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. ij 1 ’ VIOTO

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WAYNESmrDUNiVERSHYUBRARy
TUDLLOISDRAMSEYGOU£CTION

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¥1
Owen Shouted: “I Won’t Be Taken Alive!’
Frontispiece.

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The Submarine Boys
on Duty
OR
Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat
By
VICTOR G. DURHAM
Author of The Submarine Boys’ Trial Trip
Etc.
Illustrated
PHILADELPHIA
HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY

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Copyright, 1909, by Howard E. Altemus

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CONTENTS
■Chapter PagF
I. Two Boys Who Planned to Become Great, 7
II. The Fighting Chance, 24
TTT. Josh Owen Starts Trouble, 37
IV. The Trick of the Flashlight, 49
V. One Man’s Dumfounded Face, 60
VI. Along the Trail of Trouble, 69
'VII. When Thieves Fall Out, 80
Will. A Swift Stroke for Honor, 89
IX. The Submarine Makes Its Bow to Old Ocean,. . 98
X. Under Water, Where Men’s Nerves Are Tried, 108
XI. The Try-Out in the Depths, 110
/ XII. The Discovery from the Conning Tower, 127
XIII. A High-Sea Mystery, 135
'XIV. An Up-to-Date Bevenge, 146
XV. The Courage That Bang True, 155
XVT. The Last Second of the Nick of Time, 163
XVII. In the Grip of Horror, 174
XVIII. The Last Gasp of Despair, 184
•YTX Jack Strikes the Key to the Mystery, 191
XX. “One on” the Watch Officer, 204
XXI. The Man Who Dropped the Glass, 214
XXII. A Dive That Was Like Magic, 225
XXIII. Wanted, Badly—One Steward! 233
XXIV. Conclusion, 243

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m

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The Submarine Boys on Duty
CHAPTER I
TWO BOYS WHO PLANNED TO BECOME GREAT
0 this is Dunhaven?” inquired Jack Ben-
son.
“Ye-es,” slowly responded Jabez
Holt, not rising from the chair in which he sat
tilted hack against the outer wall on the hotel
porch.
“It looks like it,” muttered Hal Hastings, un
der his breath.
“Doesn’t look like a very hustling place, does
it?” asked Jack, with a smile, as he set down
a black, cloth-covered box on the porch and
leisurely helped himself to a chair.
The box looked as though it might contain
a camera. “Tin-type fellers,” thought Holt to
himself, and did not form a very high estimate
of the two boys, neither of whom was more than
sixteen years of age.
Just now, both boys were dusty from long
travel on foot, which condition, at a merely first
7

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8 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
glance, concealed the fact that both were neatly
enongh, even if plainly, dressed.
1 ‘ Huh! ’’ was all the response Jabez Holt made
to Jack’s pleasant comment. Hal, however, not
in the least discouraged by a reception that was
not wholly flattering, set down a box not unlike
Jack’s, and also something hidden in a green
cloth cover that suggested a camera tripod. Hal
helped himself to one of the two remaining
chairs on the porch of the little hotel.
“Takin’ pictures?” asked Jabez Holt, after
a pause spent in chewing at a tooth-pick.
“Yes, some of the time,” Jack assented. “It
helps out a bit when two fellows without rich
fathers take a notion to travel.”
“I s’pose so,” grunted Jabez. He was not
usually considered, by his fellow-townsmen, a
disagreeable fellow, but a hotel keeper must al
ways preserve a proper balance of suspicion
when dealing with strangers, and especially
strangers who follow callings that do not com
monly lead to prosperity. Probably “Old
Man” Holt, as he was known, remembered a
few experiences with the tribe of itinerant pho
tographers. At any rate he did not mean to make
the mistake of being too cordial with these
young representatives of the snap-shot art.
“Is there any business around here?” asked
Jack, after awhile.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 9
“Oh, there’s a Main Street, hack uptown,
that has some real pretty homes,” admitted
the hotel keeper, “an’ some likely-lookin’
cross streets. Dunhaven ain’t an awfnl homely
town, as ye’ll see after ye’ve walked about
a bit.”
“But is there any business here?” insisted
Hal Hastings, patiently.
“I guess maybe you’re business photograft
ers, then?” suggested the hotel keeper.
“What kinds of business are there here?”
asked Jack.
Jabez Holt cast away a much-mangled tooth
pick and placed another in his mouth before he
replied, with a chuckle:
“Well, I reckon about the only business here
that the town is doing any talkin’ about at pres
ent is one that don’t want no photografters
around. ’ ’
“And what may that business be?” persisted
Jack.
“Well, down to Farnum’s boatyard they’re
putting up a craft that’s known as 1 Pollard’s
Folly.’ ”
“And why wouldn’t they want that photo
graphed?” demanded young Benson.
“Because it’s one of them sure-death boats
they hope to sell the Government, and the United
States Government don’t care ’bout havin’ its

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10 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
war craft secrets snap-shotted, ’ ’ replied Jabez
Holt.
*‘Didn’t yon speak of Pollard’s boat?” de
manded Jack, bis eyes agleam witb sndden in
terest.
“Ye-es,” admitted Mr. Holt, slowly. “A
boat that’ll drown its score of men, I reckon, an’
tben lay somewhere an’ eat itself ont with rust.”
“A submarine boat, isn’t it?” continued Jack,
quickly.
“Yep; submarine torpedo boat. One of them
crazy craft that men will build against all sense
of what’s decent on salt water.”
“Why, I’ve read about that boat,” Jack ran
on, eagerly. “And, from what the newspapers
said, I’ve gathered the idea that David Pollard’s
boat is going to put the United States completely
ahead of all other nations at sea.”
“That’s the way Dave Pollard talks,” re
turned Mr. Holt, grimly. “But folks ’round
Dunhaven, I must say, don’t think over an’
above of him or his boat. They ”
“Oh, bother the folks around Dunhaven!”
broke in Jack Benson, impatiently. “If the
place is the best they know how to do in the way
of a town, I don’t care a heap about their ideas
of boats. And—but I beg your pardon, Mr.
Holt. My tongue’s running a bit ahead of my
manners, I guess. So this is where that famous

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 11
submarine torpedo boat is being built! And
she’s a diving boat, at that!”
“Well, I guess mebbe she’ll dive, all right,”
chuckled Jabez Holt. “But as to her cornin’
up again, I reckon the ‘Pollard’ ain’t goin’ to
be so certain.”
“Where are they building her! Farnum’s
shipyard, jrnu said!”
“Right over yonder,” explained Mr. Holt,
pointing to a high board fence that enclosed a
space down by the water front. Farnum’s
“boatyard,” as thus seen, was about an eighth
of a mile from the little hotel, and looked as
though it might be considerable of a plant,
“Who’s in charge of the boat!” was Jack’s
next question.
“Well, now, that’s a conundrum,” replied
Jabez Holt, pondering. “Jake Farnum owns
the yard. Jake is a young man, only a few
years out of college. He inherited the business
from his father, who’s dead. Jake is consid
ered a pretty goodjbusiness man, though he don’t
know much ’bout boats, an’ can’t seem to learn
a heap, nuther. So Jake leans on Asa Partridge,
the superintendent, who was also superintendent
under old man Farnum. However, old man
Farnum’s line was building sailing yachts, small
schooners, and, once in a while, a tug-boat.
That’s in Asa Partridge’s line, but he won’t have

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12 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
nothin’ much to do with new schemes like diving
torpedo boats.”
“Then ” hinted Jack.
“I’m a-comin’ on with the yarn,” replied
Jabez Holt, patiently. “Now, Dave Pollard,
the inventor of the boat, is a powerful bright
young man, on theory, some folks says, but he
ain’t much use with tools in his hands. But he
an’ young Jake Famum hang ’round, watching
and bossing, and they have a foreman of the
gang, Joshua Owen, who ’lows he knows most
everything ’bout buildin’ any kind of boat. So,
barrin’ the fussing of Farnum and Pollard, I
guess Josh Owen is the real boss of the job, since
the riveters’ gang came an’ put the hull together,
an’ went away.”
“Then I suppose Mr. Owen ” began Jack.
‘ 1 Ja-a-abez! Jabez Holt! Come here! ’ ’ rang
a shrill, feminine voice from the interior of the
hotel.
“Must be goin’, for a few minutes, anyway,”
grunted J abez, rising and leaving the two boys.
But no sooner was he out of sight than
Jack Benson turned upon his chum, his eyes
ablaze.
“Hal Hastings,” he effused, in a low voice,
„ “I had forgotten that Dunhaven was the home
of the Pollard boat. But, since it is, and since
we’re here—why, here we’d better stay.”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 13
“Do yon think we can get in on that job?”
asked Hal, dubiously.
“Not if we just sit around and wonder, or if
we go meekly and ask for a job, and turn sadly
away when we’re refused,” retorted Jack Ben
son, with a vim that was characteristic of him.
“Hal, my boy, we’re simply going to shove our
selves into jobs in that boatyard, and we’re
going to have a whack at the whole game of
building and fitting out a submarine torpedo
boat. Do you catch the idea ? We ’re just going
to hustle ourselves into the one job that would
suit us better than anything else on earth! ”
‘ ‘ Bully! ’ ’ agreed Hal, wistfully. ‘ ‘ I hope you
can work it. ”
“We can,” returned his chum, spiritedly.
e ‘ Team work, you know. We’ve worked around
machine shops, and at other trades, and we know
something about the way boats are handled.
Why shouldn’t we be able to make Farnum and
Pollard believe we know something that will be
of use to them?”
“I guess the foreman is the one we want to
see, first of all, ’’ suggested Hal.
“Well, we’ll camp right down here and go at
the thing,” almost whispered Benson. “And,
as this hotel is right at the water front, and
within two jumps of the boatyard, I guess we’d
better stay here until we get settled.”

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14 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
"While the two elm ms were discussing the
•whole matter in eager, low tones, a few things
may be told about them that will make their
present situation clearer. Jack Benson, an only
son, had been orphaned, three years before, at
the age of thirteen. With the vigor that he al
ways displayed, he had found a home and paid
for his keep and schooling, either by doing
chores, or by working at various occupations in
his native seaport town of Oakport. He had
kept at school up to a few months before the
opening of this narrative. With marked genius
for machinery, he had learned many things about
the machinist’s trade in odd hours in one of the
local shops. He was remarkably quick at pick
ing up new ideas, and had shown splendid,
though untrained, talent for making mechanical
drawings.
Hal Hastings, of the same age, had a step
mother who did not regard him kindly. Hal,
too, had worked at odd jobs, almost fighting
for his schooling. His father, under the step
mother’s influence, paid little heed to his
doings.
For two summers both boys had done fairly
well working on yachts and other boats around
Oakport. Both had learned how to handle sail
craft, to run motors and small marine steam en
gines.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 15
During the spring just passed Hal Hastings
had worked much of his time for an Oakport
photographer who, at the beginning of summer,
had failed. Hal, with a considerable hill for un
paid services, had taken some photographing
material in settlement of his dues.
At the beginning of summer both boys decided
that Oakport did not offer sufficient opportunity
for their ambitious hopes in life. So they had
determined to take Hal’s newly acquired camera
outfit and “tramp it” from town to town, earn
ing their living by photographing and all the
while keeping their eyes open for real chances
in life. Both had some money, carefully saved
and hidden, from the previous summer’s work,
so that in point of attire they presented a credit
able appearance.
During these few weeks of tramping from
place to place they had made somewhat more
money than their expenses had amounted to.
Jack Benson, who was the treasurer, carried
their entire hoard in a roll of one- and two-dol
lar bills.
“I tell you, Hal Hastings,” Jack now wound
up, “this submarine torpedo boat business is
already a great field. It’s going to be bigger
and bigger, for a lot of inventors are at work.
If we can hustle our way into this Dunhaven
boatyard, we may be able to ”

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16 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“Earn a very good living, I guess,” nodded
Hal, thoughtfully.
“Earn a living?” sniffed Jack, rather scorn
fully. “Hal, I’ve got faith enough in both of
us to believe that we could make our fortunes
in a few years. Look at some of the poor young
men who had . sense enough to get into the auto
mobile business early. The prizes go to the fel
lows who get into a field early and have ability
enough to build up reputations. ’ ’
Jabez Holt came out upon the porch at this
moment.
“Still here?” he asked, looking at the boys.
“We’re going to be here a little while, I guess,
if it’s agreeable to you, Mr. Holt,” Jack an
swered, with a smile.
11 What d ’ye mean ? I don’t want no tin-types
taken. ’ ’
“We haven’t asked you to have any photos
made, Mr. Holt,” Benson ran on. “We’re just
talking about becoming guests here.”
“For twenty-four hours,” supplied Hal Hast
ings.
“For at least two days,” Jack amended.
“But, see here,” explained Landlord Holt.
“Rates here are two dollars a day. If ye hain’t
got no other baggage I’ll haveter look into them
camera boxes before I take ’em as security for
board.”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 17
“You can’t have them as security, Mr. Holt,”
Jack laughed. “I’m going to pay our charges
two days in advance. For two persons it’s eight
dollars, isn’t it?”
Then young Benson carelessly produced the
young partners’ roll of banknotes. He quickly
counted off eight dollars, handing the money to
Mr. Holt.
“Come right in an’ register,” said Landlord
Holt, springing up and leading the way. The
hotel sometimes prospered when yacht owners
or boat designers came this way, but at any sea
son eight dollars were eight dollars. The boys
were now in high standing with their host. When
matters had been settled in the office Holt led
them to the wash room. Here the young men
dusted themselves off, washed, polished their
own shoes, donned clean collars and cuffs,
and, altogether, speedily made themselves so
tidy that they looked quite different from the
dusty travelers who had trudged into Dun-
haven.
Jabez Holt then conducted them back to chairs
on the porch, remarking:
“It’s after four o’clock now, and supper’ll
be ready sharp at six.”
“What time do they knock off work in the
boatyard ? ’ ’ queried Jack.
“Five, sharp,” the landlord informed him.
3— The Submarine Boys on Duty.

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18 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“Does that foreman on the submarine boat
job ever come along this way?”
“Goes right by here on bis way home,” Mr.
Holt informed the boys.
“I’d be glad if yon’d introduce ns to him,”
Jack suggested.
“I sartain will,” nodded Jabez Holt. “An’,
ye know, Dave Pollard is stoppin’ at this hotel.”
“Ob, be is, eh?” Jack snapped np, eagerly.
* ‘ Then we ’11 certainly try to make bis acquaint
ance to-might. ’ ’
Hal, too, looked pleased at this prospect. Mrs.
Holt again calling, from the depths of the
kitchen, the landlord was forced to burry off.
He left behind two boys who suddenly fell to
planning their futures with all the rosy enthusi
asm of youth. The longer they talked about the
submarine boat, the more both Jack and Hal felt
convinced that they were going to succeed in get
ting into the work. In fact, both planned to be
come great in that special field.
It was a bright July day, one of the kind when
the world looks at its best to young, hopeful
minds. Absorbed in their vague but rosy plans,
both boys forgot the flight of time.
They were roused out of their talk, at last,
by hearing' heavy footsteps on the gravel close
at hand. Looking up, they saw a heavy, broad-
shouldered, dark-complexioned youth of about

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 19
eighteen years. He had a swaggering way of
carrying himself, and undoubtedly considered
himself of much importance. His clothing pro
claimed him to be a workman. As he caught
sight of the two happy looking boys this older
and larger youth looked them over with a sneer
ing expression which soon turned to a scowl.
“Strangers here, ain’t ye?” demanded the
scowling one, as he halted on the edge of the
porch.
“ Yes, ” nodded Jack Benson, pleasantly.
“Thought so,” vouchsafed the other. “Any
body but a stranger hereabouts would know ye
were in my chair—the one I sit in when I come
along this way.”
There was something decidedly insolent in
both the tone and manner of the stranger. But
Benson, not quick at taking offense, inquired:
“Are you a guest of this hotel?”
“None of your business,” came the rough re
tort.
“Oh!” said Jack.
“Did ye hear me say ye were sitting in my
chair?”
“Yes.”
“Going to get up out of it?”
“Not until I know your rights in the matter,”
replied Jack. “You see, my board is paid in
advance at this place.”

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20 THE SUBMABINE BOYS ON DUTY
4 4 Huh!’ ’ growled the other, sneeringly.
“Beckon ye don’t know nrach ’bout Dan Jag
gers ’s way of doin’ things.”
“Who on earth is Dan Jaggers!” demanded
Benson, cnrionsly.
“That’s me! It’s my name,” rejoined the
swaggerer. “ An’, senee ye’re so fresh ”
Jaggers didn’t finish in words, but, taking a
firm hold on the hack of the chair, he suddenly
pulled it out from under Benson. So swiftly
was the thing done that Jack went down on all
fours on the porch. But, thoroughly aroused,
and his eyes flashing indignantly now, that hoy
was quickly on his feet. Dan, however, with a
satisfied grin, had dropped into the chair.
“Going to get up out of that, Jaggers!” chal
lenged Jack Benson.
“Not as I know of,” rejoined Dan, with a
hro ader grin. 4 4 Why! ’ ’
“Because I’d hate to hit you while you’re sit
ting down,” replied Jack so quietly that his
voice sounded almost mild.
“What’s that!” demanded Jaggers, with a
guffaw of laughter.
“You heard what I said,” Jack insisted.
44 You’d better get up.”
44 Spoiling for a fight, are ye!” questioned
the bully.
44 Not at all,” Jack replied, still keeping his

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 21
temper in check. “I never go about looking for
tronble. I suppose yon didn’t know any better
than to do what you did. ’ ’
“What’s that?” scowled Dan Jaggers.
“If you want to apologize, and get out of the
chair, I’ll let it go at that,” pursued Jack, coolly.
“Hey!” demanded Dan Jaggers, aghast.
“Me—-apologize?”
He sprang up suddenly, resting a broad paw
heavily on Jack’s shoulder. But Benson, with
out flinching, or drawing back, returned the ugly
look steadfastly.
“You’re behaving like a pretty poor grade of
tough,” spoke Jack, in deep disgust.
“I am, hey?” roared Dan. He drew back,
aiming a heavy fist for Benson’s chest. It was
a mistake, as he quickly realized, for Jack Ben
son, from much practice in boxing, was as agile
and slippery as a monkey and an eel combined.
Jack dodged, then came up under with a cleanly-
aimed though not hard blow on Jaggers’s chin.
“I’ll learn ye!” roared Dan, returning two
ponderous blows in quick succession. To his in
tense astonishment Jack wasn’t in the way of
either blow, but came in with a neck blow on
J aggers’s left side that sent the bully reeling to
the gravel beyond the porch.
“Come right down here!” challenged the
bully, hoarsely. “ We ’11 find out about this. ’ ’

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22 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
Jack Benson hesitated. He did not care about
fighting. Yet, seeing that Jaggers meant to
have a final encounter, Jack dropped nimbly;
down to the gravel.
Dan Jaggers rushed at him, both fists up on
guard, his whole attitude more cautious since
he had had a taste of the smaller youth’s qual
ity. Jack was about two inches shorter and
•fully thirty pounds lighter, hut he made one
think of a dancing master as he skipped away be
fore the big fellow’s rushes.
“Stand still, won’t ye, drat ye?” roared Dan,
driving in another heavy blow.
But Benson dodged, then came in under the
bully’s guard, landing a stinging blow on the
tip of his nose. Under punishment Dan let out
a noise resembling the bellow of an angry hull.
•Glowering, he stood uncertain, for a moment,
hut Jack was tantalizingly just out of his reach,
smiling confidently. Then Jaggers leaped for
ward, hopeful of winding his arms around this
foe and crushing him into submission. A sec
ond later, however, Dan fell backward, yelling
with pain, for Jack Benson had landed a left-
handed blow just under his opponent’s right eye,
partly closing it. Dan bent over double, still
groaning.
“Well, I swan!” said the astonished Jabez
Holt, in the doorway of his hotel.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 23
Jack stood his ground a few moments, watch
ing until he felt sure that his enemy did not in
tend to carry the affair further. Then the
younger hoy stepped lightly hack to the porch,
standing just before the chair from which he
had lately been evicted.
“Just hear in mind, 111 git square with ye
for this!” uttered Jaggers, wrathfully, glaring
at young Benson with his undamaged eye. Then
he turned and stalked away, muttering under
his breath.
“Well, I swan!” remarked Jahez Holt again,
now stepping out onto the porch. 11 1 guess that
sartain done Han Jaggers some good. He needs
some of that medicine, friends. An’ say, here’s
Josh Owen coming up from Farnum’s boat
yard.”
Jack and Hal both turned quickly to gaze down
the road at a man just coming out through the
gate of Pamum’s yard.
“He’s the man we want to meet,” cried Jack
Benson, breathlessly.
“I dunno, ” replied Mr. Holt, shaking his head,
ominously. “I dunno as it’ll do ye much good,
now. Dan Jaggers is Josh Owen’s nephew and
favorite!”

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24 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
CHAPTER II
THE FIGHTING CHANCE
yr Y type of torpedo boat is going to rule
\/1 tbe seas in naval warfare, ’ ’ declared
David Pollard, bis eyes a-kindle witb
tbe entbnsiasm of tbe sincere inventor. .
“I’m sure of it, ’’ replied Jack Benson, quietly.
“Tbat’s wby, Mr. Pollard, Hal and I are so
anxious to get into tbis work. Mr. Pollard, wben
your type of submarine diving torpedo boat is
understood by tbe United States Government
you’ll need some reliable and intelligent experts.
Take us in now. Let us learn tbe work witb you.
Let us go abead, keeping pace witb tbe progress
in Pollard torpedo boats, and you will never be
sorry you bave two young fellows you can de
pend upon.”
“Tbat’s so, if you can come near to making
as good as you promise, ’ ’ admitted tbe inventor,
tbougbtf ully. ‘ ‘ But you ’re pretty young. ’ ’
“And tbat’s tbe only fault witb tbe Pollard
submarine boat, ’ ’ rejoined Jack Benson, artfully.
“You’ve got to buck your boat against all tbe
older types tbat tbe Government already takes
an interest in. Yet you feel sure tbat you can
do it You don’t believe tbe Pollard diving boat

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 25
is too young. Give ns the same show yon ask
for your boat/ ’
“Well, I’ve never seen any of your work—
except these drawings, ’ ’ replied Mr. Pollard, in
dicating some sheets that lay on the table before
them.
The chums had succeeded in making the in
ventor’s acquaintance through the aid of the
landlord. It was now eleven o’clock at night.
Jack and Hal had been in the inventor’s room
for the last three hours. Benson had done most
of the talking, though Hal had now and then
put in some effective words.
David Pollard was now thirty years of age,
tall, lean and of pallid countenance. He was a
graduate of a technical school. Though not a
practical mechanic, he had a rather good lot of
theory stored away in his mind. He had in
herited some money, soon after leaving school,
hut this money had vanished in inventions that
he had not succeeded in marketing. Now, all his
hopes in life were centered in the submarine
torpedo boat that was nearly completed. Pol
lard had had no money of his own to put into
the craft Jacob Famum was his friend and
financial backer.
No one could guess how much success with
his submarine boat meant to this wearied yet
hopeful inventor. For years all his schemes

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26 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
had been laughed at by “practical” men. It
was success, more than mere fortune, for which
David Pollard hungered. The officials of the
Navy Department, at Washington, had xoromised
to inspect and try the boat, when finished, hut
that was all the encouragement that had come
from the national capital.
If the “Pollard,” as the new craft was at
present named, should prove a failure, then the
inventor felt that he would he “down” indeed
in the world. Also, he must feel that he had
buried one hundred and fifty thousand dollars
of the money of his loyal friend, Farnum.
In his present anxious, worried frame of mind,
with few real believers in the possible success
of his boat, it was little wonder that David Pol
lard was grateful for any intelligent interest or
faith in his plans. These two friends were but
boys, nor had they had any experience in sub
marine boat construction. Yet they had shown
the inventor that they knew much about machin
ery and marine engines in general, and Jack,
with his handy knack of sketching machinery,
had made a decided hit with poor Pollard.
“Just put us in as apprentices,” begged Ben
son. “We’ll be just the plainest sort of helpers,
fetching and lifting, and that sort of thing, until
we learn how to do more.”
“Well, you see, for one thing, boys,” replied

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 27
Pollard, “this building of a submarine boat is
very important and confidential work. Now,
while I like the looks and talk of yon both, I
really don’t know a thing about either of you.”
‘‘Of course you don’t, ’’ Jack Benson admitted,
frankly. “And it’s highly important that you
should. I know that. But you can telegraph
the principal of the school we attended in Oak-
port, and you can telegraph the minister of our
church, too. We’ll abide by just what they say
about us. And” here Benson brought his
little roll of bills once more into sight—“we’ll
pay for the telegrams and the answers.”
‘ ‘ That looks right, ’ ’ nodded Mr. Pollard, with
a slight smile. “There is just one more point.
The superintendent of the yard, Mr. Partridge,
isn’t having anything to do with the building of
the ‘Pollard.’ After the steel workers and the
riveters had finished on the hull, then the inside
work, including the fitting of the machinery, was
turned over to Mr. Owen, our present foreman.
Sometimes he’s a crotchety fellow, and he might
take a dislike to you youngsters.”
“I’ve got to tell you about something that I
think will make him take a dislike to us, ’ ’ spoke
up Jack Benson, candidly. Then he recounted
the afternoon’s affair with Dan Jaggers.
“Yes, that certainly will stir up some feeling,”
replied Mr. Pollard. “In fact, it will make it

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28 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
very difficult for you to get along with Owen,
for he thinks a lot of that disagreeable, bullying
nephew of his. Yet, Benson, I like you a whole
lot better for your honesty. ’ ’
The inventor was silent for some moments,
puffing slowly at a pipe, and then he removed the
stem from between his teeth and continued:
“You’ve made a good impression upon me,
both of you, and particularly with what you say
about giving young fellows and young boats a
chance to prove themselves. You talk like
youngsters with some experience and some ideas
in the matter of machinery. I admire your
honesty. I also like what you say about the need
Farnum and I will have, in the future, of young
men who will understand our boats thoroughly.
I don’t know what you can do until we try you
out.”
He took a few more thoughtful pulls at his
pipe and resumed: “See here, you come to the
yard at eight o’clock in the morning, ready to
do anything that’s wanted of you. I won’t wire,
but I’ll write, to-night, to the references you’ve
given. If we find you’re not of much use we’ll
drop you. If your references don’t turn out to
be unusually good, out you go! But, if you make
good, you’ll have your chance. It’s just your
fighting chance, you understand. I’ll fix the
matter with Mr. Farnum. ’ ’

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 29
“And tlie foreman?” smiled Jack, wistfully.
Mr. Pollard looked grave as lie answered:
“Look out not to invite any trouble witb
Joshua Owen, and avoid trouble witb Jaggers,
who works in the boat-fitting crew. I think we
can get over the effects of your little trouble
this afternoon. And now, boys, give me the ad
dresses of your references, and I’ll write at
once. ’ ’
A few moments later the chums bade the in
ventor good night, then hurried to their own
room, though not to retire at once.
“Well?” demanded Jack Benson, his face ra
diant, as he thought of their “fighting chance.”
“It was the way you put the whole matter
to Pollard,” replied Hal Hastings. “Jack,
you’re a wonder with your tongue. I believe
you could talk a hole through a thick board
fence. ’ ’
“We’ve got our chance, anyway. And, oh,
Hal! I believe it’s going to be our real chance
in life! ’ ’
“You’ll soon be as wild about the ‘Pollard’
as the inventor himself,” laughed Hastings,
goo d-naturedly.
“It isn’t going to be just the one boat, Hal,”
urged his chum, seriously. “It’s the whole big
problem of submarine warfare. It’s going to
be the warfare of the future, old chum! And,

