Theo
SUBMARINE-BOYS
AND THE MIDDIES
VICTOR G.DURHAM
4:00
a
SUBMARINE BOYS
SERIES



UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
SIQUARIS PENINSULAM AMENAM
LOID
ARTES
SCIENTIA
LIBRARY
VERITAS
OF THE
TCEBOR
CIRCUMSPICE








--



"You Are Not Likely to Be of Any Use Horo."
Frontispiece.


The Submarine Boys
and the Middies
OR
The Prize Detail at Annapolis
Ву
VICTOR G. DURHAM
Author of The Submarine Boys on Duty, The Submarine
Boys' Trial Trip, The Submarine Boys
and the Spies, Etc.
Illustrated
PHIL A D E 1 PHIA
HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY


Chalet. Coll
90
709
COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY HOWARD E. ALTEMUS


Spec, Chil
SC0137344, SUA 2001,
Merrno's Pruritsverd Maps
3-25-2004
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I. THE PRIZE DETAIL,..
II. How EPH FLIRTED WITH SCIENCE,
III. "You MAY AS WELL LEAVE THE BRIDGE,”
IV. MR. FARNUM OFFERS ANOTHER GUESS,.
V. TRUAX SHOWS THE SULKS,.
VI. Two KINDS OF VOODOO,.
VII. JACK FINDS SOMETHING “NEW,” ALL RIGHT,.
VIII. A YOUNG CAPTAIN IN TATTERS,.
IX. TRUAX GIVES A HINT,....
X. A SQUINT AT THE CAMELROORELEPHANT,
XI. BUT SOMETHING HAPPENED!...
XII. JACK BENSON, EXPERT EXPLAINER,
XIII. READY FOR THE SEA CRUISE,.
XIV. THE "POLLARD” GOES LAME,.
XV. ANOTHER TURN AT HARD LUCK,.
XVI. BRAVING NOTHING BUT A SNEAK,.
XVII. THE EVIL GENIUS OF THE WATER FRONT,
XVIII. HELD UP BÝ MARINES,.
XIX. THE LIEUTENANT COMMANDER'S VERDICT,.
XX. COMING UP IN A TIGHT PLACE,..
XXI. “No MORE MEN Go OVERBOARD!"
XXII. JACK SIGNALS THE “SAWBONES,
XXIII. WHAT BEFEL THE MAN IN THE BRIG,
XXIV. CONCLUSION,
PAGE
7
21
38
52
61
72
83
89
99
108
117
126
134
142
151
160
167
179
192
202
213
223
230
238





The Submarine Boys and the
Middies
CHAPTER I
THE PRIZE DETAIL
"T
HE United States Government doesn't
appear very anxious to claim its prop-
erty, does it, sir?" asked Captain Jack
Benson.
The speaker was a boy of sixteen, attired in a
uniform much after the pattern commonly worn
by yacht captains. The insignia of naval rank
were conspicuously absent.
“Now, that I've had the good luck to sell the
'Pollard' to the Navy,” responded Jacob Far-
num, principal owner of the shipbuilding yard,
"I'm not disposed to grumble if the Government
prefers to store its property here for a while.”
Yet the young shipbuilder-he was a man in
his early thirties, who had inherited this ship-
building business from his father-allowed his
7


8
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
eyes to twinkle in a way that suggested there
was something else behind his words.
Jack Benson saw that twinkle, but he did not
ask questions. If the shipbuilder knew more
than he was prepared to tell, it was not for his
young captain to ask for information that was
not volunteered.
The second boy present, also in uniform, Hal
Hastings by name, had not spoken in five min-
utes. That was like Hal. He was the engineer
of the submarine torpedo boat, “Pollard."
Jack was captain of the same craft, and could
do all the talking.
Jacob Farnum sat back, sideways, at his roll-
top desk. On top of the desk lay stacked a
voluminous though neat pile of papers, letters,
telegrams and memoranda that some rival build-
ers of submarine torpedo boats might have been
willing to pay much for the privilege of exam-
ining. For, at the present moment, there was
fierce competition in the air between rival
American builders of submarine fighting craft
designed for the United States Navy. Even
foreign builders and inventors were clamoring
for recognition. Yet just now the reorganized
Pollard Submarine Boat Company stood at the
top of the line. It had made the last sale to the
United States Navy Department.
At this moment, out in the little harbor that
-


AND THE MIDDIES
9
was a part of the shipyard, the “Pollard” rode
gently at anchor. She was the first submarine
torpedo boat built at this yard, after the designs
of David Pollard, the inventor, a close personal
friend of Jacob Farnum.
Moreover, the second boat, named the “Far-
num,
" had just been launched and put in com-
mission, ready at an hour's notice to take the sea
in search of floating enemies of the United
States.
“The United States will take its boat one of
these days, Captain,” Mr. Farnum continued,
after lighting a cigar. “By the way, did Dave
tell you the name we are thinking of for the
third boat, now on the stocks ?”
"Dave" was Mr. Pollard, the inventor of the
Pollard Submarine boat.
“No, sir,” Captain Jack replied.
“We have thought,” resumed Mr. Farnum,
quietly, after blowing out a ring of smoke,
calling the third boat, now building, the ‘Ben-
SON.
"The_the-what, sir?" stammered Jack,
flushing and rising.
“Now, don't get excited, lad," laughed the
shipbuilder.
“But-but-naming a boat for the United
States Navy after me, sir-"
Captain Jack's face flushed crimson.
66 of
> >


10
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“Of course, if you object—" smiled Mr. Far-
num, then paused.
“Object? You know I don't, sir. But I am
afraid the idea is going to my head," laughed
Jack, his face still flushed. “The very idea of
there being in the United States Navy a fine and
capable craft named after me-
“Oh, if the Navy folks object,” laughed Far-
num, “then they'll change the name quickly
enough. You understand, lad, the names we
give to our boats last only until the craft are
sold. The Navy people can change those names
if they please.”
“It will be a handsome compliment to me,
Mr. Farnum. More handsome than deserved, I
fear."
“Deserved, well enough,” retorted the ship-
builder. “Dave Pollard and I are well enough
satisfied that, if it hadn't been for you young-
sters, and the superb way in which you handled
our first boat, Dave and I would still be sitting
on the anxious bench in the ante-rooms of the
Navy Department at Washington.”
"Well, I don't deserve to have a boat named
after me any more than Hal does, or Eph
Somers."
“Give us time, won't you, Captain?” pleaded
Jacob Farnum, his face straight, but his eyes
laughing. “We expect to build at least five


AND THE MIDDIES
11
boats. If we didn't, this yard never would have
been fitted for the present work, and you three
boys, who've done so handsomely by us,
wouldn't each own, as you now do, ten shares of
stock in this company. Never fear; there'll be
a 'Hastings' and a 'Somers' added to our fleet
one of these days—even though some of our
boats have to be sold to foreign governments."!
“If a boat named the 'Hastings' were sold to
some foreign government,” laughed Jack Ben-
son, “Hal, here, wouldn't say much about it.
But call a boat named the 'Somers,' after Eph,
and then sell it, say, to the Germans or the
Japanese, and all of Eph's American gorge
would come to the surface. I'll wager he'd
scheme to sink any submarine torpedo boat,
named after him, that was sold to go under a
foreign flag."
“I hope we'll never have to sell any of our
boats to foreign governments," replied Jacob
Farnum, earnestly. “And we won't either, if
the United States Government will give us half
a show."
“That's just the trouble," grumbled Hal
Hastings, breaking into the talk, at last. “Con-
found it, why don't the people of this country
run their government more than they do?
Four-fifths of the inventors who get up great
things that would put the United States on top,


12
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
and keep us there, have to go abroad to find a
market for their inventions! If I could invent
a cannon to-day that would give all the power
on earth to the nation owning it, would the
American Government buy it from me! No,
sir! I'd have to sell the cannon to England,
Germany or Japan-or else starve while Con-
gress was talking of doing something about it
in the next session. Mr. Farnum, you have the
finest, and the only real submarine torpedo boat.
Yet, if you want to go on building and selling
these craft, you'll have to dispose of most of
them abroad."
“I hope not,”. responded the shipbuilder,
solemnly.
Having said his say, Hal subsided. He was
likely not to speak again for an hour. As a
class, engineers, having to listen much to noisy
machinery, are themselves silent.
It was well along in the afternoon, a little past
the middle of October. For our three young
friends, Jack, Hal and Eph, things were dull
just at the present moment. They were draw-
ing their salaries from the Pollard company, yet
of late there had been little for them to do.
Yet the three submarine boys knew that big
things were in the air. David Pollard was
away, presumably on important business.
Jacob Farnum was not much given to speaking


AND THE MIDDIES
13
of plans until he had put them through to the
finish. Some big deal was at present “on”
with the Government. That much the sub-
marine boys knew by intuition. They felt,
therefore, that, at any moment, they were likely
to be called into action-to be called upon for
big things.
As Jack and Hal sat in the office, silent, while
Jacob Farnum turned to his desk to scan one of
the papers lying there, the door opened. A boy
burst in, waving a yellow envelope.
“Operator said to hustle this wire to you,
shouted the boy, panting a bit. “Said it might
be big news for Farnum. So I ran all the
way.
Jacob Farnum took the yellow envelope,
opening it and glancing hastily through the
contents.
“It is pretty good news, assented the ship-
builder, a smile wreathing his face. “This is
for you, messenger.
“This” proved to be a folded dollar bill.
The messenger took the money eagerly, then
demanded, more respectfully:
“Any answer, sir?"
“Not at this moment, thank you,” replied Mr.
Farnum. “That is all; you may go, boy.”
Plainly the boy who had brought the tele-
gram was disappointed over not getting some


AND THE MIDDIES
15
launched, and how he had always since managed
to remain there.
Our same older readers will remember the
thrilling experiences of this boyish trio during
the early trials of the new submarine torpedo
boat, both above and below the surface. These
readers will remember, also, for instance, the
great prank played by the boys on the watch
officer of one of the stateliest battleships of the
Navy.
Readers of the second volume, “The Sub-
marine Boys' Trial Trip,” will recall, among
other things, the desperate efforts made by
George Melville, the capitalist, aided by the lat-
ter's disagreeable son, Don, to acquire stealthy
control of the submarine building company, and
their efforts to oust Jack, Hal and Eph from
their much-prized employment. These readers
will remember how Jack and his comrades
spoiled the Melville plans, and how Captain
Jack and his friends handled the "Pollard" so
splendidly, in the presence of a board of Navy
officers, that the United States Government was
induced to buy that first submarine craft.
After that sale, each of the three boys re-
ceived, in addition to his regular pay, a bank
account of a thousand dollars and ten shares of
stock in the new company. Moreover, Messrs.
Farnum and Pollard had felt wholly justified in


16
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
promising these talented, daring, hustling sub-
marine boys an assured and successful future.
Jacob Farnum at last looked up from the final
reading of the telegram in his hands. Captain
Jack Benson's gaze was fixed on his employer's
face. Hal Hastings was looking out of a win-
dow, with almost a bored look in his eyes.
“You young men wanted action," announced
Mr. Farnum, quietly. “I think you'll get it."
“Soon?” questioned Jack, eagerly.
“Immediately, or a minute or two later,"
laughed the shipbuilder.
“I'm ready," declared Captain Jack, rising.
“It'll take you a little time to hear about it
all and digest it, so you may as well be seated
again,” declared Farnum.
Hal, too, wandered back to his chair.
“You've been wondering how much longer
the Government would leave the 'Pollard'
here," went on Mr. Farnum. “I am informed
that the gunboat ‘Hudson’ is on her way here,
to take over the "Pollard.'"
“What are the Navy folks going to do?” de-
manded Captain Jack, all but wrathfully. "Do
they propose to tow that splendid little craft
away?"
“Hardly that, I imagine,” replied Farnum.
“It's the custom of the United States Navy, you
know, to send a gunboat along with every two


AND THE MIDDIES
17
or three submarines. They call the larger craft
the 'parent boat.' The parent boat looks out
for any submarine craft that may become dis-
abled."
“The cheek of it,” vented Jack, disgustedly.
“Why, sir, I'd volunteer to take the ‘Pollard,'
unassisted, around the world, if she could carry
fuel enough for such a trip."
“But the Navy hasn't been accustomed to
such capable submarine boats as ours, you
know,” replied Mr. Farnum. “Hence the
parent boat.”
“Parent boat?” interjected Hal Hastings,
with his quiet smile. “You might call it the
"Dad' boat, so to speak.”
Mr. Farnum laughed, then continued :
“A naval crew will take possession of the
'Pollard,' and the craft will proceed, under the
care of the Dad boat"_with a side glance of
amusement at Hal-"to the United States
Naval Academy at Annapolis."
“Annapolis—where they train the naval
cadets, the midshipmen, into United States
Naval officers? Oh, how I'd like to go there!”
breathed Captain Jack Benson, eagerly.
“As a cadet in the Navy, do you mean?”
asked Mr. Farnum.
“Why, that would have been well enough,”
assented Jack, “before I had such a chance in
2-The Submarine Boys and the Middies.


18
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
ور
your submarine service. No; I mean I'd like
to see Annapolis. I'd like to watch the mid-
shipmen at their training, and see the whole
naval life there."
“It's too bad every fellow can't have his wish
gratified as easily," continued Jacob Farnum.
“Do you mean we're going to Annapolis,
too?” asked Jack Benson, his eyes glowing.
Even Hal Hastings sat up straighter in his
chair, watching the shipbuilder's face closely.
“Yes,” nodded Jacob Farnum. “Permis-
sion has been granted for me to send our second
boat, the 'Farnum,' along with the ‘Pollard' -
both under the care of the"
"The Dad boat,” laughed Hastings.
“Yes; that will give us a chance to have the
'Farnum’ studied most closely by some of the
most capable officers in the United States Navy.
It ought to mean, presently, the sale of the
'Farnum' to the Government."
“That's just what it will mean," promised
Captain Jack, "if any efforts of ours can make
the Navy men more interested in the boat."
“You three youngsters are likely to be at
Annapolis for some time," went on Mr. Far-
num. “In fact—but don't let your heads be-
come too enlarged by the news, will you?”
Hal, quiet young Hal, neatly hid a yawn be-
hind one hand, while Benson answered for both :


AND THE MIDDIES
19
“We're already wearing the largest-sized
caps manufactured, Mr. Farnum. Don't tempt
us too far, please!”
“Oh, you boys are safe from the ordinary
perils of vanity, or your heads would have burst
long ago. Well, then, when you arrive at An-
napolis, you three are to act as civilian instruc-
tors to the middies. You three are to teach the
midshipmen of the United States Navy the
principles on which the Pollard type of boat is
run. There; I've told you the whole news.
What do you think of it?”
Mr. Farnum's cigar having burned low, he
tossed it away, then leaned back as he lighted
another weed.
“What do we think, sir?” echoed Captain
Jack, eagerly. “Why, we think we're in sight
of the very time of our lives! Annapolis! And
to teach the middies how to run a ‘Pollard' sub-
marine."
“How soon are we likely to have to start,
sir?” asked Hal Hastings, after a silence that
lasted a few moments.
“Whenever the 'Hudson'shows up along this
coast, and the officer in command of her gives
the word. That may be any hour, now.”
“Then we'd better find Eph," suggested
Captain Jack, “and pass him the word. Won't
Eph Somers dance a jig for delight, though?”


20
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“Yes; we'd better look both boats over at
once,” replied Mr. Farnum, picking up his hat.
“And we'll leave word for Grant Andrews and
some of his machinists to inspect both craft
with us.
There may be a few things that will
need to be done."
As they left the office, crossing the yard, Cap-
tain Jack Benson and Hal Hastings felt exactly
as though they were walking on air. Even
Hal, quiet as he was, had caught the joy-infec-
tion of these orders to proceed to Annapolis.
To be sent to the United States Naval Academy
on a tour of instruction is what officers of the
Navy often call “the prize detail."
Farnum and his two youthful companions
went, first of all, to the long, shed-like build-
ing in which the third submarine craft to be
turned out at this yard was now being built.
From inside came the noisy clang of hammers
against metal. The shipbuilder stepped inside
alone, but soon came out, nodding. The three
now continued on their way down to the little
harbor. All of a sudden the three stopped
short, almost with a jerk, in the same second,
as though pulled by a string.
At exactly the same instant Jacob Farnum,
Captain Jack Benson and Engineer Hal Has-
tings put up their hands to rub their eyes.
Their senses had told them truly, however.


