hallway, +a room that contained not much beyond a +table and four chairs, a side-table and some of +the accessories of the smoker.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Just take a seat here,”</span> proposed Curtis, +<span class="tei tei-q">“while I get some sarsaparilla for you. I'll be +right back in a moment.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was four or five minutes before Curtis came +back, bearing a tray on which were three tall +glasses, each containing a brownish liquid.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The stuff isn't iced, yet it's fairly cold,”</span> the +bearded one explained. <span class="tei tei-q">“Well, gentlemen, +here's to a pleasant evening!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hal, who was thirsty, took a long swallow of +the sarsaparilla, finding the flavor excellent. +Jack drank more slowly, though he enjoyed the +beverage.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If you don't mind,”</span> suggested Curtis, <span class="tei tei-q">“I +will light a cigar. And say, by the way, gentlemen, +what if we take a little walk down to my +beach? Before showing you the models I spoke +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page175">[pg 175]</span><a name="Pg175" id="Pg175" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +of, I'd like to have your opinion of the lines of +my sloop.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We'll go down and take a look with great +pleasure,”</span> Jack Benson agreed, rising. <span class="tei tei-q">“And +I'm glad, sir, that you're able to show us +more courtesy than we were able to offer you +to-night.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, that was all right,”</span> declared their host, +smiling good-humoredly. <span class="tei tei-q">“Rules are rules, and +you have your owners to please. No hard feelings +on that score, I assure you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Curtis led the way through a dark yard down +to a pier. Moored there lay a handsome white +sloop, some forty-two feet in length—a boat of +a good and seaworthy knockabout type.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This is a sloop, all right,”</span> Jack agreed, cordially. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Rather different from the lumbering +fishing craft hereabouts.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, hah, yum!”</span> yawned Hal, at which Curtis +shot a quick glance at him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Come on board,”</span> invited Curtis, stepping +down to the deck of the craft. <span class="tei tei-q">“Let me show +you what a comfortable cruising cabin I have.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hi, oh, yow!”</span> yawned Hal, again. <span class="tei tei-q">“Jack, +I think I shall enjoy my rest to-night.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Same case here,”</span> agreed Benson, stifling a +yawn that came as though in answer to Hal's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I won't keep you long, gentlemen, if I am +boring you,”</span> agreed their host, amiably. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page176">[pg 176]</span><a name="Pg176" id="Pg176" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Now, I'll go below first and light up. So! +Now, come down and take a look. Do you find +many yacht cabins more comfortable than this +one?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was, indeed, a cozy place. Up forward +stood a miniature sideboard, complete in every +respect with glass and silver. In the center of +the cabin was a folding table. There were +locker seats and inviting looking cushions. The +trim was largely of mahogany. On either side +was a broad, comfortable-looking berth.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Just get into that berth and try it, Mr. Hastings,”</span> +urged the bearded one.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I—I'm afraid to,”</span> confessed Hal, stifling +another yawn.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Afraid?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Very sure thing!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm—hah-ho-hum!”</span> yawned Hal Hastings. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I'm afraid I'd—yow!—abuse your hospitality +by going to sleep.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack Benson leaned against the edge of the +opposite berth, feeling unaccountably drowsy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, nonsense,”</span> laughed Curtis. <span class="tei tei-q">“Just pile +into that berth for a moment, Hastings, and see +what a soft, restful place it is. I'll agree to pull +you out, if necessary.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Not realizing much, in his approaching +stupor, Hal Hastings allowed himself to be +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page177">[pg 177]</span><a name="Pg177" id="Pg177" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +coaxed to stretch himself at full length in the +downy berth.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Almost immediately he closed his eyes, drifting +off into stupor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, your friend <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">is</span></span> drowsy, isn't he?”</span> +laughed the bearded one, turning to the submarine +skipper.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack Benson's own eyelids were suspiciously +close together.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why—what—ails you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Curtis spoke in a low, droning, far-away voice +that caused Jack Benson's upper eyelids to sink. +Curtis stood watching him, in malicious glee, for +some moments. Then, at last, he took hold of +the young skipper.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Come, old fellow,”</span> coaxed the bearded one, +<span class="tei tei-q">“you'll do best to join your friend in a good +nap. Get up in the berth.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Lemme alone,”</span> protested the boy, thickly, +feeling that he was being lifted. Jack struggled, +partly rousing himself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Come, get up into the berth. You'll be more +comfortable there.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Lemme alone. What are you trying to do?”</span> +demanded Jack, swinging an arm.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Curtis dodged the light blow, then gripped +Jack Benson resolutely.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, see here, young man,”</span> hissed the +bearded one, <span class="tei tei-q">“I'm not going to have any more +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page178">[pg 178]</span><a name="Pg178" id="Pg178" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +nonsense out of you. Up into the berth you go! +Do you want me to hit you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Another man thrust his head down the cabin +hatchway, showing an evil, grinning face.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Got 'em right?”</span> demanded the one from the +hatchway.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> snapped the bearded one, then turned +to give his attention to Jack Benson, who was +putting up an ineffectual fight while Hal slumbered +on. <span class="tei tei-q">“Now, see here, Benson, quit all +your fooling!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You lemme up,”</span> insisted the submarine boy, +in a low, dull voice, though he swung both his +arms in an effort to assert himself. <span class="tei tei-q">“'M not +goin' t' stay here. Lemme up, I say! 'M goin' +back to—own boat.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The submarine?”</span> jeered the bearded man.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yep.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Guess again, son,”</span> laughed Curtis, jeeringly. +<span class="tei tei-q">“You're not going back aboard the submarine +to-night.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Am so,”</span> declared Benson, obstinately, +though his tone was growing more drowsy every +instant, and his busy hands moved almost as +weakly as an infant's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Listen, if you've got enough of your senses +left,”</span> growled the bearded men. <span class="tei tei-q">“You're not +going back to the 'Farnum'—neither to-night, +nor at any other time during the next few +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page179">[pg 179]</span><a name="Pg179" id="Pg179" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +months. You're bound on a long cruise, but not +on a submarine boat. I am the captain here, +and I'll name the cruise!”