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30 THE SUBMAEINE BOYS ON DUTY
starting this early, we may become Pollard’s real
experts—Ms leading men when he’s famous, suc
cessful and rich! We may even become his part
ners, through getting up improvements on his
ideas. Hal, boy, we may even put through our
own design of submarine boat one of these days. ’ ’
“It’ll he huge fun, anyway, if we can get a
chance to cruise on a submarine boat—under
water and all! ” glowed young Hastings. c ‘ Say,
there must be a wonderful thrill to going down
deep in the ocean. ’ ’
Thus they talked for another hour. It was
very late when the two turned in, nor did they
go to sleep at once. Yet, when the half-past-
six call came in the morning, both boys turned
out in a jiffy. Excitement took the place
of rest with them. They breakfasted with appe
tite. Shortly after half-past seven, though the
yard was so near, Jack and Hal set out for their
first day’s work at boat building.
The gate was open, though the yard, as they
stepped inside, had a deserted look. The partly
finished hulls of two schooners lay on the ways
down by the water front. There were half a
dozen sloops in various stages of completion.
There were two houses, close to the water’s edge
in which, as the boys afterwards learned, motor
boats were built. But it was a rough shed, more
than twenty feet high, and at least one bun-

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 31
dred and twenty feet long, running down to
the shore, that instantly caught Jack Benson’s
glance.
i t There’s where they must be putting the ‘ Pol
lard’ in shape,” he cried, eagerly, as he pointed.
Both youngsters hurried toward that shed. As
they reached it the inventor came into sight
around the end. He was hollow-eyed, though
alert; he looked even more worried than he had
looked the night before.
“Ah, good morning, boys,” was his greeting.
“Early on hand, I see.”
“When a fellow’s whole heart is set on a thing,
he isn’t likely to lie abed until the last moment,
is he, Mr. Pollard!” inquired Benson.
That speech impressed the inventor most fa
vorably. He could appreciate enthusiasm.
“Come inside, and I’ll show you something,”
he said, j)roducing a key and leading the way to
a door in the side of the shed.
Through the long, high windows of the shed an
abundance of light fell. But Jack, once inside
the door, halted, looking with lips parted and
eyes wide open.
‘ ‘ O-o-o-oh! ” he murmured.
“What is it!” inquired the inventor, curi
ously.
“The very wonder of the thing,” replied Ben
son, frankly, looking over the whole length of

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32 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
the “Pollard” as she lay propped up on the
sturdy ways.
Nor did that simple speech make the inventor
think any less of the hoy. Though Hal Hastings
remained silent for some time, his fascinated
gaze rested steadily on the strange-looking out
lines of the cigar-shaped hull of the boat.
The outer hull was of steel plates, carefully
riveted into place. The entire length of the boat
was about one hundred and ten feet, which in
point of size placed her just about in the class
of boats of this type which are being constructed
to-day.
Near the center of the boat, on the upper side,
was the conning tower, about nine feet in outside
diameter, and extending some four feet above
the sloping deck of the craft. Around the con
ning tower extended a flat, circular “platform”
deck.
At the how of the boat the torpedo tube pro
jected a short distance. At the stem the rud
der was in place, and all was in readiness for
placing the propeller shaft and the propeller
itself. On the floor of the shed, near the middle
of this strange, dangerous boat, lay miscellane
ous small pieces of machinery and fittings.
At the starboard side of the boat stood a lad
der that ascended to the platform deck. In the
top of the conning tower a man-hole cover stood

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 33
propped up. It was through this opening that
the workmen entered or left the hoat.
From outside the shed several wires ran in.
In dark weather these wires carried the current
for electric lights in shed and hoat.
“I won’t ask you aboard until the foreman
and other workmen arrive,” explained Mr. Pol
lard. ‘ ‘ It ’11 he only a few minutes to wait. ’ ’
While they were still examining the outer hull,
and discussing the submarine, Dan Jaggers, in
his workman’s clothes, reached the open door
way of the shed. One look inside, and he halted
short. He gathered from the talk he heard that
Jack Benson and Hal Hastings were to he added
to the “Pollard’s” working gang.
“Not if I know myself—and the foreman—
and I think I do!” growled the Jaggers youth,
hacking away unseen.
The next of the workmen to arrive was Michael
O’Brien, red-haired and about twenty-eight
years of age. He was good-humored and talka
tive, and the two hoys took an immediate liking
to him.
Through the gate of the yard came Joshua
Owen, a man of forty-live, of medium height,
broad-shouldered, black-haired and with a frame
that spoke of great physical power and endur
ance. Yet he had restless, rather evil-looking
eyes. He did not look like the sort of
3—The Suhrian'ne Boys or. Duty.

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U THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
man whom a timid fellow would want for an
enemy.
“Hold on there, Unc,” greeted Dan Jaggers,
motioning his foreman-uncle aside. “Say, yon
know that cheeky yonng fellow I told ye about—
the tricky one that played the sneak on me, and
gave me this black eye ? ’ ’
“Haven’t yon met him and paid him back
yet ? ’ ’ demanded Mr. Owen.
“Hadn’t seen him again, until just now, ” com
plained Dan. “What do you think? Pollard
has engaged that feller and his friend to work
on the submarine.”
“Has, eh? Without speaking to me about
it?” demanded Joshua Owen, looking anything
but pleased.
“Of course you’ll let Pollard know that you’re
foreman and take on and lay off your own
gang,” hinted Jaggers.
“Now, you leave me alone, Dan, boy, to know
what to do,” retorted Mr. Owen. Then he
stepped on toward the long shed, a very grim
look on his face. Going inside the shed, the fore
man looked the two boys over briefly.
“If you young men haven’t any business in
here,” he ordered, “get out and on your way.
Work is about to begin here. I’m the fore
man.”
“Oh, Mr. Owen,” hailed the inventor, “these

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 35
are two very bright young chaps, with some ex
perience, that I’ve engaged to help us out with
installing the machinery in the boat. ”
‘ 1 Couldn’t you have consulted me, sir % ” asked
the foreman, again looking keenly at the youngs
sters.
“When you’ve found out what they can do,
Mr. Owen,” replied Pollard, “I believe you’ll
be rather pleased with them. They’re hired
only on trial, you understand. ’ ’
“I can tell whether we want ’em before we
start work,” grunted the foreman. With that
he began to fire all manner of machine-shop ques
tions at both boys. Yet Jack and Hal, paying
respectful heed, answered in a way that showed
them to be quite well informed about this class
of work.
“They won’t do, Mr. Pollard—won’t do at
all,” announced Foreman Owen, turning to the
inventor. “I know their kind. They’re glib
talkers, and all that, but they belong to the know-
it-all class of boys. I’ve had a lot of experience
with that kind of ’prentices, and I don’t want
’em bothering our work here. So I say, sir, the
only thing for you to do is to send them about
their business. ’ ’
Foreman Owen spoke as though that settled
the matter. Jack Benson and Hal Hastings felt
their hopes oozing.

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36 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“I’ve told tlie boys they shall have a chance,
Mr. Owen,” replied Pollard quietly, yet in a
tone of authority. “So of course my word must
be kept with them.”
“But I’m the foreman,” exclaimed Joshua
Owen, irritably, “and I’m supposed to ”
“Exactly,” interposed David Pollard.
“You’re supposed to obey all instructions from
your superiors here, and to give your advice
when it’s wanted. I have much at stake in the
success of this boat, and when I find what looks
like good material for our working crew I’m
going to try out that material.”
“But I don’t want to be bothered with boys,
like these young fellows,” retorted the foreman,
angrily. “This is no job for amateurs!”
“The boys remain until they’ve been well
tried out,” retorted Pollard, firmly. “If they
can’t do our kind of work, then of course we’ll
let them go.”
“I’ll speak to Mr. Parnum about this busi
ness, ’ ’ muttered Foreman Owen, turning on his
heel.
Three other workmen had arrived during this
talk. Now, at the order from Owen all climbed
the ladder to the platform deck, thence disap
pearing through the manhole. Electric light
was turned on inside the hull by the time that
Jack and Hal appeared at the manhole opening.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 3?
Owen looked upward, from the floor of the boat,
to scowl at them, but, as Mr. Pollard was right
behind them, the foreman said nothing at that
moment.
Last of all came Dan Jaggers. As he canght
sight of the two newcomers he shot at them a look
full of hate.
“I thought ye said those fellers couldn't work
here, ’' he muttered to his uncle.
“Keep quiet and watch out," whispered
Joshua Owen. “They're not going to work
here. I'll fix that!"
CHAPTER III
JOSH OWEN STARTS TROUBLE
NOCK off!"
IV As the deafening din of hammers
lessened David Pollard shouted that
order through a megaphone.
Confined in a limited space, inside that hull
of steel, the clatter, which outdoors would have
been barely noticed, was something infernal in
volume and sharpness. Human ear-drums
could not stand it for any very great length of
time.
By this time Jack Benson and Hal Hastings
had had a good chance to see exactly what

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38 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
the interior of a submarine torpedo boat was
like.
A level floor extended throughout the entire
length of the “Pollard.” Below this floor,
reached by hatchways, were various small com
partments for storage. Under the level of this
floor, too, were the “water-tanks.” These were
tanks that, when the craft lay or moved on the
surface of the ocean, were to contain only air.
Whenever it was desired to sink the torpedo boat,
valves operated from the central room of the
boat could be opened so that the water tanks
would fill, and the weight of the water would
sink the boat. In diving, the forward tanks
could be filled first, and then, when the desired
depth was reached, the other tanks could be filled
entirely, or partly, in such a way as to control
depth and position.
With the boat below the surface, and the com
mander wishing to return to the surface, com
pressed air could be forced into the water tanks,
expelling all the water in them, or a part of the
water, if preferred. The valves would then
operate to keep more water from entering.
On the surface the “Pollard” was intended to
be run by a powerful six-cylinder gasoline en
gine. When below the surface the boat was to
be propelled by electric power supplied from
storage batteries. Below the waves the gaso-

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 39'
line engine conld not be used, as sncb an engine
consumes air and also creates bad vapors.
On tbe morning when our two young friends'
went to work tbe electrical engine was fully in
stalled, and bad been tested. Tbe gasoline en
gine was in place, but tbe fittings bad yet to be
finished. In tbe course of tbis latter work tbe
necessary connections were to be made between
gasoline engine and dynamo.
Tbe many strong-walled receivers for com
pressed air bad been placed, and were now be
ing more securely fitted and connected by tbe
workmen. Tbe final work on tbe compressed air
apparatus was yet to be done by a special crew
of workmen wbo were soon to come down from
New York. A powerful, compact plant for com
pressing air was a part of tbis outfit.
Right up in tbe bow of tbe “Pollard” was tbe
tube tbrougb wbicb a Whitehead torpedo, four
teen feet in length, could be started on its de
structive journey by means of compressed air
force. One torpedo was to be carried in tbe tube,
six others in special lockers on either side.
Back of the torpedo room was tbe rather
cramped engine room in wbicb were tbe gasoline
and electric motors, other machinery and work
benches. Then came tbe central cabin, some
twenty feet long and about ten feet wide. Here
was a table, while tbe seats at tbe side could be

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40 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
arranged also as berths. Ont of the cabin, aft,
led a narrow passageway. Off this, on either
side, were a narrow galley, cupboards, ice-box
and toilet room. Nearer the stern were two com
pact state-rooms, one intended for two “line”
or “deck” officers, the other for two engineer
officers. There were other features about the
“Pollard” that will be described as need arises.
For more than an hour the entire gang had
been at work, though Joshua Owen had seen to
it that Jack and Hal had nothing more to do than
lift or hold heavy articles, fetch tools, etc. Still
both boys stood this good-humoredly, paying
strict attention to orders. David Pollard, watch
ing them at times, and guessing how they might
feel under such treatment, found his good opin
ion of the two newcomers still rising.
Stopping their work, when the order came,
the workmen lighted their pipes. Jack and Hal,
not liking the clouds of tobacco smoke, ran up
the spiral staircase to the manhole, stepping
out upon the platform. As they did so they en
countered a man of about thirty years of age
who had just reached the platform deck from
the shed flooring.
“Hullo, what are you two doing here!” ques
tioned the new arrival, looking the boys over
keenly.
“Are you Mr. Farnum?” asked Benson.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 41
“Yes. Well?”
“Mr. Pollard put us to work here, Mr. Far-
nnm. ’ 1
“Oh! That’s all right, then,” replied the
owner of the yard, amiably, and entered the con
ning tower.
“Tumble down here, you two lazy young
roustabouts!” sounded Owen’s voice a few min
utes later.
“We seem to have made a hit with our fore
man, don’t we?” chuckled Jack to his chum.
“Mr. Owen,” Pollard was saying to the fore*
man, as the boys rejoined the crew below, “we
can’t stand the ringing of hammers all the time,
so, for the next job, I think you’d better fit some
of the feed pipes connecting the gasoline tanks
with the motor.”
“All right, sir,” replied Josh Owen, briefly.
He turned to order Jaggers and O’Brien to
bring forward one of the longer pieces of feed
pipe. This the foreman helped to fit in place.
“Mr. Pollard,” reported Owen, soon, “this
pipe is a small botch on the part of the con
tractor.”
“What’s wrong?” asked the inventor, quickly,
springing forward and bending over to examine.
“The pipe is about a half inch too long,” re
plied Owen.
“But one of the superintendent’s men over

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42 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
at the machine shop can cut it to fit V ’ asked the
inventor, looking uneasy.
“Oh, he can cut it all right, hut there’s the
new thread to he cut, too,” explained the fore
man, pointing. “I’m sorry, sir, hut if you want
a good job, without any danger of "botch, you’ll
have to wire the contractors to rush a new pipe,
cut exactly to the specifications. ’ ’
“But that will delay us at least forty-eight
hours, and the launching date is so near at
hand, ’ ’ protested the inventor.
“You’d better put your launching off two
days, Mr. Pollard, than take any chances of hav
ing a bad connection in your fuel feed pipes,”
argued the foreman.
‘ 1 Confound such luck! ’ ’ growled Pollard, turn
ing away. “Well, come over to the office with
me, and we’ll wire a kick and a prayer to the
contractors. ’ ’
Just as he turned, the inventor barely failed to
overhear something that Jack muttered in an
aside to Hal.
“What’s that you’re saying, Benson?” de
manded David Pollard.
“Oh, nothing much, sir,” replied Jack,
quickly. “I’m not foreman here, nor much of
anything, for that matter. ’ ’
“Were you expressing an opinion about this
pipe business?”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 43
“Ye-es, sir.”
“You agree with me that the pipe can be cut
properly at the machine shop of this yard?” in
sisted the inventor. It was strange to ask such
a question of a hoy helper, hut David Pollard,
facing a delay in the launching of his craft, was
ready to jump at any hope.
Jack Benson hesitated.
“I want a reply,” persisted Mr. Pollard.
“Why, yes,” Jack admitted. “I don’t want
to be forward, hut I feel pretty sure the pipe can
he measured both for its own length and the
length it ought to he. If there’s a good metal-
saw over at the machine shop, and a thread cut
ter, this pipe ought to he ready for safe fitting in
half an hour.”
“That’s the way it looks to me, too,” broke in
Mr. Farnum. “Send the pipe over, anyway,
With the proper measurements, and Partridge
can tell you what’s what.”
“I won’t make the measurements. I won’t
have anything to do with it, or he responsible
for a botched job,” snarled the foreman.
“You don’t have to, then,” replied Farnum,
taking a spring steel tape from his pocket.
“Benson, you seem to have a clear-headed idea
of what you’re talking about. Take the meas
urements. This tape has been standardized.”
It was not a matter of great difficulty. Jack,

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44 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
with his chum’s aid, soon had the measurements
taken.
“ Since yon youngsters know so much about
it,” growled Joshua Owen, “you two can carry
the pipe over to the machine shop.”
Other workmen sprang to help in passing the
pipe up through the manhole and down over the
side of the hull. When Jack and Hal got the
pipe up on their shoulders they staggered a hit
under its weight. But they were game, and
started away with it.
“That’s a shame,” growled Mike O’Brien.
“Boss, leave me go ’an be helpin’ the b’yes with
that load.”
“Go ahead,” nodded Mr. Famum. O’Brien
went nimbly down the ladder, placing one of his
own sturdy shoulders under the forward end
of the pipe, while Benson got back with Hal Has-
stings at the other end. In about three-quarters
of an hour the trio were back, with the pipe cut
to the right length, and with a new screw-thread
cut at the shortened end.
“Now, you can demonstrate your own work,
Benson,” laughed Mr. Famum. “Fit the pipe
yourself, and call on the men for what help you
want.”
At that, Joshua Owen folded his arms as he
stepped back scowling. Yet when the crew,
under Jack’s direction, had finished fitting the

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 45
pipe in place, not even this angered foreman
dared say that it was not fitted properly.
The next work called for fitting some pipe-
joints, and in this a red lead cement was used.
One of these joint-makings fell to Benson and
Hal.
“Here’s yer cement,” muttered the scowling
Dan daggers, passing a rough ball of the stuff
to young Benson.
“Is this the best you have?” asked Jack, eye
ing the cement with disfavor.
“Yes,” growled Dan, “and it’s plenty good
enough.”
“I’d call it too dry,” replied Jack, quietly.
“Are you bossing this job all the way
through?” demanded Joshua Owen, angrily,
stepping forward. “Mr. Farnum, Mr. Pollard,
if these boys are to have charge of this work, I
may as well stop. ’ ’
“What’s the matter?” asked Mr. Farnum,
coming forward.
“This younker is grumbling about the red lead
cement,” snapped the irate foreman.
“What’s the complaint, Benson?” asked the
boatyard owner.
“No complaint, Mr. Farnum,” Jack answered,
quickly. “Only, I’ve got to make the joint fast
with red lead cement, and it seemed to me that
this stuff is too dry. If I use it, it won’t fill out

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46 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
smoothly enough. It’s dry and crumbly, and
I’m afraid the joint would he very defective. ’ ’
“Nothing of the sort!’’ snapped Joshua Owen.
“Boy, you’ve no business trying to do a man’s
work, anyway. Give me that cement, and I’ll
make the joint fast myself.”
“All right,” nodded Benson, stepping back.
He started to pass the chunk of cement to the
foreman, but Mr. Farnum quickly took it from
him, then cast a look upward. Asa Partridge,
the yard superintendent, a man past fifty, stood
on the platform deck, looking down through the
open manhole.
“Come down here, Mr. Partridge,” hailed
the yard’s owner, while Joshua Owen’s scowl be
came deeper than ever. “Mr. Partridge, Ben
son says this cement is too dry to make a joint-
tight with. Owen says it isn’t. Who wins the
bet?” the owner finished, laughingly.
Asa Partridge, a man of long experience in
steam-fitting, took the chunk of cement, examin
ing it carefully, then picked it to pieces before
he rejoined dryly:
“Why, the boy wins, of course. Any appren
tice ought to know that cement as dry as this
stuff can’t make a tight joint,”
“Isn’t there some better cement than this
around?” called out Mr. Farnum.
“If there isn’t,” volunteered the superintend-

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 47
ent, “I can send yon over plenty. Bnt tlie nse
of such stuff as that -would leave some joints
loose, and make a breakdown of the boat’s ma
chinery certain.”
“You see, Owen,” spoke the yard’s owner,
quietly, turning to the foreman, “you’re letting
your dislike for these hoys spoil your value here
as foreman.”
“I’ve stood all I’m going to stand here,”
shouted Joshua Owen, in a tempest of rage, as
he snatched off his apron. “You’re letting
these boys run the job ”
“Nothing of the sort,” broke in Famum,
icily. “They haven’t tried to run anything.
But any workman is entitled to complain when
he’s expected to perform iimpossibilities with
poor material.”
“There ye go, upholding ’em again,” roared
the foreman. “I’m through. I’ve quit!”
“I don’t know as that’s a had idea, either,
Owen,” replied Mr. Parnum, in the same cool
voice. “When you don’t care how you botch a
job it’s time for you to walk out. You can call
at the office this afternoon, and Mr. Partridge
will give you your pay. ’ ’
Joshua Owen glared, amazedly, at his em
ployer. Then, seeing that his threat had been
taken at par, and that he was really through
here, the infuriated man wheeled like a flash,

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48 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
leaping at Jack Benson from behind and strik
ing the boy to tbe floor. But Grant Andrews,
O’Brien and others leaped at him and pnlled
him away.
Jacob Farnnm pointed np the spiral staircase,
as Jack Benson leaped to his feet, hardly hnrt
at all.
“Yon can’t get ont of here too qnickly,
Owen!” warned the owner. “If yon linger,
I’ll have yon helped ont of this boat! Grant
Andrews, yon’re foreman here from now on.
First of all, see that that fellow gets ont of here
in double-quick time. ’ 5
“Come along, Dan!” called Owen, hoarsely
to his nephew, as he started np the stairway.
“Yes, ran along, Danny,” added Farnnm,
mockingly. “Yon’re no better than yonr nn-
cle!”
After the pair had departed it took all hands
at least five minntes to cool down from their
indignation. Then they resumed work, and all
went smoothly nnder the quiet, just, alert new
foreman, Grant Andrews.
That afternoon, as Jack crossed the yard, go
ing on an errand from Mr. Pollard to the office,
he encountered Josh Owen and his nephew. The
pair had just collected their pay from the super
intendent. They were talking together, in low,
ugly tones, when they caught sight of the boy.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 4fi
Though Benson saw them in season to avoid
coming close to them, he neither dodged the pair
nor courted a meeting. He would have passed
without speaking, hut Joshua Owen seized the
boy by one arm.
“I s’pose ye feel me and you had trouble,
and you got the best of it?” leered the former
foreman, then scowled. “But listen to me,
younker. Ye’re going to run into trouble, and
quicker than ye think, at that. That old cigar
shaped death-trap won’t float—not for long,
anyway. All I’m hoping is that ye’ll go in for'
bein’ one of the crew of that submarine boat.
Then I’ll be even with a lot of ye all at the same
time!”
With which enigmatic prophecy Joshua Owen
let go of the boy’s arm, and tramped heavily
away, followed by his precious nephew.
CHAPTER IV
THE TRICK OE THE FLASHLIGHT
M X X AVE you seen anything of Owen, since
I I he was discharged?”
It was David Pollard who put the
question, while the crew, under the new foreman,
Andrews, was busy the next day with more work
on the motor fittings.
4—The Submarine Boys on Duty,

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50 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
Then, for the first time, except to His chnm,
Jack Benson told of his meeting in the yard.
“Making threats against yon, and against the
boat, is he?” smiled Mr. Pollard. “Well, he
can’t get near the boat. Partridge took the pre
caution of getting the keys back from Owen yes
terday afternoon, when the fellow went to get
paid off. But as for his threats against you ”
“It will be just as well to look out for the fel
low, Benson, and you, too, Hastings,” put in
young Mr. Farnum, who happened to be aboard.
“Owen is an ugly fellow, and a powerful one,
and I imagine he possesses a certain amount of
rough brute courage.”
“I’m not afraid of him, sir,” replied Jack,
.coolly. “At the same time, of course, I’ll keep
my eyes open.”
“Owen probably can’t hang around Dunhaven
very long, anyway,” continued the owner of the
yard. “I don’t believe he has very much saved.
Of course, he can’t get any work in his line in
Dunhaven, now that this yard is closed to him.
So look out for a day or two, and, after that, I
guess he’ll be gone.”
“I’ll keep my eye open, but I shan’t lose any
rest,” smiled young Benson, confidently—too
confidently, as the sequel proved.
Work was now proceeding at a rapid rate.
Andrews was an ideal foreman, quiet, alert,

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 51
watchful and understanding his trade thoroughly.
He was something of a driver, as to speed, hut
good workmen do not resent that if the one in
authority he just and capable.
“I wish we had had you as foreman from the
start, Andrews, ’ ’ remarked the inventor.
“Well, I was here, and ready to be called at
any time,” replied the new foreman, with a
smile.
11 By the way, you don’t seem to have any
trouble with Benson or Hastings,” pursued Mr.
Pollard.
“Not a bit. They’re good helpers. In fact,
young as they are, they are a long way on the
road to being real mechanics.”
“You don’t find them forward, or—well,
fresh?”
“They’re not the least bit troubled that way,”
replied the new foreman emphatically. “Owen
didn’t get along with them, and couldn’t have
done so, because he’s a nagger, and no self-re
specting workman will stand for a nagger. There
were times when 0 ’Brien and I wondered if we
hadn’t better pitch him out and then leave our
jobs.”
Thus matters went along most smoothly. Jack
Benson and Hal Hastings, with a good general
knowledge of mechanics, and willing to work
hard and tackle new problems, were learning

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52 THE SUBMABINE BOYS ON DUTY
much. Even before the * ‘ Pollard ’ ’ was launched
and sent on her trial trip these two boys showed
remarkable proficiency in equipping and han
dling this wonderful class of craft.
In the meantime the boys had left the hotel,
taking up their quarters at a comfortable board
ing-house where Foreman Andrews lived.
Though Farnum was paying them fair wages,
they were thrifty enough to be on the lookout
for any outside work with their camera outfit.
So it happened that, one evening after supper,
Jack and Hal, carrying their outfit, set out on
a walk of more than two miles. They had se
cured an order to go to a wealthy man’s sum
mer “cottage,” as the great, handsome pile was
called, there to make some flashlight photographs
of some of the large, expensively furnished
rooms.
Time flew, and the owner of the cottage caused
many delays by wishing furniture shifted about
before the photographs were made. It was after
eleven o ’clock at night when the two submarine
boys left the cottage to tramp back to Dunhaven.
As they neared the village they heard the town
clock striking midnight. That was the only
sound they could hear besides the movement of
their own feet. Dunhaven was wrapped in
sound slumber.
Their way led the boys close to Farnum’s

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 53
boatyard. As they came around a corner of
the fence, Hal, who was slightly in the lead,
stepped back quickly, treading on his friend’s
toes.
“Sh!” whispered Hastings. “Keep quiet
and take a sly peep around the corner. Look
up along the fence and see what you make
out. ’ ’
Slipping off his hat, Jack took a hasty look,
exposing very little of his head, while Hal now
crowded close to him from behind.
“Someone trying to scale the fence,” whis
pered Jack. “By Jove, there he goes. He has
a good hold, and is going—now he’s over in the
yard. ’ ’
Such stealthy prowling could mean little else
than mischief brewing. To both the hoys came
instantly the same thought:
“The submarine boat!”
“Did you recognize him?” whispered Hal,
quivering.
“No; too dark for that, and, besides, he was
too quick. But we must hustle to alarm some
one. ”
“There’s a watchman in the yard,” Hal re
plied. “He ought to he getting busy.”
“I don’t hear any hail, or any shot,” Jack
replied. “Hal, old fellow, we’ve got to do some
thing ourselves. ’ ’

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54 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“Well, we can climb the fence as well as tbat
stranger did. ’ ’
“We’d better. Here, take the flashlight gnn.
Pass that and the camera np as soon as I get to
the top of the fence. We can’t leave our outfit
outside—it’s worth too much money.”
With that Jack Benson swiftly found a knot
hole in which he could get a slight foot-hold.
With that start he was quickly up on top of the
ten-foot fence. Bending down he took camera
and flashlight “gun.” Hal hurriedly followed.
Down in the yard, they started speedily though
softly forward, going by impulse straight
toward the submarine’s shed, though keeping in
the shadow of other buildings.
Arrived at one corner of the office building,
young Benson, who was in the lead, signaled a
stop. Hal halted just behind him.
“It’s the submarine, all right, that the fellow’s
after,” whispered Jack excitedly, as he peeped.
“Make him out over there, at the door? Gra
cious ! He’s unlocking and throwing the padlock
off. And, blazes! Can’t you make out who it
is, Hal?”
‘ ‘ Josh Owen! But he gave up his keys. ’ ’
“He had at least one duplicate, then,” de
clared Jack, in a tremulous whisper. “There,
he’s gone inside. Come on, Hal—soft-foot!
We’ll take a near look at what he’s doing.”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 55
There was some distance to be traveled, and it
had to be done with the utmost stealth. What
ever Josh Owen—if it was truly he—was doing
in the submarine shed, the young shadows did
not wish to put him on his guard until they had
caught him red-handed.
“Where’s the night watchman while all this
is going on?” wondered Jack as he tip-toed for
ward. It was afterwards discovered that the
watchman, who sometimes drank liquor, was at
this moment sound asleep in one of the sheds.
There was no time to be squandered in looking
for him if Josh Owen was to be followed and
foiled.
Creeping to the now open door of the subma
rine’s shed, Jack, who was in the lead, took a
peep inside.
There was a dim light in there, though it came
from the further side of the hull. Benson sig
naled, and his friend followed him, stealthily,
a step or two at a time, around to the stern of
the “Pollard” as she lay on the stocks.
By this time a noise that plainly proceeded
from the use of tools came to the ears of the
boys. Their nerves were on the keenest tension
as they reached the stern of the propped-up hull.
Then they came in sight of the quarry. Almost
in the same flash they realized what the night’s
mischief was.