AND THE MIDDIES
21
While the “Pollard” rode serenely at her moor-
ings, the “Farnum," the second boat to be
launched, was nowhere to be seen!
“What on earth has happened to the other
submarine?” gasped the shipbuilder, as soon
as he could somewhat control his voice.
What, indeed?
There was not a sign of her. At least, she
had not sunk at her moorings, for the buoys
floated in their respective places, with no man-
ner of tackle attached to them.
“A submarine boat can't slip its own cables
and vanish without human hands!” gasped the
staggered Jack Benson.
“There's something uncanny about this,'
muttered Hal Hastings.
Jacob Farnum stood rooted to the spot, open-
ing and closing his hands in a way that testi-
fied plainly to the extent of his bewilderment.
CHAPTER II
HOW EPH FLIRTED WITH SCIENCE
J
ACK BENSON was the first of the trio to
move.
Without a word he broke into a run,
heading for the narrow little shingle of beach.
“Got an idea, Captain?" shouted Jacob Far-


AND THE MIDDIES
23
miles away,” he announced. “It may, as likely
as not, be smoke from the 'Hudson's' pipe."
“Going out with us, sir?" inquired Captain
Jack Benson, as Hal took his place at a pair of
oars.
“Yes,” nodded the owner of the yard, drop-
ping into a seat at the stern of the boat, after
which Benson pushed off at the bow.
Down on the seashore, on this day just past
the middle of October, the air was keen and
brisk. There had been frost for several nights
past. Sleighing might be looked for in another
month.
“Cable's gone from this buoy,” declared Cap-
tain Jack, as Hal rowed close. “Over to the
other one, old fellow."
Here, too, the cable was missing. Evidently
the “Farnum" had made a clean get-away. If
there had been any accident, it must have taken
place after the new submarine boat had slipped
away from her moorings.
“Humph!" grunted Jack, scanning the sea.
“No sign of the boat anywhere. Eph may be
anywhere within twenty miles of here."
“Or within twenty feet, either,” grinned Hal,
looking down into the waters that were lead-
colored under the dull autumn sky.
“What are we going to do, Captain?” in-
quired Jacob Farnum. “There are Grant An-


AND THE MIDDIES
25
“I'm hitting something, and it is hardly a
rock, either,” declared young Benson. “Pull
around about three points to starboard, Hal,
then steal barely forward."
Again Benson played see-saw with his sound-
ing-line over the boat's gunwale.
“If my lead isn't hitting the 'Farum,'"
declared the young skipper, positively, “then
it's the 'Farnum's' ghost. Hold steady, now,
Hal.”
Immediately afterward, Benson caused the
lead fairly to dance a jig on whatever it touched
at bottom.
“What's the good of that, anyway?” de
manded Jacob Farnum.
“You don't think I'm doing this just for fun,
do you, sir?” asked Captain Jack, with a smile.
“No; I know you generally have an object
when you do anything unusual,” responded the
shipbuilder, good-humoredly.
“You know, of course, sir, that noises sound
with a good deal of exaggeration when you hear
them under water?'
“Yes; of course.”
"You also know that all three of us have
been practicing at telegraphy a good deal dur-
ing the past few weeks, because every man who
follows the sea ought to know how to send and
receive wireless messages at need."


26
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“Yes; I know that, Benson."
“Well, sir, I guess that the lead has been
hitting the top of the ‘Farnum's' hull, and I've
been tapping out the signal
“The signal, 'Come up—rush!'” broke in
Hal, with an odd smile.
“Right-o," nodded Jack Benson.
“How on earth did you know what the signal
was, Hastings?” demanded Mr. Farnum.
“Why, sir, I've been sitting so that I could
see Jack's arm. I've been reading, from the
motions of his right arm, the dots and dashes of
the Morse telegraph alphabet.”
“You youngsters certainly get me, for the
things you think of,” laughed the shipyard's
Owner.
“And the 'Farnum,' or whatever it is, is com-
ing up,” called Captain Jack, suddenly. “I just
felt my lead slide down over the top of her hull.
Hard-a-starboard, Hal, and row hard," shouted
young Benson, breathlessly.
Though Hastings obeyed immediately he was
barely an instant too soon. To his dismay, Mr.
Farnum saw something dark, unwieldly, rising
through the water. It appeared to be comirs
up fairly under the stern of the shore boat,
threatening to overturn the little craft and
plunge them all into the icy water.
Hal shot just out of the danger zone, though.


AND THE MIDDIES
27
Then a round little tower bobbed up out of the
water. Immediately afterward the upper third
of a long, cigar-shaped craft came up into view,
water rolling from her dripping sides, which
glistened brightly as the sun came out briefly
from behind a fall cloud.
In the conning tower, through the thick plate
glass, the three people in the shore boat made
out the carroty-topped head and freckled,
good-humored, honest, homely face of Eph
Somers. The boat lay on the water, under no
headway, drifting slightly with the wind-driven
ripples. Then Eph raised the man-hole cover
of the top of the conning tower, thrusting out
his head to hail them.
“Hey, you landsmen, do you know a buoy
from an umbrella'
“Do you know the difference between a Sun-
day-school text and petty larceny?” retorted
Jack Benson, sternly. “What do you mean by
taking the submarine without leave?”
“I've been experimenting—flirting with
science," responded Eph, loftily. "Say, if you
landsmen know a buoy from a banana, get down
to the bow moorings of this steel mermaid, and
I'll pass you the bow cable. It's a heap easier
to lead this submarine horse out of the stall,
single-handed, than it is to take him back and
tie him."
>


28
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
Hal rowed easily to the buoy, while Eph, re-
turning to the steering wheel and the tower con-
trols, ran the “Farnum,” with just bare head-
way, up to where he could toss the bow cable to
those waiting in the boat. A few moments later
the stern cable, also, was made fast, in such a
way as to allow a moderate swing to the bulky
steel craft.
“Now, you can take me ashore, if you feel
like it," proposed Eph, standing on the platform
deck.
“Not quite yet,” returned Skipper Jack,
though the small boat lay alongside. “We've
got some inspecting to do. But how did you get
on board in the first place?”
“Why, the night watchman was in the yard
for a few minutes, and I got him to put me on
board. I figured I could hail somebody else
when I was ready to go on shore."
“But what on earth made you do such a
thing9"' demanded Captain Jack, in a low tone.
“It's really more than you had a right to do,
Eph, without getting Mr. Farnum's permis-
sion."
“Why, I've known you to take the ‘Pollard'
and try something when Mr. Farnum wasn't
about,” retorted Somers, looking surprised.
“You never knew me to do it when I could
ask permission, although, as captain, I have the


AND THE MIDDIES
29
>
right to handle the boat. But that leave doesn't
extend to all the rest, Eph. What were you
doing down there, anyway?”
'Why, I came on board, and left the manhole
open
for ten
minutes,"
answered Somers.
“Then I found the cabin thermometer standing
at 49 degrees. I wondered how much warmth
could be gained by going below the surface.
I had been down an hour and five minutes
when you began to signal with that sledge-
hammer-
“Sounding-lead,” Jack corrected him.
“Well, it sounded like a sledge-hammer, any-
way,” grinned young Somers. “While I was
down below I found that the temperature rose
four degrees."
“Part of that was likely due to the warmth of
your body, and the heat of the breath you gave
off," hinted Benson.
“You could have gotten it up to eighty
or ninety degrees by turning on the electric
heater far enough,” suggested Hal.
“I wanted to see whether it would be warmer
in the depths; wanted to find out how low I could
go and be able to do without heat in winter,"
Somers retorted.
“I could have told you that, from my read-
ing, without any experiment,” retorted Skipper
Jack. “Close your conning tower and go down


30
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
a little way, and the temperature would gradu-
ally rise a few degrees. That's because of the
absence of wind and draft. But, if you could
go down very, very deep without smashing the
boat under the water pressure, you'd find the
temperature falling quite a bit.”
“Where did you read all that?" inquired
Eph, looking both astonished and sheepish.
“Here," replied Jack, going to a small wall
book-case, taking down a book and turning
several pages before he stopped.
“Just my luck,” muttered Eph, discon-
solately. “Here I've been dull as ditch-water
for an hour, trying to find out something new,
and it's all stated in a book printed—ten years
ago," he finished, after rapidly consulting the
title-page.
Jacob Farnum had been no listener to this
conversation. Taking the marine glasses from
the conning tower, the shipbuilder was now well
forward on the platform deck, scanning what
was visible of the steam craft to the southward.
At last the yard's owner turned around to say:
“I don't believe you young men can have
things ship-shape a second too soon. The craft
heading this way has a military mast forward.
She must be the 'Hudson.' If there's anything
to be done, hustle!”
Jack and Hal sprang below, to scan their re-


32
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“There's safe anchorage, if he wants to do
so,” replied Captain Jack.
While Somers was busy putting the foreman
and the machinists ashore, Mr. Farnum, Jack
and Hal remained on the platform deck, watch-
ing the approach of the naval vessel, which was
now plainly making for Dunhaven.
Suddenly, a broad beam of glaring white light
shot over the water, resting across the deck of
the “Farnum."
“I guess that fellow knows what he wants to
know, now, muttered Benson, blinking after
the strong glare had passed.
“There, he has picked up the ‘Pollard,' too,"
announced Hastings. “Now, that commander
must feel sure he has sighted the right place."
“There go the signal lights,” cried Captain
Jack, suddenly. “Hal, hustle below and turn
the electric current for the signaling
apparatus."
Then Benson watched as, from the yards high
up on the gunboat's signaling mast, colored
electric lights glowed forth, twinkling briefly in
turn. This is the modern method of signaling
by sea at night.
“He wants to know, ” said Benson, to Mr.
Farnum, as he turned, “whether there is safe
anchorage for a twelve-hundred-ton gunboat of
one hundred and ninety-five feet length.”
on


AND THE MIDDIES
33
Reaching the inside of the conning tower at a
bound, the young skipper rapidly manipulated
his own electric signaling control. There was
a low mast on the “Farnum's" platform deck,
a mast that could be unstepped almost in an
instant when going below surface. So Captain
Jack's counter-query beamed out in colors
through the night:
“What's your draught?”
“Under present ballast, seventeen-eight,"
came the answer from the gunboat's signal
mast.
“Safe anchorage," Captain Jack signaled
back.
“Can you meet us with a pilot?” questioned
the on-coming gunboat.
“Yes," Captain Jack responded.
“Do so," came the laconic request.
“That's all, Hal,” the young skipper called,
through the engine room speaking tube. “Want
to row me out and put me aboard the gunboat?”
In another jiffy the two young chums had
put off in the boat, Hal at the oars, Jack at the
tiller ropes. The gunboat was now lying to,
some seven hundred yards off the mouth of the
little harbor. Hastings bent lustily to the oars,
sending the boat over the rocking water until
he was within a hundred yards of the steam
craft's bridge.
3-The Submarine Boys and the Middies.


34
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“Gun boat ahoy!" roared Hal, between his
hands. Then, by a slip of the tongue, and
wholly innocent of any intentional offense, he
bellowed:
“Is that the Dad' boat?"
"What's that?” came a sharp retort from
the gunboat's bridge. “Don't try to be funny,
young man!”
“Beg your pardon, sir. That was a slip of
the tongue,” Hal replied, meekly, as he colored.
“Are you the gunboat 'Hudson?'”
“No; I'm her commanding officer, young
man! Who in blazes are you?”
“I'm the goat, it seems,
" muttered Hastings,
under his breath. But, aloud, he replied:
"I have the pilot you requested.”
"Then why don't you bring him on board?”
came the sharp question. “Did you think I
only wanted to look at a pilot?”
“All right, sir. Shall I make fast to your
starboard side gangway?” Hal called.
“In a hurry, young man!”
“That's the naval style, I guess," murmured
Jack to his chum. “No fooling in the talk. I
wonder if that fellow eats pie? Or is his temper
due to coffee?"
Answering only with a quiet grin, Hal rowed
alongside the starboard side gangway. Jack,
waiting, sprang quickly to the steps, ascend-


AND THE MIDDIES
35
ing, waving his hand to Hal as he went. Young
Hastings quickly shoved off, then bent to his
Qars.
“Where's the pilot?” came a stern voice,
from the bridge, as Jack Benson's head showed
above the starboard rail.
“I am the pilot, sir,” Jack replied.
"Why, you're a boy."
“Guilty,” Jack responded.
“What does this fooling mean? You're not
old enough to hold a pilot's license."
By this time Benson was on the deck, immedi-
ately under the bridge. A half dozen sailors,
forward, were eyeing him curiously.
“I have no license, sir,” Jack admitted.
“Neither has anyone else at Dunhaven. For
that matter, the harbor's a private one, belong-
ing to the shipyard.”
“Hasn't Mr. Farnum a man he can send
out"
“No one who knows the harbor better than I
do, sir.”
>
>>
“Who are you? What are you?”
“Jack Benson, sir. Captain of the Pollard
submarine boats."
“Why didn't you tell me that before?"
The question came sharply, almost raspingly.
“Beg your pardon, sir, but you didn't ask
me," Jack replied.


36
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“Come up here, Benson," ordered the lieu-
tenant commander, in a loud voice intended to
drown out the subdued titter of some of the
sailors forward.
Jack ascended to the bridge, to find himself
facing a six-footer in his early thirties. There
was a younger officer at the far end of the
bridge.
“Does Mr. Farnum consider you capable of
showing us the way into the harbor?” de-
manded the commanding officer of the “Hud-
son."
“I think so, sir. He trusts me with his own
boats."
"Then you are-
"Benson, Mr. Farnum's captain of the sub-
marine boats."
Lieutenant Commander Mayhew gazed in as-
tonishment for a moment, then held out his
hand as he introduced himself, remarking:
“I was told that I would find a very young
submarine commander here, but
“You didn't expect to find one quite as
young," Jack finished, smiling.
“No; I didn't. Mr. Trahern, I want you to
know Captain Jack Benson, of the Pollard
submarines."
Ensign Trahern also shook hands with young
Benson.


38
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
instructed Mr. Mayhew. “Now, back the en-
gines—steady!”
Jack Benson opened his mouth wide. Then,
as he saw the way the “Hudson” was backing,
he suddenly called:
“Slow speed ahead, quick, sir!"
“You said " began Mr. Mayhew.
Gr-r-r-r! The stern of the gunboat dug its
way into a sand ledge, lifting the stern consid-
erably.
“Slow speed ahead!” rasped Lieutenant
Commander Mayhew, sharply.
But the gunboat could not be budged. She
was stuck, stern on, fast in the sand-ledge.
“Benson!” uttered the lieutenant comman-
der, bitterly, “I congratulate you. You've suc-
ceeded in grounding a United States Naval
vessel!"
CHAPTER III
"YOU MAY AS WELL LEAVE THE BRIDGE!”
T
HERE was so much of overwhelming
censure in the naval officer's tone that
Jack's spirit was stung to the quick.
"It's your mistake, sir," he retorted. “You
didn't follow the course I advised. You swung
the ship around to port, and"
“Silence, now, if you please, while men are


AND THE MIDDIES
39
trying to get this vessel out of a scrape a boy
got her into," commanded Mr. Mayhem, sternly.
Jack flushed, then bit his tongue. In another
moment a pallor had succeeded the red in his
face.
He was blamed for the disaster, and he was
not really at fault.
Yet, under the rebuke he had just received,
he did not feel it his place to retort further for
the present.
Mr. Mayhew and Mr. Trahern conferred in
low tones for a moment or two.
“You may as well leave the bridge, young
man,” resumed Mr. Mayhew, turning upon the
submarine boy. “You are not likely to be of
any use here."
As Jack, burning inwardly with indignation,
though managing to keep outwardly calm, de-
scended to the deck below, he caught sight of
Hal Hastings, hovering near in the rowboat.
Hal signaled to learn whether he should put in
alongside to take off his chum, but Benson
shook his head.
Over on the “Farnum" the yard's owner and
Eph Somers watched wonderingly. They un-
derstood, well enough, that the new, trim-look-
ing gunboat was in trouble, but they did not
know that Jack Benson was held at fault.
Down between decks the engines of the "Hud-


40
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
son” were toiling hard to run the craft off out
of the sand. Then the machinery stopped. An
engineer officer came up from below. He and
Mr. Mayhew walked to the stern, while a sea-
man, accompanying them, heaved the lead,
reading the soundings.
“We're stuck good and fast,” remarked the
engineer officer. “We can't drive off out of
that sand for the reason that the propellers are
buried in the grit. · They'll hardly turn at all,
and, when they do, they only churn the sand
without driving us off.”
“Confound that ignoramus of a boy!” mut-
tered Mr. Mayhew, walking slowly forward. It
was no pleasant situation for the lieutenant com-
mander. Having run his vessel ashore, he
knew himself likely to be facing a naval board
of inquiry.
Hal, finding that the shore boat was not
wanted for the present, had rowed over to the
“Farnum’s” moorings. Now Jacob Farnum
eame alongside in the shore boat.
“May I speak with your watch officer ?” he
called.
"I am the commanding officer,” Mr. May-
hew called down, in the cold, even, dulled voice
of a man in trouble.
“I am Mr. Farnum, owner of the yard. May
I come on board?"


AND THE MIDDIES
41
“Be glad to have you,” Lieutenant Com-
mander Mayhew. responded.
So Mr. Farnum went nimbly up over the side.
“May I ask what is the trouble here, sir?”
asked the yard's owner.
“The trouble is,” replied Mr. Mayhew, “that
your enterprising boy pilot has run us aground
-hard, tight and fast!”
Jacob Farnum glanced swiftly at his young
captain. Jack shook his head briefly in dissent.
Jacob Farnum, with full confidence in his young
man, at once understood that there was more yet
to be learned.
“Come up on the bridge, sir, if you will,” re-
quested the commander of the gunboat, who was
a man of too good breeding to wish any dispute
before the men of the crew. “You may come,
too, Benson."
Jack followed the others, including the
engineer officer of the "Hudson." Yet Benson
was clenching his hands, fighting a desperate
battle to get full command over himself. It
was hard-worse than hard—to be unjustly
accused.
Jacob Farnum wished to keep on the pleas-
antest terms with these officers of the Navy. At
the same time he was man enough to feel deter-
mined that Jack, whether right or wrong, should
have a full chance to defend himself.