</span></p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc40" id="toc40"></a> +<a name="pdf41" id="pdf41"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER XVIII: HELD UP BY MARINES</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +It was barely a minute afterward that Jack +Benson lapsed into a very distinct snore.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No more trouble from this pair,”</span> +laughed the bearded one to his companion at the +hatchway. <span class="tei tei-q">“Now, I'll douse the cabin light, +and then we'll cast off. This thing has moved +along very slickly.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Eph, after having made up his mind to turn +in early, had found his sleepy fit passing. He +read for a while in the cabin, then pulled on a +reefer and went up on deck. Williamson was +already in a berth, sound asleep.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It would be a fine night if there was a +moon,”</span> Eph remarked to the marine sentry on +deck.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The marine—<span class="tei tei-q">“soldier, and sailor, too”</span>—not +being there for conversational purposes, continued +his slow pacing, his rifle resting over his +right shoulder.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As Eph strolled about in the limited space of +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page180">[pg 180]</span><a name="Pg180" id="Pg180" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the platform deck he heard a distant creaking. +It was a sound that he well knew—the hoisting +of sail.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I wonder if the local fishermen start out at +this time of the night?”</span> Eph Somers remarked, +musingly, to the sentry.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It may be so, sir; I don't know,”</span> replied the +marine.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Presently Eph made out the lines and the +spread of canvas of a handsome knockabout +sloop standing on out of the harbor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The course being narrow, the sloop was +obliged to sail rather close to the fleet.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That's no fisherman!”</span> muttered Somers, +watching, his hands thrust deep in his pockets.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Presently the sloop's hull was lost to Eph's +sight beyond the gunboat. Then the boy heard +a voice from the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson's”</span> deck roar out:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Look alive, you lubber! Do you want to +foul our anchor chain?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, sir,”</span> came from the sloop's deck. +<span class="tei tei-q">“We'll clear you all right.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“See that you do, then!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then the sloop's hull came into view again, +as the craft headed out toward the open water +beyond.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That's the kind of a craft Jack would give +a heap to be on,”</span> thought Eph. <span class="tei tei-q">“Queer that +he should spend all his time on gasoline peanut-roasters +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page181">[pg 181]</span><a name="Pg181" id="Pg181" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +when he's so fond of whistling for a +breeze behind canvas.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As the sloop neared the mouth of the little +bay, and her lines became rather indistinct in +the darkness, Eph Somers turned to resume his +pacing of the deck.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hullo,”</span> muttered the submarine boy, two +or three minutes later. <span class="tei tei-q">“Here's the shore boat +coming on its regular trip. I wonder if Jack +and Hal are in it? It's about time for them to +be coming on board.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But the shore boat, instead of coming out to +the submarine, lay in at the side gangway of +the gunboat opposite, and Eph discovered that +his two comrades were not in the boat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I say,”</span> hailed Eph, <span class="tei tei-q">“have you seen Mr. Benson +and Mr. Hastings on shore!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, sir,”</span> replied the petty officer in charge.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then one of the sailors in the boat spoke in +an undertone.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This man says, sir,”</span> continued the petty +officer, <span class="tei tei-q">“that he saw your friends, sir, going +aboard a white knockabout sloop.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He did, eh?”</span> demanded the astonished Eph. +<span class="tei tei-q">“How long ago was that?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Only a few minutes ago, sir,”</span> replied the +sailor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You're sure you saw Mr. Benson and Mr. +Hastings?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page182">[pg 182]</span><a name="Pg182" id="Pg182" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That's queer,”</span> reflected Eph. <span class="tei tei-q">“It wouldn't +be like them to go sailing at this time of the +night, and without notifying me, either. But, +then, I didn't see anything of 'em aboard that +sloop, either.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Eph was silent for a few moments, thinking. +Then, suddenly, he leaped up in the air, coming +down flat-footed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Crackey!”</span> ejaculated Eph Somers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For a moment or two his face was a study in +bewilderment.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mighty strange things have been happening +all through this cruise,”</span> Eph muttered, half-aloud. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Especially happening to Jack! Now, +the two of them go aboard that sloop, and immediately +after the boat puts out to sea in the +dead of night. What if Jack and Hal have +been shanghaied on that infernal sloop?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Cold chills began to chase each other up and +down the spine of Eph Somers. He was not, +ordinarily, an imaginative youth, but just now +the gruesome thought that had entered his mind +persisted there.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He began to pace the platform deck in deep +agitation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Anything wrong, sir?”</span> questioned the marine +sentry, halting and throwing his rifle over +to port arms.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page183">[pg 183]</span><a name="Pg183" id="Pg183" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“That's just what I'd give a million dollars +and ten cents to know!”</span> exploded Eph.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Gunboat, ahoy!”</span> he shouted, some twenty +seconds later.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“'Farnum,' ahoy!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I half believe, sir,”</span> Eph rattled on, <span class="tei tei-q">“that +my two comrades, Mr. Benson and Mr. Hastings +have been tricked, in some way, and carried +out to sea on that knockabout. They'd have +been back from shore by this time, if nothing +had happened.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What do you want to do, Mr. Somers?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Want to do, sir?”</span> retorted Eph. <span class="tei tei-q">“I know +what I'm going to do. I'm going to slip moorings +and chase after that knockabout. What +I wish to know from you, sir, is whether you'll +send another marine or two on board, so that I +can back up my demand to find my friends?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll have to ask the lieutenant commander +about that, Mr. Somers.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Can you do it, now, sir?”</span> asked Eph, energetically.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Instantly. I'll let you know the decision as +soon as it's made.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Eph, hanging at the rail in the silence that +followed, had no notion of whether his request +had been a correct one. All he knew was that +his suspicions had surged to the surface, and +were threatening to boil over. It was a huge +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page184">[pg 184]</span><a name="Pg184" id="Pg184" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +relief to the boy when Mr. Mayhew's voice +sounded from the rail of the gunboat. Somers +swiftly answered all questions.