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56 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
Depending wholly on the light of a dark lan
tern that lay on the floor of the shed, Owen, with
two or three tools, was swiftly, wickedly tamper
ing with one of the sea-valves belonging to one
of the forward water compartments of the sub
marine.
This valve, if leaking badly when the craft lay
submerged, would let in enough water to cause
the “Pollard” to lurch and then go, nose-first,
to the bottom. It was wholly possible, too, that
a capable workman could tamper with the valve
so that, on casual inspection, the damage would
not be detected.
Hal Hastings’s heart beat fast as he viewed
this dimly illumined piece of cowardly treachery.
His fingers itched to lay hold of Josh Owen, un
even though the fight might be with both boys
for assailants.
But Jack Benson, though his first impulse was
to let out a Comanche yell, and then dart for
ward into the fray, instantly conceived a plan
that he thought would work better.
Dripping his chum’s arm for silence, Jack
whispered in his ear:
‘ ‘ Can you set the camera for universal focus,
here in the shadow?”
“I—I think so,” came Hal’s low, quivering
reply.
‘ ‘ Do it—like lightning, then! ”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 57
In his hand Jack held the flashlight “gun.”
It was one of those patent affairs, arranged to
fire a charge of magnesium powder by the ex
plosion of a cap when the trigger was pressed.
Dropping to one knee, Hal set the camera,
half by instinct, half by guess. While he did
so, Jack fixed a charge of the powder in the firing
pan of the “gun.”
These preparations made hardly any noise;
such as might have been heard in a silent room
was drowned by the tap-tap of a small hammer
that Josh Owen was at the moment using.
And now, without glancing hack at the stern,
the ex-foreman half-turned his head, so as to
give a profile view of his face.
Hal, kneeling, turned up quickly to nod the
signal that the camera was ready.
Pop! Flare!
As the cap exploded, a blinding flash filled that
side of the shed for a brief instant. It was as
though a lightning bolt had plunged into the
place.
Wholly unprepared for any such happening,
Josh Owen let out a yell of fear, rose up and
leaped back so that he upset and extinguished
his dark lantern.
“Wha-wha-what was that?” he faltered.
In the intense darkness that followed the flash
Jack and Hal stole away.

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58 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
Suffering all the terrors of a guilty conscience,
increased "by the terror of the inky darkness un
der such circumstances, Josh Owen tremblingly
felt for his momentarily useless lantern. It took
him some moments to find it Even then his
fingers shook so convulsively that it needed sev
eral trials before he got the light going.
By this time Jack and Hal were safely out
side. More than that, Jack held in his hand the
padlock of the door, with the false key in it.
“Why not slam the padlock shut over the door
and lock him in there until we can get someone
here?” whispered Hal Hastings.
By this time the two hoys were hiding behind
the corner of a nearby building.
“I thought of that,” whispered Jack, “and
I’d like to do it. But Owen has a fearful tem
per. If we locked him in there, and he knew
he had to he caught, he’d do thousands of dollars’
worth of damage. As it is, if you watch out,
you’ll soon see him cpiitting that shed and get
ting away as fast as he can.”
Not more than a few seconds later Josh Owen
appeared at the door of the shed. He shut off
the light from his dark lantern, then stole swiftly
towards the fence. Going up and over, he van
ished from sight.
“Now, we’ll lock the shed, take this false key
to Mr. Andrews, and let him decide whether to

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 59
rouse Mr. Pollard or Mr. Farnum,” announced
Jack Benson.
Grant Andrews, as soon as he was aroused at
the hoarding house, and had been made to un-'
derstand, took the false key, saying:
“I’ll go over to the hotel and call Dave Pol
lard. Then I’ll do whatever he says.”
The inventor was greatly excited over the
news borne to him by the new foreman. To
gether they hurried to the Farnum yard, un
locked the door to the submarine’s shed, entered
and made a hasty examination.
Thanks to the promptness of Jack Benson and
Hal Hastings, Josh Owen had not had time to
inflict more damage to the forward sea-valve
than could be readily repaired.
“I guess that was what the infernal rascal
meant when he told Jack Benson that the ‘Pol
lard’ would dive to the bottom and stay there,”
exclaimed the inventor, in a shaking voice. He
smiled a ghastly smile.
“We’ll put a stop to such pranks after this,”
replied the new foreman. “Until your craft is
launched, sir, I’ll sleep here nights, beginning
with what’s left of to-night.”
Before the inventor left the yard, he hunted
for and found the drunken night watchman, who
was still asleep. That worthless guard was dis-t
charged the following day.

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60 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
CHAPTER V
ONE MAN'S DTJMFOUNDED FACE
W HEN the new foreman's gang started on
the “Pollard, ” at eight in the morning,
there was no outward ripple to show
that anything unusual had happened. True,
Jacob Famum arrived at the shed earlier than
he was accustomed to do, but those of the work
men who were not in the secret thought nothing
of that.
Half an hour later Josh Owen, a peculiar,
gleaming look in his eyes, showed his head at
the manhole opening over their heads.
“Good morning, Mr. Famum,” he called.
“Good morning, Owen,” answered the yard's
owner. ‘ ‘ Come right down.' ’
Owen came down the spiral staircase, looking
curiously about him.
“I got your note, Mr. Farnum, ’ ’ began the ex
foreman. ‘ ‘ What’s the matter t Find you need
me here, after all?”
“Not for long,” replied Mr. Famum, coldly.
“Owen, before you gave your keys in to Mr.
Partridge you must have taken an impression of
one of them and must have fitted a key to the
pattern. Why were you here last night?”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 61
“Me? I wasn’t here last night—nor any
other night,” Josh Owen made haste to an
swer, thongh a look of guilty alarm crept into
his face. All of the workmen had ceased
their toil, and stood looking on at this -unusual
scene.
“You say you weren’t here last night?” de
manded Mr. Farnum, sternly. “And you didn’t
use any false key to get into this shed?”
“Of course I didn’t,” retorted the ex-foreman,
defiantly. “You wrote a note to me that, if I’d
come around here this morning, I’d hear of a
job. I didn’t come here to he insulted.”
“The job I mentioned in my note,” rejoined
Mr. Farnum, with a meaning smile, “is over at
the penitentiary. Owen, you did come here last
night. You scaled the fence at the west side,
crossed the yard, opened the door of this build
ing with this key ”
Here the yard’s owner held out the false key,
that all might see it.
“—and,” finished Mr. Farnum, “you came
in here and went to work to damage a sea-valve
forward on this craft. The valve shows, this
morning, very plain traces of having been tam
pered with.”
Josh Owen was summoning all his courage,
all his craft. Instead of looking frightened, he
glared boldly at his accuser.

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62 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“Who says I did such a thing?” he demanded,
hotly.
“Benson and Hastings saw you at your ras
cally work, my man.”
‘ ‘ Humph! ’ ’ snorted the ex-foreman. 4 ‘ Who?
Those hoys?”
“Yes.”
“Humph! I wouldn’t believe those boys under
oath, and you’ll make a huge mistake if you do,
Mr. Farnum,” continued Josh Owen, hotly.
‘ ‘ Then you deny that you were here, and that
you tampered with a sea-valve last night?” in
sisted the yard’s owner, looking his man keenly
in the eyes.
“I’ll deny it with my dying breath,” asserted
the former foreman, boldly. “As for those ly
ing boys ”
“Do you believe this can lie?” inquired Mr.
Farnum, passing the accused man a photograph
print.
Josh Owen took the print, staring at it hard.
In an instant his eyes began to open as wide as it
was possible for them to do. A sickly, greenish
pallor crept into the man’s face. Beads of cold
perspiration appeared on his forehead and tem
ples.
“You see, your face shows up very clearly,”
went on the yard’s owner, in the same cold,
crushing voice. “Moreover, it shows you right

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 63
at one of the sea-valves, and in the very act of
tapping with a hammer. Yon didn’t lmow that
Benson and Hastings are very fair photogra
phers, did yon?”
“I don’t care what they are,” cried Owen, in
a passionate voice, as he tore the print to small
bits. “That isn’t a photograph of me, even if
it does look like me, and I wasn’t here last night.
I ”
“Any judge and jury will believe the evidence
against yon, my man,” cried Farnum, sternly.
“As for the boys, maybe yon don’t like them,
nor they yon. They’ve reason enongh for not
liking yon. Besides, they conldn’t photograph
anything that wasn’t here to be photographed.”
“Then it was that flash ” began Josh
Owen.
He stopped instantly, biting his lips savagely.
“Yes, they took the picture by flashlight, and
yon’ve just admitted remembering the flash that
interrupted yohr rascally labor, ’ ’ exclaimed Mr.
Farnnm, triumphantly. “As for the print
yon’ve jnst torn up, Owen, it doesn’t make any
difference. There are other copies of it. Now,
my fine fellow, yon Ve been trapped jnst as nicely
as the law requires, and, in addition, yon know
you’re guilty of the whole thing. Now ”
But Owen leaped up the spiral staircase, shout
ing:

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U THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“I won’t be taken alive! I ”
Andrews, O’Brien and another workman
sprang forward to seize the fellow, but Mr. Far-
nnm called them back. Josh Owen got down
from the platform deck, and ont of the shed in a
twinkling.
“Let him go,” ordered the yard’s owner.
“He won’t be seen aronnd Dnnhaven after this.
If he is, I can quickly enough pnt the law’s offi
cers on his track. Bnt he ’11 vanish and stay van
ished. ’ ’
“I shan’t soon forget the absolutely dum-
fonnded look on his face when he saw that
photograph,” laughed Mr. Pollard. “It was a
look of complete, incredulous amazement. ’ ’
“I’m sorry for the wretch’s family,” sighed
Mr. Farnum. “However, if Owen clears out
promptly, and stays away from this part of the
country, I’ll give him an opportunity for a new
chance. ’ ’
Then the work went on again. Even with the
thorough examination of the sea-valve that had
been tampered with, there was not so much to
be done, for this was the last day of the work.
On the morrow Dunhaven was to be more or less
alive, for the “Pollard” was to be launched
then. Many visitors, including a swarm of news
paper men, were expected. An officer of the
United States Navy was also booked to be pres-

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■THE SUBMAKINE BOYS ON DUTY 65
ent, to witness the launching, and to note how
the “Pollard” might sit on the water after
wards.
Before fonr o’clock the last stroke of work had
been done. Mr. Farnum, the anxious inventor,
the foreman and the others went all over the
submarine craft, inside and out, looking for any
detail of the work that might have been slighted.
“ It’s all done—finished, ’ ’ cried David Pollard,
nervously.
“And, Mr. Andrews, you’ll have a real guard
here to-night to help you keep watch, ’ ’ announced
Jacob Farnum. “ We ’ve heard the last of Owen,
without a doubt, but we won’t take a single
chance to-night. Now, men, all be here at seven
in the morning, ready for work. The launching
is to be at ten o ’clock, but at the last moment we
may find that something needs overhauling.
Now, you’ve all worked hard and faithfully.
Here’s a little present for each of you, with
much more to come if the boat proves the suc
cess we hope.”
As the men passed him, Jacob Farnum
handed each a crisp ten-dollar banknote. Even
Jack and Hal were thus remembered.
“But we haven’t been here, sir, long enough
to earn this present,” protested Jack Benson.
“You haven’t been here long, perhaps,”
smiled Mr. Farnum. “But think of what you
5—The Submarine Boys on Duty.

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66 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
did last night By the way, Benson, and Has
tings, I want to see yon at my office at once.”
Wondering somewhat, the youngsters followed
their employer, and David Pollard accompanied
them.
“Now, then, hoys,” began their employer,
seating himself at his desk, “I want to say to yon
that my friend Pollard hired yon on the strength
of yonr general appearance and the impression
yon both made. At the same time Pollard was
carefnl to write to the references yon gave in
yonr home town. This noon he received letters
from yonr former school teacher and yonr min
ister. Both speak in the nicest terms of yon
both, as honorable, npright, hard-working yonng
men. ’ ’
“It's fine to know that one is remembered
.in that way,” Jack replied, his face, and Hal’s,
showing their pleasure.
“Now, to go on,” continned Mr. Farnnm, “as
soon as the boat is in the water there comes up
the question of a crew for the ‘ Pollard. * Some
of our good hands, especially those with fami
lies, say very frankly that their taste doesn’t
run to going down in diving boats, on account
of the possible chance that the ‘Pollard’ might
not he able to get up to the surface again. But
Pollard tells me that you’ve applied for a chance
to belong to the crew of the boat.”

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THE SUBMAEINE BOYS ON DUTY 67
“That’s our biggest wish, gentlemen!” cried
’Jack Benson, bis eyes glowing.
“Nothing else could give us half the delight,”
confirmed Hal Hastings.
“Then we’re going to give you the chance,”
announced Mr. Farnum, while David Pollard
nodded. “But, of course, you’re not blind to
the fact that, even on the most perfect subma
rine torpedo boat, there’s some risk to your
lives. ’ ’
“One isn’t wholly safe, either,” retorted Jack,
coolly, “in crossing a crowded city street.”
“Then you’re both alive to the danger, but
not afraid to chance it?”
“We’re ready for anything in the submarine
boat line,” declared Jack and Hal, in the same
breath.
c ‘ Then that’s settled. You’re both engaged to
serve aboard the ‘Pollard’ when she floats—and
dives,” wound up Mr. Farnum, dropping back
into his matter-of-fact tone, and mopping his
face, for the July afternoon was exceedingly
hot. “By the way, boys, how do you feel about
taking a little pleasure trip to-night? How’d
you like to take one of my horses and a buggy,
after supper ? ’ ’
“Fine and splendid,” replied Jack, with en
thusiasm.
“And, by the way, since your references are

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68 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
so good, I can give you a chance to try to make
a little extra money, if you like.”
“Extra money is highly prized in the town
where we come from, sir, ’’ laughed young Ben
son.
“Well, see here, over at Waverly Center,
eight miles from here, is a man named George
Forrester. Now, Forrester owes me, and has
owed me, for some time, eight hundred dollars
for a little boat we built him here. Forrester
was always considered a safe man, but for some
reason he has let this bill run. If you care to,
you may take the bill and drive over to see him
to-night. I’ll pay you a commission of five per
cent, on the whole bill, or any part that you can
collect. But I warn you that you may find For
rester a bit shy about settling. ’ ’
No matter! A chance to get in forty dollars
in an evening looked extremely attractive to these
young submarine boys.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 69
CHAPTER VI
ALONG THE TRAIL OP TROUBLE
WONDER if we shall find our man at
I home?” remarked Jack Benson, as he
and his chnm drove over the road to
Waverly Center in the early evening.
“I wonder if he’ll settle the hill?” rejoined
Hal.
“If he has the money, and doesn’t settle, it’ll
show what J>oor collectors we are, ’ ’. laughed
Jack.
“Very few men keep eight hundred dollars
around the house,” objected young Hastings. .
“And our man won’t have that amount in
cash, either. I’d be almost afraid to take
that amount of real money, at night. If Mr.
Forrester is willing to do something pleasant
for us, it will be in the form of a check, of
course. ’ ’
“I’d like to come out all right with Mr. For
rester, of course,” Hal admitted. “But, to tell
[the truth, I haven’t been thinking much about
him. Jack, old fellow, all my real thoughts are
on our wonderful chance to be part of the trial
Crew of the ‘Pollard.’ ”
“Same here,” admitted Benson. “Say,

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70 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
money does look rather small, compared with a
chance like onrs. Now, doesn’t it?”
So they hardly mentioned Mr. Forrester on
the rest of that cool, delightful drive. Arrived
at Waverly Center, however, they had to in
quire the way to the Forrester house. They
found it, a comfortable though not pretentious
house. The owner was at home, and saw them
at once.
“May we see you alone, Mr. Forrester?”
asked Jack Benson, respectfully.
“Is it as had as all that?” laughed their host,
. a pleasant-faced, rather bald man past forty.
“Come into my little den, then.”
He conducted them to a small room that looked
as though it served partly the purposes of li
brary and .partly of office.
“Now, what can I do for you?” inquired Mr.
Forrester.
“We represent Mr. Farnum, of Dunhaven,”
began Jack, slowly.
“ Farnum f Oh, yes, the boat-builder. He
must know that I don’t want anything new in his
line, and on any other business I imagine he
would have sent someone—er—older.”
“Mr. Farnum believed you would find it
wholly convenient, now, to settle the account for
the last bill, ’ ’ Benson went on, slipping the state-
^ ment from an inner pocket and laying it on the

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 71
desk before Mr. Forrester. That gentleman
frowned slightly.
“I trust we haven’t called at the wrong time,
and that it will be wholly convenient for you this
evening,” Jack continued.
“But, see here, young man, I know nothing
about you. You have the bill, true, but it is not
receipted. ”
“I will receipt it, in Mr. Farnum’s name.”
“All well and good,” replied Mr. Forrester.
“But—pardon me—how do I know that you
have any authority to receipt for this account ?”
“Then I think you will appreciate my pains
taking care to make everything regular and sat
isfactory,” laughed Jack, very quietly. “Here
is a paper, signed by Mr. Farnum, authorizing
me to receipt this account in his name. You
may keep this authorization along with the re
ceipt. Mr. Forrester, it is growing late, and we
are obliged to be at business early in the morn
ing. You will oblige us by letting us have your
check, won’t you!”
Benson spoke as though he had not a doubt
of immediate settlement. Yet his tone and his
manner were such as not to give the least offense
to the man who was being 41 dunned. ’ ’
“Why, this—er—is rather a late time in the
day to collect bills, ’ ’ hinted Mr. Forrester, in an
uncertain voice.

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72 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“Had the matter not been just a little pressing
we wouldn’t have ventured over as late,”
Benson replied, softly. “However, you un
derstand wbat I would say, don’t you, Mr.
Forrester ? ’ ’
There was something about the young speak
er’s manner, his tone, the look in his eyes, that
proclaimed him to be anything but a ‘ ‘ quitter. ’ ’
Mr. Forrester began to feel that, if he succeeded
in evading payment this evening, he would only
have to see these young men frequently.
“Well, you see, Benson,” he said, at last, “I
don’t want to draw for such a sum against my
check account before to-morrow. ’ ’
“I think we could come again to-morrow, if
we have to,” responded young Benson, as though
thinking it over.
“I am going to make a deposit in my bank in
the morning, ’ ’ continued the man.
‘ ‘ Then we are to come again to-morrow even
ing?” insisted Jack.
“Why, hang it, no. If you’ll take cash, in
stead of check, I can let you have the money
to-night. ”
But that gentleman added, under his breath:
“I may as well settle to-night as have them
coming again to-morrow. ’ ’
“Why, certainly we’ll take the cash, to-night,”
replied young Benson, his face beaming at

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 73
thought of how easily a fine commission was to
he earned as part of an evening’s pleasure.
Mr. Forrester, having made the offer, began
secretly to regret it. ITe was a man who meant
to pay his debts, but just now he felt that he
would really like to have the money to use in
other directions.
Jack, however, began to suspect that some
such thought was in the other’s mind.
“With your permission, Mr. Forrester,” said
the boy, reaching over the desk, “I’ll borrow
one of your pens.”
In a firm, clear hand Jack Benson promptly
receipted the bill, dating the receipt as well, and
affixing his own name as the collector.
“Now, that’s all done,” smiled Jack, pleas
antly, putting hack the pen, blotting the fresh ink
and passing the paper half forward.
Stifling a sigh, Mr. Forrester rose, going to
his safe. A few turns of the combination lock
and he pulled the steel door open.
“Nine hundred and fifty dollars that came in
this afternoon. I intended to bank it in the
morning,” he said, then began to count. “If a
burglar broke in to-night and cracked the safe, ’ ’
he added, with a laugh, “I’d be glad, in
the morning, that I had settled this bill with
cash. ’ ’
Jack received the bills with a rapidly beating

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74 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
heart. He counted them, found the amount cor
rect, and passed half the money to Hal Has-
stings.
“For safety, Hal/’ he suggested, “I think
we’d better divide the money, and then each of
us put half of his own pile in each shoe. ’ ’
Mr. Forrester watched with something like an
amused smile as the two youngsters crossed the
room, removing their shoes, and putting small
packets of bills down inside.
“I suppose that’s in order that a hold-up
artist would pass the money by,” he chuckled.
“Well, boys, I wish you a safe journey back
with your money. We don’t often have any
hold-ups on these quiet roads, anyway. ’ ’
Before leaving, Jack took pains to thank his
host again, very courteously, for the settlement
of the account. Then the boys went outside,
untied the horse, got into the buggy and drove
away.
“Well, that’s a pretty smooth profit for one
evening,” laughed Jack, as he turned the horse’s
head into the highway.
“Forty dollars you make, in one evening,”
commented Hal.
“Twenty apiece, you mean, old fellow. You
were with me in this. ’ ’
“But I didn’t have to do any of the talking', or
anything else.”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 75
“Just the same, Hal, you know we’re still
partners. ”
‘ ‘ Whew! ’ ’ said Hastings, uneasily. 1 ‘ I shall
he nervous until we reach Mr. Far num’s house
and hand him the money. Hold up a minute.
Jack, while we’re near houses.”
“What’s the game'?” inquired Benson, as his
chum leaped down into the road and began to
rummage about.
“These may be of some use to us in the
buggy; just possibly,” replied Hal, returning
with a half dozen stones, the size of hens’ eggs,
which he placed on the seat between them.. “It’s
the only form of arms we have, Jack,” he whis
pered, ‘ ‘ and we ’re carrying a heap more money
than we could make good in a long time. ’ ’
“We’ve,got only a few miles to go,” laughed
Jack, easily. “Besides who’d ever think of
holding up boys? And no one but Mr. Forres
ter knows that we have the cash. ’ ’
In the first five miles that they drove, from
Waverly Center the boys passed only two other
horse-drawn vehicles and one automobile. Then,
suddenly, the keen ears of both boys heard a
sound as of some human being wailing in acute
distress.
A moment later they came in sight of the
cause of the sounds. A hatless, dirty, illy-
dressed youngster of perhaps ten years stood by

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76 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
the roadside, howling and digging liis soiled
fists into his eyes as he blubbered. At sight of
the horse and buggy this small sample of human
misery looked up to call, appealingly:
“Hey! Oh, mister!”
“Well,” demanded Jack, reining in the horse,
“what’s the matter?”
‘ * Oh, mister, mister! It’s me mother! ’ ’
“What’s the matter with her? Where is
she?”
“She’s in there,” pointing under the trees just
oft the road. “We was walkin’ along, an’ one
o ’ them otterbubbles must ha ’ hit her. She give
a yell, then crawled inter them hushes. She
hain’t said nuthin’ lately-—an’ oh! I’m dread
ful scared!”
“Poor little chap!” muttered Jack, handing
the reins to his friend. “I’ll go in and see
what’s wrong.”
But Hal also jumped out, hastily hitching the
horse. Then they followed their youthful guide
in under the trees, to a clump of bushes. There
in the dark Jack and Hal saw a huddled mass
of something lying on the ground. Benson was
the first to bend over, but Hal, also peering in
tently, was close at his side.
“Why, this isn’t anything human,” called
Jack. “It’s just a ”
Thump! A jarring blow fell upon him from

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 77:
behind, knocking the boy nearly unconscious.
Hal, struck at the same moment, felt his head
reel, and then did lose consciousness for a few
moments.
“Ha, ha! Ho! ho!” roared the elfin young
ster, his tears suddenly giving place to laughter
as he fled.
It was Joshua Owen, aided by his bullying
nephew, Dan Jaggers, who had made this sud
den, treacherous assault. That both were well
prepared for the miserable trick was shown by
the speed with which they tied the hands of the
helpless boys behind them.
“Now, bring your prize along,” directed
Owen, jubilantly, as he picked up Hal Hastings,
bearing that youth on his shoulder.
Jaggers, though not a giant, was strong
enough to do the same with Jack Benson. Fur
ther and further into the thicket they bore their
captives, pausing only once, to gag their charges
as soon as the latter showed a disposition to yell.
At last the rascally pair halted in the depths
of the woods, dumping their human burdens on
the ground.
“You’re not the lightest thing I ever carried,”
growled Josh Owen, panting somewhat, as he
reached for his pipe and filled it.
“Now!” clicked Dan Jaggers. shaking a dirty,
heavy fist over Jack’s face. “I can pay you