42
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“I understand, sir,” begar Mr. Farnum,
“that you attach some blame in this matter to
young Benson?"
“Perhaps he is not to be blamed too much, on
account of his extreme youth,” responded Mr.
Mayhew.
“Forget his youth altogether," urged Mr.
Farnum. "Let us treat him as a man. I've
always found him one, in judgment, knowledge
and loyalty. Do you mind telling me, sir, in
what way he erred in bringing you in here?”
“An error in giving his advice,” replied
Mr. Mayhew. “Or else it was ignorance of how
to handle a craft as large as this gunboat. For
my anchorage he told me"
Here the lieutenant commander repeated the
first part of Jack's directions correctly, but
wound
up
with:
“He advised me to throw my wheel over four
points to port.”
“Pardon me, sir," Jack broke in, unable to
keep still longer. “What I said, or intended to
say, was to bring your vessel so that the forward
end of the submarine shed over there would be
four points off the port bow.”
“What did you hear Mr. Benson say, Mr.
Trahern?" demanded the gunboat’s com-
mander, turning to the ensign who had stood
with him on the bridge.


AND THE MIDDIES
43
“Why, sir, I understood the lad to say what
he states that he said."
“You are sure of that, Mr. Trahern?”
“Unless my ears tricked me badly,” replied
the ensign, “Mr. Benson said just what he now
states. I wondered, sir, at your calling for slow
speed astern."
Lieutenant Commander Mayhew gazed for
some moments fixedly at the face of Ensign
Trahern. Then, of a sudden, the gunboat's
commander, who was both an officer and a gen-
tleman, broke forth, contritely:
“As I think it over, I believe, myself, that
Benson advised as he now states he did. It was
my own error-I am sure of it now."
Wheeling about, Mayhew held out his right
hand.
“Mr. Benson," he said, in a deep voice full of
regret, “I was the one in error. I am glad to
admit it, even if tardily. Will you pardon my
too hasty censure?"
“Gladly, sir,” Benson replied, gripping the
proffered hand. Jacob Farnum stood back,
wagging his head in a satisfied way. It had
been difficult for him to believe that his young
captain had been at fault in so simple a matter,
or in a harbor with which he was so intimately
acquainted.
As for the young man himself, the thing that


AND THE MIDDIES
45
>
on extra cables. Altogether, we can give you a
strong pull, sir."
That sounds like the best plan to me,
nodded Jacob Farnum. “I'll have a message
sent at once for that towboat."
A white-coated steward now appeared on
deck, moving near the lieutenant commander.
“Is dinner ready, Greers ?” called Mr. May-
hew.
9
“Yes, sir."
“Lay two more plates, then. Mr. Farnum, I
trust you and your young submarine com-
mander will sit as my guests to-night.”
This invitation the yard's owner accepted,
asking only time enough to arrange for keeping
some of his workmen over-time, awaiting the
coming of flood-tide.
So, presently, Jack and his employer found
themselves seated at table in the gunboat's
handsome wardroom. Besides the lieutenant
commander there were Lieutenant Halpin, two
ensigns, two engineer officers and a young medi-
cal officer. In the “Hudson's” complement of
officers there were also four midshipmen, but
these latter ate in their own mess.
The time passed most pleasantly, Mr. May-
hew plainly doing all in his power to atone for
his late censure of the submarine boy.
Before dinner was over the small towboat was


46
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
in the harbor. At the coming of flood tide this
towing craft had a hawser made fast to the gun-
boat. With the help of some of the naval
machinists aboard the “Hudson,” both sub-
marine craft were also manned and hawsers
made fast. Two cables were passed ashore to
winches to which power was supplied by the
shipyard's engines. When all was ready a
mighty pull was given, the gunboat's own pro-
pellers taking part in the struggle. For two or
three minutes the efforts continued. Then, at
last, the “Hudson," uninjured, ran off into deep
water and shortly afterwards anchored in
safety.
It was a moment of tremendous relief for
Mr. Mayhew.
“Call the tugboat captain aboard, and I'll
settle with him at my own expense,” proposed
the lieutenant commander.
“I trust you will think of nothing of the sort,”
replied Jacob Farnum, quickly. "In this har-
bor I wish to consider you and your vessel as
my guests."
Again Mr. Mayhew expressed his thanks.
Presently, glancing ashore through the night, he
asked:
“What sort of country is it hereabouts ?”
“Mostly flat, as to the surface,” Mr. Farnum
replied.“If your question goes further, there
19


AND THE MIDDIES
47
are some fine roads and several handsome
estates within a few miles of here. Mr. May-
hew, won't you and a couple of your officers
come on shore with me? I'll telephone for my
car and put you over quite a few miles this
evening.”
“Delighted,” replied the commander of the
gunboat.
One of the “Hudson's” cutters being now in.
the water alongside, the party went ashore in
this. Jack, after bidding the naval officers
good-night, found Hal and Eph, who had just
come ashore from supper on board the “Far-
num."
“No sailing orders yet, I suppose?” Hal
asked.
“None,” Jack replied. “I reckon we'll start,
all right, some time to-morrow morning.'
“What'll we do to-night?” Eph wondered.
"I don't know,” replied Jack. “We've few
friends around here we need to take the trouble
to say good-bye to. We could call on Mrs. Far-
num, but I imagine we'd run into the naval party
up at the Farnum house. We want to keep a bit
in the background with these naval officers,
except when they may ask for our company.'
“Let's take a walk about the old town, then,'
Hal suggested.
So the three submarine boys strolled across


AND THE MIDDIES
49
“But, see here, Mr. Pollard engaged me to
work aboard one of your submarines.”
"It looks that way, doesn't it?” laughed the
young skipper.
“And you're the captain?'
“Yes; but I can't undertake to handle Mr.
Farnum's business for him."
"You'll let me go aboard the craft to sleep
for to-night, anyway?” coaxed Truax.
“Why, that's just what I'm not at liberty to
do," replied the young submarine captain,
“No; I couldn't think of that, in the absence
of Mr. Farnum's order."
“But that doesn't seem hardly fair," pro-
tested Truax. “See here, I have spent all my
money getting here. I haven't even the price
of a lodging with me, and this isn't a summer
night.
“Why, I'll tell you what I'll do," Benson
went on, feeling in one of his pockets. "Here's
a dollar. That'll buy you a bed and a breakfast
at the hotel up the street. If you want to get
aboard with'us in time, you'd better show up
by eight in the morning."
“But
“That's really all I can do," Jack Benson
hastily assured the fellow. “I'm not the
owner of the boat, and I can't take any liber-
ties. Oh, wait just a moment. I'll see if there's
>
4-The Submarine Boys and the Middies.


AND THE MIDDIES
51
“You choked him off mighty short, then."
“If it looked that way, then I'm sorry," Ben-
son protested, in a tone of genuine regret. “All
I wanted to make plain was that I couldn't pass
him on to our precious old boat without Mr.
Farnum's order."
Truax plodded slowly along behind the sub-
marine boys, a cunning look in the man's eyes
as he stared after Jack Benson.
“You're a slick young man, or else a wise
one," muttered Truax. “But I think I'm smart
enough to take it out of you!"
Nor did Sam Truax go to the hotel. He had
his own plans for this evening-plans that
boded the submarine boys no good.
The three boys strolled easily about town,
getting a hot soda or two, and, finally, drifting
into a moving picture show that had opened
recently in Dunhaven. This place they did not
leave until the show was over. They were half-
way home when Captain Jack remembered that
he had left behind him a book that he had
bought earlier in the evening.
“You fellows keep right on down to the yard.
I'll hurry back, get the book and overtake
you,” he proposed.
Jack ran back, but already the little theatre
was closed.
“I'm out that book, then, if we sail in the


52
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
morning,” he muttered, as he trudged along
after his friends.
On the way toward the water front Benson
had to pass a vacant lot surrounded by a high
board fence on a deserted street. He had
passed about half way. along the length of the
fence, when a head appeared over the top fol-
lowed by a pair of arms holding a small bag
of sand. Down dropped the bag, striking Jack
Benson on the top of the head, sending him un-
conscious to the ground.
CHAPTER IV
MR. FARNUM OFFERS ANOTHER GUESS
С
LOSE at hand there was a loose board in
the fence. Through this Sam Truax
thrust his head, peering up and down
the street. Not another soul was in sight.
With a chuckle Truax stepped through the
hole in the fence. Swiftly he gathered up the
young submarine captain, 'bearing him through
the 'aperture and dropping him on the ground
behind the fence. At the same time he took
with him the small bag of sand.
"Knocked you out, but I don't believe you'll
be unconscious long," mused Truax, standing
over his young victim, regarding him critically.



از
NE
Bils
Down Dropped the Bag.
53





AND THE MIDDIES
55
“There wasn't steam enough in the blow to
hurt you for long. You're sturdy, following
the sea all the time, as you do."
With a thoughtful air Sam Truax drew a
small bottle from his pocket, sprinkling some
of the contents over Jack's uniform coat. Im-
mediately the nauseating smell of liquor rose
on the air.
“Now, if someone finds you before you come
to, you'll look like a fellow that has been drink-
ing and fighting," muttered Truax under his
breath. “If you come to and get back to the
yard without help, you'll walk unsteadily and
have that smell about your clothes. Usually,
it needs only a breath of suspicion to turn folks
against a boy!”
Pausing only long enough to learn that Jack's
pulses were beating, and that the submarine
boy was breathing, Truax stole off into the
night, carrying the bag of sand under his over-
eoat. At one point he paused long enough to
empty the sand from the bag over a fence. The
bag itself he afterwards burned in the open fire-
place in the room assigned to him at Holt's
Hotel.
For twenty minutes Jack Benson lay as he
had been left. Then he began to stir, and groan.
Then he opened his eyes; after a while he man-
aged to sit up.


56
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“Ugh!” he grunted. "What's the odor!
Liquor! How does that happen? Oh, my
head!"
He got slowly to his feet, using the board
fence as a means to help steady himself. Then,
though he found himself weak and tormented
by the pain in his head, Benson managed to feel
his way along the fence until he came to the
opening made by the loose board. Holding
himself here, he thrust his head beyond.
Now, Hal and Eph, having waited for some
time at the shore boat, before going out on board
the "Farnum," had at last made up their minds
to go back and look for their missing leader.
They came along just at the moment that the
young captain's head appeared through the
opening in the fence.
“There he is," muttered Hal, stopping short.
“Gracious! He acts queerly. I wonder if
anything can have happened to him? Comé
along, Eph!”
The two raced across the street.
"Jack, old fellow! What on earth's the mat-
ter?” demanded Hal Hastings, anxiously.
“I wish you could tell me," responded Jack
Benson, speaking rather thickly, for he was still
somewhat dazed. “Oh, my head!”
"There has been some queer work here," mut-
tered Hal in Eph's ear.
“Don't torment him


AND THE MIDDIES
57
anythin
with questions. Just help me to get him down
to the yard.”
While the two submarine boys were guiding
their weak, dizzy comrade out to the sidewalk
a man came by with a swinging stride. Then
he stopped short, staring in amazement.
“Hullo, boys! What on earth has hap-
pened?"
It was Grant Andrews, foreman of the sub-
marine work at the yard, and a warm personal
friend of Benson's.
“I don't believe the old chap feels like tell-
ing us just now," muttered Hal, with a sour
face.
“Whiskey!" muttered Andrews, almost un-
der his breath. "What does it meanBenson
never touched a drop of that vile stuff, did
he?"
“He'd sooner drown himself," retorted Hal,
with spirit.
“Of course he would,” agreed Grant An-
drews. “But what is the meaning of all this?”
“Oh, there's some queer, hocus-pocus busi-
ness on foot,” muttered Hal, bitterly. “But I
don't believe Jack feels much like telling us
In truth, Jack didn't seem inclined to con-
versation. He was too sore and dazed to feel
like talking. He couldn't collect his ideas


58
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
clearly. The most that he actualy knew was
that the pain in his head was tormenting.
“I'll pick him right up
in my arms and carry
him,” proposed Andrews. “I'll take him to
Mr. Farnum's office. Then I'll get a doctor.
We don't want much noise about this, or folks
will be telling all sorts of yarns against Jack
Benson and his drinking habits, when the truth
is he's about the finest, steadiest young fellow
alive!"
Just as Andrews was about to carry his pur-
pose into action, however, an automobile turned
the nearest corner and came swiftly toward
them. In another instant it stopped alongside.
It contained Mr. Farnum and his chauffeur, be-
sides three naval officers.
“What's wrong, Andrews?" called the
yard's owner. “Why, that's. Jack Benson!
What has happened to him?”
Hal and Eph stood supporting their com-
rade, almost holding him, in fact. Jacob Far-
num leaped from his automobile. Lieutenant
Commander Mayhew followed him.
“Liquor, eh?” exclaimed the naval officer, the
odor reaching his nostrils.
“No such thing,” retorted Farnum, turning
upon the officer. “At least, Jack Benson has
been drinking no such stuff.”
"It was only a guess,
murmured Mr. May-


60
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
>
struck on the head," was the physician's ver-
dict. "No bones of the skull are broken. The
odor of liquor is on his coat, but I can't seem to
detect any on the breath.'
“Of course you can't," commented Jacob
Farnum, crisply. “Will Benson be fit to sail in
the morning?"
“I think so," nodded the doctor. “But there
ought to be a nurse with him to-night.
“Take my car, Andrews, and get a man nurse
at once," directed Mr. Farnum. “Doctor, can
the young man be moved to his berth on the
Farnum.''
“Safely enough,” nodded the medical man.
They waited until the nurse arrived, when Jack
was put to bed on the newer submarine craft.
Jack slept through the night, moaning once
in a while. Mr. Farnum and the Dunhaven
doctor were aboard early to look at him. The
surgeon from the “Hudson" also came over.
Under the effects of medicine Jack Benson
was asleep when, at ten o'clock that morning, the
two submarine torpedo boats slipped their
moorings, following the parent boat," the
“Hudson," out of the harbor.
Ten minutes later the motion of the sea awoke
the young skipper.


AND THE MIDDIES
61
CHAPTER V
TRUAX SHOWS THE SULKS
"H
ULLO!” muttered the
young
sub-
marine skipper, staring curiously
about the little stateroom aft. He
had it to himself, the nurse having been put on
shore. “Under way, eh? This is the queerest
start I ever made on a voyage.”
Nor was it many moments later when Jack
Benson stood on his feet. His clothes were
hung neatly on nails against the wall. One after
another Jack secured the garments, slowly don-
ning them.
“How my head throbs and buzzes !” he mut-
tered, his voice sounding unsteady. “Gracious !
What could have happened? Let me see. The
last I remember-passing that high fence-"
But it was all too great a puzzle. Benson
finally decided to stop guessing until some
future time. He went on with his dressing.
Finally, with his blouse buttoned as exactly as
ever, and his cap placed gingerly on his aching
head, he opened the stateroom door, stepping
out into the cabin.
Accustomed as he was to sea motion, the slight
roll of the “Farnum" did not bother the young
97


62
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
skipper much. He soon reached the bottom of
the short spiral stairway leading up into the con-
ning tower. Up there, in the helmsman's seat,
he espied Hal Hastings with his hands employed
at the steering apparatus. Hal was looking out
over the water, straight ahead.
“Sailing these days without word from your
captain, eh?” Jack called, in a voice that car-
ried, though it shook.
“Gracious—you?” ejaculated Hal, looking
down for an instant. Then Hastings pressed a
button connecting with a bell in the engine room.
“I'm going up there with you," Jack volun-
teered.
“Right-o, if you insist,” clicked Eph Somers,
appearing from the engine room and darting to
the young skipper's side. True, Jack's head
swam a bit dizzily as he climbed the stairs, but
Eph's strong support made the task much
easier. There was space to spare on the seat
beside Hal, and into this Jack Benson sank.
“Say, you ought to sleep until afternoon,"
was Hastings's next greeting, but Jack was
looking out of the conning tower at the scene
around him.
The three craft were leaving the coast directly
behind. About three hundred yards away,
abeam, steamed the "Hudson” at a nine-knot
gait.


64
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
good for more work than that. Jack, you're
nothing but a fifth wheel. You're not needed;
won't be all day, and at night we anchor in some
harbor down the coast. Go and rest, like a good
fellow."
“Can't rest, when I know I'm doing nothing,
Benson retorted, stubbornly. “Besides, this is
the first time I've ever found myself moving
along in regular formation with the United
States Navy. I feel almost as if I were a Navy
officer myself, and I mean to make the most of
the sensation. Say, Hal, wouldn't it be fine if
we really did belong to the Navy?"
“Gee-whiz!” murmured young Hastings, his
cheeks glowing and his eyes snapping.
“If we only belonged to the old Flag for life,
and knew that we were practising on a boat like
this as a part of the preparation for real war
when it came?”
“Don't!” begged Hal, tensely. “For you
know, old fellow, it can't come true. Why, we
haven't even a residence anywhere, from which
a Congressman could appoint one of us to
Annapolis!”
“One of us?” muttered Jack, scornfully.
“Then it would have to be you. I wouldn't go,
even as a cadet at Annapolis, and leave you be-
hind in just plain, ordinary life, Hal Hastings !”
“Well, it's no use thinking about it,” sighed


AND THE MIDDIES
65
Hal, practically. “Neither one of us is in any
danger of getting appointed to Annapolis, so
there's no chance that either one of us ever will
become an officer in the Navy. Let's not talk
about it, Jack. I've been contented enough, so
far, but now it makes me almost blue, to think
that we can only go on testing and handling sub-
marine craft like these, while others will be their
real officers in the Navy, and command them in
any war that may come.
Though his head throbbed, and though a dizzy
spell came over him every few minutes, Jack
Benson stuck it out, up there beside his chum,
for an hour. Then, disdaining aid, he crept
down the stairs, stretching himself out on one of
the cabin seats. Eph brought him a pillow and
a blanket. Jack soon slept, tossing uneasily
whenever pain throbbed dully in his head.
“Guess I'll go out and have a little look at the
young captain,” proposed Sam Truax, an hour
later.
“Try another guess, " retorted Eph, curtly.
“You'll stay here in the engine room. Jack
Benson isn't going to be bothered in any way.”
“I'm not going to bother him; just going to
take a look at him," protested Truax, moving
toward the door that separated the engine room
from the cabin.
But young Somers caught the stranger by the
5- The Submarine Boys and the Middies.