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Your craft and crew are in a measure under +our protection and orders,”</span> decided Mr. Mayhew. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I think we may properly extend you +some help. I will send some men to you, and a +cadet midshipman who will have my instructions.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Will you send them quickly, sir?”</span> begged +Eph.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll have men on board of you by the time +that your engines are running,”</span> promised the +lieutenant commander.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Engines?”</span> That word came as a fortunate +reminder to the submarine boy. He darted below, +almost yanking Williamson from his berth, +nearly pulling the machinist into his clothes. +By the time that Williamson was really wide +awake he found himself standing by the motors +forward.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then young Somers darted onto deck again, +just in time to see the boat coming alongside. +It brought two more marines, one of them a corporal. +There were also two sailors. A cadet +midshipman commanded them.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Somers,”</span> reported the cadet midshipman, +<span class="tei tei-q">“I am not intended to displace you from +the command of this boat. I am here only with +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page185">[pg 185]</span><a name="Pg185" id="Pg185" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +definite instructions in case you succeed in overhauling +that white sloop.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What—”</span> began Eph. Then he paused, +with a half-grin. <span class="tei tei-q">“Really,”</span> he added, <span class="tei tei-q">“I ought +to know better than to quiz you about your instructions +from your superior officer.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir,”</span> assented the midshipman, simply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Eph turned on the current to the search-light, +swinging the ray about the bay. Then, too impatient +to sit in the conning tower, the submarine +boy took his place by the deck wheel.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Will your seamen cast loose from the moorings?”</span> +Somers asked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir,”</span> replied the midshipman.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If there's anything wrong, good luck to +you,”</span> sounded the cool voice of Lieutenant +Commander Mayhew, from the gunboat's rail.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thank you, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">No sooner had the moorings been cast loose +from than Eph sounded the slow speed ahead +bell. Within sixty seconds the propellers of +the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> were doing a ten-knot stunt, +which was soon increased to fourteen.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One of the seamen now stood by to swing the +searchlight under Eph's orders.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By the time that the submarine reached the +mouth of the bay the light faintly picked up +a spread of white sail, off to the East.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That's the knockabout,”</span> cried Eph, excitedly. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page186">[pg 186]</span><a name="Pg186" id="Pg186" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Now, see here, keep that ray right +across the boat as soon as we get half a mile +nearer.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It'll show the boat that you're chasing 'em, +sir,”</span> advised the midshipman.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I know it,”</span> admitted Eph. <span class="tei tei-q">“But it will also +keep the rascals from dumping my friends overboard +without our catching 'em at it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What do you think the men in charge of +that boat are, sir—pirates?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“They're mighty close to it, if they've shanghaied +Mr. Benson and Mr. Hastings and put to +sea with 'em,”</span> rejoined Eph. Then he rang for +more speed. Down below, Williamson almost +instantly responded. The <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> now +fairly leaped through the water.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Turn the light on the knockabout, now, and +keep it there,”</span> directed the submarine boy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was a seven-knot breeze blowing. At +the speed at which the submarine boat was traveling +the distance was soon covered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now the searchlight revealed two men +in the standing-room of the sloop, one of whom, +a bearded man, was looking backward over his +wake much of the time.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Can one of the marines fire a shot to stop +those fellows?”</span> asked Eph Somers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In the air, do you mean, sir?”</span> asked the +midshipman. <span class="tei tei-q">“Certainly.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page187">[pg 187]</span><a name="Pg187" id="Pg187" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Then I wish he'd do it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Bang! The discharge of the rifle sounded +sharply on the night air.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It ain't stopping 'em any,”</span> muttered Eph, +after a few seconds had gone by.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Nothing would, unless fired into them,”</span> volunteered +Midshipman Terrell.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It did not take long, however, to run the submarine +up alongside of the sloop, at a distance +of about one hundred yards.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, we want you men to stop,”</span> called Midshipman +Terrell, between his hands. <span class="tei tei-q">“We are +United States naval forces, from the gunboat, +and you will regard this as an order that you +must obey. No!”</span> thundered the midshipman, +suddenly, as the bearded one started to step +down into the cabin. <span class="tei tei-q">“You will both keep on +deck. Otherwise we shall be obliged to fire into +you. We mean business, remember!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What do you want to board us for?”</span> demanded +Curtis, pausing.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We will explain when we come aboard.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“How are you coming, aboard? You've no +small boat.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We can land this submarine right up beside +you,”</span> responded the midshipman, <span class="tei tei-q">“if you keep +straight to your present course.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And scrape all the paint off our side,”</span> objected +Curtis.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page188">[pg 188]</span><a name="Pg188" id="Pg188" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“That has no bearing on my instructions, sir. +I direct you to keep straight to your present +course. We will come up alongside.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What if we don't do it?”</span> demanded Curtis, +with sudden bluster.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then your danger will be divided between +being shot where you stand and having your +craft cut in two by the bow of our craft,”</span> retorted +Mr. Terrell. <span class="tei tei-q">“You will realize, I think, +that there can be no parleying with our orders.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The bearded one swore, but the corporal and +his two marines stood at the rail with their +rifles ready, waiting only the midshipman's +order to aim and fire.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Eph allowed the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> to fall back a +little way. Then he exerted himself to show his +best in seamanship as he ran the submarine up +to board the sloop by the starboard quarter. +The two boats barely touched. Mr. Terrell, his +three marines and two seamen leaped to the +standing room of the yacht. Eph, all aquiver, +let the nose of the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> fall back slightly. +Then he trailed along, under bare headway.