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78 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
"back for that black eye, and all the other mean
things yon done to me, yon sneak!”
“Oh, we’ll pay ye both hack,” gritted Owen,
lighting his pipe and pnffing. “An’ say! I hear
ye’re both slated for the lannchin’ of the f Pol
lard ’ to-morrow, and that ye ’re to have a try as
members of the crew. Well, ye won’t he at the
launching! Take it from me that, if ye ever-
git hack to Dunhaven, ’twon’t he for many a day
yet. We’ve got a fine place to hide ye, near
here. Nobody’ll ever find ye, even if they take
the trouble t’look. And, as the days go by, Dan
and me will take plenty of chance t ’show ye just
how we feel about ye. We’ll pay ye back, with
loads of interest, younkers, for the mean things
ye’ve done to us!”
As if to emphasize his spite, Owen gave each
of them a kick as he stood over the boys, glar
ing down at them.
In the minds of Jack and Hal, torment was
raging. Ordinarily, it would have been bad
enough to be certain of missing the launching of
the submarine boat, and of possibly losing their
places in the crew. But now, a far greater ter
ror assailed them. They had collected the eight
hundred dollars. If they failed to appear and
to turn it over, Jacob Farnum would have the
best reason in the world for believing them de
faulters.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 79
“Wondering what I’m going to do t’ye, to
square matters, ain’t ye?” demanded Dan Jag-
gers, bending over and glaring into Jack’s eyes.
“Well, go on gnessin’. My hate’s that great
that I’m goin’ ter take plenty o’ time to think
it over ’fore I do a thing t ’ye. ’ ’
“I guess, first-off, Dan,” observed his uncle,
“ye’d better go hack t’ the road an’ leave that
horse somewheres further off. Probably, if ye
do, it’ll trot back into Dunhaven, and that’ll be
good enough.”
“Got any money for licker?” demanded Dan.
“I can git some an’ bring it back.”
“Go through the boys’ pockets. Ye ought to
find some cash there, ’ ’ hinted Owen.
Dan looted a few dollars from the pockets
of each captive. Jack and Hal, however,
were satisfied that their captors knew noth
ing of the great sum of money they had col
lected.
“And, while I think of it, Dan,” continued
Owen, “ye know where to leave them boys ’ shoes.
Ye know who they’ll fit.”
Josh Owen started by unlacing Jack’s shoes
roughly and hauling them off. As he did so,
even in the darkness, he saw something fall
the ground.
“Money!” gasped Josh Owen, in evil delight.
“Look at the piles of it! Hurry with your

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80 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
younker, Dan. Maybe ye’ll bave tbe same
luck. ’ ’
Almost in a twinkling, it semed to tbe groan
ing captives, tbe rascally pair bad tbe wbole sum
of eigbt hundred dollars in tbeir greedy bands.
Now, wbat would going back to Dunbaven be
like for tbese two bapless submarine boys'?
Even tbougb tbey returned, manfully, at tbe
first cbance, bow would tbeir story of having
been robbed sound? Wbat a thin, hollow mock
ery it would seem, backed only by tbeir own
word!
To tbe two chums it almost seemed as tbougb
death would be sweeter!
CHAPTER VII
WHEN THIEVES FALL OUT
“T'JY the great sledge-hammer! Here’s a
Jj wbole bale of money!” gasped Dan
Jaggers, after having emptied Hal’s
shoes.
Wholly unmindful of tbe one be bad just
robbed, Jaggers sat down on tbe ground, passing
the banknotes between bis fingers.
“I found a small bay-mow of money where I
looked, too,” observed Josh Owen, with intense
satisfaction, tbougb bis manner was calmer.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 81
“How much did you get!” demanded Dan,
instantly prepared to be suspicious that his ras
cally uncle had happened upon the lion’s share.
Josh Owen thrust his findings deep down in
a trousers pocket before he replied:
“No one will see our light ’way in here. Wait
till I light the dark lantern. Then we can count
up. But—don’t you try to hide any on me,
Dan!”
So keenly did the older man watch the younger
one that the former burned his fingers twice in
attempting to light the lantern. Yet at last the
lantern was lighted, the wick turned up not too
high, and then the older man invited:
“Sit down in front of me, Dan, sociable like,
so I can keep track of yer hands. ’ ’
“D’ye think I’m the only one’ll bear watch
ing!” demanded daggers, hoarsely. “I ain’t
taken my eyes off that pocket o’ your’n. Now,
pull out that money, an’ be sure ye git it all out.
Turn the pocket inside out. That’s right. Now,
you count your money, an’ I’ll watch. Then
I ’11 count mine, an ’ you can watch, if ye wanter. ’ ’
Mutual confidence being thus established be
tween the rogues, the counting proceeded. Josh
found that he had just four hundred dollars in
his “findings.” Dan Jaggers’s count proved
that that young bully possessed an exactly equal
sum.
6—The Submarine Soys on Duty.

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•82 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“Then there ain’t no need o’ dividing,” de
clared Dan, thrusting his money into a trousers
pocket and fumbling for a pin with which to
close the top of the pocket. “Now, I’ll go back
to the road, find the hoss, an’ drive him most of
the way into town. Then I’ll turn the hoss
loose, to do his home-findin’ an’ I’ll keep on until
I can buy something in bottles. ”
“But ye ain’t goin’ t’ take all that money with
ye inter town?” protested Josh Owen.
“Why not? It’s mine,” declared Jaggers,
with singular ideas of ownership.
“But I know ye, Dan Jaggers. If ye git in
ter Dunkaven with all that money ye won’t be
able to keep from showin’ it. Then, if these
boys ever git loose, an’ do their talkin’, folks will
remember that ye showed such a lot o ’ cash on
this night, an’ the law’ll have you caught in yer
own steel trap. It’d help to put me in trouble,
too. No, no, Danny. Ye can take five dollars,
but ye’ll have t’ leave the rest of the money with
me. ’ ’
“An’ then I’d find ye here when I came back,
wouldn’t I ? ” sneered Jaggers.
“ Yes! ” replied Josh Owen, stoutly, and doubt
less meant it, for he was really fond of this
rough, shaggy young bully of a nephew of his.
“Don’t ye see, Danny, it’d be foolish of me to
light out with all the money? Then ye’d turn

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THE 'SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 83:
against me, an’ help the constables to catch me.
Looky here, Danny, yon trust me, an’ ye won’t
come far out. Now, take five dollars, an’ leave
the rest with me. ’ ’
“No, I won’t,” retorted that youth, defiantly.
“Yes, ye will!” suddenly shot from between
the lips of Josh. Owen. He accompanied the
words with a spring, hearing his nephew down to
the ground, and holding him there.
“I’m stronger than you, Danny, an’ ye know
it,” growled the ex-foreman, hoarsely. “Now,
will ye hand up that money, or will ye make me
take it from ye?”
With a reluctant grace, while still pinned down
to the ground, Dan Jaggers surrendered his half
of the stolen money.
“Now, ye can git up, and go do what’s laid
out to be done, ’ ’ announced Josh Owen, peeling
a five-dollar bill from the roll and handing it to
his nephew. ‘‘ First, get the horse headed right,
then go on into town and get the liquor. But
don’t ye stop to drink in Dunhaven, Danny. If
ye do, ye’ll be sure to git inter a fight, and ye
might do some talkin’, too. Hustle in, and hustle
back, and ye ’11 find ye can trust me to hold outer
to-night’s pickings safe for ye. Don’t ye worry
a mite on the way to town or back, Danny boy.”
If a scowl could have killed, Dan would have
triumphed, even now, at the expense of his

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84 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
uncle’s life. But Josh, paid no heed to black
looks. He thought he knew this nephew of his.
“Hurry along, Danny,” he coaxed. “My
throat is gittin’ mighty dry for a bit o’ liquor.”
“Give me another five-spot,” begged daggers.
“Not another dollar till ye come back,
Danny,” rejoined his uncle, firmly. “The
quicker ye start, an’ return, the quicker ve’ll
have yer share of the night’s business. Now,
git!”
Using ugly language under his breath, Dan
Jaggers turned and shuffled off through the
woods, well knowing that he would suffer from
his unde’s heavy hands if he did not.
Josh now extinguished the light by shutting
off the slide of his dark lantern. Then, after
taking a look at the boys, he seated himself near
them, filling his pipe once more while he mut
tered :
“Subsequent happenin’s clean drove them
shoes outer Danny’s mind. An’ I don’t won
der!”
Having gotten his pipe comfortably lighted,
Josh could not resist the temptation to open the
slide of his lantern ever so little, in order that
he might have another look at the money.
“Wonder how ye came to have it?” he mut
tered, looking at the boys, who, being gagged as
well as bound, could not have answered anyway.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 85
“I guess likely Farnum must ha’ been fool
enough to let ye do some collectin’ for him/’
grinned Josh. “In that case, younkers, Danny
an’ me are makin’ it pretty hard for ye all
’round, ain’t we?”
That thought appeared to bring Owen around
into a state of good humor. He looked at the
boys, chuckling, and two or three times broke out
into a hearty guffaw.
Jack Benson’s mental torment grew as the
time passed. Hal Hastings was in no more en
viable frame of mind.
“And we brought this upon us by being sym
pathetic. We wanted to help that infernal lit
tle boy out, and carry relief to his injured
mother!” thought Jack, squirming. “Con
found it, I feel, just now, as though I would never
be caught trying to do another kind act! All
this fearful luck just because we had to have
more sympathy than brains! What fools we
are! ”
Later came this terrifying thought:
“Mr. Farnum won’t believe us, of course.
The story will sound altogether too absurd.
What will he do—have us sent to. jail as common
thieves ? ”
“Ain’t very comfortable in yer mind, are ye,
younker?” leered Josh Owen, hearing the muf
fled groan that escaped the boy.

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-86 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
Though Josh Owen smoked many pipefuls,
time soon began to drag on that worthy’s hands.
Honrs slipped by.
“I’d no bnsiness to let Danny go,” growled
Owen, nneasily, time after time, often rising and
pacing abont, thongh never straying away from
the two boys. 4 ‘ That yonng. feller thinks a heap
too mnch o’ liqnor for one so yonng. He’s
spendin’ time, as well as money, over in Dun-
haven. It won’t be so bad if he don’t take too
mnch, and get talkative. ’ ’
Two or three times Josh thought he heard
someone moving in the woods. Each time he
called softly, or signaled, but there came no re
sponse.
Despite his- inward suffering, Jack Benson
•dozed at last. So, as he afterwards learned, did
Hal. Yet these drowsings must have been short.
They were filled- with horrible dreams of dis
grace, imprisonment, and all the misfortunes
that healthy young minds in torment could bring
up.
At last Jack awoke, with a start, to realize that
it was daylight.
Josh Owen was on his feet, his taste for to
bacco gone. He was listening, peering between
the trees, and making many impatient remarks
under his breath.
“Hullo, uncle! G-ettin’ weary, carryin’ ’round

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 87
my share of the money chnckled the voice
of Dan Jaggers. Then that shaggy yonng bully
stepped ont from behind a tree.
“Ye’ve been long enough,” growled his re
lieved uncle. “But I’m glad t’ see ye’re in
good enough shape.”
“Oh, I’m all right,” admitted Jaggers, se
renely, as he came forward. “I’ve been hack
here for honrs.”
“What are ye tellin’ me?” demanded Josh.
Owen.
“The facts. Ye see, Uncle Josh, I wanted,
to know whether ye’d forgit ye had my money,
an’ stray off. So I’ve been watchin’ round,,
’thout making no noise, for hours.”
Josh Owen had no means of knowing whether
this statement was the truth or not, hut he:
growled :
“Then ye must know for sure, now, lad, that
I’m square with my own nephew. What’d ye
bring back with ye?”
‘ ‘ Something to eat. ’ ’
“And something to drink, hey? I guess we’ll
eat first. ’ ’
Dan retraced his way through the woods a few
paces, returning with packages.
“You younkers can see us eat, if you want
to,” said Josh Owen, with a malicious leer, as.
he spread a piece of paper on the ground and be-

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88 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
gan to lay out the meal. “When are you two
going to eat? I don’t know. Maybe not for a
few days yet. Ye see, it ain’t so easy to make an
enemy of a man by sneaky tricks, and then get
on his right side again. ’ ’
This picnic breakfast lasted a long time, it
seemed to watchful Jack Benson. But at last it
was over. Josh brought out his ill-smelling pipe
once more, settling himself, with his back against
a tree-trunk, to enjoy himself.
“Bring anything to drink, Danny boy?” in
quired Owen, after a few minutes.
“Here’s some beer,” proposed Jaggers, pass
ing over the bottle.
Josh opened it, took a long drink, then sat with
fhe bottle poised on one of his knees.
“I don’t believe ye’d better have any of
this, Danny, lad,” declared Owen, with a
grin.
“Don’t want any,” responded Jaggers, in a
rather sulky voice.
Dan got up and strolled about, his hands in
his pockets, whistling softly but cheerily. Josh
Owen finished his unwise beverage, and tossed
the bottle a few feet away. Presently the man’s
eyes closed, but he opened them as though with
an effort.
£ ‘ S ’here, Danny,” he demanded, thickly
drowsily, “watcher put in that stuff?”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 89
Dan Jaggers did not reply, bnt lie tnrned to
watch his uncle, a look of the lowest cnnning in
the yonng bully’s eyes. For a brief space of
time Owen fonght against his drowsiness. Then
he lurched, falling over on one side, nnconscions
—drugged.
In a twinkling, then, Dan Jaggers knelt be
side his uncle, rifling the other man’s pockets
until he had brought to light both their shares
in the evil-doing of the night.
CHAPTER VIII
A SWIFT STROKE FOR HONOR
F OR the space of a few moments Dan Jag
gers stared at the money clutched in his
hands in a way that betrayed the extent
of its fascinating hold upon his mind.
Then he glanced down at his unconscious
uncle.
“Ugh!” he grunted, giving that prostrate
form a slight but contemptuous kick. “If I
hadn’t done something like this you would. Oh,
ye-eh, there’s honor among thieves, but it’s no
good trusting to that honor. Every man for
himself, in the woods! ”
One more gloating look the shaggy young
bully took at all that money, before thrusting it

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90 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
deep down in a pocket and pinning the opening
securely.
“Don’t ye wish ye was me, with all this money
to have a good time on?” he demanded, jeer-
ingly, of Jack Benson. “But maybe ye’ve
framed np some kind of a yarn that yer boss,
Farnum, will be willin’ to believe. If ye hain’t,
then mebbe ye’d better never git close to bim
again.”
Dan Jaggers again turned his attention to his
overcome uncle, kneeling beside the ex-foreman
and watching his face closely.
And then a strange thing happened, or so it
would have seemed, had Dan daggers possessed
eyes in the back of his head. For Jack Benson
likewise his chum had striven many times
through the night to free their wrists of the cords
that bound them. Jack was the first to succeed,
at a cost of hours of effort and thinking. He
wriggled one hand out from under the knots just
as Dan turned for that last look at the prostrate
man.
How fearfully numbed Jack Benson’s wrists
were, after that long spell of being tied up. Yet
the boy knew that he must quickly restore cir
culation there and get his hands ready for use
before it was all too late.
It must be one swift, decisive, conquering
stroke for honor’s sake.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 91
Jack’s trembling rigbt band went into one of
bis trousers pockets. He found bis clasp-knife,
yanked it out, opened one of tbe blades, and Hal
Hastings, wbo bad been watching every move
with breathless interest, now rolled noiselessly
so that bis ebnm could reach tbe rope that held
him captive.
In another twinkling Hal was free. Just then,
Dan daggers, fancying be beard some noise in
their direction, turned slowly. By tbe time Jag
gers bad them within bis range of vision each
boy was lying as before, bis bands behind bis
back.
•With a heartless chuckle, Dan turned back for
one last look at bis uncle. Jack rose, almost
fearing to breathe. Hal started to follow suit.
There was some swift stealthy toe-work. Just
as Dan Jaggers turned more sharply Jack Ben
son burled himself through tbe air, catching and
clutching at his enemy’s neck. Both rolled over
together, Dan, with his greater strength, fighting
like a panther and bear in one.
It was Hal Hastings’s chance. As he darted
forward he espied a serviceable-looking stick on
the ground. He snatched it up with a single
breathless swoop, then poised himself over the
struggling fighters, stick uplifted.
Down came that slender cudgel, striking Dan
a light blow squarely on top of his head.

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92 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
11 0-o-ow! Help! Quit that! ’ ’ screamed Dan
Jaggers.
“Lie still, then,” commanded Hal, sternly.
“And let go of Jack, or I’ll use this stick for all
I’m worth.”
Brave enough while he thought he had a good
fighting chance, Dan cowered under the menace
of that cluh. He submitted to being rolled on
his hack, pleading:
“Don’t cluh me! I’ll he quiet.”
“See that you are, then,” ordered young Ben
son, kneeling on his opponent’s chest. “Re
member, Dan, that there are two of us. We mean
to win, no matter how ugly a fight we have to
put up.”
“Want the gag that you threw away when you
jumped up, Jack?” asked Hal, with a delighted
grin.
“No; we don’t need to gag him. Jag
gers, roll over on your face, and don’t you
dare make any attempt to get up,” ordered
the submarine boy, rising from his prostrate
foe, while Hastings stood ready to use the
stick.
Dan obeyed. Jack took the slim cudgel from
his chum, who, at a silent signal, slipped back
and picked up some of the slashed cord. There
was enough of it to accomplish the tying of
J aggers.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 93
“See here,” whined Dan, “you’re not going
to take me to Dunhaven?”
“We’re going to get that money away from
you, and take it to its rightful owner, ’ ’ retorted
Jack, tersely, as he commenced to tie the knots,
while Hal held the cudgel conveniently close to
the bully’s head.
Dan, however, had hardly a thought of mak
ing an} 7 fight. Jack, alone, was nearly a match
for him. The two chums, acting together, could
overcome him easily enough at any time.
“Oh, I’ll give up the money,” promised Dan
Jaggers, willingly.
11 Thank you, ’ ’ returned Jack, dryly. ‘ ‘How
ever, we’ll take it ourselves—and right now,” he
added, as he finished tying the knots about Dan’s
wrists.
The rilling of Jaggers’s pockets brought to
light all of Mr. Farnum’s money except the five
dollars Dan had spent in Dunhaven the night
before. However, the hoys’ own money, that
had been taken from their pockets, and which
was now found in one of Owen’s vest pockets,
made up the full sum of eight hundred dollars.
“You fellers win, and I lose a good time,”
muttered Dan, mournfully. “But say, now
you've got the cash again, set me free before ye
start for Dunhaven. Don’t leave me tied up
like this.”

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94 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“We won ’t, ’ ’ Jack promised Mm, grimly.
‘ ‘ We ’11 take yon with ns. ”
“Not to Dunhaven!” screamed the bully.
“Even to Dunhaven,” mocked Hal.
“But tbey’ll send me to jail,” protested tbe
scared wretch.
“ Well, ” insinuated Benson, “can you imagine
any other place that would be as suitable for a
fellow of your kind?”
“You fellers promised me ye wouldn’t take
me to Dunhaven, if I stopped fighting,” whined
daggers.
“We promised you nothing of the sort,” re
torted Jack. “Now, come. Tip on your feet
with you!”
The two submarine boys raised the now white
faced bully, who was still pleading and protest
ing. Ban refused to start at the word, but a
few sharp cuts across his legs by Hal made the
fellow change his mind.
“I reckon your uncle will stay until he’s
called for,” laughed Jack, as they started.
“Anyway, the matter of greatest importance is
to deliver the money to Mr. Parnum before it
goes through any more mishaps. ’ ’
“I tell ye, tain’t right to make me go along an’
be sent to jail,” declared daggers, earnestly.
“Ye’ve already done me harm enough, and got
me outer my job.”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 95
“If you haven’t head enough to know the dif
ference between getting yourself into all your
troubles, and our doing it, there’s no use argu
ing the matter,” retorted Jack, quietly. “Get
along, now, for we don’t mean to have any non
sense. We’ve got to get through in time to send
someone back for your uncle. ’ ’
Despite the vigilance of both boys, Dan lagged
all he could. As he came nearer to the seaport
village his despair and rage increased so that
he several times halted and flatly refused to stir.
At such times Hal had to use the stick with in
creasing severity.
At last, with a violent wrench, Jaggers, with
his strong wrists, managed to snap the cords
upon which he had already made many efforts.
“Now, see here,” he defied them, waving his
fists in the air, “mebbe ye think ye’re goin’ to
take me with ye, but ye won’t take me inter
town alive!”
Retreating, he crouched against a tree, wav
ing his fists before him. Jack and Hal lost no
time closing in with the bully, but he drove them
back. The boys were not prepared to do their
enemy serious bodily harm; Dan, on the other
hand, didn’t care what he did, so the odds seemed
almost in his favor.
“Clear out, an’ leave me to take to my heels,
an’ I’ll call it square,” he shouted, hoarsely.

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96 THE SUBMARINE BOMS ON DUTY
“But, if ye try to fight, then don’t blame me for
anything that happens to ye. I won’t go to jail,
I tell ye! I’ll die, sooner!”
Jack, wih his fists up, worked in as close as
he could, trying to get in under the big bully’s
guard for a clinch, so that Hal Hastings could
finish the work of successful attack. Dan, fight
ing with the fury and strategy of desperation,
kept them both off fairly well.
While the opposing forces were so occupied
there came down a path out of the woods, behind
the tree against which daggers was backed, a
third boy. About sixteen years old he appeared
to be. He wore patched overalls, a frayed flan
nel shirt and a much-used straw hat of the field'
variety. His hair, once brown, had many
streaks of reddish tint in it, from long exposure
to the sun. His face was brick-red from the
same cause. His rather large hands looked
rough enough from hard labor. But he had
frank, laughing eyes and a homely, honest look.
Moreover, he had the air of one who could be
swiftly alert.
All this Jack Benson noted as soon as he
caught sight of the newcomer.
“Hullo, there!” called Jack, pausing. “This
fellow is a thief, and we ’re trying to get him to
town. Help us to get him, will you?”
“Want me to look behind me, an’ then ye’ll

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 97
jump me, hey?” leered Dan Jaggers. “That
won’t work!”
The newcomer grinned broadly, then shot for- .
ward. Ere Jaggers could change his mind he
felt himself clasped from behind, a pair of
strong hands joined over his windpipe, his body
thus bound securely to the tree.
“He—help!” sputtered the victim of this at
tack.
“We’re bringing it to you,” laughed Jack,
leaping forward. In a twinkling, now, the three
boys had Dan Jaggers down, and held so closely
that he could not stir. Benson produced another
length of cord, and Dan had to submit to having
his wrists lashed, this time in most workman
like manner.
“ Thank you, ever so much, ’ ’ acknowledged:
Jack, looking up at the new boy.
“Oh, you’re welcome,” laughed the young
stranger. “I know Dan Jaggers, and I’m will
ing to believe anything against him.”
“I’ll live to get square with ye for this, one
o ’ these days, Eph Somers! ’ ’ growled the cap
tive.
“Oh, take your time about it, Dan,” laughed
Eph, unconcernedly. “I’m patient, you know,
about such things. In fact, I come of a patient
family. ’ ’
— The Submarine Boys on'Duty,

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'98 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
CHAPTER IX
THE SUBMARINE MAKES ITS BOW TO OLD OCEAN
7®^® wa ^ were y ou headed whenryou
l7V happened along?” inquired Jack
Benson.
“Dunhaven way,” responded Epli Somers.
“Good enough. That’s where we’re going,
too. ’ ’
“It’s me for the submarine launching to
day,” Eph remarked, rather ungrammatically.
“I wouldn’t miss that for the world.”
“Nor would we, either,” added Hal. “Es
pecially, as we’ve helped in the work on her.
And, gracious, what time is it ? ”
“Just about eight o’clock,” replied Somers,
consulting his watch.
“And the launching is at ten o’clock. Come;
we must hustle along. What will Mr. Earnum
be thinking of us?”
“He probably believes we stole the money,
and he must have officers out looking for us by
this time,” hinted Jack, with a wry face.
Jack thought, to be sure, of Josh Owen, back
there in the woods, but clearly it would be out
of place to ask Eph Somers to go back and at
tend to the ex-foreman. Besides, they could all

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 99
soon be in Dunhaven, and tben a constable or
two conld be sent out to search.
At first, Dan tried his old tactics of balking,
bnt a few energetic, rongh-and-ready punches
from Eph caused the bully to change his mind.
After that he went along in sullen silence. It
was not long before the quartette turned down
into the shore road that led up to the boatyard.
As they came near the big gate, still closed to
the public, the boys beheld a crowd of several
hundred people. There were many vehicles and
automobiles there, also.
“Here come those boys! Hey, young fellows,
the officers are looking for you!” shouted some
one.
“I guess so,” admitted Jack, dryly. “How
ever, they won’t want us. Let us through this
crowd, please. We want to find Mr. Farnum
without delay.”
The new watchman, at the gate, admitted them
without question. Eph Somers, being of the
party, got into the yard also, without any diffi
culty.
It being, now, less than two hours before the
time set for the launching of the “Pollard,”
both the yard’s owner and the inventor were
with the gang of workmen that was busy re
moving the water end of the submarine craft’s
construction shed.

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100 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“Here come Benson and Hastings,” called
Grant Andrews, catching sight of the boys.
, Jacob Farnnm turned to look at them, then
came on the run.
“I hear yon have pnt officers ont after ns,
and I don’t blame yon,” smiled Jack, rather
grimly. “However, we didn’t run away with
your money, and we would have been back last
night had that been possible. ’ ’
“I could hardly bring myself to believe that
you had absconded,” cried Mr. Farnum, rue
fully. “I sent officers out on the trail as much
to learn what had happened to' you as for any
other reason. The horse came in with the
buggy last night, and I knew something was
wrong. But this fellow, Jaggers ”
“He and Owen tricked us and got us last
night,” explained Benson. “I don’t believe
they knew anything about the money. They
just wanted to beat us to their heart’s content.
But they found the money, and—but I’d better
begin at the beginning. ’ ’
This Jack did, soon putting Mr. Farnum in
possession of the whole story.
“I’ll send two men with Jaggers, to turn him
over to the constable,” remarked Mr. Farnum.
“I’ll also send the alarm out so that Josh Owen
may be caught. Both these fellows must have
their full deserts.”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 101
“Perhaps, first of all, you’ll take this money,’ 51
urged Jack, producing the roll of banknotes.
‘ ‘ Count it over, will you please, sir V ’
Mr. Farnum rapidly counted. “Just eight
hundred,” he nodded. “But, according to your
story, it ought to be five dollars short, on ac
count of what this rascal, Jaggers, took out to
spend.”
“We’ve made that good out of some of our
own money that the pair took away from us, and
which we got back with yours. ’ ’
“You won’t do anything of the sort,” re
torted Mr. Farnum, thrusting the money down
in one of his pockets. “I owe you that five, be
sides your commission of forty dollars. And
I’ll settle with you just as soon as we get our
rush oft. But now—you haven’t had any break
fast. Bush up to the hotel and get it at my ex
pense. Then be sure to be back here before ten
o’clock. And say, boys, you’re the right kind
of material—both of you. I hope to keep you
with us. ”
Two men being dispatched to convey Dan
Jaggers to the lock-up, Jack and Hal hurried
away for some sort of a meal. Eph Somers,
being inside the yard, and no one paying him
any heed, that young man concluded that he
might as well remain where he could see the
most.

