The Submarine Boys on Duty / Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat

eling of exhilaration was over, the anxiou

n her construction? I

ld have been in much danger, for all were

onths of hopes that wo

on, then David Pollard

concernedl

e inventor. "How do

h. "Why, you see

train, something unpleasant might be said

drop the

l and Eph quickly

shook it out, for the band had suddenly begun to play "The Star Spangled Banner," and on shore the crowd was hushed, ha

om which wonders were expected. Presently a small boat put off from shore. Mr. Farnum and

either the bow nor stern showing. In rough weather the platform deck would be a wet place, indeed; but now, with l

ell go below and get o

t An

hing aboard?" querie

num's thoughtfulness. C

dly store of clothing, much more than would be needed for the present, and of differe

in on these?" murm

" laughed Andrews, quietly, "I think I'd be brave e

wonder a bit. These suits were dark blue uniforms, the coats braided, and the fron

g about him, "I'm only a

common sailor to

drews. "I judge, from the togs,

sigh, fitted himself to

hour, until the owner comes aboard and throws me into

one of the state-room mirrors, he stood up unaccounta

wanted to get up where they could stare at the hull, the water and at anything else

d of men s

rs," explained Grant Andrews. "We have nothing to do with their wo

ing," declared Eph. "When the two bosses come aboard I'

join the crew, Eph?" as

tfully. "I've been dreaming about this old boat for three months back. Say, I'd giv

nodded Jack Benson. "

old life, and, Eph, I h

til he saw a chance to help, then joined in the work. He was as industrious as the p

figure that he belong

ack, when the pair

ous to be of the crew,

s like a spl

"He's a good, straightforward young chap, and comes of good water

inventor. "Let him stay. I d

o below and tell him he may

sonal interest in young Some

l in your interests thi

l him, then," nodd

ed work long enough to dance an

ig one, with trimmings-come to me!" begged young Some

rits down, Eph returned, to

meal at the galley fire, and this all hands a

ck again Mr. Pollard

much further along than we've allowed to leak out. In fact, when the men below finish with the air-

red Eph, enth

, but, until the actual trial is made, we don't know how she'll behave. If any of you feel

ith a couple of quarts of corn, looked at the hens, and said: 'Now, biddies, I'm going to toss you

David Pollard,

asked Eph, with a comi

ed hen staye

n went ashore. Again Andrews and Ep

wn was asleep, for the gasoline tanks were filled, and a

-past ten when Po

he gasoline engines

for they wanted to observe the work of the air compressors and the dynamos. The work had to be st

t had been in commission a year," remarked the invent

dy for a start, isn't

Fa

erned," replied Andrews. "But I'm going to stay by the eng

plied to rai

launching," said the yard's owner. "Somers, stand by on

low speed," directed Da

eel. Without an unnecessary sound, and with no outer lights showing, as yet, the "Po

dge of the ocean Farnum himself tur

rked Pollard, almost in a whisper.

've got clear seaway ah

rn on a few

er twin-propellers, the "Pollard

, light-riding boat!" cr

he would be. Give he

he whole of that part of the ocean to herself. She was still headed due east, and was moving at la

mersed "Pollard" rode splendidly, w

fluenced the crew, David Pollard's face was whitening with anxi

ered, hoarsely, at last, to the builder. "But will the

ckly shipped. Jack Benson shifted to the steersman's seat inside the conning tower. Sailing lights were turned off; the manhole cover

son in that little conning tower

st submerging, Farnum,

aid I'm to

ff, the submarine now running at less s

the water tanks. As the tanks filled the "Pollard" settled lower and lower in the water. They were beginning to go down. All who

was not rushing things. Then the deck outside, as shown by the steady glow of the

the top of the conning tower was l

!" pleaded David Pollard

d Mr. Farnum below, and Eph, stationed at the bottom of

them, changing the balance of the boat, the bow shot downward, making it difficult for

shot under the water, where m