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then a shout came from the sloop, as the two +seamen reappeared, bearing the forms of Jack +and Hal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We've found them aboard, Mr. Somers,”</span> +shouted Terrell. <span class="tei tei-q">“Drugged, I think, sir. Will +you come alongside, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page189">[pg 189]</span><a name="Pg189" id="Pg189" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Eph quickly rang the signal, then did some +careful manœuvring. As he touched, one of the +marines leaped back to the platform deck, then +passed a line to Mr. Terrell. The two craft +were held together until Jack and Hal had been +passed, still unconscious, over the side. The +naval party quickly followed, then cast loose +from the sloop.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This whole proceeding is high-handed,”</span> +growled Curtis, as soon as he saw that he was +not to be molested.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, you shut up, and keep your tongue padlocked,”</span> +retorted Midshipman Terrell, in high +disgust. <span class="tei tei-q">“You're lucky as it is. Now, Mr. +Somers, are you going back to the bay, sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Aren't you going to take those two—body-snatchers?”</span> +demanded Eph, glaring venomously +at the pair on the sloop.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My instructions don't cover that, sir,”</span> replied +the cadet midshipman.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then hang your orders!”</span> muttered young +Somers, but he kept the words behind his teeth. +Eph veered off, next headed about, while the +two seamen bore Jack and Hal below to their +berths.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Will you take the wheel, Mr. Terrell?”</span> +asked Eph, edging away, with one hand on the +spokes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page190">[pg 190]</span><a name="Pg190" id="Pg190" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Eph hurried below to the port stateroom. +Jack lay in the lower berth, Hal in the upper. +The two seamen, after feeling for pulse, stood +by looking at the unconscious submarine +boys.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What's been done to them?”</span> demanded +Eph.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The same old knockout drops, sir, that sailors +in all parts of the world know so well, sir, I +think,”</span> answered one of the men, with a quiet +grin.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Humph!”</span> gritted Eph, bending over Jack's +face. <span class="tei tei-q">“Smell his breath.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir,”</span> said the sailor, obeying.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There's no smell of liquor, there, is there?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, sir,”</span> admitted the sailor, looking up, +rather puzzled.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There is some infernally mean trick in all +this,”</span> growled Eph. <span class="tei tei-q">“I am mighty sorry we +didn't bring those rascals back with us.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When he went on deck again the submarine +boy relieved Mr. Terrell at the wheel, completing +the run in to moorings.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Did you find your comrades aboard the +sloop, Mr. Somers?”</span> hailed the lieutenant commander, +from the gunboat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Are they all right?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Drugged, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page191">[pg 191]</span><a name="Pg191" id="Pg191" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Hm! Mr. Terrell and his detachment will +return to this vessel.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The boat took them away. It was five minutes +later when the boat returned, bringing the +lieutenant commander, Doctor McCrea, the surgeon, +and a sailor belonging to the hospital +detachment aboard the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson.”</span> Eph conducted +them below.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Drugged,”</span> announced the medical officer, +after a brief examination.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Humph!”</span> uttered Mr. Mayhew. <span class="tei tei-q">“That +sort of trick isn't played on folks in any decent +resort on shore. I don't understand Mr. Benson's +conduct. I remember his mishap at Dunhaven. +I remember the plight he got into at +Annapolis; and now he and Mr. Hastings are +found in this questionable shape. I am very +much afraid these young men do not conduct +themselves, on shore, in the careful manner that +must be expected of civilian instructors to +cadets.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Eph Somers felt something boiling up inside +of him.</p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page192">[pg 192]</span><a name="Pg192" id="Pg192" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc42" id="toc42"></a> +<a name="pdf43" id="pdf43"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER XIX: THE LIEUTENANT COMMANDER'S VERDICT</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Let me try to get at your meaning, sir, if +you please,”</span> begged Somers, after +standing for a few seconds with +clenched fists. <span class="tei tei-q">“Do you mean that my friends +have been going into tough resorts on shore?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Where else do sailors usually get drugged?”</span> +inquired Mr. Mayhew. <span class="tei tei-q">“What kind of people +usually feed sea-faring men with what are generally +known as knock-out drops?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“How should I know?”</span> demanded Eph, +solemnly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You see your friends, and you see their +condition.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Smell their breaths, sir. There isn't a trace +of the odor of liquor.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The surgeon did so, confirming Eph's claim.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But I remember that Mr. Benson came +aboard, at Dunhaven, with a very strong odor of +liquor,”</span> continued the lieutenant commander.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That had been sprinkled on his clothes, sir,”</span> +argued Somers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Perhaps. But then there was the Annapolis +affair.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Benson explained that to you, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page193">[pg 193]</span><a name="Pg193" id="Pg193" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“It's very strange,”</span> returned the lieutenant +commander, <span class="tei tei-q">“that such things seem to happen +generally to Mr. Benson when he gets on shore. +I know I have been ashore, in all parts of the +world, without having such things happen to +me.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There is something behind this, sir, that +doesn't spell bad conduct on the part of either +of my friends,”</span> cried Eph, hotly. <span class="tei tei-q">“There's +some plot, some trick in the whole thing that we +don't understand. And we might understand +much more about it, sir, if your midshipman had +arrested that pair of blackguards on the sloop, +and brought them back with us.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Had Mr. Benson and Mr. Hastings been +members of the naval forces we could have done +that,”</span> replied Mr. Mayhew. <span class="tei tei-q">“Probably you +don't understand, Mr. Somers, how very careful +the Navy has to be about making arrests in times +of peace, when the civil authorities are all-supreme. +We carried our right as far as it +could possibly be stretched when we boarded +and searched that sloop for you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I don't care so much about that,”</span> contended +Eph, warmly. <span class="tei tei-q">“But it does jar on me, sir, to +have you take such a view of my friends. You +don't know them; you don't understand them as +Mr. Farnum and Mr. Pollard do.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Perhaps you wouldn't blame me as much for +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page194">[pg 194]</span><a name="Pg194" id="Pg194" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +my opinions,”</span> replied Mr. Mayhew, <span class="tei tei-q">“if you +could look at the matter from my viewpoint, Mr. +Somers. I am in charge of this cruise, which +is one of instruction to naval cadets, and I am +in a very large measure responsible for the conduct +and good behavior of young men who +have been selected as instructors to the +cadets. If you were in my place, Mr. Somers, +would you be patient over young men who, when +they get ashore, get into one unseemly scrape +after another? Or would you wonder, as I do, +whether it will not be best for me to end this +practice cruise and sail back to Annapolis, there +to make my report in the matter?