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102 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
While the two submarine hoys were at break
fast a constable and a deputy appeared at the
hotel, to get precise directions as to where to
find the drugged Joshua Owen. Then they de
parted in haste.
‘ ‘ There ’s the band playing over at the yard! ’ ’
cried Hal, seated at the hotel dining table.
44 Great Scott! We’ll be late.’ 5
“I hardly see how that can happen,” replied
Jack. “It isn’t quite nine o’clock yet.”
Nevertheless, the martial strains caused both
boys to hurry through their breakfast. Then,
full of eagerness, they all but ran down the short
stretch of road to the yard.
“I wish we had a little better clothes,” muh
tered Hal, regretfully, as they neared the gate.
“What’s the odds?” replied young Benson.
“We’re workmen, anyway.”
“But most folks will be dressed up mighty
well to-day,” objected Hal. “Even Grant An
drews has his best suit on.”
“Well, we haven’t any other clothes,” mur
mured Jack, like a young philosopher. “Folks
won’t be looking at us, anyway. They’ll all
have their eyes on the boat.”
The watchman at the gate had been reinforced
by another man, to hold the crowd back. When
the would-be spectators found that only work
men and invited guests would be admitted to the

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 103
yard the disappointed ones made a scnrry for
the nearest portions of the shore ontside the big
fence.
Inside, the noise of hammers had stopped..
The entire front of the submarine’s shed had
been removed, and much of the underpinning
structure that held the “Pollard” in place. All
that remained, to send the steel craft into the
water, were the command and a few lusty sledge
hammer strokes.
The hand was playing again, a lively strain.
Jacob Farnum was bustling about, although, as
far as could be seen, his only impulse was sheer
excitement.
David Pollard, silent and more anxious than
anyone could know, stood apart with Grant
Andrews, while Eph Somers stood solitary at a
little distance.
Even the coming of the boys caused Pollard
a bit of relief. They were to be of the crew at
the launching, and their early arrival showed
the inventor that there ought not, now, to be the
faintest hitch.
“I thought there was going to be a naval offi
cer here, Mr. Pollard,” whispered Jack.
“Looking for a uniform, eh?” laughed the
inventor. ‘ 1 There is a naval officer here—Lieu
tenant Jackson. There he is, over there, in the
gray suit and straw hat. ’ ’

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104 THE STJBMAEINE BOYS ON DUTY
“Does lie go on tlie boat with us?”
“Oh, no. He’s simply to watch the launch
ing, and see how the craft sits on the water after
she goes in. Some time in the near fntnre
there’ll be a board of naval officers here, when
we ’re ready to show them what the boat can do. ’ ’
With everything in readiness, the nerves of
all the interested persons present began to suffer
from the suspense. Only the tireless band saved
the day.
“Come along,” said Jacob Farnum, at last.
“It’s a quarter of ten. We’ll get up in our
places.”
Those who were going made a rush for the
shed. The band leader, catching the enthusi
asm, led his musicians, with a crash, into a
triumphal march. Eph Somers slid, unobtru
sively, into the shed. David Pollard turned to
look at him keenly.
“I want to be on hand to help just a bit, if I
can,” murmured Eph, pleadingly, “and to wish
the boat good luck as she strikes the water. My
father used to work in this yard, and I worked
here last summer.”
“He’s all right,” nodded Mr. Farnum, so
Eph got inside the shed.
The ladder rested against the hull; this was
to be the last time that it would be used. David
Pollard ascended, first, to the submarine’s plat-

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 105
form deck. Farnnm followed. Then Grant
Andrews went np. Last of all came Jack Bern
son and Hal Hastings. These were all who were
scheduled to slide down the slippery ways with
the “Pollard.” But Eph was there, close at
hand, consumed by an unquenchable desire to
go, too. Nor was he wholly convinced that he
wouldn’t.
Outside, at one side of the shed, stood Lieu
tenant Jackson and the invited guests. On the
other side were the members of the hand.
On the platform deck, near the conning tower,
were an outside steering wheel and the engine
controls. Back of all were the funnels of the
ventilators.
“Are you going to take the wheel, sir?” whis
pered Grant Andrews, to the inventor.
“I—I’m afraid I’m too nervous to,” replied
David Pollard, in an undertone. “You’d better
take the wheel, Andrews. ”
So the foreman stationed himself there, for
the craft might need guidance during the head
way that the launching would give her.
Pollard turned to the yard’s owner, to whisper
imploringly:
“Better give the word and start things, Far-
num. The suspense will floor me if it lasts much
longer. ’ ’
So Far num. gave the first signal, and the

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106 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
workmen below began their last duties. In a
twinkling it was known that something was
wrong with one of the ways. Grant Andrews
moved quickly away from the wheel to look be
low and give an order.
Jack Benson moved up to the wheel, that
there might be someone there in case the “Pol
lard” made an unexpected leap into the water.
In the confusion, just as one of the workmen
below was about to remove the ladder, Eph
Somers swiftly pushed it back against the hull,
ascending almost on the run to the platform
deck, where he stood pointing out to Andrews
the cause of the trouble below. As he did so,
Eph slyly but authoritatively signaled to the men
to remove the ladder, which was done. Eph
Somers had won his wish. He was aboard—
safe unless someone discovered him at the last
second and threw him over.
Now, with a fearful clattering, the last sup
ports of the substructure were knocked away
by lustily wielded sledge-hammers.
The leader of the band, accustomed to launch
ings, held his baton aloft. At the downward
stroke of that implement the band would crash
out into ‘ ‘ See, the Conquering Hero Comes! ’ ’
In the midst of the clatter another gang of
workmen, at a silent signal, began to push against
the hull on either side.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 107
Hats off, the men among the gnests began to
cheer, the women to wave handkerchiefs.
Farnnm was the coolest of all, now. As the
“Pollard” might sink to the bottom of the har
bor, no woman was aboard to do the christen
ing. Instead, the yard owner clntched the bot
tle, ready to smash it over the forward rail of
the platform deck.
A creak, a yell, and the “Pollard” started.
How the cheering redoubled and made the shed’s
rafters shake. Lieutenant Jackson, of the Navy,
tried to look unconcerned, but he couldn’t,
wholly. A launching of any kind of important
craft is a mighty exciting thing.
Jack’s hands took firm clutch on the steering
wheel. He was throbbing from head to foot.
Another creak! The “Pollard” began to
move in good earnest. All on the platform deck
felt the exhilarating thrill of motion.
Down came the baton, the band crashed out,
its music almost drowned by the frantic cheers
of the beholders. Down off the ways shot the
submarine torpedo boat. Oh, the glory of it!
There was a gigantic splash. Everyone on
the platform deck was drenched, yet holding on
and happy. For many rods out over the wa
ters, Jack steering straight and true, the boat
dashed, then slowly stopped. The “Pollard”
was launched—for what adventures, what fate!

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108 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
CHAPTER X
UNDER WATER, WHERE MEN’S NERVES ARE TRIED
A FTER that first stop, after that first feel
ing of exhilaration was over, the anx
ious thought of all on the platform
deck was:
“Is there any fault in her construction? Is
she going to sink?”
Not that any of these six human beings would
have been in much danger, for all were where
they could free themselves and swim.
It was the defeat of months of hopes that
would have been terrible.
A few moments of tension, then David Pol
lard’s gaze lighted on Eph Somers, unconcern
edly smiling.
“Hullo!” muttered the inventor. “How do
you happen on hoard?”
“Me?” grinned Eph. “Why, you see, I’m
the mascot.”
But Jack Benson, fearful that, under the
strain, something unpleasant might be said to
his newly-found friend, asked, quietly:
“Going to drop the anchor?”
Grant Andrews, Hal and Eph quickly attended
to this.

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THE SUBMABINE BOYS ON DUTY 109
The flag at the short pole had become wrapped
around its short staff. Jacob Farnum noted
this just in time and hastily shook it out, for the
band had suddenly begun to play “The Star
Spangled Banner,” and on shore the crowd was
hushed, hats off and at attention. On board
the submarine hats were quickly doffed, all turn
ing with reverent gaze toward the Flag!
For a long time the crowd on shore remained,
staring with fascinated gaze at the craft from
which wonders were expected. Presently a
small boat put off from shore. Mr. Farnum
and. Mr. Pollard were taken off and went ashore
to talk over matters with Lieutenant Jackson.
The “'Pollard” now sat jauntily on the water.
Only the upper two feet of her oddly-shaped hull
were out of water, neither the bow nor stern
showing. In rough weather the platform deck
would be a wet place, indeed; but now, with
little wind, and the water only slightly rippling,
the deck was drying rapidly under the glare of
the hot summer sun.
“I guess we might as well go below and get
on dry clothing,” hinted Grant Andrews.
“Is there any such thing aboard?” queried
Jack, in surprise.
“Yes, thanks to Mr. Farnum’s thoughtful
ness. Come on; I’ll show you.”
So the four piled below, and, in one of the

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110 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
state-rooms aft, Andrews pointed to a goodly
store of clothing, nmch more than wonld be
needed for the present, and of different sizes,
even to shoes. There were also rongh bath-
towels with which to rnb down dry.
“I wonder do I come in on these?” mur
mured Eph, doubtfully.
“Well, since nothing has been said to the con
trary,” laughed Andrews, quietly, “I think I’d
6e brave enough to try it. You’re surely as
wet as any of us.”
The four were quickly in undershirts and
linen. But the outer suits made the boys won
der a bit. These suits were dark blue uniforms,
the coats braided, and the front buttons hidden
by another band of braid. The caps were of
visored naval pattern.
“Say,” asked Eph, looking about him, “I’m
only a common sailor, at most. Ain’t there any
common sailor togs tying about?”
“I don’t know where,” smiled Andrews. “I
judge, from the togs, that we’re all to be cap
tains. ’ ’
So Eph, with a comical sigh, fitted himself to
a uniform and donned it-
“Maybe I’ll have a chance to strut about in
this for an hour, until the owner comes aboard
and throws me into the water, after stripping
me,” murmured Eph, wistfully.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 111
Then, as young Somers canght a glimpse of
himself in one of the state-room mirrors, he
stood np nnacconntahly straight, inflating his
chest and bulging it ont.
They had to go np on deck again. It all
seemed so much like a dream that all hands
wanted to get np where they could stare at the
hull, the water and at anything else that could
make them realize that the “Pollard” was
launched and they were aboard.
A boat-load of men soon put out.
“They’re special workmen, coming to finish
up on the air-compressors, ” explained Grant
Andrews. “We have nothing to do with their
work. All we’ve got to do is to take things
easily for the present.”
“I’m going to get busy, if they’ll let me help
at anything,” declared Eph. “When the two
bosses come aboard I’m mighty anxious to have
them think I look natural here. ’ ’
“Are you going to try to join the crew, Eph?”
asked Jack, in an undertone.
“Well, I’m not going to he put ashore, ex
cept by force,” declared young Somers, wist
fully. “I’ve been dreaming about this old boat
for three months hack. Say, I’d give anything
I had, even if it was a lot, to stay aboard this
craft for good and all.”
“I know how you feel,” nodded Jack Benson.

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112 THE SUBMABINE BOYS ON DUTY
“And I don’t blame yon. It’s going to be a
grand old life, and, Epb, I bope you’re to be in
it. ’ ’
As soon as the special workmen were aboard
Epb followed tliem below. He bung about until
be saw a cbance to belp, tben joined in tbe work.
He was as industrious as tbe proverbial beaver
when Messrs. Farnum and Pollard at last came
aboard and went below.
“Hm! Does tbat new boy figure that be be
longs aboard witb us?” asked David Pollard,
of Jack, wben tbe pair came on deck again.
“He’s frightfully anxious to be of tbe crew,
sir,” Benson answered. “And be seems like a
splendid fellow.”
“We might as well let bim stay aboard,
Dave,” proposed Mr. Farnum. “He’s a good,
straightforward young chap, and comes of good
water stock. I know what it is to be a youngster
and to have ambitions.”
“All right, tben,” nodded tbe inventor.
“Let bim stay. I dare say we can use bis
time. ’ 9
“May I, as a great favor, go below and tell
bim be may stay?” asked Jack, eagerly.
“Why, you seem to take a personal interest
in young Somers,” laughed tbe yard’s owner.
“I do. And be was useful in your interests
this morning, Mr. Farnum.”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 113
“Run along and tell him, then,” nodded the
yard’s owner.
When Eph heard the news he stopped work
long enough to dance an exultant jig on the cabin
floor.
“Oh, Jack Benson, if ever you want a favor—
a great, big one, with trimmings—come to
me!” begged young Somers, imploringly as
soon as he caught his breath again.
Then, to keep his rising spirits down, Eph re
turned to work as soberly as he could.
Later Grant Andrews, with Eph’s help, cooked
a meal at the galley fire, and this all hands
ate while the special workmen kept at their
task.
When they were on deck again Mr. Pollard
said, in a low voice:
“Boys, I may as well tell you what Mr. An
drews already knows. Work on the interior of
this boat is much further along than we’ve al
lowed to leak out. In fact, when the men below
finish with the air-compressors, in a few hours,
we’re all ready to put out to sea on a stealthy
trial trip of oiif own.” -
“Wow!” sputtered Eph, enthusiastically.
‘ 4 Now,-’ ’ continued Mr. Pollard, earnestly, t ‘ of
course we believe most thoroughly in this boat,
but, until the actual trial is made, we don’t
know how she ’11 behave. If any of you feel like
8— The Submarine Boys on Duty.

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114 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
backing out, why, go ashore before we start, but
keep your tongues behind your teeth. ’’
“Reminds me of what- my Dad once' did in
the hen-yard,” remarked Eph, in a low voice.
“He went out with a couple of quarts of corn,
looked at the hens, and said: ‘Now, biddiesJ I’m
going to toss your supper down. But any of you
critters that want can go in and roost for the
night before I do it.’ ”
“Well?” asked David Pollard, a bit puzzled.
“Would you believe it?” asked Eph, with a
comical twist of his mouth, “Every blessed hen
stayed. Pact, sir!”
Just before dark the special workmen went
ashore. Again Andrews and Eph prepared a
meal, which was eaten.
Then followed a restless two hours, waiting
until the town was asleep, for the gasoline tanks
were filled, and all was ready for the first turn
of the drive-wheel below.
It was after half-past ten when Pollard at last
said:
“ Go below and get the gasoline engines
started, Andrews.”
The boys followed him below to watch the
work. Messrs. Parnum and Pollard, too, were
soon below, for they wanted to observe the work
of the air compressors and the dynamos. The
work had to be started by lantern light, but,

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 115
within ten minutes, it was possible to turn on
electric lights below.
“Everything is working as perfectly as though
the boat had been in commission a year,” re
marked the inventor, hoarsely. His suspense
was almost painful to watch.
“Everything is all ready for a start, isn’t it.
Andrews?” inquired Mr. Farnum.
“Everything appears to he, sir, so far as
the power’s concerned,” , replied Andrews.
“But I’m going to stay by the engine. I
want to he on hand to watch whatever might
happen. ”
Power was applied to raise the anchor.
“You take the wheel, Benson, since you had
it during the launching,” said the yard’s owner.
“Somers, stand by on deck. Hastings, you go
below and stand with Mr. Andrews. ’ ’
“Give the go-ahead at slow speed,” directed
David Pollard, nervously.
So Jack gave the speed wheel a small turn,
then rested both hands on the steering wheel.
Without an unnecessary sound, and with no
outer lights showing, as yet, the “Pollard” was
headed for the mouth of the little harbor, Mr.
Farnum standing by as pilot.
Just as they passed out on to the edge of the
ocean Farnum himself turned on the electric
sailing lights. '

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116 THE SUBMABINE BOYS ON DUTY,
‘‘She rides the water easily/’ remarked Pol
lard, almost in a whisper. “I wonder how she
can go at speed ? ”
“We’ll find out, now we’ve got clear seaway
ahead,” replied Mr. Parnnm. “Benson, turn
on a few miles more.”
Quickly obeying the impulse of her twin-pro-
pellers, the “Pollard” began to dance over the
waves.
“Say, but she’s the fine, light-riding boat!”
cried the builder, joyously. “Just as I thought
she would be. Give her more speed, Ben
son.”
So the speed was turned on, more and more.
The “Pollard,” as far as those aboard could
see, had the whole of that part of the ocean to
herself. She was still headed due east, and was
moving at last at the rate of seventeen of the
twenty-one miles an hour of which she was be
lieved to be capable.
Even at this rapid gait the semi-immersed
“Pollard” rode splendidly, with hardly any vi
bration noticeable.
As he watched, instead of feeling the thrill
of triumph that influenced the crew, David Pol
lard’s face was whitening with anxiety. His
face, almost, ghastly in its look, was deeply fur
rowed.
“We’re doing well enough on top of the wa-

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 117
ter,” he muttered, hoarsely, at last, to the
builder. - “But will the boat dive? How will
she run under water? I must—know!”
“Good enough! We’ll soon know, then,” re
plied Jacob Farnum. He passed the word for
Andrews, who came on deck. The ventilators
were quickly shipped. Jack Benson shifted to
the steersman’s seat inside the conning tower.
Sailing- lights were turned oft; the manhole
cover was battened down securely. They were
dependent, now, on the air-compressing equip
ment whenever the air aboard became unfit to
breathe.
Wedged on either side of Jack Benson in.that
little conning tower stood the builder and the
inventor.
“You attend to the first submerging, Far
num,” begged the inventor. “I—I’m afraid
I’m too nervous,”
The gasoline motor had just been shut off, the
submarine now running at less speed under
power from the electric motor.
Handling the controls in the conning tower,
Mr. Farnum, not without a swift, shooting thrill
of dread, opened the sea-valves to the water
tanks. As the tanks filled the “Pollard” set
tled lower and lower in the water. They were
beginning to go down. All who were aboard
felt the keen, apprehensive quiver of the thing,

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118 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
shut in, as they were, as though soldered inside
a huge metal can.
The platform deck was quickly level with the
water’s surface, though Jacob Parnum was not
rushing things. Then the deck outside, as shown
by the steady glow of the lights in the conning
tower, went out of sight, the water rising around
the tower.
They continued slowly to sink until the top
of the conning tower was less than three feet
above the waves.
“Now, just a little dive!” pleaded David Poh
lard. “Oil, merciful heaven!”
“Pass the word to brace yourselves for the
dive!” bawled Mr. Parnum below, and Eph,
stationed at the bottom of the spiral stairway,
yelled the word to the engine room.
Now, the sea-valves of the forward diving
tanks were opened. As the water rushed into
them, changing the balance of the boat, the bow
shot downward, making it difficult for all to keep
their footing. It was as though they were slid
ing down an inclined plane. "
Another lurch, and down they shot under the
water, where men’s nerves may well be tried!

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TI-IE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 119
CHAPTER XI
THE TRY-OUT IN THE DEPTHS
P OLLARD clutched at the stairway railing
with both hands, his face hard-set, his
eyes staring.
He was not afraid. In that supreme moment
he could not know physical fear. It was the
inventor’s dread of failure that possessed him.
Jacob Farnum stood as one fascinated as he
felt the boat plunging into the depths.
“ Aren’t you going to put us on an even keel,
sir?” Jack called.
The warning was needful. In the exhilara
tion of that plunge Farnum was in danger of
forgetting.
In a twinkling, now, however, he threw open
the sea-valves of other tanks, amidships and aft,
until the gauge showed that they were running
on an even keel and forty feet below the sur
face. Their speed was now about five miles an
hour, but could be increased.
Gradually, the ghastly lines on David Pol
lard’s cheeks began to soften. His eyes gleamed.
“There's nothing wrong! AYe can run any
where!” he shouted.
Yet there was something of hysteria in his

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120 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
voice. Nor was it long before tlie others began
to feel themselves similarly affected.
It was an eerie feeling that all hands had, run
ning along like this, blind and gnessing, in the
depths. Pollard was the only one aboard who
had ever been below before in a snbmarine boat.
Though the rest had faced the chances coolly'
enongh, 'they now began to feel the strain.
Even when it is broad daylight on the sur
face, with the sun shining brightly, the subma
rine boat, when a few fathoms below, is simply a
blinded, groping monster. There is no way of
illuming the depths of the ocean. Naval officers
have suggested the placing of a powerful elec
tric light at the bow of the submarine craft, but,
wlien tried, it has been found quite useless. The
light will not project far enough ahead, through
the dense water, to do any more than make the
surrounding darkness all the more trying to
brave men’s nerves.
‘ ‘ Take the wheel, Dave; it will steady you to
have something to - do,” spoke the builder to the
inventor. “As soon as you get the wheel, turn
the course to due south. Follow it to the line.”
Jack Benson slid out of the helmsman’s seat,
giving way to the inventor, and stepped down
the stairway.
At the foot he came upon Eph and Hal, stand
ing there, their faces presenting a strange look.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 121
“How do you find it?” asked Benson.
“Startling,” replied Hal Hastings.
“Yet nothing is happening to us,” contended
Eph Somers, somewhat shaky in his tones.
“It’s just thinking what might happen—if we
were to strike a water-logged old hull of some
vessel, say.”
“Or collide with a blue-fish,” suggested Hal,
with a short, nervous laugh.
“I suppose we’ll be used to this, after a few
more trips,” laughed Jack, with an effort.
“Are you scared, too!” asked Eph, keenly,
“Well, I can’t say I feel wholly comfortable,”
admitted Jack Benson, candidly.
“Then you’re sitting down on your fears
pretty well,” declared young Hastings, with an,
admiring look at his chum.
“We’ve got to, ’ ’ returned J ack, stoutly. i i If
we’re to go into the submarine boat line we’ve
got to learn to look as though we liked anything
under water. ”
“Let’s take a look-in and see how Andrews
likes it, ’ ’ proposed Eph.
Peeping through the door of the engine room
they beheld the man there sitting bolt-Upright
on one of the leather-cushioned seats, sthring
hard at the wall opposite. He turned his head,
however, as soon as he became aware of the
presence of the submarine boys.

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122 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“Rather creepy, ain’t it?” hailed Grant, his
voice not as steady as nsnal.
“Think yon’re going to learn to like it?” de
manded Benson.
“Well, I may get so I’ll think this sort of
thing the greatest going,” drawled Andrews,
“but I’m afraid a good, soft bed on land will
always be a close second for me.”
“Wonder how far the bosses are going to rnn
nnder water?” pondered Eph, sliding into the
engine room and seating himself on the cushion
opposite Andrews.
“Till they’ve tried the boat out all they want
to nnder water, I guess, ” ventured Jack.
“I’ll slip back, so I can pass any order that
may come,” proposed Hal, who, truth to tell, felt
an undefinable something that made him too rest
less to like the idea of sitting down.
As the “Pollard” continued to glide along,
almost without perceptible motion at that
depth, these members of the crewbecame
somewhat accustomed to the feeling. They
began to have a new notion, though, that they
would take it all much more easily after they
had once seen proof of the new craft’s ability
to rise.
‘ ‘ Say, I wonder if it would be too fresh of me
to ask Mr. Parnum when he means to try the ris
ing stunt?” wondered Eph, aloud.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 123
Grant Andrews looked up with interest, then
shook his head.
“Better not,” he advised. “We knew what
we were coming to, and took all the chances.
Now, we’d better keep quiet. Any nervousness
might bother Mr. Pollard or Mr. Farnnm.”
“Well, she’s a dandy boat, anyway,” declared.
Eph, a bit jerkily. “So far, she’s done every
thing she’s been told to. So I reckon she can
rise when the time comes.”
“Who’s below!” cried Mr. Farnnm.
“Hastings, sir,” Hal answered.
“Tell the crew we’re going to run below the
surface until the air becomes noticeably bad.
We want to test out the compressed-air devices
for purifying the atmosphere.”
So Hal stepped forward with the message.
' “Don’t you think the air begins to smell queer
already!” demanded Eph, looking up. “I’m
willing to have some compressed air turned on
right now.”
The others laughed, which was all they could
do. Jack Benson, of them all, probably, was get
ting most rapidly over the first bad touch of
“submarine fright.” He was now almost as
well satisfied as he would have been on the porch
of the little hotel at Dunhaven. Only lie was
anxious to know just how the boat would behave
when it became time to rise. That was all.

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124 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“How would you feel if we were running
along like this, bent on driving a torpedo against
the bull of a big battleship 1 ?” questioned Eph.
“Curious,” Jack answered.
“What about?” -
“Wondering if we were going to succeed in
the job.”
“Put it another way,” laughed Or ant An
drews, shortly. “How would you feel about
being aboard a battleship in wartime, and sus
pecting that a boat like this was nosing down
in the water after you ? ”
Jack Benson made a little grimace.
“Serious business, this fighting on the ocean,
isn’t it!’’ he replied.
“It ? s stranger to think about than it is to be
doing it,” replied Andrews, musingly. “I
know. I was in the war with Spain. ’ ’
1 i How did you feel ? ’ ’ asked Eph, quickly.
“Tired, most of the time,” replied Andrews.
“Sick some of the time, and hungry the rest.”
“But about being scared?” insisted Eph.
“I was kept too busy, generally, to have any
time to give to being scared. I was a soldier,
and a soldier is a good deal like any other work
man. He does his work by habit, and soon gets
over thinking much about it. ”
There was a long pause, broken by Eph, say
ing:

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THE SUBMAEINE BOYS ON DUTY 125
“I woiider when they’re going to let the boat
rise?”
“When they’re going to try to make it rise,
yon mean,” corrected Jack Benson.
‘ ‘ Same thing, I hope, ’ ’ muttered Eph Somers.
After some minutes more Jacob Farnum
stepped down below*
“Why,, it looks cozy here at night, doesn’t
it?” he called.
At sound of his voice the boys stepped out of
the engine room into the cabin. . ■
‘ ‘ Mighty comfortable sort of place, ’ ’ com
tinued the yard’s owner, looking around him.
“We’ll have to put in some books, won’t we, so
you young men can read when you’re doing
nothing under water?”
“Maybe the time will come when we can
read,” laughed Hal. “Just now, sir, I’m afraid
we’re too busy with thinking and wondering.”
“I’ll confess to being a bit nervous myself,”
responded Mr. Farnum. “Somehow, there’s
something uncanny about rushing through the
depths of the ocean in this fashion, not having
any idea what danger you may be close by. ’ ’
1 ‘ Such as running into the hull of some big
liner that draws more than forty feet of water,”
hinted Jack. ,
“We’re fifty-eight feet below, now,” re
marked Mr. Farnum. “You didn’t guess that,

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126 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
did you? "We sank eighteen feet more, on an
even keel.”
“Gracious! You meant those eighteen feet,
didn’t you? It wasn’t accident?” gasped Eph.
“We meant it,” smiled the builder. “But
say, the air is getting a bit foul here, isn’t it?
We’ll have to try the compressed air equipment,
now.”
By an ingenious mechanical contrivance the
present air was forcied, by compressed air
draught, into compartments from which the bad
air was expelled through sea-valves. An in
stant change for the better in the atmosphere
was noted.
“That’s another thing about this good old new
craft of ours that works all right, so far, ’ ’ re
marked the builder. “Boys, I’m beginning to
have confidence that we ’re going to see the sur
face again all right. Hullo, there’s Pollard
hailing us.”
“The air purified all right, didn’t it?” called
down the inventor.
“Yes; couldn’t have been better,’’ declared
the builder heartily.
“Then I’m going to make the supreme test,”
came down from the man at the wheel. “We’ll
proceed to find out whether we can rise to the
surface and stay there.”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 127
CHAPTER XII
THE DISCOVERY FROM THE CONNING TOWER
“ ✓ >| 0 up slanting, or on an even keel?”
I -y called up Mr. Parnnm.
“On tlie even keel,” came the
answer.
“All riglit, then; we’ll know soon.”
For this purpose tlie largest compressed air
container of all was to be employed. It distrib-
nted great volumes of compressed air to all tlie
water tanks, forcing open the valves and driving
out the water.
“Any of yon youngsters know wbere tbe
proper wrench, is?” inquired the builder, look
ing keenly at the boys.
There was an instant start, followed by wide
spread pallor.
“Oh, it’s not right to keep you in torment,”
laughed the builder. “I have kept the wrench
in my pocket, all along.”
He drew it out, holding it up before their
gaze. Though technically a wrench, it looked
more like a very large key. It was of curious
construction, intended to supply the greatest
amount of force with the least amount of exer
tion.