66
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
sleeve of the oily jumper that Sam had donned
on beginning his work.
“Do you know what folks say about me?” de-
manded Eph, with a significant glare.
“What do they say?”
“Folks have an idea that, at most times, I'm
one of the best-natured fellows on earth,” de-
clared Eph, solemnly. “Yet they do say that,
when I'm crossed in anything my mind's made
up to, I can be tarnation ugly. I just told you
I don't want the captain disturbed. Do you
know, Sam Truax, I feel a queer notion coming
over me? I've an idea that that feeling is just
plain ugliness coming to life!”
Truax came back from the door, a grin on his
face. Yet, when he turned his head away, there
was a queer, almost deadly flash in the fellow's
eyes.
Jack slept, uneasily, until towards the middle
of the afternoon. As soon as Eph found him
awake, that young man brought the captain a
plate of toast and a bowl of broth, both prepared
at the little galley stove.
“Sit up and get away with these," urged Eph,
placing the tray on the cabin table. “Wait a
minute. I'll prop you up and put a pillow at
your back."
“This boat isn't a bad place for a fellow
when he's knocked out,” smiled Jack.


AND THE MIDDIES
67
“Any place ought to be good, where your
friends are,”
came, curtly, from
young
Somers.
As Captain Jack ate the warm food he felt his
strength coming back to him.
“Poor old Hal has been up there in the con-
ning tower all these hours," muttered Captain
Jack, uneasily. “He must have that cramped
feeling in his hands."
“Humph!” retorted Eph. “Not so you could
notice it much, I guess. It's a simpleton's job
up in the conning tower to-day. All he has to
do is to shift the wheel a little to port, or to star-
board, just so as to keep the proper interval
from the 'Dad' boat. Besides, I've been up
there on relief, for an hour while you slept, and
Hal came down and sat with the engines. Cheer
up, Jack. No one misses you from the conning
tower."
Benson laughed, though he said, warningly:
“I reckon we'll do as well to drop calling the
gunboat the ‘Dad boat' instead of the 'parent
vessel.'"
“Well, you needn't bother at all about the
conning tower to-day," wound up Eph, glancing
at his watch. “It's after half-past three at this
moment and I understand we're to drop anchor
about five o'clock.'
So Skipper Jack settled back with a comfort-
able sigh. Truth to tell, it was pleasant not to


68
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
have any immediate duty, for his head throbbed,
every now and then, and he felt dizzy when he
tried to walk.
“Who could have hit me in that fashion, last
night, and for what earthly purpose?” won-
dered the boy. “I've had some enemies, in the
past, but I don't know a single person about
Dunhaven, now who has any reason for wishing
me harm.”
Never a thought crossed his mind of suspect-
ing Sam Truax. That worthy had come with a
note from David Pollard, the inventor of the
boats. Sam, therefore, must be all right, the
boy reasoned.
Jack lay back on the upholstered seat. He
sat with his eyes closed most of the time, though
he did not doze. At last, however, he heard the
engine room bell sound for reduced speed. Get-
ting up, the young captain made his way to the
foot of the conning tower stairs.
“Making port, Hal?” he called.
“Yep,” came the reply. “We'll be at an-
chor in five minutes more."
Jack made his way slowly to the door of the
engine room.
“Eph,” he called, “as soon as you've shut
off speed, take Truax above and you two attend
to the mooring.”
"Take this other man up with you,” urged


AND THE MIDDIES
69
Sam Truax. “I don't know anything about ty-
ing a boat up to moorings.
"Time you learned, then," returned Eph
Somers, “if you're to stay aboard a submarine
craft.”
“Take this other man up with you," again
urged Truax.
Eph Somers turned around to face him with
a good deal of a glare.
“What ails you, Truax? You heard the cap-
tain's order. You'll go with me.”
“Don't be too sure of that,” uttered Sam
Truax, defiantly.
“If you don't go above with me, and if you
don't follow every order you get aboard this
boat, I know where you will go," muttered
Eph, decisively.
“Where?" jeered Sam.
“Ashore in the first boat that can take you
there."
“You seem to forget that I'm on board by
David Pollard's order," sneered Truax.
“All I am sure of,” retorted Eph, “is that
Jack Benson is captain on board this craft.
That means that he's sole judge of everything
here when this boat is cruising. If you were
here by the orders of both owners, Jack Ben-
son would fire you ashore for good, just the
same, after you've balked at the first order."


70
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“Humph! I--"
Clang! Jangle! The signal bell was sound-
ing.
“Shut up,” ordered Eph Somers, briskly.
“I've got the engine to run on signal from the
watch officer."
There followed a series of signals, first of all
for stopping speed, then for a brief reversing of
engines. A moment later headway speed ahead
was ordered. So on Eph went through the
series of orders until the "Farnum" had been
manæuvred to her exact position. Then, from
above, Captain Jack's voice was heard, roaring
in almost his usual tones :
“Turn out below, there, to help make fast!”
“Take the lever, Williamson," directed Eph.
“Come along lively, Truax."
“Humph! Let Williamson go,'
grumbled
Truax.
“You come along with me, my man!” roared
Eph, his face blazing angrily. "Hustle, too, or
I'll report you to the captain for disobedience of
orders. Then you'll go ashore at express speed.
Coming?"
Sam Truax appeared to wage a very brief
battle within himself. Then, nodding sulkily,
he followed.
there!” Jack shouted down.
"We don't want to drift."
"Hustle up,


AND THE MIDDIES
71
'Jack Benson stood out on the platform deck,
holding to the conning tower at the port side.
A naval launch had just placed a buoy over an
anchor that had been lowered.
“Get forward, you two," Jack called briskly,
"and make the bow cable fast to that buoy."
Hal still sat at the wheel in the tower. As
Eph and Truax crept forward over the arched
upper
hull of the “Farnum, " Hal sounded the
engine room signals and steered until the boat
had gotten close enough to make the bow cable
fast. Then the stern cable was made fast, with
more line, to another buoy.
“A neat hitch, Mr. Benson," came a voice
from the bridge of the “Hudson,” which lay a
short distance away. Jack, looking up, saw
Lieutenant Commander Mayhew leaning over
the bridge rail.
“Thank you, sir," Jack acknowledged, salut-
ing the naval officer.
The parent vessel and her two submarine
charges now lay at anchor in the harbor at Port
Clovis, one of the towns down the coast from
Dunhaven. This mooring overnight was to be
repeated each day until Annapolis should be
reached.
Within fifteen minutes the craft were sur-
rounded by small boats from shore. Some of
these contained merchandise that it was hoped


72
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
sailors would buy. Other boats "ran" for
hotels, restaurants, drinking places, amusement
halls, and all the varied places on shore that
hope to fatten on Jack Tar's money.
“I'd like to go ashore, sir,” announced Sam
Truax, approaching Captain Jack.
"When?"
"Now."
“For how long?”
“Until ten o'clock to-night."
“Be back by that hour, then," Jack replied.
“If you're not, you'll find everything shut tight
aboard here."
Truax quickly signaled one of the hovering
boats, and put off in it. Eph watched the boat
for a few moments before he turned to Captain
Jack to mutter:
“Somehow, I wouldn't feel very badly about
it if that fellow got lost on shore!”
CHAPTER VI
TWO KINDS OF VOODOO
O
N the second day of the cruise Jack
Benson returned to full duty.
For four nights, in all, the sub-
marine squadron tied up at moorings in har-
bors along the coast. On the fifth night, as


AND THE MIDDIES
73
darkness fell, the squadron continued under
way, in Chesapeake Bay, for Annapolis was but
three hours away.
Immediately after supper Captain Jack took
his place in the conning tower. He concerned
himself principally with the compass, his only
other task being to keep the course by the “Hud-
son’s” lights, for the parent boat supplied in
its own conduct all the navigation orders beyond
the general course.
The “Farnum's” search-
light was not used, the gunboat picking up all
the coast-marks as they neared land.
“Annapolis is the place I've always wanted to
see," Jack declared, as Hal joined him in the
conning tower.
“It's the place where I've always wanted to
be a cadet," sighed Hal. “But there's no
chance for me, I fear. Jack, I'd rather be an
officer of the Navy than a millionaire."
“Same here,” replied Jack, steadily. “It's
hard to have to feel that I'll never be either."
As she entered the mouth of the Severn River
the “Hudson” signaled to the submarines to
follow, in file, the “Pollard” leading. A little
- later the three craft entered the Basin at the
Academy. While the gunboat anchored off the
Amphitheatre, the two submarine boats were
ordered to anchorage just off the Boat House.
Then a cutter came alongside.


74
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“The lieutenant commander's compliments
to Mr. Benson. Will Mr. Benson go aboard the
'Hudson'?” asked the young officer in com-
mand of the cutter. Captain Jack lost no time
in presenting himself before the lieutenant
commander.
“Mr. Benson," said Mr. Mayhew, after greet-
ing the submarine boy, “your craft will be under
a marine guard to-night, and at all times while
here at the Naval Academy. If you and your
crew would like to spend the night ashore, in
the quaint little old town of Annapolis, there's
no reason why you shouldn't. But you will all
need to report back aboard, ready for duty, by
eight in the morning."
Jack thanked the naval commander, then has-
tened back to the “Farnum” to communicate
the news.
“Me for the shore trip,” declared Eph,
promptly. All the others agreed with him.
“I'll come back by ten o'clock to-night,
though," volunteered Sam Truax. “One of the
crew ought to be aboard.'
“We'll stay ashore," decided Jack, “and re-
turn in the morning."
“I'm coming back to-night,” retorted Truax.
“Keep still, and follow orders," muttered
Eph, digging his elbow into Truax's ribs. “The
captain gives the orders here."


AND THE MIDDIES
75
17
Jack, however, had turned away. Within
five minutes a boat put off from shore, bringing
two soldiers of the marine guard alongside.
With them, in the shore boat, was a corporal of
the guard.
"Any of your crew coming back to-night,
sir?” asked the corporal.
“None,” Benson answered. "Will you
in-
struct the sentries to see that none of the crew
are allowed aboard during the night?”
“Very good, sir.'
The shore boat waited to convey them to the
landing. Before going, young Captain Benson
closed and locked the manhole entrance to the
conning tower. A sullen silence had fallen over
Truax. The instructions to the corporal of the
guard, and the prompt acceptance of those in-
structions, told Sam, beyond any doubt, that he
was not coming back on board that night.
Truax followed the others as they passed
through the Academy grounds. Beyond the
large, handsome buildings, there was not much
to be seen at night. Lights shone behind all the
windows in Cadet Barracks. Nearly all of the
cadets of the United States Navy were in their
quarters, hard at study. Here and there a
marine sentry paced. A few naval officers, in
uniforị, passed along the walks. That was all,
and the submarine party had crossed the


76
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
we
grounds to the gate through which they were to
pass into the town of Annapolis.
'Coming with us, Truax?” asked William-
son, as the party passed out into a dimly lighted
street.
“No," replied the fellow, sullenly.
“I'll
travel by myself.”
“You're welcome to," muttered Eph, under
his breath.
The others climbed the steps to the State Capi-
tol grounds, continuing until they reached one
of the principal streets of the little town.
“Say, but this place must have gone to sleep
before got ashore,” grumbled Eph.
“Hanged if I don't think Dunhaven is a livelier
little place!”
“There isn't much to do, except to wander
about a bit, then go to the Maryland House for a
good sleep on shore,” Jack admitted.
For more than an hour the submarine boys
wandered about. The principal streets con-
tained some stores that had a bright, up-to-date
look, and in these principal streets the evening
crowds much resembled those to be found in any
small town. There were other streets, however,
on which there was little traffic. In some of these
quieter streets were quaint, old-fashioned houses
built in the Colonial days.
“Annapolis is more of a place to see by day-


AND THE MIDDIES
77
light, I reckon," suggested Hal. “How about
that sleep, Jack?"
“The greatest fun, by night, I guess, consists
in finding a drug-store and spending some of our
loose change on ice cream sodas," laughed the
young submarine skipper.
This done, they found their way to the Mary-
land House. Jack and Hal engaged a room to-
gether, Eph and Williamson taking the adjoin-
ing one.
“As for me, in an exciting place like this,'
grimaced Eph, “I'm off for bed."
Williamson followed him upstairs. For some
minutes Hal sat with his chum in the hotel office.
Then Jack went over and talked with the night
clerk for a few moments.
“There's a place near here, Hal, where a fel-
low can get an oyster fry,” Benson explained,
returning to his chum. “With that information
came the discovery that I have an appetite.
Come and join me?”
“No," gaped Hal. “I reckon I'll go up and
turn in.''
“I'll be along in half an hour, then."
Jack found the oyster house readily. As he
entered the little, not over-clean place, he found
himself the only customer. He gave his order,
then picked up the local daily paper. As he ate,
Jack found himself yawning. The drowsiness


78
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
of Annapolis by night was coming upon him.
Little did he dream how soon he was to discover
that Annapolis, in some of its parts, can be
lively enough.
As he paid his bill and stepped to the street, a
young mulatto hurried up to him.
“Am Ah correct, sah, in supposin' yo' Cap'n
Jack Benson?"
“That's my name," Jack admitted.
“Den Ah's jes' been 'roun’to de hotel, lookin'
fo' yo', sah. One ob yo' men, Mistah Sam
Truax, am done took sick, an'he done sent me
fo' yo'.'
“Truax ill? Why, I saw him a couple of
hours ago, and he looked as healthy as a man
could look,” Jack replied, in astonishment.
"I reckon, sah, he's mighty po'ly now, sah,”
replied the mulatto. “He done gib me money
fo' to hiah a cab an' take yo’ to him. Will yo'
please to come, sah?”
“Yes," agreed Jack. “Lead the way.'
“T’ank yo', sah; t’ank yo', sah. Follow me,
>
sah."
Jack's mulatto guide led him down the street
a little way, then around a corner. Here a
rickety old cab with a single horse attached,
waited. A gray old darkey sat on the driver's
seat.
“Step right inside, sah. We'll be dere


AND THE MIDDIES
79
direckly. Marse Truax 'll be powahful glad to
see yo', sah."
"See here,” demanded Jack, after they had
driven several blocks at a good speed, “Truax
hasn't been getting into any drinking scrapes,
has he? Hasn't been getting himself arrested,
has he?"
For young Benson had learned, from the night
clerk at the hotel, that, quiet and “dead” as
Annapolis appears to the stranger, there are
“tough” places into which a seafaring stranger
may find his way.
“No, sah; no, sah,” protested the mulatto.
“Marse Truax done got sick right and proper.
"Why, confound it, we're leaving the town
behind,” cried Jack, a few moments later, after
peering out through the cab window.
“Dat's all right, sah. Dere ain' nuffin' to be
'fraid ob, sah.”
“Afraid?" uttered Jack, scornfully, with a
side glance at the mulatto. The submarine boy
felt confident that, in a stretch of trouble, he
could thrash this guide of his in very short
order.
“Ah might jess well tell yo' wheah we am
gwine, sah," volunteered the mulatto, presently.
"Yes,” Benson retorted, drily. “I think you
may.
“Marse Truax, sah, he done hab er powah ob


80
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
trouble, sah, las' wintah, wid rheumatiz, sah.
He 'fraid he gwine cotch it again dis wintah,
sah. Now, sah, dere am some good voodoo
doctahs 'roun' Annapolis, so Marse Truax, he
done gwine to see, sah, what er voodoo can
promise him fo' his rheumatiz. I’se a runnah,
sah, for de smahtest ole voodoo doctah, sah, in
de whole state ob Maryland.
“Then you took Truax to a voodoo doctor to-
night?” demanded Jack, almost contemptu-
ously.
“Yes, sah; yes, sah.”
“I thought Truax had more sense than to go
in for such tomfoolery,” Jack Benson retorted,
bluntly.
The mulatto launched into a prompt, ener.
getic defense of the voodoo doctors. Young
Benson had heard a good deal about these clever
old colored frauds. In spite of his contempt,
the submarine boy found himself interested.
He had heard about the charms, spells, incanta-
tions and other humbugs practised on colored
dupes and on some credulous whites by these
greatest of all quacks. The voodoo methods of
“healing” are brought out of the deepest jun-
gles of darkest Africa, yet there are many
ignorant people, even among the whites, who
believe steadfastly in the "cures” wrought by
the voodoo.