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“For heaven's sake don't do that,”</span> begged +Eph Somers, hoarsely. <span class="tei tei-q">“At least, not until you +have talked with Mr. Benson and Mr. Hastings. +You'll wait until morning, sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm afraid I shall have to, if I want to talk +with your friends,”</span> replied the lieutenant commander, +smiling coldly. <span class="tei tei-q">“And now, Mr. Somers, +you and I had better leave here. The doctor +and his nurse will want the room cleared in order +to look after their patients. I hope your friends +will be all right in the morning,”</span> added the +naval officer, as the pair gained the deck.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, see here, sir,”</span> began Eph, earnestly, +all over again. <span class="tei tei-q">“I hope you'll soon begin to +understand that, whatever has happened, there +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page195">[pg 195]</span><a name="Pg195" id="Pg195" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +are no two straighter boys alive than Jack Benson +and Hal Hastings.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I trust you're right,”</span> replied Mr. Mayhew, +less coldly. <span class="tei tei-q">“Yet, what can you expect me to +think, now that Benson has been in such scrapes +three different times? And, in this last instance, +he drags even the quiet Mr. Hastings into +the affair with him.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I see that I'll have to wait, sir,”</span> sighed Eph, +resignedly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes; it will be better in every way to wait,”</span> +agreed the lieutenant commander. <span class="tei tei-q">“It is plain +justice, at the least, to wait and give the young +men a chance to offer any defense that they +can.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, of course, from his way of looking at +it, I can't blame him so very much,”</span> admitted +Eph Somers, as he leaned over the rail, watching +Mr. Mayhew going back through the darkness. +<span class="tei tei-q">“But Jack—great old Jack!—having any +liking at all for mixing up in saloons and such +places on shore! Ha, ha! Ho, ho!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Williamson, now able to leave his motors, +came on deck, asking an account of what had +happened. The machinist listened in amazement, +though, like Eph, he needed no proof that +the boys, whatever trouble they had encountered, +had met honestly and innocently.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Of course that naval officer is right, too, from +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page196">[pg 196]</span><a name="Pg196" id="Pg196" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +his own limited point of view,”</span> urged Williamson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, yes, I suppose so,”</span> nodded Somers, +gloomily. <span class="tei tei-q">“I've been trying to tell myself that. +But it would be fearful, wouldn't it, if the 'Farnum' +were ordered away from the fleet, and +Jack disgraced, just because of things he really +didn't do.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It's a queer old world,”</span> mused the machinist, +thoughtfully. <span class="tei tei-q">“We hear a lot about the +consequences of wrong things we do. But how +often people seem to have to pay up for things +they never did!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, well,”</span> muttered Eph, philosophically, +<span class="tei tei-q">“let's wait until morning. A night's sleep +straightens out a lot of things.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Williamson, however, having had some sleep +earlier in the night, was not drowsy, now. He +lighted a pipe, lingering on the platform deck. +Eph, not being a user of tobacco, went below to +find that Doctor McCrea, from the gunboat, was +sitting in the cabin, reading a book he had +chosen from the book-case.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I've brought the young men around somewhat,”</span> +reported the physician. <span class="tei tei-q">“I've made +them throw off the drug, and now I've left some +stuff with the nurse to help brace them up. +They'll have sour stomachs and aching heads in +the morning, though.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page197">[pg 197]</span><a name="Pg197" id="Pg197" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“But you noticed one thing, Doctor?”</span> +pressed Somers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What was that?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That there were no signs of liquor about +them? Those boys never tasted a drop of the +vile stuff in their lives!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm inclined to believe you,”</span> nodded the +surgeon. <span class="tei tei-q">“They have splendid, clear skins, +eyes bright as diamonds, sound, sturdy heart-beats, +and they're full of vitality. I've met +boys from the slums, once in a while—beer-drinkers +and cigarette-smokers. But such boys +never show the splendid physical condition that +your friends possess.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You know, then, as well as I do, Doctor, that +neither of my chums are rowdies, and that, +whatever happened to them to-night, they didn't +get to it through any bad habits or conduct?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm much inclined to agree with you, Mr. +Somers.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I hope, then, you'll succeed in impressing all +that on Lieutenant Commander Mayhew in the +morning.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With that the submarine boy passed on to the +starboard stateroom. He would have given +much to have stepped into the room opposite, +but felt, from the doctor's manner, that the latter +did not wish his patients disturbed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Eph slept little that night. Though Jack and +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page198">[pg 198]</span><a name="Pg198" id="Pg198" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Hal fared better in that single respect, Somers +looked far the best of the three in the morning.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack and Hal came out with bandages about +their heads, which buzzed and ached.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The two, however, told their story to Somers +and Williamson as soon as possible.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Just as I supposed,”</span> nodded Eph, vigorously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, how did you guess it all?”</span> asked Benson, +in astonishment.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I mean, I knew you hadn't been in any low +sailor resorts.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who said we had?”</span> demanded Jack, flaring +in spite of his dizziness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Some of the Navy folks didn't know but you +had,”</span> replied Eph, then bit his tongue for having +let that much out of the bag.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Doctor McCrea came aboard early. He +looked the boys over.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Eat a little toast, if you want, and drink +some weak tea,”</span> he suggested. <span class="tei tei-q">“After that, eat +nothing more until to-night.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But the day's work—?”</span> hinted Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I don't know,”</span> replied the doctor, shrugging +his shoulders. <span class="tei tei-q">“I'm not a line officer, and +therefore know nothing about the fleet's +manœuvres.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That reply, however, was quite enough to send +Jack Benson's suspicions aloft.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page199">[pg 199]</span><a name="Pg199" id="Pg199" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Eph,”</span> he cried, wheeling upon his friend the +moment Doctor McCrea was gone, <span class="tei tei-q">“there's +something you haven't told us.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Such as—what?”</span> asked Somers, doing his +best to look mighty innocent.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Doctor McCrea as good as admitted that we +won't have anything to do to-day. What's +wrong?”</span> Then, after a brief pause: <span class="tei tei-q">“Good +heavens, does Mr. Mayhew believe we've been +acting disgracefully? Are we barred out of the +instruction work?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hal had been raising a glass of cold water to +his lips. The glass fell, with a crash. He +wheeled about, then clutched at the edge of the +cabin table, most unsteadily.