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128 ’ THE SUBMARINE BOYS' ON DUTY
“Watch me,” commanded Jacob Par num.
“Any one of you may have to use this wrench
at any time. ” .
Little did any of them guess the tragedy that
was destined to center around that life-saving
wrench later on. Now, with the hoys gathered
about him, Mr. Parnum fitted the wrench with
great care and deliberation.
. ‘ ‘ See how easily it’s intended to turn 1 ’ ’ asked
the builder, giving it a slight turn. *
All three of the boys nodded.
“Now, we’ll give it more,” continued Mr.
Parnum. He swung the wrench well around in
order to release compressed air with a rush and
great force into the water tanks.
Then he stood there, waiting. There was no
perceptible motion or other change that the hoys
could note about the boat.
“Wha—what makes it act so slowly! ’ ’ asked
Eph Somers, in a queer voice. “Or isn’t it go
ing to act?”
Por some seconds more the four stood there
looking at one another. Andrews came to the
doorway of the engine room, looking anxious.
“We’ve released a lot of compressed air,”
uttered Mr. Parnum. “More than half of the
force in the receiver is gone.”
A few seconds more passed. Then restless -
Eph sprang to the stairway.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 129
“Mr. Pollard/’ lie cried, nervously, “when on
earth—nnder the sea, I mean—are we going up?
What’s wrong?”
‘‘Going np?” called down the inventor. ‘‘This
isn’t an airship.”
“When are we going to strike the surface?”
Eph insisted.
“Why, we’re awash already. Don’t yon no
tice I’ve just shut off the electric motor?”
That was true, although none of the quartette
had yet realized that the propeller shafts were
stilled.
“Awash, are we?” cried Eph, in an incredu
lous voice.
“If you can’t believe it,” replied David Pol
lard, calmly, “come up and see for yourself.”
Eph accepted that invitation with such alacrity
that he tripped and harked his shins against one
of the iron steps, but recovered and darted up in
no time.
11 Glory! ” he shouted, jubilantly. “ It’s true.
I can see the stars. ’ 9
At that moment the bell rang for turning on
the gasoline motor. Within a few seconds the
big engines were throbbing. Again the propel
ler shafts began to turn. Now, all hands could
feel the motion as the “Pollard” skimmed lazily
along over the ocean’s surface.
As Eph came down, Jack Benson stepped up,
9—Tkt Stbwiarm* Boy* o* Dufy.

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130 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
with a light heart, now that the submarine had
responded to the last and most important of its
tasks. He stood beside the wheel, ready to take
it whenever Mr. Pollard should give it up.
Yes, indeed; there was the sky overhead. And,
with this glimpse of heaven’s arch Jack Benson
found himself forever done with submarine fever
in the matter of the ordinary risk and dreads.
As yet only the conning tower was out of wa
ter. The platform deck would not emerge until
Mr. Farnum, below, employed much of the re
maining compressed air for expelling the last
gallons of salt water from the tanks.
“What’s that oft the starboard bow?” won
dered Jack. “Stop, Mr. Pollard. Reverse!
I’m sure there’s something over yonder worth
stopping to look into.”
David Pollard stopped the speed, then re
versed sufficiently to correct the headway, al
though he replied:
“I don’t see anything, Benson. You’ve been
below so long that up here, in less light, you’re
a victim of shadows. ’ ’
But Jack, who had snatched the marine glasses
from the rack, and was using them, retorted:
“The shadows I see, Mr. Pollard, are human
shadows, clinging to something in the water, and
that something must be an overturned craft of
some sort.”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 131
“Let me have the glasses,” requested Mr. Pol
lard.
After taking a long look the inventor replied,
excitedly:
“Benson, yon Ye right. There are some hu
man beings in distress over yonder. Thank
heaven, we didn’t go by them.”
For the first time that night David Pollard
turned on the powerful searchlight, projecting
a broad, brilliant ray off the starboard how.
The bottom of a hull about forty feet long,
presumably that of a sloop, was what David Pol
lard now saw. Clinging to it were two men.
One of them appeared to be middle-aged, the
other much younger. The overturned boat was
some three hundred yards distant.
“What have you stopped for? What’s up?”
called up Mr. Farnum.
“Wreck, sir. Two men in distress,” Jack
answered.
“We’ll go close and contrive to take them
off, ’ ’ announced the inventor. Turning on slow
speed, he swung the “Pollard’s” prow about,
making for the wreck.
“You youngsters had better get out on deck,
with lines to heave,” suggested Mr. Pollard.
So Jack called up Hal and Eph. After Benson
had stepped out on the platform deck Hal passed
out three long, light lines.

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132 THE SUBMABINE BOYS ON DUTY
Up to within a hundred feet of the wreck ran
the submarine boat, then stopped, lying paral
lel with the capsized craft.
“Can you catch a line, if we throw it!” hailed
Jack.
“ Yes, ” came the answer. The voice was dull.
There was no enthusiasm about it.
“They don’t seem very glad to see us,” mut
tered the submarine hoy to the inventor, who
had stepped out to the deck wheel. “I wonder
if they’re dazed and weak?”
Then to the wrecked ones Jack called:
“How long since you capsized?”
“Since just after sundown,” replied the
younger of the pair clinging to the hull. Again
his voice was sulky.
“There’s something queer about this,” whis
pered Benson to Mr. Pollard. “They don’t
seem a hit glad to be pulled off that hull. Be
sides, they must have been the worst sort of lub
bers to capsize a boat in any breeze that has been
blowing this day. I don’t see how they man
aged it.”
“Throw them a line,” directed Mr. Farnum,
who had just come out on deck.
Jack made the cast, doing it' cleverly. The
long, light rope lay across the overturned hull.
But the younger man of the wet pair, in reach
ing for the line, pushed it off into the water.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 133
“Clumsy!” muttered Jack, under his breath.
“And look there! They have life preservers on.
It must have been a leisurely capsizing to give
them time for that.”
“It does look queer,” agreed Jacob Farnum.
Having rapidly hauled in the line, Jack made
another cast.
“Try to get that,” he shouted. Yet once
more, in some unaccountable way, the younger
man on the capsized boat managed to bungle so
with the line that it went overboard into the
water.
“I can put a stop to that,” muttered Jack
Benson, pulling off cap and coat and dropping
them down through the manhole. “I’m going
to swim over there. When I get there, Hal,
throw me a line. ’ ’
' With that the young submarine hoy stepped
over the rail, poised his hands at the side and
dived. An excellent swimmer, it was not long
before he touched the overturned hull. Neither
of those whom he sought to rescue offered him
a hand. But Jack climbed up out of the
water, seated himself on the keel between the
strange pair, and stared hard at them, each
in turn.
The older man appeared to be about fifty
years of age. He wore a closely-cropped heard
that had in it a sprinkling of gray. The younger

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134 THE SUBMARINE BOYS OH DUTY
man, who appeared to be about twenty-five
years of age, was smooth-faced and sulky-look
ing. Both were dressed well, and looked like
people of means. Jack guessed that they must
be father and son.
“Well, have you got through looking at us?”
demanded the younger man.
“I guess so,” nodded Benson. “I was just
thinking that your boat must have taken several
minutes in doing the capsizing trick. You both
had time to adjust life-preservers nicely, and
you, sir,” turning to the older man, “must have
found time to pack the satchel that you’re hold
ing so carefully. ’ ’
The older man’s jaw dropped. He looked
haggard. 'But the younger one demanded,
fiercely:
“Is all this any of your business?”
“Not a bit,” admitted Jack Benson. “All
I’m here to do is to rescue you, or help in it. ’ ’
“Humph!” grunted the younger man.
“Heave a line, Hal!” shouted the submarine
boy, signaling with one hand. “Drive it straight.
I’ll get it.”
Swish! Whirr—rr! It was a splendid cast.
As J ack leaped to his feet the slender rope fell
over one shoulder. Benson caught it with both
hands.
“I’ll help you,” called the younger stranger,

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 135
with startling suddenness, reaching forward.
He grabbed at the submarine boy. The next
instant Jack Benson lost his footing on that wet,
slippery sloop bottom. He pitched, threw np
his hands in an effort to regain his balance, then
toppled, disappearing beneath the waves.
“They’re trying to drown Jack!” rang Hal
Hastings’s excited voice. ‘ ‘ That was a deliber
ate trick!”
CHAPTER XIII
A HIGH-SEA MYSTERY
S PLASH ! Without a word as to his inten
tions Hal Hastings went overboard. His
head showed above the waves almost im
mediately, as he swam toward that other craft
of mystery.
Jack Benson did not immediately reappear.
When he did come np, it was nnder the over
turned hull. He was obliged to make a half
dive in order to come out and up in the open.
By the time he did appear, his chum was close
to him.
“Hurt?” hailed Hal.
“Not a bit,” responded Jack, after blowing out
a mouthful of water.
“Then climb aboard with me, and see what

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136 THE SUBMABINE BOYS ON DUTY
these prize lunatics mean by their behavior/ 9
requested Hal, not caring who heard him.
The sulky young man made no effort to op
pose their boarding the hull. Probably he
feared to make too plain an opposition, with that
dark-hulled, sombre, ugly-looking submarine
torpedo boat lying so close at hand.
“Now, heave us a line, Eph!” hailed Hal.
The line came, and was caught. Hal slipped
over the further side with it, vanishing under
water long enough to make it fast to one of the
submerged cleats of the sloop’s rail.
“That will hold,” he reported, clambering
back on to the bottom of the sloop. “Now, sir,’’
turning to the older man, ‘ ‘ since you hai^e a life-
preserver on, you can easily get over to the sub
marine boat by holding to the line and pulling
yourself along.”
“I’m afraid I can’t get across and keep my
satchel,” whined the older man, nervously.
“I’ll take that and swim over with it,” pro
posed Hal, briskly, reaching out his hand for the
bag.
“Oh, no, no!” protested the man. “I’d
sooner stay here. The satchel doesn’t go out
of my hands.”
“Better take to the water, father, and do the
best you can,” advised the younger man in a
growl. “These fellows belong to the United

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 137
States Navy, and they’re determined to rescue
us. Trust yourself to the water, and I’ll keep
along with you. These people will take us by
force if we refuse any further.”
If mistaking the crew of the “Pollard” for
members of the United States Navy would make
matters- move any more quickly, there was no
need to disabuse the mind of either of these queer
men. But Jack and Hal gave each other a queer,
amused look.
The old man took to the water, without diffi
culty. Buoyed up by his life preserver, he was
able to hold to his satchel with one hand, pulling
himself along the slightly sagging rope with the
other. His son swam along lazily beside him.
Eph, ■ outside the rail, but holding to it with one
hand, employed his other in helping the father
and son up to the deck. When this had been ac
complished, Hal threw off the line, after which
he and Jack swam back. Eph drew them up to
the platform deck.
“Go down below, and hear their account of
themselves, if you want to,” said David Pollard,
leaning against the wheel. “For myself, I’m sick
of that- pair already. ’ ’
Jack and Hal had quite enough boyish curi
osity to go below. Eph soon followed. The
father, dripping wet and still clutching his
satchel with one hand, sat on one of the long

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138 THE SUBMABINE BOYS ON DUTY
seats of the cabin, while the son, scowling, paced
back and forth.
“It seems to me that I know yon,” Farnnm
was saying, to the elder man.
“I—I am very snre yon don’t,” replied the
one addressed, nneasily.
“Don’t yon know who I am?” pursued the
boat-bnilder.
“N-no; I’m very certain I don’t.”
“Let’s see. Did yon ever hear of a man
named Arthur Miller, of Sebogue?”
The elder man started, paling a trifle. The
younger man stopped his walk, his face settling
into a black scowl.
“No-o; I don’t know Arthur Miller,” replied
the older man, with an effort.
‘ ‘ Queer, ’ ’ mused Mr. Farnnm. ‘ ‘ It just came
to me that you were Mr. Miller. However, of
course you know best about that. ’ ’
“Thank you,” nodded the older man, with
an attempt at a smile. ‘ ‘ I started to tell you that
my son started out late this afternoon, in the
sloop that lies overturned yonder, intending to
put me aboard the yacht of friends who are pass
ing down the coast. I have most pressing busi
ness with those friends. The business is to be
finished on the coming trip. It seems that our
friends are late; still, I know they must be on
their way down the coast. ”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 139
“As they haven’t shown up, at least, not
close enongh,” proposed Jacob Farnum, “we’ll
put yon ashore at Dnnhaven, and doubtless
yon can catch up with your friends in some
way. ’ ’
“Dnnhaven? Then yon must be Mr. Far
nnm,” cried the older man, eagerly. “This
must he the torpedo boat yon were building.
And these young men belong to the Navy?
Midshipmen, no doubt?”
“There are no Navy men on board,” replied
the builder. “These young men are my em
ployes. But we are losing time drifting about
on the high seas. We will put back to Dun-
haven, and you can tell us your story, if you
choose, on the way. ’ ’
“But my father does not care to go ashore,”
interposed the son. “It is vitally important to
him that he find the schooner and join his friends
aboard. In fact, I may add that a very con
siderable sum in the way of a profitable business
deal depends upon his going aboard the
schooner. ’ ’
“But as that craft isn’t here, how can we put
your father aboard?” Mr. Farnum asked.
“We are right in the path that is to be taken
by our friends ’ yacht, ’ ’ replied the son. * 1 Since
this is not a naval vessel, and you are not under
Government orders, I take it you can as well

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140 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
■wait here for two or three hours, if need he.
My father will pay suitably for your time, and
the service, if you will consent to wait until the
yacht appears.”
“I do not need any pay for extending the or
dinary courtesies of the sea to those who have
suffered wreck, ’ ’ replied Mr. Farnum, a hit
stiffly.
“Whether you take pay or not, sir, will you
wait and put my father aboard the yacht?” de
manded the son eagerly. “A vast interest, be
lieve me, sir, is at stake. ’ ’
‘ ‘ Oh, there is a very great stake in this, ’ ’ cried
the older man, tremulously. “I appeal to you,
Mr. Farnum', since that is your name, to help
me out in this. And, if you will accept hand
some compensation, I shall he very glad to offer
it.”
David Pollard, who had heard some of this
talk through the open manhole as he lounged
by the wheel, now called down to report:
‘ ‘ There’s some kind of a craft on the northern
horizon throwing up searchlight signals.”
“That’s our friends’ yacht—it must be!”
proclaimed the young man, darting forward and
resting one hand on the rail of the spiral stair
way. “Now, you see, if you will be good to us,
we shall not very long trespass on your pa
tience. ’ ’

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 141
“A schooner—a sailing craft—equipped with
a searchlight?” asked Jack, wonderingly.
The son flashed upon the submarine hoy a
look in which there was something of a scowl,
but he explained quickly:
“The boat has auxiliary power, and a com
plete electric light plant. Mr. Farnum, you’ll
steam toward that searchlight, won’t you? I
tell you, I am positive it is the boat of our
friends. ’ ’
“Well, I’ll put you where you want to he, of
course,” agreed the boathuilder, though he
spoke with some reluctance, for he realized that
some great mystery underlay this whole affair.
“Come up, Benson, and take the wheel,”
called Mr. Pollard. So Jack went up and out
on the deck, Eph following him, while Hal went
to the engine room to watch more of Grant An
drews’ work there. Jack threw on the speed
wheel, then steered north, while Eph threw the
searchlight skyward in the path of the approach
ing vessel.
Within fifteen minutes the two craft were in
sight of each other. Five minutes later they
were within hailing distance. The other craft
was a schooner of some eighty or ninety tons,
and was using an auxiliary gasoline engine.
It was Jack who sounded a signal on the auto
whistle for the other craft to lay to. Then Ben-

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142 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
son steered in closer, the two who had been res
cued standing not far from him on the platform
deck. The older man still clutched his satchel.
“Submarine, ahoy!” came a hail from the
schooner’s deck. “Is that you, Mr. Miller?”
“Ye-es,” hesitatingly admitted the older man,
at which Jacob Farnum smiled grimly, though
he said nothing. “Put off a boat and send it
alongside, will you!”
In a trice a boat was lowered from the
schooner. Manned by two sailors and steered
by a deck officer, the boat came alongside the
sloping hull of the torpedo boat.
“You weren’t expected in such a craft as this,
Mr. Miller,” called the deck officer in the stern
of the small boat, touching his cap.
“Never mind any conversation, my man,”
broke in young Miller, testily. “Lay right
alongside, and help get my father into your
boat. ’ ’
Hal and Eph helped in piloting Mr. Mil
ler over the side and getting him into the boat
alongside. Immediately afterwards the younger
man jumped into the small boat.
‘ ‘ Oh, you ’re going with your father, are you ? ’ ’
hailed Mr. Farnum.
“Yes,” replied the son, coolly, though with
another scowl. “A thousand thanks for your
kindness to us. Good-bye!”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 143
The small boat put off, making rapidly for the
schooner.
“Well, full speed ahead for Dunhaven, ” mut
tered Jacob Farnum. “But that’s the queerest
crowd I ever ran into. It’s uncanny, all the way
through. Somehow, I can’t shake off the im
pression that I’ve been engaged in some stealthy
or nasty work. ’ ’
The run back to port was without incident,
the submarine behaving perfectly on the surface.
Indeed, all aboard were highly delighted with
the new boat. Jack was still at the wheel as
they glided into the little harbor. Anchor was
dropped and power shut off for the night,
“You three boys may as well stay aboard for
the night,” suggested Mr. Farnum, as the night
watchman of the yard appeared, coming out in
a row-boat. “In fact, you may as well live
aboard, and use the pantry and galley for all
your meals.”
‘ ‘ Shall we keep watch through the night, sir ? ”
asked Jack.
“No need. Let the yard watchman do that.
It isn’t far from daylight. Get yourselves some
coffee in the galley, have a good rub-down,
spread your clothing to dry, and turn in in the
state-rooms.”
Grant Andrews went ashore with the builder
and the inventor. The first thing the submarine

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144 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
boys did was to start coffee in the galley. Next
they rubbed down, got into dry underclothing,
then sat down over their coffee.
For some minutes they discussed the mystery
of the night, making all manner of guesses. At
last, however, they lay down in the berths of the
state-rooms, and were soon sound asleep.
Nor did any of them wake until Jack opened
his eyes in the forenoon, when he heard some
one coming down the spiral stairway.
“You boys awake!” bellowed the wrathful
voice of Mr. Farnum. Instantly, almost, two
state-room doors were yanked open, while the
builder went on:
‘ ‘ Oh, that was a fine trick that was played on
us last night. As soon as I opened my eyes this
morning I telephoned to Sebogue. I got the
whole story. Arthur Miller is a defaulter to
the tune of a very large fortune. He must have
had the cash in that satchel. And he made us
tools of his! Made us aid him in his flight,
and put him beyond the reach of the law! Oh,
if I should ever get my hands on that rascal
again! 5 ’
It was plain that the boatbuilder was angry
all the way through. He stamped in a temper.
As quickly as the boys could get on their cloth
ing they came out to hear the rest of the story.
“Arthur-Miller,” resumed Mr. Farnum, an-

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 145
grily, “was supposed to be a rich man, and at
one time, no doubt he was. But he got into
speculate on. He was guardian of the fortune
of his orphaned niece, Grace Desmond, a very
sweet giil whom I’ve seen. Miller must have
lost some:of her fortune in his mad speculations.
At any rate, he tried fearfully hard to marry
his son, Fred, to her. I suppose he felt that if
Miss Desmond became his daughter-in-law she
couldn’t very well prosecute her faithless guard
ian. But Miss Desmond, who will be of age
in a few days, would have none of her cousin
Fred for a husband. She must have suspected
much, too, for she had engaged lawyers and ac
countants to go over the state of her affairs.
The whole party were at the house yesterday,
when Miller and his son slipped out and got
away in the son’s sloop. It is believed that Ar
thur Miller converted all the rest of his niece’s
fortune into cash, and arranged with the
schooner to pick him up in the night.”
“Then I think I understand, sir,” broke in
Jack, quietly, “how that sloop came to capsize.
I couldn’t understand that before. But the
Millers, father and son, must have figured that
the overturned sloop would be found, and that
they would be believed to have drowned. That
would shut off pursuit. So whichever of the
pair is a good sailor ”
JO— The Submarine Boys cm Duly.

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146 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“That’s the son, Fred,” interposed ’Mr. Far-
nnm, ,
1 ‘ Then Fred Miller, after fixing life preserv
ers on ,both of them, mnst have watched for his
chance at a good puff of wind, close-liauled on
the sheet and sent the boat over. That explains
why they weren’t very cordial with ns l.iast night.
Onr overhanling them prevented theii' being re
ported drowned accidentally.”
“Oh, confound them! Drat them!” roared
Mr. Farnnm. “Making me, and the rest of us,
accomplices of a dastardly defaulter. If I ever
run afoul of that crowd again—if I ever get
my hands on them—won’t I make them smart
for their trick! ”
Nor were the submarine boys much less angry
over the part they had all been made to play.
CHAPTER XIV
AN" UP-TO-DATE REVENGE
I N the days that followed, the need of work
drove away thoughts of the trick played
by the Millers.
Trip after trip was made out to sea, and under
the sea, in the “Pollard.” That fine little craft
was tested under every condition that could be
imagined, except that, of course, no torpedoes

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 147
were fired through her business-like bow tube.
The firing of torpedoes at sea belonged to the
Navy exclusively. Such a test could not be
made by a civilian trial crew.
By degrees the submarine boys outgrew every
trace of dread at finding themselves well under
the surface of the sea. Their confidence in the
fine abilities of the “Pollard” made them dar
ing to the point of recklessness.
Just once the boys did have strong occasion
to remember the Millers. That was when they
were ashore one night. Grace Desmond, the
despoiled heiress, who, as events proved,
was left without a dollar of her own, came
to Dunhaven to live with friends until she
could plan what she was to do to earn her
living.
The three boys were walking, in uniform, with
Mr. Farnura when that gentleman suddenly
asked them, in low tones:
“Do you see that young lady in white, walk
ing with the two old people, coming toward
us?”
“Yes,” Jack answered.
‘ ‘ That’s Miss Desmond. I feel like going into
a rage every time I see that poor girl. She was
heiress to eight hundred thousand dollars. The
lawyers believe that u Arthur Miller carried off
more than half a million in cash belonging to

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148 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
Miss Desmond. And we helped start him on
his journey. Confound the rascal!”
Grace Desmond was a beautiful girl, above
medium height, slender and dark. The simple
white gown that she wore displayed her beauty
at its best. Despite her fearful loss, when
the boys first caught sight of her, she was
smiling cheerily as she chatted with her elderly
friends.
Mr. Parnum and his young friends came to a
street corner just before they encountered Miss
Desmond and her companions. The builder
would have turned down the side street, but
Miss Desmond called to him. So he was obliged
to lift his hat and stand waiting until the girl
reached him.
“X want just a word with you, Mr. Parnum, ’ ’
began Miss Desmond. “It has come to me that
you are very much upset over having helped my
uncle to escape. I want to tell you how foolish
it is for you to be unhappy about it. You
weren’t in the least to blame. You did what
any other good-natured man would have done
under the circumstances. The only ones who
can be blamed for any part in the affair are the
two men from whom I had a right to expect the
most considerate treatment. But as for you,
Mr. Farnum, I beg that you will give my mis
fortune no further thought.”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 149
“That would be impossible,” protested the
builder.
“At least, never allow a thought of self-blame
to creep in again. Please don’t,” she added,
appealingly. Then, as though to change the
subject abruptly, she inquired:
“Are these the young men who handle the
‘Pollard?’ Present them to me, please.”
The boys were introduced, also, to Mr. and
Mrs. Scott, the elderly couple.
“Some time, Mr. Farnum, if it could be ar
ranged, I wish very much that you would invite
us to take a short trip aboard the submarine
boat. It will be the only chance of the kind
we’ll ever have.”
“I certainly shall invite you,” replied the
builder. “But,” he added, bitterly, “going
aboard the boat that played the strong part in
your undoing will be the nearest you will ever
come, I fear, to a trail of your missing money.
Pardon me”—Mr. Farnum choked suddenly—
“I can’t think of that night with patience.”
“And that is just what I want you to forget,
please,” hegged the girl, softly. Then she
added, with a laugh: “I’ll call a trip on the ‘Pol
lard’ settlement in full for any claim you may
think I have against you. ’ ’
“I’ll pay,” groaned Farnum, “but it won’t be
settlement even in part.”