AND THE MIDDIES
81
While the mulatto guide was talking, or an-
swering Jack's half-amused questions, the cab
left Annapolis further and further behind.
“Yo' see, sah," the guide went on, “Marse
Truax wa’n’t in no fit condition, sah, to try de
strongest voodoo medicine dat he called fo’. So,
w'ile de voodoo was sayin' his strongest chahms,
Marse Truax done fall down, frothin' at de
mouth. He am some bettah, now, sah, but he
kain't be move' from de voodoo's house 'cept
by a frien'."
“I'll get a chance to see one of these old voo-
doo frauds, anyway,” Jack told himself. “This
new experience will be worth the time it keeps
me out of my bed. What a pity Hal missed a
queer old treat like this!”
When the cab at last stopped, Benson looked
out to find that the place was well down a lonely
country road, well lined with trees on either
side. The house, utterly dark from the outside,
was a ramshackle, roomy old affair.
“Shall Ah wait fo' yo'q" asked the old col-
ored driver.
“Yes, wait for me," directed Jack, briefly..
“Yeah; wait fo’de gemmun. He's all right,”
volunteered the mulatto.
“Mebbe yo’kin see some voodoo wo'k, too, ef
yo's int’rested,” hinted the guide, in a whisper,
as he fitted a key to a lock, and swung a door
6- The Submarine Boys and the Middies.


82
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
open. In a hallway stood a lighted lantern,
which the guide picked up.
“Now, go quiet-lak, on tip-toe. Sh!” cau-
tioned the guide, himself moving stealthily into
the nearest room. Jack Benson began to feel
secretly awestruck and “creepy,” though he
was too full of grit to betray the fact.
At the further end of the room the guide,
holding the lantern behind his body as though by
accident, threw open another door.
“Pass right on through dis room, ahead ob
me, sah,” begged the guide, respectfully.
But Jack drew back, instinctively, out of the
darkness.
"Don' yo', a w'ite man, be 'fraid ob ole voo-
doo house," advised the mulatto, still speaking
respectfully.
Afraid? Of course not. Relying on his mus-
cle and his agility, Jack stepped ahead. - By a
sudden jerk of his arm the mulatto guide shook
out the flame in the lantern.
“Here, you! What are you about?" growled
Jack Benson, wheeling like a flash upon his
escort.
“Go'long, yo'w'ite trash!” jeered the
mulatto. He gave the boy a sudden, forceful
shove.
Jack Benson, under the impetus of that push,
staggered ahead, seeking to recover his balance.


84
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
lantern that the yellowish guide had been carry-
ing, and now the light illumined the place into
which Jack Benson had fallen.
That place was a square-shaped pit, with
boarded sides. Up above, on a shelf of floor-
ing, knelt the late guide, grinning down with a
look of infernal glee. On either side of the
mulatto stood a heavy-jowled bull-dog. Both
brutes peered down, showing their teeth in a
way to make a timid man's blood run cold.
“Put those dogs back and come down here,”
challenged Jack, shaking his fist. “Come down,
and I'll teach you a few things, you rascal!”
“Don'yo'shake yo' fist at me, or dem dawgs
will sure jump down and tackle yo’,” grinned
the guide, gripping at the collars of the brutes,
which, truly, showed signs of intending to spring
below.
Jack fell back, his hands dropping to his sides.
Had there been but one dog, the submarine boy,
with all his grit forced to the surface, might
have chosen to face the brute, hoping to despatch
it with a well-aimed kick. But with two dogs,
both intent on “getting” him, young Benson
knew that he would stand the fabled chance of
a snow-flake on a red-hot stove.
“Dat's right, gemmun, yo’ keep cool,” ob-
served the mulatto, mockingly.
“You've decoyed me—trapped me here with


AND THE MIDDIES
85
1
a mess of lies,” flung back Captain Jack,
angrily. “What's your game?”
“Dis am a free lodgin' house-ho, ho, ho!”
chuckled the late guide. “Ah's gwine gib yo'
er place to sleep fo' de night. Yo' sho’ly must
feel 'bleeged to me—ho, ho, ho!"
“You lied to me about Sam Truax!”
“Yeah! Ah done foun' dat was de name ob a
gemmun in yo' pahty dat wasn't wid yo'.
Truax do as well as any odder name-yah!
Now, Ah's gwine leab yo' heah t'git a sleep.
Ah'll toss down some blankets. 'Pose yo’se'f
and gwine ter sleep, honey. Don't try to clim'
up outer dat, or dem dawgs 'll sho’ly jump down
at yo'. Keep quiet, an' go ter sleep, an' de
dawgs done lay heah an' jest watch. But don'
try nuffin' funny, or dę dawgs'll sho’ly bring
trubble to yo’. Dem is trained dawgs—train'
fo' dis business ob mine. Ho, ho, ho!"
Mulatto and light vanished, but enraged,
baffled, helpless Captain Jack could hear the
two dogs moving about ere they settled down on
the shelf of flooring overhead.
“No matter how much of a liar that rascal is,
he didn't lie to me about the dogs," reflected
Jack, his temper cooling, but his bitterness in-
creasing. “They're fighting dogs, and one
wrong move would bring them bounding down
here on me—the two together, Ugh-gh!"


86
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
After a few moments the mulatto reappeared
with a light and tossed down three heavy
blankets.
“Now, Ah's gwine leave yo’ fo’ de night,"
clacked the late guide. "Ef yo’ done feel lone-
some, yo' jes' whistle de dawgs down to yo'.
Dey'll come!”
While the light was still there Benson, in rag-
ing silence, gathered the blankets and arranged
them.
“Roll up one fo' a pillow, under yo' haid,”
grinned the mulatto. “Dat's all right, sah.
Now, good night, Marse Benson. Ef yo' feel
lonesome, Marse Benson, jes' whistle fo' de
dawgs. Dey'll come!"
The light vanished while the mulatto's sinis-
ter words were ringing in the boy's ears. Would
the dogs jump down? Jack knew they would,
at the first false move or sound on his part. He
huddled softly, stealthily, on the blankets, there
in the darkness.
As he lay there, thinking, Benson's sense of
admiration gradually got to the surface.
“Well, of all the slick man-traps !” he gasped.
“I never heard of anything more clever. Nor
was there ever a bigger idiot than I, to walk
stupidly into this same trap! What's the game,
I wonder? Robbery, it must be. And I have a
watch, some other little valuables and nearly a


AND THE MIDDIES
87
hundred and fifty dollars in money on me. Oh,
I'm the sleek, fat goose for plucking!”
Lying there, in enforced stillness, Jack Ben-
son, after an hour or so, actually fell asleep. A
good, healthy sleeper at all times, he slumbered
on through the night. Once he awoke, just a
trifle chilled. He heard one of the dogs snoring
overhead. Crawling under one of the blankets,
Benson went to sleep again.
"Hey, yo', Marse Benson. It am mawnin'.
Time yo’was wakin' up an' movin' erlong!"
It was the voice of the same mulatto, calling
down into the pit. Again the rays of the lan-
tern illumined the darkness. Both bull-dogs
displayed their ferocious muzzles over the edge
of the pit. Jack sat up cautiously, not caring to
attract unfriendly interest from the dogs.
“Ah want yo' to take off all yo'clothes 'cept
yo’undahclothes, an’den Ah'll let down a string
fo' yo' to tie 'em to,” declared the mulatto,
grinning. “Yo' needn't try ter slip yo'wallet,
nor nuffin' outer mah sight, cause Ah'll be
watchin’. Now, git a hurry on, Marse Benson,
or Ah'll done push dem dawgs ober de aidge
ob dis flooring.”
Jack hesitated only a moment. Then, with a
grunt of rage, he began removing his outer gar-
ments. Down came a twine, to the lower end of
which the boy made fast his garments, one after


AND THE MIDDIES
89
don' put dem t'ings on, yo'll sho'ly hab ter
gwine back ter 'Napolis in yo' undahclo's.
An' yo's gwine back right away, too, so, ef yo'
wants ter gwine back weahin'ernuff clo'es—"
“Oh, well, then-!” ground out the submarine
boy, savagely enough.
He attired himself in these tattered ends of
raiment. Had he not been so angry he must
have roared at sight of his comical self when the
dressing was completed.
CHAPTER VIII
A YOUNG CAPTAIN IN TATTERS
"Now
OW, yo'll do, Ah reckons.'
With that, the mulatto guide of the
night before threw down one end of
an inch rope.
“Ah reckon yo's sailor ernuff to clim’dat.
Come right erlong, 'less yo' wants de dawgs ter
jump down dar."
“But they'll tackle me if I come up," objected
Jack Benson.
“No, dey won't. Dem dawgs is train' to dis
wo'k. Ah done
Ah done tole yo' dat. Come right
erlong. Ah'll keep my two eyes on dem
dawgs."
It looked like a highly risky bit of business,


90
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
but Jack told himself that, now he had been de-
prived of his valuables, this yellow worthy must
be genuinely anxious to be rid of the victim. So
he took hold of the rope and began to climb.
The mulatto and the dogs disappeared from the
upper edge of the pit.
As his head came up above the level of the
flooring Benson saw the mulatto and the dogs
in the next room, the connecting door of which
had been taken from its hinges.
“Come right in, Marse Benson. Dere ain'
nuffin' gwineter hu't yo'," came the rascal's
voice reassuringly. Jack obeyed by stepping
into the next room, though he kept watch over
the dogs out of the corners of his eyes.
“Now, yo'lie right down on de fo', Marse
Benson," commanded the master of the situa-
tion. “Ah's gotter tie yo' up, befo' Ah can
staht yo' back ter 'Napolis, but dere ain' no
hahm gwine come ter yo'.”
Making a virtue of necessity, Captain Jack
lay down as directed, passing his hands behind
his back. These were deftly secured, after
which his ankles were treated in the samo
fashion. Immediately the mulatto, who was
strong and wiry, lifted the boy and the lantern
together. The dogs remaining behind, Jack
was carried out into the yard, where he discov-
ered that daylight was coming on in the East.


92
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
about his ankles being tied with many hard
knots, spent some precious minutes in freeing
his feet. At last he stood up, fire in his eyes.
“Oh, pshaw! There's no sense in trying to
run after that rascal and his wagon,” decided
the young submarine skipper. "I haven't the
slightest idea what direction he took after he
got out of sight, and-oh, gracious! I'm under
orders to be aboard the 'Farnum' at eight this
morning. And on Mr. Farnum's business, at
that!”
Clenching his hands vengefully, Jack started
along in the direction pointed out by his late
captor. Brisk walking wore some of the edge
off his great wrath. Catching a comprehensive
glimpse of himself, Jack could not keep back a
grim laugh.
“Well, I certainly am a dandy to spring my-
self on the trim and slick Naval Academy!” he
gritted. “What a treat I'll be to the cadets !
That is, if the sentry ever lets me through the
gate into the Academy grounds."
As he hurried along, Jack Benson decided
that he simply could not go to the Naval
Academy presenting any such grotesque picture
as he did now. Yet he had no money about him
with which to purchase more presentable clothes
in town. So he formed another plan.
Within a few minutes he came in sight of


94
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
would permit him to go in words. A score of
well-dressed gentlemen were staring in aston-
ishment at the scene. The clerk nodded to two
stout porters who had suspended their work
nearby.
It had been Jack Benson's purpose to go to
his room and keep out of sight, while despatch-
ing one of the colored bell-boys of the hotel with
a note to Hal Hastings, asking that chum to send
him up a uniform and other articles of attire.
However, before the young submarine captain
fully realized what was happening, the two por-
ters had seized him. Firmly, even though
gently, they hustled him out through the en-
trance onto the street.
“Scat!” advised one of the pair.
Jack started to protest, then realized the
hopelessness of such a course. In truth, he did
not blame the hotel folks in the least.
“Oh, well,” he sighed, paling as soon as the
new flush of mortification had died out, “there's
nothing for it but to hurry to the Academy. I
hope the sentries won't shoot when they see
me,” he added, bitterly.
Across the State Capitol grounds he hurried,
then down through a side street until he arrived
at the gate of the Academy grounds.
“Halt!" challenged a sentry, as soon as Jack
showed his face through the gateway.


AND THE MIDDIES
95
Young Benson stopped, bringing his heels to-
gether with a click.
“What do you want? Where are you go-
ing?” demanded the marine.
“I know I look pretty tough,” Jack admitted,
shamefacedly. “But I belong aboard the ‘Far-
num,' one of the submarines that arrived last
night. And I'm due there at this minute.
Please don't delay me."
“All right,” replied the sentry, after survey-
ing the boy from head to foot once more. Then
he added, in a lower tone, with just the suspicion
of a grin showing at the corners of his mouth:
“Say, friend, for a stranger, you must have
had a high old frolic in the town last night.'
Jack frowned. The sentry's grin broadened
a bit. As he did not offer to detain the boy,
longer, Benson hurried on along one of the
walks. He took as short a course as he could
making straight for the Basin, where he made
out the Hudson" and the two submarines.
“Hey! There's the captain!” shouted Eph,
wonderingly, for Somers's eyes were sharp at
all times.
Out of the conning tower sprang Hal Hast-
ings, looking eagerly in the direction in which
Eph Somers pointed :
"Eh?” muttered another person, lounging
near the rail of the gunboat. Then Lieutenant


96
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
Commander Mayhew, after a keen, wholly dis-
approving look at the hard-looking figure of a
young man at the landing, started, as he mut-
tered:
“Benson, by all that's horrible! How did he
come to be in that fearful shape? He must have
been in one of the worst resorts within miles of
Annapolis!”
“This isn't the first time the young man has
come back the worse for wear, " the lieutenant
commander continued, under his breath. “His
friends were loyal enough to him, that time. I
wonder if they can be, to-day?”
One of the shore boats, waiting about in the
Basin, put young Benson aboard the “Far-
as soon as he explained who he was. Hal
and Eph stood awaiting the coming of their
young commander, their faces full of concern
and anxiety. Both gripped Jack's hand as soon
as he gained the platform deck of the sub-
marine.
“Come below,” whispered Hal. “We'll talk
there. You need a bath and to get into a uni-
form as quickly as you can.”
This need Jack Benson proceeded to realize
without an instant's delay. While he washed
himself off, in one of the staterooms aft, he
talked through the door, which had been left
ajar. He continued his story while he dressed.
num”


AND THE MIDDIES
97
>>
“We were fearfully anxious this morning,"
Hal confessed. “I went to sleep last night, and
didn't know of your absence until this morning.
Then Eph and I decided to come on down to the
boat to see if you were here. We were just
planning to send quiet word to the Annapolis
police when Eph spotted you coming.'
“And Truax?” inquired Captain Jack.
“He and Williamson are forward in the
engine-room, now, at breakfast."
“Oh, well, Truax wouldn't know anything
about the scrape, anyway,” returned Jack.
"His name was learned and used that's all."
“Are you going to try to find that place, catch
the mulatto and force the return of your
money?" demanded Eph Somers.
“I've got to think that over," muttered Jack,
as he drew on a spick-and-span uniform blouse.
“I don't know whether there'll be any use in
trying to find that mulatto. I haven't the least
idea where his place is. Even if I found it, it's
ten to one I wouldn't find the fellow there."
Farnum,' ahoy!" roared a voice alongside,
the voice coming down through the open conning
tower.
Eph ran to answer. When he returned, he
announced :
“Compliments of Lieutenant Commander
Mayhew, and will Mr. Benson wait on the lieu-
7- The Submarine Boys and the Middies.


98
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
tenant commander on board the parent boat?”
“I will," assented Jack, with a wry face, "and
here's where I have to do some tall but truthful
explaining to a man who isn't in the least likely
to believe a word I say. I can guess what Mr.
Mayhew is thinking, and is going to keep on
thinking!”
CHAPTER IX
TRUAX GIVES A HINT
T was a tailor-made, clean, crisp and new-
looking young submarine commander who
stepped into the naval cutter alongside.
Jack Benson looked as natty as a young man
could look, and his uniform was that of a naval
officer, save for the absence of the insignia of
rank.
Up the side gangway of the gunboat Jack
mounted, carrying himself in the best naval
style. On deck stood a sentry, an orderly wait-
ing beside him.
“Lieutenant Commander Mayhew will see
you in his cabin, sir,” announced the orderly.
"I will show you the way, sir."
Mr. Mayhew was seated before a desk in his
cabin when the orderly piloted the submarine
boy in. The naval officer did not rise, nor did
he ask the boy to take a seat. Jack Benson was


AND THE MIDDIES
99
very well aware that he stood in Mr. Mayhew's
presence in the light of a culprit.
“Mr. Benson," began Mr. Mayhew, eyeing
him closely, "you are not in the naval service,
and are not therefore amenable to its discipline.
At the same time, however, your employers have
furnished you to act, in some respects, as a civil-
ian instructor in submarine boating before the
cadets. While you are here on that duty it is
to be expected, therefore, that you will conform
generally to the rules of conduct as laid down at
the Naval Academy."
“Yes, sir," replied Jack.
“As I am at present in charge of the sub-
marine purchased by the United States from
your company, and at least in nominal charge
of the ‘Farnum,' as well, I am, in a measure,
to be looked upon, for the present, as your com-
manding officer.”
“Yes, sir,” assented the boy.
“You came aboard your craft, this morning,
in a very questionable looking condition."
“Yes, sir."
Jack Benson's composure was perfect. His
sense of discipline was also exact. He did not
propose to offer any explanations until such
were asked of him.
“Have you anything to say, Mr. Benson, as
to that condition, and how you came to be in it?”