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We-e-ll,”</span> admitted Somers, reluctantly, +<span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Mayhew said he would want to question +you some, perhaps, this morning.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What did he say? Out with it all, Eph!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A moment before Jack Benson had been pallid +enough. Now, two bright, furious spots burned +in either cheek.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The red-haired boy, however, was spared the +pain of going any further, for, at that moment, +a heavy tread was heard on the spiral staircase. +Then Lieutenant Commander Mayhew, holding +himself very erect, one hand resting against the +scabbard of the sword that he wore at his side, +came into view below.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page200">[pg 200]</span><a name="Pg200" id="Pg200" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Many were the questions that the naval officer +put to the victims of the night's mishap.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, gentlemen,”</span> Mr. Mayhew said at last, +rising, <span class="tei tei-q">“your story is strange. Yet, I believe +you are young men of honor. I'm sorry we +have not in custody the men who sailed that +sloop.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Pardon me, sir!”</span> burst out Eph.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, Mr. Somers?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Perhaps, sir, if you should question Truax +you could learn something from him. I tell +you, sir, there's a scheme to ruin Jack Benson; +and that's only part of a bigger plot to discredit +our company with the Navy!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Mayhew, looking thoughtful, replied:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll find some way of questioning Truax. +And now, Mr. Benson, since you and Mr. Hastings +are not fit to instruct the cadets to-day, I'll +send out sections under Lieutenant Halpin on +board the 'Pollard' only. To-morrow you +should be in shape to resume your duties. +Meanwhile, I must make one condition.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It will not be necessary, sir, to make any +conditions with us,”</span> Jack replied. <span class="tei tei-q">“Your instructions +will be sufficient.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“While you are on this present tour of duty, +I shall ask Mr. Benson and Mr. Hastings not to +leave the 'Farnum' without my consent.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As soon as Mr. Mayhew had left the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> +Eph Somers cried bitterly:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page201">[pg 201]</span><a name="Pg201" id="Pg201" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“You heard the verdict in the case! A great +verdict! Not guilty—but don't do it again!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At half past eight the next morning a section +of cadets, under the command of Ensign Trahern, +came aboard the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The lieutenant commander sends word, with +his compliments,”</span> reported Trahern, <span class="tei tei-q">“that +after leaving the bay the formation will be as +usual. The signal to halt and be ready for the +tour of instruction will be given when we're +about ten miles off shore.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Six of the cadets, of the engineer division, +went below to the engine room. To one of the +ten left on deck Jack turned and said:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You will take charge, Mr. Surles. Assume +all the responsibilities of the officer of the +deck.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In all, five of the midshipmen had commanded +briefly before the laying-to signal was given. +Hal Hastings then appeared on deck.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Captain Benson,”</span> Hal stated, saluting, <span class="tei tei-q">“I +have inspected all the submerging machinery, +and I find everything in good order. We can +go below the surface at any time.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thank you, Mr. Hastings. All below!”</span> +ordered Jack crisply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After the cadets and the ensign had filed below, +Jack, having seen that all was in order, +followed. He made all fast in the conning +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page202">[pg 202]</span><a name="Pg202" id="Pg202" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +tower, then called Midshipman Surles up the +stairway to the tower wheel.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you think you can head due east and +keep to that course under water, Mr. Surles?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Going down to the cabin floor, Jack ordered +two more midshipmen to the tower as observers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The rest crowd about me and ask questions +while I handle the submerging machinery.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Under the impetus from the electric motors, +the propeller shafts began to throb. The next +instant the submarine shot below, going down +at so steep an angle that many of the middies +were forced to reach for new footing.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The gauge registers sixty feet below,”</span> announced +Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In another moment, by the quick flooding of +some of the compartments astern, the young +skipper brought the boat to an even keel.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Having finished the prescribed distance +under water, Captain Jack turned on the compressed +air to expel the water from the compartments. +The conning tower soon rose above +the water, and a moment later the <span class="tei tei-q">“Pollard”</span> +also emerged.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Other cadets were transferred from the gunboat +to the submarines, and the instruction proceeded. +The manœuvers for the day were ended +with a half-hour run under water.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page203">[pg 203]</span><a name="Pg203" id="Pg203" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“By the way, sir, did you question Truax to +see what you could learn about his reasons for +acting as he did on the 'Farnum'?”</span> asked Jack +Benson the next day. Jack and Doctor McCrea +were talking with Mr. Mayhew.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I had him before me last night, and again +this morning,”</span> replied Mr. Mayhew. <span class="tei tei-q">“He said +he hadn't an idea what I meant, and that is all +I could get out of him.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jack looked thoughtfully at Doctor McCrea +for a moment before he exclaimed:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Doctor, if I had anything like your chance, +I'd have Sam Truax talking!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“How?”</span> Doctor McCrea looked interested.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, I'd—”</span> Jack hesitated, glancing toward +the gunboat's commanding officer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'd better go and see how the midshipmen +are doing,”</span> laughed Mr. Mayhew, rising.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For some minutes Jack talked with Doctor +McCrea. As the medical officer listened, he +grinned, then laughed unrestrainedly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Benson, you're certainly ingenious!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Will you do what I've suggested?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, I—er—er—”</span> Doctor McCrea hesitated. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I—well, I'll think it over.”</span> Again +Doctor McCrea roared with laughter.</p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page204">[pg 204]</span><a name="Pg204" id="Pg204" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc44" id="toc44"></a> +<a name="pdf45" id="pdf45"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CHAPTER XX: CONCLUSION</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Sam Truax sat in the brig, between decks +on the <span class="tei tei-q">“Hudson,”</span> his scowling face turned +toward the barred door, when the marine +guard, taking a turn, peered in.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Good heavens, man! What ails you?”</span> demanded +the marine.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'm all right,”</span> growled the prisoner.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll be hanged if you look it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What are you talking about!”