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150 THE SUBMAEINE BOYS ON DUTY
When Miss Desmond and her friends had gone
on again Farnum clenched his hands, mutter
ing:
“The girl’s kindness only makes my savage
disgust with myself all the greater.”
“Why, she’s right in saying that you’re not
responsible in any way,” urged Jack.
“Boys, if you ever happen up with that ras
cal, or his scowling son, and if you choke either
one, and give him a sound beating, draw on me
for a thousand dollars. If you can ever do any
thing that leads to the recovery of Miss Des
mond’s money, draw on me for anything you
please!”
Two days later the promise to give Miss Des
mond a trip on the “Pollard” was kept. Mrs.
Scott would not go, but her husband did. The
girl even begged for a brief run under water,
and stood it bravely, though with some pallor
until she saw the sun once more shining in
through the conning tower.
By the time that trip was over the submarine
boys would have gone cheerily in the “Pollard”
through a sea of ink, blood or fire to serve the
unfortunate young woman.
Very soon after that Miss Desmond plucked
up sufficient courage to ask for the vacant posi
tion of typewriter in Mr. Farnum’s office, and
obtained it. She rapidly mastered the machine,

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 151
and, in the meantime, gave all her spare time to
the study of shorthand. She also learned to do
much work on the books. Jacob Famnm wonld
have made her post an easy one, bnt Grace Des
mond insisted that she had her way to make in
the world, and that she wanted to obtain a busi
ness training in the shortest time possible.
Although the “Pollard” went out every day,
over night she lay in the little harbor that
formed the sea-board part of the yard. At her
anchorage was a depth of seventy-five feet of
water.
The three boys now lived wholly aboard, but
it was dull there evenings, so after dark they
spent much of the earlier hours of the night
ashore.
‘‘ Going ashore with us to-night ? ’ ’ asked Hal,
one evening, after the meal had been disposed of
and the dishes washed and put away.
“Not to-night,” replied Jack Benson, with a
shake of his head. “I’m too much in earnest
about wanting to know all about the handling
of a submarine to waste all my leisure in fool
ing. See this book on mechanics? I’m going
to stay aboard and study it to-night, and see
how much of it I can get into my head. ’ ’
“Good luck to you,” laughed Eph. “If you
succeed, maybe we’ll stay on board to-morrow
night and let you be schoolmaster. But this

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152 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
was pay-day, and the ice-cream soda up in the
village fizzes good to me. ’ ’
As soon as they had gone, Jack placed his
book on the cabin table and drew np to it. Until
dark he plodded through the pages, then turned
on the electric light. Finding the book more
difficult of comprehension than he had expected,
he crouched over the volume, devoting his whole
attention to the first few pages. Nine o’clock
came and went. Half-past nine went by. Had
Benson heeded the time he would have con
cluded that his comrades had found village life
unusually alluring to-night.
Through the dark, quiet boat yard prowled a
man, pausing and listening every few steps, as
though bent on trying to keep out of the sight
of the night watchman.
It was Jack’s old enemy, Josh Owen, who, so
far, had cleverly kept out of the way of the offi
cers seeking him.
In some way Josh had learned that the other
two submarine boys were up in the village. The
lights shining from the interior of the sub
marine proved that someone was aboard. Hence
it must be Jack Benson.
Down at the water’s edge lay the “Pollard’s”
rowboat tender. A final survey satisfied Josh
Owen that the watchman was nowhere about.
An instant later the former foreman was in the

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THE SUBMAEINE BOYS ON DUTY 153
rowboat, handling the oars so quietly as to make
hardly any sound. Two or three minutes later
he was alongside the “ Pollard, ” stealthily mak
ing the painter fast to the deck rail. Then, in
his bare feet, Josh went softly up over the side.
At the manhole he crouched to peer below. He
could not see the boy, but the shadow told him
that Benson was sitting with his back to the
stairway.
A gleam of insane wickedness in his eyes—
for brooding had somewhat unbalanced the
former foreman’s mind—Josh Owen started
softly down the stairway.
Fancying he heard some slight, unusual
sound, Jack Benson turned. Too late! The
powerful ex-foreman leaped upon him, bearing
the boy to the floor and holding him there help
less.
“You little sneak, I’ve waited for this time!”
snarled Owen, hoarsely. “But now ”
Josh rolled the boy over, yanked a pair of
steel handcuffs from a rear pocket, and quickly,
despite Benson’s struggles, snapped them onto
the submarine boy’s wrists.
“Now, I’ve got ye!” he finished, his flaming
eyes close to Jack’s.
“For a little while,” jeered Benson, as calmly
as he could force himself to speak.
It was an unfortunate speech.

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154 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“Thank ye for warnin’ me that the time’s
short, ’ ’ chuckled the brute. With that he lifted
the boy, bore him back to a stanchion, and
swiftly tied him to it in a standing position.
“That’s all but the last thing I’ve got to do,”
pursued Josh Owen, drawing back. “Boy, ye
did yer worst for me, when ye had the chance.
And ye was the means of havin’ Danny locked
up. Mebbe Dan daggers did give me some
sleepin’ stuff, an’ maybe he did borry my own
share of the money from me; but, boy, ye never
knew how much store I set by Danny in spite o ’
some things. And now, he’s locked up tight,
thanks to you, an ’ the constables are chasin ’ me
from cover to cover, lookin’ for me everywhere.
Howsomever, this settles the account!”
Jack Benson’s heart seemed to stop beating
as he realized what the rage-crazed fellow was
up to.
Josh Owen deftly handled the mechanism that
opened the sea-valves to let water into the
diving tanks.
“I’m turnin’ the water in slow,” he an
nounced. “That’ll give me time to git away.
This is a divin ’ boat. WELL, DIVE IN HER! ’ ’

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 155
CHAPTER XV
THE COURAGE THAT RANG TRUE
I N that first awful moment after lie was left
alone, Jack Benson’s first feeling was that
it must all be an unbelievable dream.
Yet be knew tbat it was not. In bis frenzy
be tugged at tbe handcuffs, fougbt witb the
cords tbat bound him to tbe stanchion, but all in
vain.
Tbe sea-valves bad been opened only enough
to let tbe water in slowly. Almost at tbe out
set, however, tbe keel slanted downward, for
most of tbe water was coming into the tanks
near tbe bow of tbe boat.
“Help! Help, quick!” roared Benson at tbe
top of bis voice. Tbe side ports were not open,
but tbe manhole was, and tbe ventilators were
in place. The submarine boy shouted in tbe
hope tbat tbe night watchman might bear and
reach the scene in time to effect a rescue.
Tbe keel was still more slanting. At tbe
instant when the diving tanks held water
enough to overbalance tbe buoyancy of tbe craft
tbe “Pollard” was bound to take a sudden lurch
and go below.
Still fighting uselessly though frantically at

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156 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
the bonds that held him helpless in this terrible
crisis, Jack also kept np his yells.
The watchman did not hear. He was not near
enough. Josh Owen, having gained the shore
and hauled the rowboat up, fled a short distance,
then crouched in hiding, waiting to see the
effects of his terrible deed.
Only one other person was in the yard. Grace
Desmond, unknown to her employer, had come
to the office in the evening, bent on posting up a
set of books that were in her care.
She had finished her work, and was stepping
out into the yard, adjusting her hat, when she
heard one of those muffled appeals for help.
At the first sound she was not even sure of the
word, but something in the faintly-heard accent
claimed her attention. She stopped short, lis
tening intently.
“Help! Aboard the submarine!”
This time, though the appeal seemed to come
from a great distance, she distinguished the
words.
“Something wrong with the diving boat, and
someone aboard!” she thought, with a tugging
throb at the heart. Turning, she sped down to
the water’s edge.
“Help! help! The boat is sinking, and I’m
helpless aboard.”
She could see the bow slanting forward in the

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 157
water, and realized that all was wrong with the
torpedo boat, and with some hapless human be
ing aboard. In that instant Grace Desmond’s
courage rang true.
Espying the rowboat, she hounded into it,
snatching up an oar and pushing off. At home
on the water and skilled with oars, she pulled a
strong, rapid stroke until she lay alongside the
“Pollard.”
“Keep cool. Help is coming!” called the
girl, as she ran alongside. She caught at the
lower portion of the deck rail and drew herself
up. It was but an instant later when she went
gliding down the spiral stairway.
Then, all in a flash, she caught sight of Jack
Benson, lashed to the stanchion. She compre
hended, also, that whoever had tied the hoy in
this fashion must have thrown the sea-valves
partly open. That floor was fast becoming an
unsteady platform.
“You turn on the compressed air with a
wrench, don’t you?” she demanded, swiftly.
“Yes,” nodded the submarine hoy. Then
added, instantly:
“But you’re a woman. These risks are not
for you. Rush up through the manhole and
escape. There may be time. ’ ’
“Where’s the wrench? Tell me quickly,”
commanded Grace Desmond. “I can turn on

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158 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
tlie air more quickly th.au I can set you free to
do it.-”
“Yes,” breathed the hoy, rapidly, “because
I’m manacled, anyway. But save yourself, Miss
Desmond.”
“We must both go down if you don’t tell me
quickly where to find the wrench,” cried the
girl, stamping her foot with impatience.
Then Jack told her, only when he realized
that she would not save herself at his expense.
Fortunately, Josh Owen had overlooked secur
ing that wrench and throwing it overboard. In
another moment Miss Desmond had the imple
ment.
“The forward compressor, first,” Jack di
rected.
With a quick comprehension that asked only
bare details, Miss Desmond fitted the wrench
just where it should go.
“A hard turn forward,” called Benson.
The girl gave the twist, as directed, as hard a
turn as she could make. To her horror she
fancied the muscles of her wrist not quite equal
to the need of that dread movement. The floor
was slanting so that she was obliged to throw
out her left hand to clutch at a support in order
to hold herself up.
“Don’t try it any longer. Get overboard,
Miss Desmond, if there’s yet time. In heaven’s

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m
‘ Oh, For_a_Man’s Strength! ’ ’ She Cried.
: 159

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 161
name do!” begged Jack, in a horrified tone. *‘I
can stand going to the bottom if I don’t have to
drag yon down with me. Escape!”
“Not and leave a fellow hnman being here in
yonr plight,” retorted the girl qnietly, though,
with sublime heroism.
“But you can’t save me, anyway.”
“Then I’ll go down at my post, just as a man
would,” she retorted, throwing all her frantic
strength into her task. How she blamed herself
that her muscles were so weak!
“Please go! There may be time.”
“I’m not thinking of that. Oh, for a man’s
strength!”
Jack’s breath was bated. His dread for him
self was forgotten now, as he watched the efforts,
of this splendid girl.
“We’ll take the last plunge at any instant,
now!” screamed Jack Benson. “There may be
time for yovr-—
“Then there’ll be time for us both,” came the
undaunted answer. Grace Desmond did not
turn her head as she spoke, but Jack, his intense
gaze upon her, knew the light that was flashing;
in her eyes at this moment.
A sound above told the suhmarine boy the
worst. The water was gently rippling against
the edges of the platform deck. That told
him, all to plainly, how near the diving boat
II—The Submarine Boys on Duty.

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162 THE SUBMABINE BOYS ON DUTY
was to doing the work for which it had been
•built.
Could Jack have been close enongh to see
just why Grace was failing in her effort he
might have told her better just what to try
to do. Now, he tried to explain, rapidly.
The fault was not with her strength; there
was an exact knack needed in the nse of the
wrench.
On shore, in the yard, Josh Owen crouched
low in his place of concealment. He had failed
to prevent Grace from starting in the rowboat,
because, until it was too late, he did not believe
the plucky young woman had any such inten
tion.
“It’s too bad for the gal to go to the bottom,
too,” half sighed the raging one. “But she
shouldn’t meddle.”
Hal came swinging along down the street,
having left Eph Somers behind in the village.
Through the yard came young Hastings,
whistling. By instinct he turned to look at the
boat, and what he saw made him gasp, then leap
forward in the start of a sprint.
Straight down to the harbor’s edge he raced.
Then, seeing the rowboat adrift, Hal, after one
more look at the sinking submarine, leaped into
the water without stopping even to shed jacket
•or cap.

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TJIE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 1G3
Splash! In the same instant that lie sprang,
Josh Owen .jumped up.
“Come back here, or ye’ll wish ye had!”
raged the ex-foreman.
Hal Hastings heard, though he did not even
take the trouble to answer, hut struck out
frenziedly, for his chum’s calls for help now
rang in his ears.
There was the sound of a discharge, a sharp
split of tire from a weapon that Owen held in his
hand. A bullet struck the water just before
Hal’s nose, dashing the spray hack in his face.
“Come hack here, I tell ye!” raged the ex
foreman.
‘‘Josh Owen’s voice!” throbbed Hastings, but
he swam on with the strongest strokes of which
he was master. Then a succession of shots rang
out. Hal Hastings was in the gravest danger
he had ever been in.
Tim last sr.ooxn or Tin: lick or timu
011A 1’TElv XVI
D
ESTITK
Hal I las'iim.
MO wnwilr
.1 <
■id. mindm:.:
Hi- one 1dm,
submarine h<.;u 1
nan povmr
:ii

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164 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
to do so ere the boat, now. nearly all submerged,
took the final plunge below the waves.
Grace Desmond did not quit her post, nor
cease her heroic efforts to turn on the com
pressed air. Yet- she added her shrill shrieks
to Jack Benson’s lusty yells for help.
The sounds of the shots from the shore gave
them a momentary hope that help of some sort
was really on its way.
“It’s the last second or two, if you mean to
save us S” yelled Jack, at the top of his voice.
Bang! bang! Josh Owen fired two more
shots from his dangerous automatic revolver as
Hal caught at the rail of the boat.
“The last chance to save us!” repeated Jack.
“I know it,” came, breathlessly, as the drip
ping Hal dropped down the manhole. He
did not even wait to make use of the stairs.
By a fortunate impulse Grace Desmond fell
back as young Hastings appeared. Hal’s right
hand shot out, gripping the wrench. The “Pol
lard” gave a surge that all aboard believed to be
her final one.
Yet Hal hung to his post, resolved to go down
trying.
There was a hiss of compressed air. The
“Pollard” didn’t quite make the death plunge.
Then she seemed to go, 'ever so little, toward a
more level keel.

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THE SUBMABINE BOYS ON DUTY 165
“I—believe—I’ve got her!” cried Hal Has
tings.
A moment or two later be felt snre of it. He
gave a cbeer to ease bis pent-np feelings, tben
suddenly gasped:
“Jack, do yon know bow mncb compressed
air tbere is V 7
“No,” replied Benson, blankly.
“Heaven grant tbere’s enongb for wbat we
must do, ’ ’ prayed Hal, alond.
Tbere were two sbots over in tbe yard just
now. Tbe three young people beard tbe dis
charges, tbougb tbey paid no beed to them at
tbis critical instant.
Slowly tbe “Pollard” continued to regain
evenness of keel.
Tben Hastings, shifting tbe wrench to another
part of the compressed air apparatus, opened the
sea-valves of tbe amidships water tanks to ex
pel water.
Briefly, now, they knew that the “Pollard”
bad risen. Also, she was resting on an even
keel. Hal, bedewed with cold perspiration,,
darted up tbe stairs to tbe conning tower. He
looked out, and tbe first glance told him tbe 4 ‘ Pol
lard” was riding tbe water as she should.
“It’s all right—now,” he called down, with
a strong effort at calmness. “Jack, wbat on
earth happened that you bad to call for help?”

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166 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
Then he caught sight of his chum, lashed to
the stanchion. Hastings’s month went wide
agape with astonishment.
“Jack—how on earth—did Josh Owen ”
“Yes,” nodded Benson, quickly. “This was
his work. Get me free from this stanchion,
won’t you?”
Despite his elaborate effort at calmness Hal
Hastings shook so that it was some seconds be
fore he could get his knife from a pocket.
“Wait till I steady down,” Hal muttered,
grimly. “I’m afraid of stabbing you.”
At last, however, Hastings controlled his right
hand enough to feel safe in slashing the cords.
Jack, weak-kneed, stepped away from the stan
chion, though he was still handcuffed.
“Thanks, old fellow. That’s enough for the
moment,” said Jack, whose face was still ashen-
gray. “Miss Desmond ”
Both boys wheeled together to speak to that
splendid young woman. They paused with
their lips open. Grace Desmond could not have
heard them; she had fainted, lying inert across
one of the seats.
“She’s a brick—a wonder—clean grit,” broke
from Jack, softly, admiringly.
When Josh Owen saw Hal drop through the
manhole, and then saw the submarine’s dive ar
rested, he realized that it was time for instant

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 167
flight. Yet, as lie turned to dasli away, he found
himself confronting the muzzle of a revolver
held by the night watchman, who had been out
side the yard at a little distance, but whom Josh’s
firing had brought back on the run.
“Throw up your hands, Owen. You’re my
prisoner,” said the watchman, crisply.
But the ex-foreman much preferred being shot
to taken. Flourishing his weapon, he turned,
making a dash for the street gate.
. Then it was that the foreman fired the two
shots heard by the young people on the “Pol
lard.”
Both shots missed. Thereupon, the watchman
lowered his weapon and dashed after the fugi
tive.
Eph Somers, coming down the street to go
aboard, heard the shots.
“Me for a high roost, if there’s trouble.” ut
tered Somers, dryly. lie climbed the fence,
close to the gate. An instant later Josh Owen
darted out. As lie passed. Eph, with a fine eye,
measured the time, and dropped fairly a-straddle
of the fleeing one’s shoulders.
“Whoa, yon leg draft -hors<‘! ” chuckled Eph,
holding on to Owen’s head for grim life. Under
the weight and the unexpected shod: {lie ex
foreman sank to the sidewalk.
Had the night watchman continued the chase

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168 THE SUBMARINE BOYS OH DUTY
they would have had Josh Owen then and there
But the watchman, knowing that he was a poor
sprinter, and that Josh was a fast one, turned,
just inside the gate, to rush to the telephone
and notify the constable.
So Josh, on his hands and knees, after he re
covered from his first astonishment, found he
had only Eph to fight. Young Somers was all
grit when aroused, nor was he lacking in muscle.
But he was no match for Josh. There was a
brief, heated contest. Then Eph, dizzy from a
blow in the chest that winded him, staggered
back. Owen swiftly vanished in the darkness,
but Eph, when he got to his feet again, clutched
the empty revolver that he had twisted from
Owen’s hand.
So much racket of firearms on a still night
had aroused many people. It was not long be
fore there was a crowd at the yard. Mr. Far-
num was quickly on the scene. Soon after him
came David Pollard.
The rowboat was recovered and those on the
■submarine brought ashore. Grace Desmond’s
faint had been a short one; at the first dash of
water in her face she had come out of her swoou.
The handcuffs were quickly filed off Jack’s
wrists.
In the yard office as many persons as were ad
mitted heard a tale that made them feel creepy.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 169
“You splendid, brave girl!” cried Jacob Far-
num, patting Miss Desmond’s shoulder. Tben
be sent a man after a carriage to take the young
woman to the borne of ber friends.
That nigbt the yard’s owner made announce
ment of a reward of one thousand dollars for
Josh Owen’s capture—dead or alive.
“That fellow has proved himself more dan
gerous than an ordinary lunatic, and he knows
too much about submarine boats for my com
fort. He’s even capable, some dark night, of
putting a mine under the ‘Pollard’ big enough
to destroy her at anchorage. ’ ’
“We’ll have to keep deck watch through the
night, then,” proposed Jack Benson.
“Very well, Captain. I put you in com
mand,” smiled Mr. Far num.
“I can keep a sharp lookout without the title
of captain,” responded the submarine boy.
“But you are going to be in charge of the
boat—at least until she’s sold to the Govern
ment or consigned to the junk-heap. So why
not be captain from now on?”
Thus it was settled, off-hand. Jack flushed
with delight. Had it been possible for him to
be more loyal, or devoted to the interests of
the builder, he would have been from that
moment.
Jack took his own first deck-watch that night,

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170 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
dividing the remaining time np to six o ’clock be
tween Hal and Eph.
In the morning captain and crew had hardly
more than finished breakfast when Jacob Ear-
nnm and Mr. Pollard came off from shore in
the tender. Both looked highly pleased about
something.
“I haven’t mentioned anything abont this be
fore,” annonnced the builder, “but I’ve been
pulling some strong wires at Washington for
some time. As a resnlt I’ve just received orders
from the Navy Department to attend the sum
mer manoeuvres of the fleet at Cape Adamson.
We’re to have our trial by the Government
there. ’ ’
“How soon do we start?” cried Jack, eagerly.
“We’ll start this afternoon, so as to be in
plenty of time. It’s only about a seven hours’
run for us, though, and we’re not expected at
Cape Adamson before to-morrow evening. Can
you be ready, Captain?”
“Why, there’s nothing to do, sir, but to take
aboard more gasoline and water. We can do
that in an hour. ’ ’
“We’11 drop out to sea, then, about five o’clock
this afternooe,” decided Mr. Parnum, as he and
the inventor rose. “Don’t get flurried about
anything, Captain Benson.”
“Be very sure I won’t, sir,” replied Jack,

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 171
earnestly. “And we’ll be ready to start at the
stroke of five. But I’ve been thinking, sir, and
there’s one question I want to ask. Does Grant
Andrews go with ns ? ”
“No,” replied Mr. Farnnm, dropping his
voice. “I need Grant for other work. The
first hint I get at Cape Adamson that we have
a. winner in the way of a submarine, I’m going
to wire Andrews to start laying the keel for
another. He has his orders, and knows what
may be coming..”
“We really ought to have a fourth member
of the crew, sir,” explained Captain Jack, “if
we’re to keep watch and perhaps run on long
trips. ’ ’
“I’ll see if I can get someone who’ll be any
good to us,” nodded Mr. Farnum, seriously.
Then he and the inventor went ashore, leaving
the young captain to the leisurely task of fitting
for sea service.
The news that the “Pollard” was going to
attend the naval manoeuvres at Cape Adamson
soon became noised about Dunhaven, for Mr.
Farnum saw no reason for holding back the na
ture of his orders from Washington. It was
not long before groups of people gathered on
the shore, on either side of the boat yard, to gaze
with increased interest at the grim, mysterious
looking submarine.

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172 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
Before one o ’clock Mr. Farnum put off in the
tender with a stranger, a swarthy, stalwart, al
most gigantic looking man of about forty.
“I’ve got yon just the man yon want, Cap
tain,” called the bnilder, joyously, as he came
aboard. “Captain, this is Bill Henderson, late
boatswain’s mate, of the United States Navy.
He knows all about our line of work, for his pa
pers show that he has served aboard various
submarine torpedo craft belonging to the Gov
ernment. He’s a crack helmsman, a navigator,
and knows all about our kind of machinery.”
During this introduction Henderson had
saluted and scraped. He now stood at atten
tion.
“The youngest captain I’ve ever sailed under,
sir,” he said to Jack. “But I’m satisfied you
know the business, or Mr. Farnum wouldn’t have
given you the berth. At your orders, sir. ’ ’
After Mr. Farnum had returned to shore Ben
son put his new hand through a searching quiz.
If there was anything Boatswain’s Mate Hen
derson did not know about submarine boat work,
then the young captain was not able to find out
what it was.
“Bill Henderson ought to be captain, not I,”
whispered Jack to his chum.
“If Mr. Farnum didn’t find that out for him
self,” replied Hal, dryly, “don’t tell him.”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS 0N DUTY 173
“This man Henderson is certainly a jewel for
us,” nrarmured Captain Jack.
At the moment the three hoys were standing
on the platform deck, while Henderson was
stowing his limited baggage away below.
“Now, Cap, take this from me,” muttered
Eph, with the air of a wiseacre. “When a man
seems a cracker jack at anything, and doesn’t
have as good a position as yon think he ought to
have, keep your eye on him. ’ ’
“For what?” asked Captain Jack, smilingly.
“Oh, just to see what turns out to be wrong
with the fellow.”
“What can be wrong with Henderson?”
“I didn’t say anything was, did I?” queried
Eph Somers.
“And I don’t believe anything can be,” re
sponded Jack Benson, hopefully. “Mr. Far-
num has looked over the man’s Navy discharge
papers, and Mr. Farnum isn’t an easy one to
take in.”

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174 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
CHAPTER XVII
m THE GEIP OP HORROR
B EFORE five o’clock that afternoon Dnn-
liaven lined the water front. That is
to say, fnlly five hundred people of the
little seaport town were on hand. The “Pol
lard” was a local enterprise. If the great
United States Government expected to buy the
boat, the people of the village wanted to be on
hand and give a rousing send-off to a home
made craft that might yet be destined to become
famous.
Cheer after cheer went up. Hats, parasols
and handkerchiefs were waved.
“I don’t know,” growled one old salt in the
shore throng. “If it was a human sort of craft,
meant to ride the waves as a good ship should,
I’d have more faith in her. I’m afraid that
boat’ll go to the bottom one o’ these days, an’
forgit to come up again.”
The old salt was promptly voted a croaker.
Hadn’t the “Pollard” been given abundant tests
by her crew? Had she failed to come up yet?
So the cheering redoubled when Captain Jack
came up on the platform deck, followed by the
builder and the inventor.

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THE SUBMABINE BOYS ON DUTY 175
“Thank yon, my friends!” shonted Jacob
Faranm, making a trumpet of his hands. “We
all thank yon! Now, Captain Benson, make as
handsome a flying start as yon can.”
Jack already stood by the wheel, where he
could reach all the controls. Down below the
gasoline motor throbbed, making the hull vi
brate. Power had been ready for the last ten
minutes.
Captain Jack moved the speed wheel around
to the six-mile notch. The twin propellers aft
began to churn the water lazily, causing the
“Pollard” to slip away from her moorings.
Ere they had gone a hundred yards Jack swung
on much more speed. By the time that the
submarine reached the mouth of the little har
bor she was traveling at eighteen miles an hour,
her bow nosing into the waves and throwing up
a fine spray, some of which reached the plat
form deck. Astern, her propellers were tossing
the water into a milky foam. Truly, she made
a gallant sight!
For half a mile Captain Jack kept out to
sea. Then he turned the craft’s nose north
ward. For another hour the “Pollard” was
kept at the same speed, behaving handsomely.
Then Captain Jack turned the wheel over to
big Bill Henderson, going below to have his
supper with builder and inventor.

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176 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“As soon as the other watch have had sup- -
per,” proposed Mr. Farnnm, “I think, Captain,
we’ll drop fifty feet below the surface and run
for an hour or more. The Navy men will want
an even sterner test than that. We want to
make sure that everything ahont the craft is run
ning at the top notch of perfection. A fortune
for Bollard, and another for myself, are at stake
on what we show the Navy in the next three
days.”
“Oh, we can easily show them anything that
any submarine craft can do,” smiled Jack Ben
son, confidently. * 1 And I’m certain we can show
the Navy officers an ease of handling that
isn’t reached by any other submarine in the
world.”
“It’s a good thing to have a confident cap
tain,” smiled David Pollard. “A confident
captain, aboard a reliable boat, spells victory.”
When the meal was over Captain Jack went
back above to the wheel. There was no moon
this night, but the stars shone brightly over the
water. It was a warm night, with a gentle
breeze, and only the gentlest swell to the water.
The “Pollard” had been slowed down to twelve
miles an hour, but there was still speed enough
for the motion to be exhilarating.
“Oh, it’s great to be captain of probably the
most powerful and dangerous sea-terror in the

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 177
world!” throbbed the boy, looking up at the
stars. “How little I dreamed of tbis, a few
months ago!”
“Going to be ready, now, for the dive and
the hour’s run under water, captain?” inquired
Mr. Farnum, coming up on deck.
“In about ten minutes, sir,” replied Jack,
pointing forward over the port bow, “we’ll be
abreast of Point Villars light. Why not dive
just abreast of that light? It will give us a
starting point to reckon our run from.”
“A good idea,” nodded Mr. Farnum, and just
then David Pollard came up from below. Both
stood watching the young commander for some
moments.
“Captain,” remarked the inventor, “you han
dle the boat as easily as though you had been
doing this sort of thing for years. You must
have had some practice aboard rather good-
sized craft?”
“Never anything much bigger than a thirty-
foot gasoline boat,” Jack replied. “In the old
days, sir, a young sailor had to begin with a row
boat, go on to a cat-boat, and so work on up un
til he could handle a full-rigged ship. That’s
where the change has come with to-day’s gaso
line boats. A fellow who learns to run a twenty-
foot gasoline launch can just as easily handle
a big gasoline yacht of any size. The new style
xa— The Submarine Boys on Duty.