100
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“Shall I explain it to you, sir?”
“I shall be glad to hear your explanation.”
Thereupon, the submarine boy plunged into
a concise description of what had happened to
him the night before.
The lieutenant com-
mander did not once interrupt him, but, when
Jack had finished, Mr. Mayhew observed:
“That is a very remarkable story, Mr. Ben-
son. Most remarkable."
“Yes, sir, it is. May I ask if you doubt my
story?"
Jack looked straight into the officer's eyes as
he put the question bluntly. An officer of the
Army or of the Navy must not answer a ques-
tion untruthfully. Neither, as a rule, may he
make an evasive answer. So the lieutenant
commander thought a moment, before he re-
plied:
"I don't feel that I know you well enough,
Mr. Benson, to express an opinion that might be
wholly fair to you. The most I can say, now,
is that I very sincerely hope such a thing will
not happen again during your stay at the Naval
Academy."
“It won't, sir," promised Jack Benson, "if I
have hereafter the amount of good judgment
hat I ought to be expected to possess.
“I hope not, Mr. Benson, for it would destroy
your usefulness here. A civilian instructor


AND THE MIDDIES
101
here, as much as a naval instructor, must pos-
sess the whole confidence and respect of the
cadet battalion. I hope none of the cadets who
may have seen you this morning recognized
you."
Then, taking on a different tone, Mr. Mayhew
informed his young listener that a section of
cadets would board the “Farnum" at eleven
that morning, another section at three in the
afternoon, and a third at four o'clock.
“Of course you will have everything aboard
your craft wholly shipshape, Mr. Benson, and I
trust I hardly need add that, in the Navy, we
are punctual to the minute."
“You will find me punctual to the minute
before, sir."
“Very good, Mr. Benson. That is all. You
may go."
Jack saluted, then turned away, finding his
way to the deck. The cutter was still alongside,
and conveyed him back to the “Farnum."
“Mr. Mayhew demanded your story of
course?” propounded Hal Hastings. “What
did he think?'
“He didn't say so," replied Jack Benson,
with a wry smile, “but he let me see that he
thought I was out of my element on a submarine
boat.”
“How so?"


102
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“Why, it is very plain that Mr. Mayhew
thinks I ought to employ my time writing im.
probable fiction."
“Oh, Mayhew be bothered!" exploded Eph.
“Hardly,” retorted Jack. “Mr. Mayhew is
an officer and a gentleman. I admit that my
yarn does sound fishy to a stranger. Besides,
fellows, Mr. Mayhew represents the naval offi-
cers through whose good opinion our employers
hope to sell a big fleet of submarine torpedo
boats to the United States Government.
“Then what are you going to do about it?"
asked Hal, as the three boys reached the cabin
below.
“First of all, I'm going to rummage about and
get myself some breakfast.
“If you do, there'll be a fight,” growled Eph
Somers. “I'll hash up a breakfast for you."
“And, afterwards?” persisted Hal.
“I'm going to try to win Mr. Mayhew's good
opinion, and that of every other naval officer or
cadet I may happen to meet."
“Why the cadets, particularly?" asked Eph
Somers.
“Because, for one business reason, the cadets
are going to be the naval officers of to-morrow,
and the Pollard Submarine Boat Company
hopes to be building craft for the Navy for a
good many years to come.”


AND THE MIDDIES
103
“Good enough!” nodded Hal, while Eph
dodged away to get that breakfast ready.
Sam Truax lounged back in the engine room,
smoking a short pipe. With him stuck William-
son, for Eph had privately instructed the
machinist from the Farnum yard not to leave
the stranger alone in the engine room.
“Why don't you go up on deck and get a few
.whiffs of fresh air?" asked Truax.
“Oh, I'm comfortable down here," grunted
the machinist, who was stretched out on one of
the leather-cushioned seats that ran along the
side of the engine room.
“I should think you'd want to get out of here
once in a while, though," returned Truax.
“Why?" asked the machinist. “Anything
you want to be left alone here for 9"
“Oh, of course not,” drawled Truax, blowing
out a cloud of tobacco smoke.
“Then I guess I'll stay where I am,” nodded
Williamson.
“Sorry, but you'll have to stop all smoking in
here now," announced Eph, thrusting his head
in at the doorway. “There'll be a lot of cadets
aboard at eleven o'clock, and we want the air
clear and sweet. You'd better go all over the
machinery and see that everything is in apple-
pie order and appearance. Mr. Hastings will
be in here soon to inspect it."


AND THE MIDDIES
105
on board-and you'll march off to the ‘Rogues'
March.'»
“So that's the way he'd work it, eh?” de-
manded Sam Truax, turning green and ugly
around the lips.
“You bet it is,” retorted the machinist.
“We're practically a part of the United States
Navy for these few days, and naval rules will
govern any game we may get into."
On that hint things went along better in the
engine room. When Hal Hastings came in to
inspect he found nothing to criticise.
At the minute of eleven o'clock a squad of
some twenty cadets came marching down to the
landing in front of the boat house. There Lieu-
tenant Commander Mayhew and one of his
engineer officers met them. Two cutters manned
by sailors brought the party out alongside,
where Jack and Hal stood ready to receive them.
A very natty looking squad of future admirals
came aboard, grouping themselves about on the
platform deck. It was rather a tight squeeze
for so many human beings in that space.
After greeting the submarine boys, Mr. May-
hew turned to the cadets, calling their attention
to the lines and outer construction of the “Far-
num." Then he turned to the three submarine
boys, signing to them to crowd forward.
“These young gentlemen,” announced the


106
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
lieutenant commander, “are Mr. Benson, Mr.
Hastings and Mr. Somers. All three are thor-
oughly familiar with the Pollard type of boat.
As the Navy has purchased one Pollard boat,
and may acquire others, it is well that you
cadets should understand all the working details
of the Pollard Submarine Company's crafts. A
few of you at a time will now step into the con-
ning tower, and Mr. Benson will explain to you
the steering and control gear used there."
Half a dozen of the cadets managed to squeeze
into the conning tower. Jack experienced an
odd feeling, half of embarrassment, as he ex-
plained before so many attentive pairs of eyes.
Then another squad of cadets took the place of
the first on-lookers. After a while all had been
instructed in the use of the conning tower
appliances.
“Mr. Benson,” continued the lieutenant com-
mander, “will now lead the way for all hands to
the cabin. There he will explain the uses of the
diving controls, the compressed air apparatus,
and other details usually worked from the
cabin."
Down below came the cadets, in orderly fash-
ion, without either haste or lagging. Having
warmed up to his subject, Jack Benson lectured
earnestly, even if not with fine skill. At last he
paused.


AND THE MIDDIES
107
“Any of the cadets may now ask questions,
announced Lieutenant Commander Mayhew.
There was a pause, then one of the older
cadets turned to Jack to ask:
“What volume of compressed air do you
carry at your full capacity?”
“Mr. Benson's present status,” rapped Mr.
Mayhew, quickly, “is that of a civilian instruc-
tor. Any cadet who addresses Mr. Benson will
therefore say “sir,' in all cases, just as in ad-
dressing an officer of the Navy."
The cadet so corrected, who was at least
twenty-one years old, flushed as he glanced
swiftly at sixteen-year-old Jack. To say "sir"
to such a youngster seemed almost like a
humiliation. Yet the cadet repeated his ques-
tion, adding the “sir." Jack quickly answered
the question. Then two or three other ques-
tions were asked by other cadets. It was plain,
however, that to all of the cadets the use of
“sir" to so young a boy appealed, at least, to
their sense of humor.
Through the engine room door Sam Truax
and Williamson stood taking it all in. Sam saw.
a flash in the eye of one big cadet when the ques-
tion of “sir” came up.
Presently the squad filed into the engine room.
Here Hal Hastings had the floor for instruction.
He did his work coolly, admirably, though he


AND THE MIDDIES
109
that enough time, sir, in which to learn much
about submarine boats?"
“That depends," Skipper Jack replied,
“upon a man's ability in such a subject.'
“Is it long enough time, sir, for a boy?"
That was rather a hard dig. Instantly the
other cadets became all attention.
“It depends upon the boy, as it would upon
the man,” Jack answered.
“Do you consider, Mr. Benson, that you know
all about submarine boats, sir?”
“Oh, no."
“Who does, sir?"
“No one that I ever heard of," Jack an-
swered. "Few men interested in submarine
boats know much beyond the peculiarities of
their own boats."
'And that applies equally to boys, sir?”
“Yes,” Jack smiled.
“Do you consider yourself, sir, fully com-
petent to handle this craft?"
“I'd rather someone else would say it,” Jack
replied. “My employers, though, seem to con-
sider me competent."
“What is this material, sir?” continued the
cadet, resting a hand on a piston rod.
“Brass,” Benson replied, promptly.
“Do you know the specific gravity and the
tensile strength of this brass?”


110
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
Before Jack could answer Mr. Mayhew broke
in, crisply:
“That will do, Mr. Merriam. Your questions
appear to go beyond the limits of ordinary in-
struction, and to partake more of the nature of
a cross-examination. Such questions take up
the time of the instruction tour unnecessarily."
Cadet Merriam flushed slightly, as he saluted
the naval officer. Then the cadet's jaws settled
squarely. He remained silent.
A few more questions and the hour was up.
Lieutenant Commander Mayhew gave the
order for the cadets to pass above and embark
in the cutters. He remained behind long
enough to say to the three submarine boys:
"You have done splendidly, gentlemen-far
better than I expected you to do. If you man-
age the sea instruction as well, in the days to
come, our cadets will have a first-class idea of
the handling of the Pollard boats."
“I wish, sir," Jack replied, after thanking the
officer, “that the cadets were not required to say
'sir' to us. It sounds odd, and I am quite cer-
tain that none of the young men like it.”
"It is necessary, though,” replied Mr. May-
hew. “They are required to do it with all
civilian instructors, and it would never do to
draw distinctions on account of age. Yes; it is
necessary.


112
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“Aren't you going to report the robbery to
the police?" demanded Hal, opening his eyes in
surprise.
“Not in a rush,” Jack answered. “If I do,
the police may start at once, and that mulatto
and his friends, being on the watch, will take
the alarm and get away. If I wait two or three
days, then the mulatto's crowd will think I've
dropped the whole thing. I reckon the waiting
game will fool them more than any other."
“Yes, and all the money they got away from
you will be spent," muttered Eph.
Jack, none the less, decided to wait and think
the matter over.
Supper over, the submarine boys, for want of
anything else to do, sat and read until about nine
o'clock. Then Jack looked up.
“This is getting mighty tedious," he com-
plained. “What do you fellows say to getting
on shore and stretching our legs in a good
walk?"
“In town?" grinned Eph, slyly.
Jack flushed, then grinned.
“No!” he answered quietly; "about the
Academy grounds.
"I wonder if it would be against the regula-
tions for a lot of rank outsiders like us to go
through the grounds at this hour?"
" "Rank outsiders'q" mimicked Jack Benson,


AND THE MIDDIES
115
spirit of mischief, hoping the approaching cadet,
when questioned, would resent it stiffly. Then
Eph would be almost certain to flare up.
The cadet, however, suddenly turned, coming
straight toward them, smiling.
“Good evening, gentlemen,” was the cadet's
greeting
“Good evening," was Jack's hearty reply.
“You've never been here before, have you,
sir?"
“Never," Jack confessed.
“Then I take it you have never, sir, seen the
camelroorelephant ?”
“The cam-" began Eph Somers.
Then he stopped, clapping both hands to his
right jaw.
“Won't you please hand that to us in
pieces ?” begged Eph, speaking as though with
difficulty.
The cadet laughed heartily, then added:
"Don't try to pronounce it, gentlemen, until
you've seen the camelroorelephant. It's a cadet
joke, but it's well worth seeing. Shall I take
you to it?"
“Why, yes, if you'll be good enough,” Jack
assented, heartily.
The cadet glanced quickly about him, then
said in a low voice:
“This way, please, gentlemen.”


AND THE MIDDIES
117
the submarine boys that these naval cadets were
out for mischief.
“We're in for it!” breathed Jack, in an un-
dertone. “We're in for something real and
startling, I reckon. Fellows, brace up and take
your medicine, whatever it is, like men!"
CHAPTER XI
BUT SOMETHING HAPPENED !
N°F
OR was Jack's guess in the least wrong.
Even had the submarine boys at-
tempted to bolt they would have found
it impossible. They were surrounded.
The cadets closed quickly in upon them.
There were more than thirty of these budding
young naval officers.
It was Cadet Merriam who stepped straight
up to Jack, giving him a grotesque and exagger-
ated salute, as he rumbled out:
“Good evening, SIR!"
Like a flash Jack Benson comprehended.
These cadets intended fully to even up matters
for having been obliged to say “sir” to these
very youthful “civilian instructors."
“Good evening," Jack smiled.
“You have come to see the camelroorelephant,
SIR?'


118
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“We've been told that we might have that
pleasure," Jack responded, still smiling.
“Perhaps you may,” retorted Cadet Mer-
riam, “though, first of all, it will be necessary
to prove yourselves worthy of the privilege,
SIR.”
“Anything within our power,” promised
Jack.
“Then, SIR, let me see you all three stand ‘at
attention.'"
“At attention” is the rigid attitude taken by
a United States soldier or sailor when in the
presence of his officers. Jack had already seen
men in that attitude, and did his best to imitate
it in smart military manner. Eph and Hal did
likewise.
“No, no, no, you dense blockheads!" uttered
Cadet Midshipman Merriam. “'At attention'
upside down-on your hands!"
The other cadet midshipmen now hemmed in
closely about the three. Jack thought he caught
the idea. He bent over, throwing his feet up in
the air and resting on his hands. Unable to
keep his balance, he walked two or three steps.
“I didn't tell you to walk your post, block-
head!” scowled Mr. Merriam: "Stand still
when at attention.”
Jack tried, but of course made a ludicrous
failure of standing still on his hands. So did


AND THE MIDDIES
119
Hal and Eph. The latter, truth to tell, didn't
try very hard, for his freckled temper was com-
ing a bit to the surface.
“You're the rawest recruits, the worst land-
lubbers I've ever seen, ” declared Cadet Mid-
shipman Merriam, with severe dignity. “Rest,
before you try it any further.”
The smile had all but left Jack Benson's lips,
though he tried to keep it there. Hal Hastings
made the most successful attempt at looking
wholly unconcerned. Eph's face was growing
redder every minute. It is a regrettable fact.
that Eph was really beginning to want to fight.
“See here,” ordered Mr. Merriam, suddenly,
taking Jack by the arm, "you're a horse, a full-
blooded Arab steedunderstand?"
He gave young Benson a push that sent that
youngster down to the ground on all fours.
“You're General Washington, out to take a
ride on your horse," announced Mr. Merriam,
turning to Hal. “It's a ride for your health.
Do you understand? It will be wholly for your
health to take that ride!"
Hal Hastings couldn't help comprehending..
With a sheepish grin he sat astride of Jack Ben-
son's back as the latter stood on all fours.
“Go ahead with your ride, General,” called
Mr. Merriam.
Jack pranced as best he could, on all fours,


120
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
Hal making the load of his own weight as light
as he could. Over the ground the pair moved
in this nonsensical ride, the cadets following and
grinning their appreciation of the nonsense.
Two of the young men followed, holding Eph
by the arms between them. Mr. Merriam now
turned upon the unhappy freckled boy.
“Down on all fours," ordered Mr. Merriam.
“You're the measly dog that barked at General
Washington on that famous ride. Bark, you
wretched yellow cur-bark, bark, bark!”
Though Eph Somers was madder than ever,
he had just enough judgment remaining to feel
that the wisest thing would be to obey instruc-
tions. So, on all fours, Eph raced after Jack,
barking at him.
“See how frightened the horse is,” muttered
one of the midshipmen.
Taking the hint, Jack shied as well as he
could.
“That's all,” said Mr. Merriam, at last.
“All of that, at least.”
As the three submarine boys rose, each found
himself gently held by a pair of cadet midship-
It was a more or less polite hint that the
ordeal was not yet over. Mr. Merriam turned to
whisper to one of the cadets, who darted inside
the barracks building. He was back, promptly,
carrying a folded blanket on his arm.
men.