</span> demanded +the prisoner angrily.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Man alive, I wish you could see your face!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Three minutes later a sailor halted at the +door, looked at Truax, then wheeled about to +the marine.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Say, what ails that man? What's the matter +with his face?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Don't know. Looks fearful, doesn't he?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Awful! Ought to have the doctor.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sam shifted uneasily.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Five minutes later a sailor wearing on one +sleeve the Red Cross of the hospital squad came +along.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Say,”</span> said the marine, <span class="tei tei-q">“I wish you'd look +at the feller in the brig.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page205">[pg 205]</span><a name="Pg205" id="Pg205" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +The hospital man showed his face at the grating +and looked at Truax keenly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Wow! The sawbones officer has got to look +at this chap!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sam Truax sprang to his feet, but his legs +wobbled. He felt his heart-beats racing and +his face flushing.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I felt all right a little while ago, but I certainly +feel queer now,”</span> he muttered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Doctor McCrea soon hurried below.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Sentry, unlock the door! Let me in there!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Doctor McCrea made a brief examination.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“How long have you been feeling ill?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“N-not long,”</span> faltered Truax.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hospital man!”</span> called Doctor McCrea.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Aye, aye, sir!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Have the stretcher brought here at once.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Aye, aye, sir!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The stretcher was brought, and the attendants +put Truax on it.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I can walk, Doctor,”</span> he protested feebly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Can't risk it! To the 'sick bay,' men.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What's wrong, Doctor?”</span> Truax asked, when +he was lifted from the stretcher and placed in +one of the berths.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Don't talk, my man. Just lie quietly and +let us get you on your feet—if we can,”</span> he +added under his breath, but not so softly but +that Sam Truax heard him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page206">[pg 206]</span><a name="Pg206" id="Pg206" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +The attendant came with a glass of liquid.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Drink this,”</span> ordered the surgeon, <span class="tei tei-q">“and in +a few minutes you'll feel better.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I—I feel awful,”</span> Truax groaned.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The dose was repeated, but the patient continued +to grow worse. His nausea was overwhelming +and he vomited over and over. In an +interval of quiet the doctor leaned over him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Have you anything on your mind, man? +Any wrong you'd like to set straight before—before—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A look of fright came into Truax's eyes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Doctor, I—I wonder if Jack Benson would +come to see me?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I'll see,”</span> replied the doctor, rising and leaving +the <span class="tei tei-q">“sick bay.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ten minutes later the naval surgeon returned +with Benson. Hal Hastings, Mr. Mayhew and +Ensign Trahern followed Jack and the doctor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Here's Mr. Benson, Truax,”</span> announced +Doctor McCrea. <span class="tei tei-q">“If there's anything you wish +to confess, the rest of us can bear witness and +help straighten matters out if you've done any +wrong that you now regret.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sam Truax feebly stretched out a hand that +was hot and dry.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Benson, will you give me your hand?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Certainly.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Can you ever forgive me?”</span> moaned the man.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page207">[pg 207]</span><a name="Pg207" id="Pg207" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Why, what have you done?”</span> asked Jack.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That assault back in Dunhaven—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Was it you who knocked me out there?”</span> demanded +Benson sharply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes.”</span> In a shaking voice Truax confessed +the details of the affair and from that passed to +Jack's trip to the suburbs of Annapolis.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I found the mulatto in a low den. I told +him you carried a lot of money and that he +could have it all if he'd decoy you somewhere, +keep you all night, and send you back to the +Naval Academy looking like a tramp.”</span> He +then added the name of the mulatto.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But why have you done this?”</span> demanded +Jack. <span class="tei tei-q">“What have you against me?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I didn't do it on my own account. I did +it for Tip Gaynor, a salesman for Sidenham.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The Sidenham Submarine Company?”</span> +cried Jack, deeply interested. <span class="tei tei-q">“The Sidenham +people are our nearest competitors in the +submarine business!”</span> he exclaimed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes; and they wanted to get the business +away from the Pollard Company. They told +Tip Gaynor it would be worth ten thousand +dollars to him for each Sidenham boat he could +sell to the Government. Tip hired me—”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“One moment, please,”</span> interrupted Jack. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Did the Sidenham officials know that Gaynor +intended to use such methods?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page208">[pg 208]</span><a name="Pg208" id="Pg208" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“I don't believe they did,”</span> replied Truax.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Humph! So Gaynor hired you to do all you +could to disgrace me in the eyes of the naval +authorities and to injure the machinery in the +engine room of the submarine!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes. Tip said it was highly important that +the Pollard boats should break down while +under the eyes of all Annapolis, so that it would +seem that they could not be depended upon.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Truax here became so ill that his audience +had to wait until he could proceed. Then Jack +asked:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What sort of looking fellow is Gaynor?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He was the black-bearded man who shanghaied +you in the white knockabout. He doesn't +usually wear a beard. He grew it for the occasion.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“So, acting for Tip Gaynor, you undertook to +ruin us all and the good name of our boats! +You even met Dave Pollard and got him to take +you on as a machinist for our boats!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Tip knew a man who was willing to introduce +me to Mr. Pollard.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It was like kindly, unsuspicious Dave Pollard +to be taken in by a rascal like that,”</span> muttered +Jack to himself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sam Truax added a few more details to his +confession, then said:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I couldn't die without telling you this, Benson. +I hope you forgive me.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page209">[pg 209]</span><a name="Pg209" id="Pg209" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Before Jack Benson could reply Lieutenant +Commander Mayhew stepped forward.