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178 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
of power saves a heap of time in the learning,
■sir. ? ’
Captain Jack was now nearing a line abreast
of the Point Villars light. He watched keenly.
At last, when just abreast, he shonted down
through the manhole:
“Shut off the gasoline power. Stand ready
to tnrn on the electric power. Get ready to dive.
Henderson, take the steering wheel in the con
ning tower.”
Less than sixty seconds later the ventilators
had been taken in, the manhole cover was made
fast, and all were below, save Bill Henderson,
who sat at the tower wheel, before him an elec
tric lighted compass.
“Henderson,” called Captain Jack, “steer
north by northeast, one point off north.”
“Aye, aye, sir,” came from the seaman in
the conning tower.
“Hold fast! Make ready to diye!” called
the yonng captain.
Then, at the signal, Hal Hastings turned open
the sea-valves into the diving, tanks. Down shot
the “Pollard,” the young captain standing by
the gauge to watch until they were fifty feet
below.
“On even keel!” he shouted. Quickly the
submarine regained her even keel, and ran along
.at eight miles an hour. Captain Jack Benson

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 179
read the gauge once more, to make sure that
they were fifty feet below the surface.
“.And now, we’ve nothing to watch but the
clock, until our hour is up, ’ ’ he laughed, drop
ping onto one of the seats and stretching.
‘ ‘ Somehow, I notice none of us are as nervous as
we were the first time this diving machine went
down with us. ’ ’
With the electric fans running it was cool
and comfortable there, and the air, as pure as
that above the ocean until the point of diving,
would last for some time without renewing.
With no wind or wave to buffet, and the
steady electric power running the propeller
shafts, the sensation was almost that of being
aboard a boat at rest.
After they had run along thus, for a few min
utes, Eph went up to take the wheel. As Bill
Henderson came down below the young skipper
noticed a bright gleam in the seaman’s eyes,
though he thought little of it.
Henderson went forward into the engine room,
stretching himself out on the leather cushion of
one of the seats.
“Ever run on a smoother boat than this be
low the surface, Henderson?” inquired Captain
Jack, looking in through the engine room door.
“All submarines are alike to me, sir,” replied
Henderson, rather shortly.

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180 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“I guess lie’s been too long at the business to
have any enthusiasm left, if lie ever had any,”
muttered Benson to himself, and returned to the
group in the cabin.
"When one is accustomed to the life, and there
is confidence in the boat, the main sensation
when running along below the water’s surface
is one of great monotony. All one can possibly
see is the interior of the boat and the persons of
his comrades. The longer the run below water
is continued the more pronounced does the feel
ing-of monotony become. A well equipped sub
marine torpedo craft should be easily capable of
running twenty-four hours continuously below
the water, but the long continued monotony of
such a length of time below would be almost cer
tain to drive the officers and crew to a high pitch
of nervous tension. Indeed, it is doubtful
whether men of ordinary nervous powers could
stand such a strain.
Before fifteen minutes had passed Jacob Far-
num began to tell funny stories to make the time
seem to pass more quickly. After ten minutes
he gave this up, for he realized his hearers were
becoming bored.
“"Whew!” sighed Pollard. “An hour below
the surface is certainly as long as twenty-four
hours can be anywhere else!”
“I shall be glad when the hour is up,” ad-

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 181
mitted Captain Jack, candidly. Yet no one pro
posed cutting the time short by returning to the
surface sooner.
Hal Hastings climbed up into the conning
tower to take tbe trick at tbe wheel for the last
twenty minutes. Indeed, occupation of any sort
helped to kill some of the time.
“I believe,” laughed Jacob Farnum glancing
about him, “we all feel just about as though we
had lost confidence in the ‘Pollard V ability to
rise when the time comes.”
From the engine room came a burst of sea
man’s song. Bill Henderson was loudly croon
ing some ditty. Although the listeners could,
not make out the words, the song had a grue
some sound that made one’s flesh want to creep.
“Shall I tell him to stow that noise?” asked
Captain Jack.
“No,” replied Mr. Farnum, though he made a
grimace. “If it cheers the fellow any let him
have his melody.”
Presently Henderson was singing another
song. Those in the cabin paid little heed until
the sailor’s voice roared out the couplet:
Down below went the good brig Mary!
She was heard from again—nary!
“Say, that’s fine!” muttered Eph Somers, in
an undertone loaded with sarcasm.

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182 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
The seaman’s voice reached them now in a
hnshed undertone of murmnred song. Later it
swelled out into this gruesome forecastle re
frain :
Where the sharks go to pray,
And the dead men lay—
Where the crabs crawl to bite,
And the eels
“Henderson!” rang the young captain’s voice
sharply.
“Aye, aye, sir!” came a growl from the
engine room.
“Save that song for the deck watch. We
want to hear the clock tick. ”
“Aye, aye, sir.”
The seaman was as good as his word. No
more of the awesome ditty floated hack from
him.
The time yet to remain below surface nar
rowed down to ten minutes, then to five. At
last, tick by tick, the time wound by until the
full hour of submergence had been finished.
“Henderson!” shouted Captain Jack, leaping
to his feet, “stand by to empty the water
banks! ’ ’
“Aye, aye, sir!” responded the big sailor,
coming out of the engine room. He went to the
proper rack, then turned to ask:
“Where’s the wrench, sir?”

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 183-
“Why, there in its rack, of course,” cried
Captain Benson, leaping forward. “You’re
looking at it.”
“I’m looking at the rack, sir, hut I don’t see
no wrench, sir, ’ ’ replied Henderson, calmly.
“What’s that? The wrench mislaid?” de
manded Jacob Farnnm, also leaping forward
and staring with dismayed eyes into the rack.
“Oh, it has dropped—somewhere—or—been
mislaid. ’ ’
In another instant there was a frenzied search
for that invaluable wrench, without which the
“Pollard” could not he brought to the surface.
So frantically did they search that they fre
quently got in each other’s way. Hal Hastings
shut off the speed and came tumbling down be
low to aid.
“Don’t get excited, friends,” begged Jacob
Earnum, in a voice that shook. “Of course
we’re going to find the wrench. It’s aboard—■
somewhere—of course it is. Now, let’s begin a
systematic search.”
Tn a short time every conceivable nook and
corner had been explored. Though it seemed
absurd that the wrench should he lost, yet a
fearful conviction began to settle down over the:
startled ones that it would not be found in time.
Even the breathing air of the “Pollard’s” in
terior could not he renewed without the wrench.

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184: THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
Though, each strove to conceal his feelings from
the others, grim horror soon had them all in its
grip.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE LAST GASP OF DESPAIR
“"IT CAN’T realize it yet, or believe it. It
I can’t he true,” shuddered David Pol-
lard.
“We surely did,” asserted Captain Jack.
“Could you swear that you have seen the
wrench since we sailed?” asked Jacob Earnum,
white-faced hut cool.
“I—I can’t quite say as to that,” replied Ben
son, slowly. “But I will swear that I remember
having seen it just a few minutes before we
started. ’ ’
“A feiv minutes—only?” insisted the builder.
“Yes, sir. I’m positive.’’
“For that matter,” continued the builder,
“there has been no one on hoard to-day save
those who belong aboard.”
“No; no one but ourselves has been on the
boat to-day. ’ ’
“None of us would throw it overboard, know
ing how precious a tool it is,” declared Mr. Far-
num, glancing about him bewildered. “It was

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 185
hardly possible to mislay such a thing by acci
dent. Where on earth can it be, then?”
Again all hands started to hunt. Henderson
was the first to sink to a seat as a sign that he
gave up the search. The others barely glanced
at him, so intent were all on the hunt that meant
their only chance for life.
Yet at last they all sat down, panting, perspir
ing.
“Good heavens!” quivered the inventor.
“We must soon begin to think of our very breath
here. We can’t exert ourselves as we have been
doing. Whoever moves now, let him remember
that he is using up the very life of others in the
act of breathing! ’ ’
All but devoid of hope, they all remained sit
ting. At first they studied the floor, gloomily.
At last they looked up, to read each other’s
faces. No hope was to be seen in any coun
tenance.
“Thank heaven the electric light doesn’t eat
up air,” shuddered Hal Hastings, at last. “It
would be fejErful to be alive—conscious—after it
had become dark!”
“Don’t!” shivered David Pollard, con
vulsively.
“Come, come, old chap,” urged Farnum, lay
ing p, hand on his friend’s arm, “you are not
going to lose your courage % ’ ’

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186 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
“I feel as if I ought to bear the whole punish
ment/ ’ groaned the inventor, covering his eyes
with his hands. “It was I who invented this
wretched boat!”
“But you didn’t lose the wrench, or mislay
it,” broke in Eph Somers, with the intention of
consoling.
“Who did mislay it?” pondered Captain
Jack aloud. “If we could only settle that
point, it might start us on the right track to
finding the thing yet. For, of course, it’s on
hoard. 7 ’
The certainty that the wrench must he some-
where on the boat brought all to their feet,
though this time they rose slowly, almost pain
fully.
After a few minutes the search became list
less. At Hal’s suggestion, made with a wan
smile, each even searched through his own bag
gage. Pantry and galley were patiently ran
sacked.
“I’ve heard of such things being lost before,
in the simplest way, and defying all search for a
long time,” mused Hal, aloud. “It may be the
same with that precious wrench. But the dif
ference, this time, is that we shan’t be here long
to wait for it to turn up unexpectedly. ’ ’
Farnum dropped into a seat again, and that
started the rest, until all had taken seats. From

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 187
one to another, dumb, moody looks were passed.
Each was wonderingly asking himself the same
question that none would have thought of fram
ing in words. How much longer could the air
last in a pure enough condition to sustain six
lives ?
Eph Somers chuckled, absently, then looked
up, startled and ashamed. The others gazed at
him, comprehendingly. Each knew that Eph
was thinking how idiotic it was for six human
beings to sit, in perfect health, waiting until the
soiling of the air about them killed them all. It
was a terrible thought; Eph’s mirth was of the
hysterical kind.
Finally, after some minutes had passed, Jack
Benson dragged himself to his feet.
He was amazed, at first thought, to find out
how every joint and muscle in his body ached.
He felt as weary as though he had been without
sleep for a month.
Then he understood. The dreadful lassitude
was caused by the withdrawing of the life-giv
ing oxygen from the air. The oxygen was still
there, but combined with the carbon from lungs
and blood to form carbonic acid gas, which, in
large quantities, is fatal to life.
When Jack moved about now, feeling, dully,
as though a cane on which to lean would be a
great boon, the others got to their feet with evi-

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188 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
dent effort and joined in one more despairing
search.
This hnnt ended as the others had done, only
more quickly. The only places into which they
had been able to look for the missing wrench
were the same places that had been vainly ex
amined twice before.
This time it seemed to cause pain even to sit
down. How much longer could the torment
last, ere death came mercifully to their relief?
“It seems as though I ought to reach out my
hand and lay it on the wrench, ’ 7 muttered Cap
tain Jack Benson, to Henderson, next to whom
he found himself sitting.
The former boatswain’s mate smiled a ghastly
smile, his eyes glowing bright like coals. Jack
turned, with a shiver, away from the strange
glint in the big fellow’s eyes.
“Friends,” said Mr. Farnum, presently, “we
may as well realize the whole situation, and
agree to face it like men. We can’t find the
wrench. Wherever it is, we are not going to
find it. The little breathable air that is left us
here is not going to last more than a few min
utes. We will not waste any more of that air in
getting up to make useless searches. Let us he
as calm as possible. Perhaps each man had
better look down at the floor, and so continue to
look. At the end—the end!—let no one, I beg

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THE SUBMABINE BOYS ON DUTY 189
o£ yon, raise Ms eyes to witness the final suffer
ings of any comrade.”
There was an awed pause.
“Is that agreed to?” asked Parnnm, hnskily.
“Yes,” came in hoarse whispers.
There was another long silence—long as time
must now he measured, for a breath, now, was
as long as an hour on the surface.
It was big Bill Henderson who spoke next.
“Gentlemen,” he announced, “the lord of
battles and of spring flowers and breezes is dis
pleased with us. He is taking this method to
punish us as we deserve. Yet in that punish
ment we shall find pardon, too. Though we suf
fer now, we shall know joy when this life is
ended. ’ ’
Somehow, the speech stirred up resentment in
the minds of the hearers.
“Could any death be more glorious?” de
manded the seaman. “We are blessed with the
privilege of serving as our own sacrifices! ’ ’
“The poor chap’s mind is going first,” whis
pered Mr. Farnum, pityingly, to Captain Jack.
“I don’t understand what he’s talking
about,” whispered Benson.
“Don’t be surprised at that. Neither does he
know,” muttered Jacob Farnum.
“Are you jesting or mocking,” broke in Hen
derson, half-angrily, ‘ ‘ at the very moment when

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190 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
you should be getting ready for the glory of giv
ing the last gasp of despair?”
‘ ‘ Give the last gasp, if you want to, ’ ’ retorted
Eph, with savage irony, “and let us sit here in
peace.”
“Can anyone think,” suggested Jack, “of
any possible place in which we have not yet
looked for that wrench?”
“I’m—too—tired to—think,” drowsed Hal
His voice startled the others. Now, that they
came to examine their own conditions a hit more
keenly, they began to understand that they, too,
were fast sinking into a drowsy state.
Was the coming end, too, to he painless?
“There’s no use looking,” replied Jacob Far-
num, in answer to Jack’s question. “There
isn’t a single place left to explore. We ”
Whether Mr. Farnum thus broke off because
he had lost his thought, or whether he dreaded
to say the omitted words, none of the others
even troubled to guess.
Bill Henderson started in to sing. There
were a few angry gasps of protest until the
others slowly realized that the air sounded like
that of some hymn. The words, however, were
in a foreign tongue, picked up in the course of
the seaman’s wanderings over the world.
Then their resentment softened. If Bill pre
ferred to meet the end with a hymn on his lips,

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 191
perhaps that was the hest thing for all of
them.
It crept over them, now, that they felt choking
sensations, with pain and buzzing in their ears.
Then the end mnst he near. Unconscionsness,
at any rate. That loss of the senses wonld he
the end, so far as any of them conld know.
“Now, give thanks with yonr last real
thoughts,” cried Bill, hoarsely. “Gentlemen
■—this is—glorious! We’re going fast! The
last—croak—is upon us! Good—bye!” .
CHAPTEB XIX
JACK STRIKES THE KEY TO THE MYSTERY
“ T^V OWN below! Down, down, down! ’ ’
I J croaked Bill Henderson.
He pointed below, with one fore
finger, laughing wildly. The others, sure that
the seaman had lost his mind under the crush
ing force of the catastrophe, felt pity for him,
though the man’s actions and words also helped
to increase their own terror.
To cap the climax Henderson got painfully
to his feet and tried to dance a jig. That was
carrying things too far in the then state of mind
of the rest of the company.
“Henderson, confound you,” cried Captain

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192 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
Jack, half savagely, as he rose, “keep quiet and
sit down! Act like a man. You ”
To emphasize his order the young captain
pushed against the seaman’s breast, intent on
shoving him into a seat. Just as he did so, Cap
tain Jack paused aghast, for an instant. Then
he shouted hoarsely:
“Friends, I’ve found the wrench!”
That brought them all to their feet, while Bill
Henderson snarled in sudden rage.
“This man has it hidden away in the inside
pocket of his coat!” cried the young captain of
the “Pollard.” “Help me to take it away from
him while we’ve enough life left to act! ’ ’
With another snarl Bill Henderson crouched,
in the attitude of a football player, to meet the
impending assault.
Five of them swarmed upon him, from all
sides. Had not all of them been near to dying
from air starvation the conflict would have been
a savage one. As it was, the fight, although a
relatively weak one, was as strenuous as any of
the combatants could make it.
Henderson, ordinarily a powerful brute capa
ble of fighting three or four ordinary men, still
endeavored to do his very best.
Back and forth they fought, rolling over each
other, and every moment burning up more and
more of the air that was left to them.

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Jack Snatched the Wrench from the Seaman’s Pocket.
193
Bolnot me Boys on Duty.

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! i! i
i
L

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 195
Yet at last Captain Jack, aided by the others,
succeeded in snatching the wrench from the sea
man’s inner pocket.
“Hold him,” cried Benson, getting weakly
np, tottering over to one of the compressors.
“Give me a minute—and some—strength—and
I’ll give us a taste—of real air.”
Desperately he fitted the wrench, tried to give
it a sufficient turn, and could not.
“I’ll help you,” hoarsely croaked dying Hal,
reaching out and getting the weight of his hands
also on the wrench. Never before had either
boy struggled so desperately hard for anything.
At last it yielded, ever so little. There was a
hiss of escaping compressed air.
Then they got a taste of it. Oh, how nectar
like that air was! Renewed strength began to
course through their arteries and to creep into
their muscles. Two deep breaths apiece, and
then Jack and Hal succeeded in making a good
turn. A moment later they were able to make
another twist, that set the pneumatic apparatus
in operation to expel the bad air through sea-
valves.
But Bill Henderson, too, was reviving. Ut
tering hoarse cries of rage that sounded won
derfully more powerful, now, he fought his
three captors to get upon his feet.
There was no help for it. Captain Jack had

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196 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
to dart over and tap the fellow on the head
with the wrench. Then Bill was qniet long!
enough to make it possible for Mr. Famum
to hurry after a pair of the handcuffs that
were a part of ship’s stores. These were,
snapped over the seaman’s wrists just before
he came to.
“Now, we won’t have to hurt him,” muttered
Jack, compassionately. “He’s a maniac, poof
chap, or he’d never have done such a thing as
try to condemn us all, himself included, to death
in the depths by asphyxiation.”
“He’s a maniac, sure enough,” commented
Mr. Farnum. “But how on earth did I ever
get trapped into hiring such a fellow as. one of
the crew ? Confound him, he seemed sane enough
until after we came below the surface. ’ ’
“And now, sir,” nudged Captain Jack, “I
think we’d all of us be thankful enough for a
glimpse of the surface—for a look at the stars—■
a breath of real ocean breeze.”
“Good enough,” nodded the boat-builder.
“Travel right to it!”
Though all were weak and trembly from the
shock of their late experience, there was strength
enough in their combined force to handle the
“Pollard” promptly.
"While Messrs. Farnum and Pollard sat over
the prostrate Henderson, handcuffed on the

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 197
floor, Hal flurried to tfle engine room, wflile
Captain Jack climbed up into tfle conning tower.
Epfl Somers stood near tfle two men and tfleir
captive, ready to respond to any call.
But Henderson, now tflat flis maniacal rage
bad passed, was sobbing quietly. He seemed
spent, exhausted.
It was witfl a thrill tflat tfle young captain
of tfle submarine touched tfle control for speed
ahead from tfle electric equipment. Then he
looked at flis compass, finding tflat tfle boat,
from a northerly heading, had veered around
almost east. As tfle boat went ahead, softly, 1
Benson put tfle course around to north. Then
he called to Hal and Epfl to empty tfle diving
tanks by degrees.
“Going up on even keel?” asked young Has
tings.
“Surest thing I know,” replied the young
captain.
Though there was not much motion, all felt
tfle boat gradually rising. Then Captain Jack
suddenly caught tfle greater comparative light
of tfle night above tfle water. Next, he caught
sight of tfle blessed stars. But he did not stop
tfle work of Hal and Epfl until tfle boat rode
well up out of tfle water.
“Now, come up and get tfle manhole open,”
called tfle young skipper. “Let’s all have a no-

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198 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
tion again of how it feels to stand in the open
air.’’
Messrs. Farnnm and Pollard had, by this time,
completed the captivity of Bill Henderson hy
wrapping around him and securing many and
many a turn of half-inch rope.
As the manhole was opened Captain Jack
stepped ont, taking the deck wheel. The others,
all except the prisoner, crowded ont after him.
Thns they ran along for a mile or two, ’under
the slower electric power.
“That crazy fellow,” nttered Jacob Farnnm,
“had some mania on his mind that we were all
great sinners, and that he’d save the whole lot
of ns hy killing ns nnder water. ’ ’
“It seems strange,” mattered Hal, “for even
a crazy man to have the nerve to destroy him
self slowly in snch a way.”
“Hnmph, no; nothing new in that line,” re
turned Mr. Farnnm.
“What are we going to do with him, sir!” in
quired Captain Jack.
“Well, we’re not going to turn in at any of
the coast towns to give him up,” replied the
builder. “We’ll keep right along until we join
the fleet, and then we’ll ask the advice of some
naval officer.”
When, at last, all had become accustomed to
the world to which they had returned, Hal and

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 199
Eph went below, to turn on the gasoline power.
In a short time the “Pollard” was kicking the
water at the exhilarating gait of eighteen miles
an hour.
‘ ‘ How did it come, sir, that yon made it eight
een miles, instead of knots'?” asked Captain
Jack, after a while.
“Why, that’s the basis on which gasoline en
gines are built,” replied Mr. Farnnm. “For
that matter, captain, when we’ve had more prac
tice with this boat we’ll tnne the engine np to
eighteen full knots an honr. In the second boat
we are going to try for an assnred speed of
twenty-two to twenty-fonr knots.”
“It seems to me,” said Jack, musingly, “that
the ideal submarine torpedo boat ought to have
a speed of from twenty-eight to thirty-five
knots.”
“Why?”
11 So that the speed of the submarine boat shall
always be ahead of the speed of any battleship
afloat. ’ ’
“Again, why?”
“Why, so that the submarine can give effec
tive chase to a battleship.”
“But submarines are intended only to go with
fleets of their own country, or else to remain on
station at or near the mouths of harbors to be
defended. ’ ’

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'200 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
• “AH well and good,” argued Captain Jack,
nodding. “In future wars a battleship fleet is
likely to keep away from any harbor known
to be defended by the enemy’s submarine boats.
But, if a submarine torpedo boat could have
speed enough to give chase to a fleeing battle
ship, and sink when within range of the battle
ship’s guns, yet still be able to pursue, under
water, and destroy the battleship, that would
mean the day when battleships wouldn’t be of
any further use, wouldn’t it?”
‘ ‘ Undoubtedly, ’ ’ admitted Mr. Farnum. * * But
you see, captain, so far as present human in
genuity goes, a boat can’t be built to sail as fast
under water as another can be made to go on
the surface. ’ ’
“But that’s the problem I’m going to tackle,
as soon as I get our plans a little further along,”
murmured David Pollard, eagerly. “Benson
is right. When we get a submarine boat that
can pursue the fastest battleship, on the surface
or below it, then the United States, with a hun
dred such submarines, could defy the combined
naval powers of the world. If the United States
can own a large fleet of such boats, then we can
control the seas of the world.”
No more attempts at diving were made on the
trip. The horror of that last dive remained with
all, safe as they now were.

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 201
All the way tlie “Pollard,” though well out
from shore, ran within sight of the light-houses.
Shortly before two o’clock in the morning
Captain Jack Benson, again at the deck wheel,
steered in for the light at Cape Adamson. He
was going at slow speed as he rounded the point
and headed in for the hay.
“Be careful how you go, captain, and be on
the alert to obey signals,” cautioned Mr. Far-
num. “We’ve got to thread our way into a per
fect hornet’s nest of war craft. A dozen battle
ships, several cruisers and a flotilla of torpedo
boats are at anchor over yonder.”
It wasn’t long before the searchlight of one
of the battleships picked up the “Pollard” with
its broad ray. Then, from the flagship the col
ored lights that blazed out and faded spelled
the signal :
“Who are you?”
“Pollard, submarine,” replied the little craft’s
signal lights.
“Expected. Come in close for orders,” came
the signaled answer.
There was something sombre, grim, awesome
about this great fleet of mighty fighting craft as
the young captain stole his boat in among them.
These craft represented much of Uncle Sam’s
fighting strength, a bulwark of safety to our
coasts and commerce.

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202 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
Close up within megaphone-hailing distance
Captain Jack ran his boat. The watch officer of
the “Columbia,” the battleship that served as
flagship to the fleet, stood with megaphone ready.
“Ahoy, ‘Pollard’!” he called.
“Ahoy, flagship!” Captain Jack answered
through a megaphone.
“Fleet patrol boat will show you to your an
chorage. Are your owners aboard?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then, in the morning, they will hear from
the admiral.”
“One moment, sir,” Captain Jack shouted
hack. “We have aboard a maniac, a man who
tried to destroy us on the trip down. He has
naval discharge papers.”
“His name?”
‘ ‘ William Henderson. ’ ’
“Henderson? Wait a moment!” came back
from the flagship’s rail.
Those on the “Pollard’s” deck saw a younger
officer leave the watch officer and hurry away.
This younger officer soon returned with a paper
which he handed to the watch officer.
“ ‘PollarcP ahoy!” came from the latter.
“Flagship ahoy!”
“William Henderson was an inmate of a naval
hospital, where he had been sent to be watched
on a suspicion of lunacy. A few days ago he

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 203
escaped. We’ll take him off your hands and
see he is sent hack where he belongs. ’ ’
“Thank you, flagship.”
The fleet patrol boat, which had been hover
ing near, a small cabin launch, now steamed in
alongside the submarine. An ensign and four
men came aboard. Captain Jack led them be
low, pointing out Henderson. The four sailors
lifted him, carrying him up and over the side to
their own boat.
“Now, follow us, captain,” directed the en
sign, “and we’ll lead you to your anchorage.”
Five minutes later the “Pollard” rode snugly
at anchor, with all made trim and secure. But
Captain Jack and his two boy friends, despite
the lateness of the hour, were in no hurry to turn
in below.
It was the first glimpse any of the trio had ever
had of such an imposing war fleet, and all wanted
to stay on deck drinking in the glory of the sight.

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204 THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY
CHAPTER XX
'“ONE on" the watch officer
A T nine o’clock the next morning Messrs.
Farnnm and Pollard were sent for to
report aboard the flagship, where they
had a long talk with Admiral Bentley.
The result was somewhat disappointing. Dur
ing the manoeuvres a board of naval officers
would be sent aboard the “Pollard" to observe
what she could do in surface running, diving,
etc. The “Pollard," however, was not to be
included in any of the deep-sea manoeuvres of
attack and defense, as there were already two
Government submarines with the fleet, and the
work of these had been .mapped out.
“However, that’s the best we can do, and we
must be satisfied," sighed Jacob Farnum to
Captain Jack. “We’ll find plenty of chance to
show what we can do, and I know the Navy offi
cers will see that we get a fair show at Wash
ington. ’ ’
“Of course," nodded Captain Benson, loyally.
“When they see just what a handy craft the
4 Pollard’ is at all times, they’ll be wild to have
a few 4 Pollards ’ in the Navy. ’ ’
“That’s the way to talk," beamed the anxious

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THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY 205
inventor, all of whose hopes of the future were
based on the developments of these few days.
“It’s the way to talk, sir,” replied Captain
Jack, ‘ ‘ becanse it’s the trnth. We ’11 show these
Navy folks so mnch ahont the ‘Pollard’ that, be
ing men of good sense, they’ll see the point.”
In the afternoon several delegations of naval
officers visited the little snhmarine from the dif
ferent craft in the fleet. The tiny cabin was
crowded with visitors, the air being thick with
cigar smoke mnch of the time. What astounded
many of the visitors was the extreme yonthfill
ness of captain and crew, but Jacob Parnnm as
sured the naval callers that these young men
had accomplished all that had been done with
the ‘Pollard’ up to date.
“And I’m going to he wholly satisfied, gentle
men,” added the builder, “with the impression
that will he made upon you by what my crew of
hoys can show you.”
“Why, your hoy crew is your strong point,”
laughed Captain Carew. “You’re building a
type of submarine so simple that any child can
handle it above or below water. ’ ’
All present joined in the laugh at this sally,
hut Mr. Parnum took it in good part, declaring:
“That is just the idea, Captain Carew. We
have the simplest, most effective submarine boat
that it is possible to build.”

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