AND THE MIDDIES
123
A grin spread over the faces of the assembled
cadet midshipmen. The bearer of the blanket
at once unfolded it. As many of the cadets as
could got hold of the edges, bending, holding the
blanket spread out over the ground.
Jack Benson's two captors suddenly hurled
him across the length of the blanket with no gen-
tle force. Instantly the cadets holding the
blankets straightened up, jerking it taut. Up
into the air a couple of feet bounded Jack. As
his body came down the cadets holding the
blanket gave it a still harder jerk. This time
Jack shot up into the air at least four feet. It
was the same old blanket-tossing, long popular
both in the Army and Navy. Every time Jack
landed the blanket was given a harder jerk by
those holding it. Benson began to go higher
and higher.
And now the cadets broke into a low, mono-
tonous chant, in time to their movements. It
ran:
Sir, sir, surcingle!
Sir, sir, circle!
Sir, sir, with a shingle-
Sir, sir, sir!
As regular as drumbeats the cadets ripped out
the syllables of the refrain. At each word Jack
Benson's body shot higher and higher. These
young men were experts in the gentle art of


124
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
blanket-tossing. Ere long the submarine boy
was going up into the air some eight or nine feet
at every tautening of the blanket.
As for escape, that was out of the question.
No sooner did the submarine boy touch the
blanket than he shot skyward again. Had he
desired to he could not have called out. The
motion and the sudden jolts shook all the breath
ont of him.
“Ugh! Hm! Pleasant, isn't it?" uttered
Hal Hastings, grimly, under his breath.
“If they try to do that to me," whispered
Eph, hotly, under his breath, "I'll fight.”
“More simpleton you, then!” Hal shot back
at him in warning. "What chance do
you
think
you stand against a crowd like this?"
Just as suddenly as it had begun the blanket-
tossing stopped. Yet, hardly had Jack been al-
lowed to step out than Hal Hastings was uncere-
moniously dropped athwart the blanket. The
tossing began again, to the chant of:
Sir, sir, surcingle!
Sir, sir, circle!
Right plentifully were these cadet midship-
men avenging themselves for having had to say
"sir" to these young submarine boys that day.
“Woof!” breathed Jack, as soon as breath
entered his body again. Eph clenched his fists


AND THE MIDDIES
125
tightly, as Hal continued to go higher and
higher. But at last Hastings's ordeal was over.
“I suppose they'll try that on me!” gritted
Eph Somers to himself. “If they do—"
That was far as he got, for Eph was suddenly
flung upon the blanket.
Sir, sir, surcingle!
Then how Eph did go up and down! It was
as though these cadet midshipmen knew that it
would make Eph mad, madder, maddest! These
budding young naval officers fairly bent to their
work, tautening and loosening on the blanket
until their muscles fairly ached.
It was lofty aerial work that Eph Somers was
doing. Up and up-higher and higher! With-
out the need of any effort on his own part young
Somers was now traveling upward at the rate of
ten or eleven feet at every punctuated bound.
Then, suddenly, there came a sound that
chilled the blood of every young cadet midship-
man hazer present.
“Halt! Where you are!”
Under the shadow of the barracks building a
naval officer had appeared. He now came for-
ward, a frown on his face, eyeing the culprits.
It is no merry jest for cadet midshipmen to
be caught at hazing! And here were some
thirty of them-red-handed!


126
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
CHAPTER XII
JACK BENSON, EXPERT EXPLAINER
A"
T the first word of command from the
officer several of the cadet midshipmen
who were near enough to an open door-
way vanished through it.
As the officer strode through the group of
startled young men a few more, left behind his
back, made a silent disappearance.
There were left, however, as the officer looked
about him, sixteen of the young men, all too
plainly headed and led by Cadet Midshipman
Merriam.
“Young gentlemen," said the officer, severely,
“I regret to find so many of you engaged in
hazing. It is doubly bad when your victims are
men outside the corps. And, if I mistake not,
these young gentlemen are here as temporary
civilian instructors in submarine work."
Mr. Merriam and his comrades made no reply
in words. Nor did their faces express much.
They stood at attention, looking stolidly ahead
of them, though their faces were turned toward
the officer. It was not the place of any of them
to speak unless the officer asked questions.
Severe as the hazing had been, however, Jack


AND THE MIDDIES
127
and Hal, at least, had taken it all in good part.
Nor was Jack bound by any of the rules of eti-
quette that prevented the cadets from speaking.
“May I offer a word, sir?” asked Jack,
wheeling upon the officer.
“You were one of the victims of a hazing,
were you not?” demanded the officer, regarding
Jack, keenly.
“Why, could you call it that, sir?” asked
Jack, a look of innnocent surprise settling on his
face. “We called it a demonstration-an
explanation.”
“Demonstration? Explanation?" repeated
the officer, astonished in his turn. “What do
you mean, Mr.
“Benson," Jack supplied, quietly.
“I think you would better tell me a little more,
Mr. Benson,” pursued the unknown naval
officer.
“Why, it was like this, sir," Jack continued.
"My two friends-Hastings and Somers—and
myself were talking about the West Point and
Annapolis hazings, of which we had heard and
read. We were talking about the subject when
a cadet came along. I suggested to Somers that
we ask the cadet about hazing. Well, sir, to
make a long story short, some of the cadets
undertook to show us just how hazing is or
used to be done at Annapolis."
-er-
ܙ?.


128
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“Oh! Then it was all thoroughly good-
natured, all in the way of a joke, to show you
something you wanted to know?” asked the
naval officer, slowly.
“That's the way I took it," replied Jack.
“So did Hastings and Somers. We've enjoyed
ourselves more than anyone else here has."
This was truth surely enough, for, in the last
two minutes, not one of the cadet midshipmen
present could have been accused of enjoying
himself.
“Then what took place here, Mr. Benson,
really took place at your request?'' insisted the
naval officer.
“It all answered the questions that we had
been asking," Jack replied, promptly, though,
it must be admitted, rather evasively.
“This is your understanding, too, Mr. Hast-
ings?” demanded the officer.
“Surely," murmured Hal.
“You, Mr. Somers ?”
“I-I haven't had so much fun since the gaso-
line engine blew up," protested Eph.
“We entered most heartily into the spirit of
the thing," Jack hastened on to say, "and feel
that we owe the deepest thanks to these young
gentlemen of the Navy. Yet, if our desire to
know more about the life—that is, the former
life of the Academy is to result in getting our


AND THE MIDDIES
129
entertainers into any trouble, we shall never
cease regretting our unfortunate curiosity.”
For some moments the naval officer regarded
the three submarine boys, solemnly, in turn.
From them he turned to look over the cadet mid-
shipmen. The latter looked as stolid, and stood
as rigidly at attention, as ever.
“Under this presentation of the matter," said
the officer, after a long pause, “I am not pre-
pared to say that there has been any violation
of discipline. At least, no grave infraction.
However, some of these young gentlemen are, I
believe, absent from their quarters without
leave. Mr. Merriam ?"
"I have permission to be absent from my
quarters between nine and ten, sir."
“Mr. Caldwell ?"
“ Absent from quarters without permission,
sir."
97
So on down through the list the officer ran.
Nine of the young men proved to have leave to
be away from their quarters. The other seven
did not have such permission. The names of
these seven, therefore, were written down to be
reported. The seven, too, were ordered at once
back to their quarters.
Having issued his instructions, the naval offi-
cer turned and walked away. Jack and his
comrades, too, left the scene.
9-The Submarine Boys and the Middies.


130
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
Yet they had not gone far when they heard
a low hail behind. Turning, they saw Cadet
Midshipmen Merriam hastening toward them.
“Gentlemen,' he said, earnestly, as he
reached them, “it may not be best for me to be
seen lingering here to talk with you. But my
comrades wanted me to come after you and to
say that we think you bricks. You carried that
off finely, Mr. Benson. None of us will ever
forget it."
“It wasn't much to do," smiled Jack,
pleasantly.
“It was quick-witted of you, and generous
too, sir,” rejoined Mr. Merriam, finding it now
very easy to employ the “sir.” “Probably you
agree with us that no great crime was com-
mitted, anyway. But, just the same, hazing is
under a heavy ban these days. If you hadn't
saved the day as you did, sir, all of our cadet
party might have been dismissed the Service.
Those absent from quarters without leave
will get only a few demerits apiece. We
have that much to thank you for, sir, and we
do. All our thanks, remember. Good night,
sir."
“My courage was down in my boots for a
while,” confessed Hal Hastings, as the three
chums continued their walk back to the Basin.
“When?" demanded Eph, grimly. “When


AND THE MIDDIES
131
your boots—and the rest of you-were so high
up in the air over the blanket?”
“No; when the cadets were caught at it,"
replied Hal.
“Say, Jack," demanded Eph, “do you ever
give much thought to the future life?”
“Meaning the life in the next world?” ques-
tioned Benson.
"Yes."
“I sometimes give a good deal of thought to
it,” Jack confessed.
“Then where do you expect to go, when the
time comes?"
“Why?"
“After the whoppers you told that officer?”
“I didn't tell him even a single tiny fib,” pro-
tested Jack, indignantly.
“Oh, you George Washington!” choked Eph
Somers.
"Well, I didn't," insisted Jack. “Now, just
stop and think. Weren't we all three discussing
hazing?"
“Yes."
“Then that part of what I told the officer was
straight. Now, Eph, when we saw that first
cadet come along, didn't I suggest to you to ask
him about hazing?"
“Ye-es," admitted Somers, thoughtfully.
“Then, didn't the cadet midshipmen offer to


132
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
show us all about hazing pranks, and didn't they
do it?'
"Well, rather,'' muttered Eph.
“Now, young man, that's all I told the officer,
except that we enjoyed our entertainment
greatly.”
“Did we enjoy it, though ?" demanded Eph
Somers, bridling up.
"I did,” replied Jack, “and I spoke for my-
self. I enjoyed it as I would enjoy almost any,
new experience."
“So did I,” added Hal, warmly. “It was
rough-mighty rough—but now I know what an
Annapolis hazing is like, and I'm glad I do."
“Well, I want to tell you I didn't enjoy it,'
blazed Eph. “It was a mighty cheeky-
“Then why did you let the officer imagine you
enjoyed it?” taunted Jack.
While Hal put in, slyly:
“Eph, you're too quick to talk about others
fibbing. From the evidence just put in, it's
evident that you're the only one of the three who
fibbed any. Won't you please walk on the
other side of the road? I never did like to
travel with liars.”
“Oh, you go to Jericho!" flared Eph. But,
as he walked along, he blinked a good deal, and
did some hard thinking.
“I'll tell you,” broke out Jack, suddenly,


AND THE MIDDIES
133
who thanks us even more than the cadets them-
selves do."
“Who?” queried Hal.
“That officer who caught the crowd at it.”
“Do you think he cared?"
“Of course he did,” said Jack, positively.
“He'd rather have gone hungry for a couple of
days than have to report that bunch for
hazing.”
"Then why was he so infernally stiff with
the young men?”
"He had to be; that's the answer. That offi-
cer, like every other officer of the Navy detailed
here, is sworn to do his full duty. So he has to
enforce the regulations. But don't you sup-
pose, fellows, that officer was hazed, and did
some hazing on his own account, when he was
a cadet midshipman here years ago? Of course!
And that's why the officer didn't question us any
more closely than he did. He was afraid he
might stumble on something that would oblige
him to report the whole crowd for hazing. He
didn't want to do it. That officer, I'm certain,
knew that, if he questioned us too closely, he'd
find a lot more beneath the surface that he
simply didn't want to dig up."
“Would you have told the truth, if he had
questioned you searchingly, and pinned you
right down?" demanded Eph Somers.


134
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“Of course I would," Jack replied, soberly.
“I'm no liar. But I feel deeply grateful to that
officer for not being keener."
Before nine o'clock the next morning news of
the night's doings back of barracks had spread
through the entire corps of cadet midshipmen.
With these young men of the Navy there was
but one opinion of the submarine boys—that
they were trumps, wholly of the right sort.
As a result, Jack, Hal and Eph had hundreds
of new friends among those who will officer the
Navy of the morrow.
Not so bad, even just as a stroke of business!
CHAPTER XIII
READY FOR THE SEA CRUISE
F
OR the next ten days things moved along
without much excitement for the sub-
marine boys.
During that time they had an average of four
sections a day of cadet midshipmen to instruct
in the workings of the Pollard type of sub-
marine torpedo boat.
During the last few days short cruises were
taken on the Severn River, in order that the
middies might practise at running the motors
and handling the craft. At such times one


136
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
shipmen have ever been below in a submarine
before, you will be sure of having eager
students."
“And perhaps some nervous ones," smiled
Skipper Jack.
“Possibly," assented Mr. Mayhew. “I doubt
it, though. Nervousness is not a marked trait
of any young man who has been long enrolled at
the Naval Academy.”
“Can we have a slight favor done us, Mr.
Mayhew!” Jack asked.
“Any reasonable favor, of course.
“Then, sir, we'd like to spend a little time
ashore, as we've been confined so long aboard.
If I lock up everything tight on the boat until
Sunday night, may we know that the ‘Farnum'
will be under the protection of the marine
guard?”
“I feel that there will not be the slightest diffi-
culty in promising you that," replied Mr. May-
hew. “I will telephone the proper
authorities
about it as soon as I go on shore."
All hands on board were pleased over the
prospect of going ashore, with the exception of
Sam Truax.
“You don't need any guard on the boat," he
protested. “I don't want to go ashore. Leave
me here and I'll be all the guard necessary."
“We're all going ashore,” Jack replied.


138
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“I don't want to make it felt too much that I
am boss here,” Jack retorted, mildly. “At the
same time, though, I'm held responsible, and
so I suppose I'll have to have things done the
way that seems best to me."
Sam Truax turned to get his satchel. The
instant his back was turned on the young com-
mander Sam's face was a study in ugliness.
“Oh, I'll take this all out of you," muttered
the fellow to himself. “I don't believe, Jack
Benson, you'll go on the cruising next week.
If you do, you won't be much good, anyway!”
Ten minutes later a shore boat landed the
entire party from the submarine craft.
“Going with the rest of us, Truax?” in-
quired Jack, pleasantly.
“No; I'm going to find a boarding-house.
That will be cheaper than the hotel.”
So the other four kept straight on to the
Maryland House, giving very little more thought
to the sulky one.
It was not until after supper that Eph turned
the talk back to Sam Truax.
“I don't like the fellow, at all,” declared
young Somers. “He always wants to be left
alone in the engine room, for one thing."
“And I've made it my business, regular,”
added Williamson, the machinist, “to see that
he doesn't have his wish."


140
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
you know what a dreamer he is. Always has his
head in the air and his thoughts among the stars.
He'd as like as not take a fellow like Truax on
the fellow's own say-so, and never think of look-
ing him up."
“Oh, we've no reason to think Truax isn't
honest enough,” contended
contended Jack Benson.
“He's certainly a fine workman. As to his
being sulky, you know well enough that's a com-
mon fault among men who spend their lives lis-
tening to the noise of great engines. A man
who can't make himself heard over the noise of
a big engine hasn't much encouragement to talk.
Now, a man who can't find much chance to talk
becomes sulky a good many times out of ten.'
“We'll have trouble with that fellow, Truax,
yet,” muttered Eph.
“Oh, I hope not,” Jack answered, then added,
significantly:
“If he does start any trouble he may find that
he has been trifling with the wrong crowd!”
Very little more thought was given to the
sulky one. The submarine boys and their com-
panion, Williamson, enjoyed Saturday and
Sunday ashore.
All of them might have felt disturbed, how-
ever, had they known of one thing that hap-
pened.
The naval machinists aboard the first sub-


AND THE MIDDIES
141
marine boat, the “Pollard,” now owned by the
United States Government, found something
slightly out of order with the “Pollard's"
engine that they did not know exactly how to
remedy.
Sam Truax, hanging around the Basin that
Sunday forenoon, was called upon. He gladly
responded to the call for help. For four hours
he toiled along in the “Pollard's" engine room.
Much of that time he spent there alone.
The job done, at last, Truax quietly received
the thanks of the naval machinists and went
ashore again.
Yet, as he turned and walked toward the main
gate of the grounds, there was a smile on Sam
Truax's face that was little short of diabolical.
“Now, if I can only get the same chance at the
Farnum's' engines !” he muttered, to himself.
“If I can, I think Mr. Jack Benson will find him-
self out of favor with his company, for his com-
pany will be out of favor with the Navy Depart-
ment at Washington!”


142
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
CHAPTER XIV
THE "POLLARD” GOES LAME
“T
HE submarine boats when out in the
Bay will keep abreast of the 'Hud-
son,' two hundred yards off on either
beam. The speed will be fourteen knots when
the signal is given for full speed. The general
course, after leaving the mouth of the Bay will
be East."
Such were the instructions called from the
rail of the gunboat, through a megaphone,
Monday forenoon.
On each of the submarine craft were sixteen
cadet midshipmen, out for actual practice in
handling a submarine in diving and in running
under water. On board the gunboat were eighty
more cadets. Thus a large class of the young
men were to receive instruction during the
cruise, for the detachments aboard the sub-
marines could be changed at the pleasure of
Lieutenant Commander Mayhew, who was in
charge of the cruise.
Captain Jack, his own hands on the conning
tower wheel, ran the “Farnum” out into the
river, first of all. Then the “Pollard,” under
command of a naval officer, followed. Both


144
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
I could leave, if I wanted, but that he'd be
hanged if he'd let Truax out of his sight while
I was away."
“Eph seems to have Truax on the brain,"
laughed Jack.
“Well, Truax is a queer and surly one," Hal
admitted. “This morning he gives one the im-
pression of peeking over his shoulder all the
time to see whether he's being watched.”
“So Eph means to humor him by watching
him, eh?” asked Jack.
Hal laughed quietly.
Some of the cadets who were familiar with
the landmarks of Chesapeake Bay pointed out
many of the localities and sights to the two
submarine boys.
At last, however, Eph was obliged to call for
Hal.
“You know, Hal, old fellow, I've got to look
out for the feeding of a lot of boarders to-day,"
complained Eph, whimsically.
This task of Eph's took time, though it was
not a hard one. The food for the cadets had
been sent aboard. Eph had to make coffee and
heat soup. For the rest, cold food had to do.
The young men, on this trip, were required to
wait on themselves.
Hal found Sam Truax sitting moodily in a
corner of the engine room, though there was


AND THE MIDDIES
145
something about the fellow's appearance that
suggested the watchfulness of a cat.
“Why don't you go on deck a while, Truax?”
asked Hal, kindly.
"Don't want to," snapped the fellow, irri-
tably. So Hal turned his back on the man.
“Doesn't that part need loosening up a bit,
sir?” asked the cadet in charge of the engineer
division.
“Yes," replied Hastings, after watching a.
moment; "it does."
“I'll do it, then," proposed Truax, roughly.
He attempted to crowd his way past Hal, but the
latter refused to be crowded, and stood his
ground until the midshipman passed him a
wrench. Then Hastings loosened up the part.
“You might let me do a little something,"
growled Sam Truax, in a tone intentionally
offensive.
"Don't forget, Truax, that I'm in command
in this department,” retorted Hal, in a quieter
tone than usual, though with a direct, steady
look that made Sam Truax turn white with
repressed wrath.
"You won't let me forget it, will you?".
snarled the fellow.
“No; for I don't want you to forget it, and
least of all on this cruise," responded Hal Hast-
ings.
10-The Submarine Boys and the Middies.