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Truax, have you told us the exact truth?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I have.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You thought it would be easy to get the +better of a boy like Benson, I suppose.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Easy enough,”</span> admitted Sam. <span class="tei tei-q">“So did +Tip.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You shot far below the mark in guessing at +Benson's ingenuity and brains,”</span> remarked +Doctor McCrea, laughing. <span class="tei tei-q">“It was he who suggested +this way of inducing you to make this +confession after you had refused to answer the +lieutenant commander's questions.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What?”</span> demanded Truax harshly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“When I was first called in to you, you were +not sick, only scared by the remarks of others. +After we got you in here, we dosed you with +ipecac. That started your stomach to moving +up and down.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What? You poisoned me?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The ipecac was my choice. It isn't poison. +The general idea was Captain Benson's. With +a lad like him you haven't a chance.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Benson, you infernal cheat, you!”</span> muttered +Truax, and started to get out of the berth. But +he was weak, and the attendant had no difficulty +in thrusting him back.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In view of what you've been telling us, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page210">[pg 210]</span><a name="Pg210" id="Pg210" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +you'd better not sprinkle bad names about,”</span> +said the surgeon, turning on his heel. He was +followed by the others, all chuckling.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Benson,”</span> said Doctor McCrea, when +the party was in the cabin, <span class="tei tei-q">“are you my +friend?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I certainly am, sir,”</span> cried Jack warmly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thank you,”</span> said the doctor, making a comical +face. <span class="tei tei-q">“With your head for doing things, +Mr. Benson, I feel safer with your friendship +than I should if I had your enmity.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While they were still chatting in the cabin +of the gunboat a shot sounded on deck. Then +a corporal of marines rushed in, saluting.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The prisoner, Truax, sir, escaped while +walking under guard on deck. He dived headlong, +sir. The marine guard fired after him +through the darkness, sir. The officer of the +deck sends his compliments, sir, and wants to +know if Truax is to be pursued in a small boat.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“At once, and with all diligence,”</span> ordered the +lieutenant commander.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Though a thorough search was made, Truax +was not found. It was thought that the fellow +had been drowned. But months later it was +learned that he was skulking in Europe with +Tip Gaynor, who had received word in time to +make his escape also.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For two days more the instruction continued +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page211">[pg 211]</span><a name="Pg211" id="Pg211" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +at sea. Then, the tour of instruction over, the +little flotilla returned to the Academy at Annapolis. +From there Captain Benson wired Mr. +Farnum for further orders. Without delay +came back the dispatch:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Navy Department requests that for present +'Farnum' be left at Annapolis. You and crew +return by rail when ready.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Soon after this Jack was informed that the +Annapolis police had run down the mulatto who +had decoyed the young submarine skipper on +that memorable night. Jack's money, watch +and other valuables were later recovered and +returned to him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just before Jack and his mates were to leave +the <span class="tei tei-q">“Farnum”</span> for the last time, Lieutenant +Commander Mayhew came aboard, followed by +Ensign Trahern and three of the midshipmen +who had been under submarine instruction.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mr. Benson and gentlemen,”</span> said Mr. Mayhew, +<span class="tei tei-q">“I shall not make a set speech. What I +have to say is that the cadet midshipmen who +have been under your capable and much-prized +instruction of late wish each of you to take +away a slight memento of your stay here.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Machinist Williamson had not been omitted. +Each of the four received from the lieutenant +commander a small box, each containing a small +gold shield. In the center was the coat of arms +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page212">[pg 212]</span><a name="Pg212" id="Pg212" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +of the United States Naval Academy. At the +top of each pin was the name of the one to whom +it was given. Across the bottom were the +words:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +FROM THE<br /> +BATTALION OF NAVAL CADETS<br /> +IN KEEN APPRECIATION<br /> +OF ADMIRABLE INSTRUCTION<br /> +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I think," said Mr. Mayhew, "that none of +you will hesitate to wear this pin on vest or +coat lapel. The gift is a simple one, but it +practically makes you honorary members of the +United States Navy of the future, and I am glad +of it."</p> +</div> +</div> +<div class="tei tei-back" style="margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> +<hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<div id="pgfooter" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"><pre class="pre tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em">***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE MIDDIES*** +</pre><hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"><a name="rightpageheader46" id="rightpageheader46"></a><a name="pgtoc47" id="pgtoc47"></a><a name="pdf48" id="pdf48"></a><h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Credits</span></h1><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr><th class="tei tei-label tei-label-gloss">December 2005 </th></tr><tr><td class="tei tei-item tei-item-gloss"><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">Project Gutenberg Edition</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item"><span class="tei tei-respStmt"> + <span class="tei tei-name">Roger Frank, Taavi Kalju<br /></span> + <span class="tei tei-name">Online Distributed Proofreading Team</span> + </span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr><th class="tei tei-label tei-label-gloss">June 2006 </th></tr><tr><td class="tei tei-item tei-item-gloss"><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">Added PGHeader/PGFooter.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item"><span class="tei tei-respStmt"> + <span class="tei tei-name">Joshua Hutchinson</span> + </span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"><a name="rightpageheader49" id="rightpageheader49"></a><a name="pgtoc50" id="pgtoc50"></a><a name="pdf51" id="pdf51"></a><h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h1><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This file should be named + 17756-h.html or + 17756-h.zip.</p><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This and all associated files of various formats will be found + in: + + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/7/7/5/17756/" class="block tei tei-xref" style="margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"><span style="font-size: 90%">http://www.gutenberg.org</span><span style="font-size: 90%">/dirs/1/7/7/5/17756/</span></a></p><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Updated editions will replace the previous one — the old + editions will be renamed.</p><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Creating the works from public domain print editions means that + no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the + Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United + States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. + Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this + license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works + to protect the Project Gutenberg™ concept and trademark. 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