AND THE MIDDIES
147
son,” for the officer in command of the “Pol-
lard” signaled that his machinists were making
a rapid but thorough investigation of the unfor-
tunate submarine's engines.
Finally, a cutter put off from the “Hudson,'
with a cadet midshipman in charge. The small
boat came over alongside, and the midshipman
called up:
com-
و
"The lieutenant commander's compliments,
and will Mr. Benson detail Mr. Hastings to go
over to the 'Pollard' and assist?"
“My compliments to the lieutenant
mander, " Jack replied. “And be good enough
to report to him, please, that Mr. Hastings and
I will both go.
“My orders, sir, are to convey you to the
'Pollard' before reporting back to the parent
vessel," replied the midshipman.
The cutter came alongside, taking off the two
submarine boys, while Eph Somers devoted him-
self to watching Sam Truax as a bloodhound
might have hung to a trail.
Arrived on board the good, old, familiar
“Pollard,” Jack and Hal hurried below.
“The machinery is too hot to handle, now,
sir,” reported one of the naval machinists, "but
it looks as though something was wrong right in
there”—pointing.
“Put one of the electric fans at work there, at


148
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
!
once, " directed Hal. “Then things ought to be
cool enough in half an hour, to make an exami-
nation possible."
After seeing this done, the two submarine boys
left for the platform deck, for the engine room
was both hot and crowded.
“How long is it going to take you, Mr. Hast-
ings?” asked the naval officer in command of the
“Pollard."
“Half an hour to get the parts cool enough
to examine, but I can't say, sir, how long the
examination and repairs will take."
So the officer in command signaled what
proved to be vague and unsatisfactory informa-
tion to Lieutenant Commander Mayhew.
“This is a bad time to have this sort of thing
happen," observed the naval officer in charge.
“A mighty bad time, sir," Jack murmured.
“And the engines of the ‘Pollard' were sup-
posed to be in first-class condition."
“They were in A-1 condition, when the boat
was turned over to the Navy," Jack responded.
“Do you imagine, then, Mr. Benson, that
some of the naval machinists have been careless
or incompetent?”
“Why, that would be a wild guess to make,
sir, when one remembers what high rank your
naval machinists take in their work,” Jack
Benson replied.


150
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
"Then we'll find out," retorted the naval offi-
cer, “if it takes a court of inquiry and a court
martial to do it. But are you sure of your
charge, Mr. Hastings?”
“Am I sure?” repeated Hal, all the soul of
the young engineer swelling to the surface.
"Take this piston, sir, and examine it. Could
such a job have been done, unless by sheer
design and intent?”
“Will the lieutenant permit me to speak?”
asked the senior machinist, taking a step for-
ward and saluting.
“Yes; go ahead.”
“Yesterday morning, sir,” continued the
senior machinist, “we thought the engines
needed some overhauling by someone more ac-
customed to them than we were. We saw one
of the machinists of the ‘Farnum,' sir, hanging
about on shore. So we invited him aboard and
asked him to look the engines over."
“Describe the man,” begged Jack.
The senior machinist gave a description that
instantly denoted Sam Truax as the man in
question.
“Did you leave him alone in here, at any
time?" demanded Hal.
“Let me see. Why, yes, sir. The man must
have been alone in here some three-quarters of
an hour."


AND THE MIDDIES
151
Jack and Hal exchanged swift glances.
There seemed, now, very little need of carry-
ing the investigation further.
CHAPTER XV
ANOTHER TURN AT HARD LUCK
W
THEN he could trust himself to speak
Hal Hastings addressed the naval
officer.
“I think Mr. Benson and myself understand,
sir, how it happened that this damage was done.
There are extra parts in the repair kit. In
twenty minutes, sir, I think we can have the
engines running smoothly once more.
The naval officer was wise enough not to press
the questioning further just then. Instead, he
went on deck.
Working like beavers, and with the assistance
of others standing about, Jack and Hal had the
piston replaced and all the other parts in place
within fifteen minutes. Then, once more, Hal
turned on the gasoline, set the ignition, and
watched.
The engine ran as smoothly as ever.
"There won't be any more trouble, unless
someone is turned loose here with files and a
blast lamp," pronounced Hal. Then he and


AND THE MIDDIES
155
"Will they beat us, though?” grinned Hal
Hastings. “You and I, Jack, happen to know
that the ‘Farnum' is a bit the faster boat by
rights."
Suddenly the signal broke out from the gun-
boat.
“Race her, Eph!" shouted Captain Jack.
“Aye, aye, sir!”
Eph Somers's right hand caught at the speed
signals beside the wheel. He called for all
speed, the bell jangling merrily in the engine
room.
A little cheer of excitement went up from the
eadets aboard the "Farnum" as that craft shot
ahead over the waters. The cadets were catch-
ing the thrill of what was virtually a race.
At
the same time, though, these midshipmen could
not help feeling a good deal of interest in the
success of the "Pollard,” which was manned
wholly by representatives of the Navy.
In the first three minutes the “Farnum" stole
gradually, though slowly, ahead of the “Pol-
lard.” Then, to the disgust of all three of the
submarine boys, the other craft was seen to be
gaining. Before long the “Pollard” had the
lead, and looked likely to increase it. Already
gleeful cheers were rising from the all-Navy
crowd on the deck of the other submarine.
Behind the racers sped the “Hudson,” keep-


AND THE MIDDIES
157
“I will, if you say so," offered Hastings.
“Yet there's another side to it.”
“What?"
“Williamson might get it into his head that
I went below because I thought he was making
a muddle of the speed. As a matter of fact, he
knows every blessed thing I do about our motors,
and Williamson is loyal to the core."
“I know," nodded Captain Jack. "I'd hate to
hurt a fine fellow's feelings. Yet-confound it,
I do want to win this burst of speed. It means,
perhaps, the quick sale of this boat to the Navy.
If we're beaten it means, to the Secretary of the
Navy, that he already has our best boat, and he
might not see the need of buying the 'Farnum'
at all."
“Give Williamson two or three minutes
more,” begged Hal. “You might tell Eph,
though, to repeat, and repeat, the signal for top
speed. That'll show Williamson we're losing."
Jack Benson walked to the conning tower, in-
structing Eph Somers in a low tone.
“I've signaled twice, since the first time,'
Eph replied. “But here goes some more.”
“I wonder what's going wrong with our en-
gines, then," muttered Captain Jack, uneasily.
"It ain't in careless steering, anyway,
grumbled Eph. “I'm going as straight as a
chalk line.'s


158
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“I noticed that,” Captain Jack admitted.
He continued to look worried, for, by this
time, the “Pollard" was at least a good two
hundred and fifty yards to the good in the lead.
“I'm afraid," muttered Hal, rejoining Ben-
son, “that I'll simply have to go below."
“I'm afraid so," nodded Jack. “We simply
can't afford to lose this or any other race to the
“Pollard."
“Williamson knows that fully as well as we
do, though," Hal Hastings went on. "And
Williamson"
Of a sudden Hal stopped short. He half
staggered, clutching at a rail, while his eyes
stared and his lips twitched.
Why—why—there's Williamson-aft on the
deck!” muttered Hastings.
“What!"
Jack, too, wheeled like a flash. Back there
in a crowd of cadets stood the machinist upon
whom the submarine boys were depending for
the best showing that the “Farnum" could
make.
“Williamson up here!” gasped Hal. “And
“That fellow, Truax, all alone with the
motors!” hissed Captain Jack. Then, after a
second or two of startled silence:
“Come on, Hal!"


AND THE MIDDIES
159
The naval cadets were too much absorbed in
watching the race to have overheard anything.
Williamson, too, standing at the rail, looking out
over the water, had not yet discovered that Hal
Hastings was up from the engine room.
Jack Benson stole below on tip-toe, though
with the machinery running so much stealth was
not necessary. Right behind him followed Hal.
As the two gained the doorway of the engine
room Sam Truax had his back turned to them,
and so did not note the sudden watchers.
There was a smile of malicious triumph on
Truax's face as he turned a lever a little way
over, thus decreasing the ignition power of the
motors.
Both Jack and Hal could see that the gasoline
flow had been turned on nearly to the full
capacity. It was the poor ignition work that
was making the motors respond so badly. A
little less, and a little less, of the electric spark
that burned the gasoline and air mixture that
was the secret of the gradually decreasing
speed, while all the time it looked as though the
“Farnum” was doing her level best to win the
race.
Whistling, as he bent over, Sam Truax caught
up a long, slender steel bar. With this he
stepped forward, intent upon his next wicked
step:


AND THE MIDDIES
161
“Are you going to get out of here, or shall
I brain you?” screamed Truax, his face work-
ing in the height of his passion.
“Neither,” retorted Captain Jack, coolly.
“I command here, and you know it. Put that
bar down, and leave the engine room.'
“Come and take the bar from me if you
dare!” taunted the fellow, a more wicked gleam
flashing in his eyes.
“Hal!" called Jack, sharply.
“Aye!”
“Call two or three of the cadets down here.
Don't make any noise about it."
This order was called without Benson's turn-
ing his head. He still stood facing the sneak
while Hal sped away.
“Now, I've got you alone!" gloated Truax.
“I'll finish you!”
A scornful smile curled Jack's lips as he gazed
steadily back at his foe.
“Truax, you're a coward, as well as a sneak.”
"I am-eh?"
With another nasty oath Truax stepped
quickly forward, the steel bar upraised.
He took but one step, however, for Captain
Jack Benson had not retreated an inch.
Nor did Jack have his hands up in an attitude
of guard.
“Are you going to put that bar down,
II-The Submarins Boys and the Middies.


164
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
Sam Truax lay sprawling on the floor. Mid-
shipman Merriam, a most cheerful smile on his
face, sat across the fellow, while Hal and the
other two midshipmen stood by, looking on.
“Hold him please, until I can have the wretch
taken care of,” requested Captain Jack, making
for the spiral stairway to the conning tower.
Just as the young skipper stepped out on deck
he heard the "Hudson's” bow-gun break out
sharply in the halting signal.
Taking a megaphone, Benson stood at the rail
until the gunboat ranged up alongside.
“Have you broken down?” came the hail
from the gunboat's bridge.
“I thought it best to stop speed, sir. We'll
have to look over our engines before it will be
safe to attempt any more speed work," Captain
Jack answered. “I've caught a fellow tam-
pering with our machinery. We hold him a
prisoner, now. Can you take him off our
hands, sir?"
“One of your own men?” came back the
question.
“Of course, sir."
“We'll send a marine guard to take him, on
your complaint, Mr. Benson."
"Thank you, sir.'
The gunboat's engines slowed down. Ere
long her port side gangway was lowered. Jack


AND THE MIDDIES
165
saw not only two marines and a corporal come
down over the side, but Lieutenant Commander
Mayhew appeared in person. That officer came
over in the cutter.
“You've had treachery aboard, have you?”
asked the lieutenant commander, as he climbed
up over the side.
“Rather. A new machinist, taken aboard
just before we sailed from Dunhaven. The
same fellow who must have played the trick on
the ‘Pollard's' engines yesterday,” Benson
replied.
“I'll be glad to have a fellow like that in irons
in the brig aboard the ' Hudson,' then," mut-
tered Mr. Mayhew. “I couldn't understand,
Mr. Benson, how you were doing so badly in the
full speed ahead dash.”
“The prisoner below is the answer, sir,” Cap-
tain Jack replied. He then led the corporal and
two marines below. The corporal produced a
pair of handcuffs, which he promptly snapped
over Truax's wrists.
“You'll be sorry for this, one of these days,”
threatened Truax, with a snarl that showed his
teeth.
“Some day, then, if you please, when I have
more leisure than I have now, " Jack retorted,
dryly. “This man is all yours, corporal."
Truax was foolish enough to try to hang back


166
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
9
on his conductors. A slight jab through the
clothing from one of the marines' bayonets
caused the prisoner to stop that trick. He was
taken on deck and over the side.
“Coxswain, return for me after you've taken
the prisoner to the 'Hudson,'” directed Mr.
Mayhew. “Now, Mr. Benson, I would like to
see what has been done to your engines.'
“That's just what I want to know, too,”
responded Jack.
They found Hal and Williamson hard at
work, inspecting the motors.
“The ignition power was lowered, and that
may have been the most that the fellow did,"
said Hal. “Yet, at the same time, before put-
ting these engines to any severe test, I believe
they ought to be cooled and looked over."
Lieutenant Commander Mayhew frowned.
“These delays eat up our practice cruise time
a whole lot,” he grumbled.
"I'll put the engines through their paces, and
chance mischief having been done to them, if
you wish, sir."
“No; that won't do either, Mr. Hastings,"
replied the naval officer. “This craft is private
property, and I have no right to give orders that
may damage private property. I'll hold the
fleet until you've had time to inspect your
engines properly. By that time, however, we'll


168
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“Farnum" when Jack, standing on the plat-
form deck after the cadets had been transferred
to the "Hudson” for the night, saw a small boat
heading out from shore.
“Is that one of the new submarine crafts?"
hailed a voice from the bow of the boat.
“Yes, sir,” Jack answered, courteously.
No more was said until the boat had come up
alongside.
“I thought maybe you'd be willing to let me
have a look over a craft of this sort,” said the
man in the bow. He appeared to be about forty
years of age, dark-haired and with a full, black
beard. The man was plainly though not
roughly dressed; evidently he was a man of some
education.
"Why, I'm mighty sorry, sir,” Captain Jack
Benson replied. “But I'm afraid it will be im-
possible to allow any strangers on board during
this cruise.”
“Oh, I won't steal anything from your craft,
answered the stranger, laughingly. “I won't
be inquisitive, either, or go poking into forbid-
den corners. Who's your captain?”
“I am, sir."
"Then you'll let me come aboard, just for a
look, won't you?” pleaded the stranger.
Such curiosity was natural. The man seemed
like a decent fellow. But Jack shook his head.


AND THE MIDDIES
171
Jack added, nodding toward the marine slowly
pacing the platform deck.
Williamson was called too, but declared that
he felt like turning in early. So, when the shore
boat came, it had but two passengers to take
from the submarine. There were a few shore-
leave men, however, from the gunboat.
“This boat will return to the fleet, gentlemen,
every hour up to midnight,” stated the petty
officer in charge, as Jack and Hal stepped ashore
at a rickety little wharf.
"Judging from what we can see of the town
from here, we'll be ready to go back long before
midnight,” Jack Benson laughingly told his
companion.
“All I want is to shake some of the sea-roll
out of my gait,” nodded Hastings. “It surely
doesn't seem to be much of a town."
By way of public buildings there turned out
to be a church, locked and dark, a general store
and also a drug-store that contained the local
post-office. But the drug-store carried no ice
cream or soda, so the submarine boys turned
away.
There was one other "public" place that the
boys failed to discover at once. That was a low
groggery at the further end of the town. Here
two of the sailors who had come on shore leave
turned in for a drink or two. They found a


172
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
suave, black-bearded man quite ready to buy,
liquor for Uncle Sam's tars.
Three-quarters of an hour later Jack and Hal
felt they had seen about as much of the town as
they cared for, when a hailing voice stopped
them.
“Finding it pretty dull, gentlemen?”
“Oh, good evening," replied Captain Jack,
recognizing the bearded man whom he had
refused admittance to the “Farnum."
“Pretty stupid town, isn't it, Captain?”
asked the stranger, holding out his hand, which
Jack Benson took.
'As lively as we thought it would be," Hal
rejoined. “We just came ashore to stretch our-
selves a bit. Thought we might lay a course to
an ice-cream soda, too, but failed.'
“These fishermen don't have such things,"
smiled the stranger. “They are content with
the bare necessities of life, with a little grog and
tobacco added. Speaking of grog, would you
care to try the best this town has, gentlemen?”
"Thank you,” Jack answered, politely.
“We've never either of us tasted the stuff, and
we don't care to begin."
“Drop into the drug-store and have a cigar,
then?'
“We don't smoke, either, thank you, came
from Hal.


174
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
as he
Curtis's shack proved to be well away from
the village proper, and down near the water-
front. A light shone from a window near the
front door as the three approached the small
dwelling.
“I think I can interest you for an hour, gen-
tlemen,” declared the bearded one,
slipped a key in the lock of the door.
He admitted them to a little room off the hall-
way, a room that contained not much beyond a
table and four chairs, a side-table and some of
the accessories of the smoker.
“Just take a seat here," proposed Curtis,
"while I get some sarsaparilla for you. I'll be
right back in a moment.'
It was four or five minutes before Curtis came
back, bearing a tray on which were three tall
glasses, each containing a brownish liquid.
“The stuff isn't iced, yet it's fairly cold,” the
bearded one explained. “Well, gentlemen,
here's to a pleasant evening !”
Hal, who was thirsty, took a long swallow of
the sarsaparilla, finding the flavor excellent.
Jack drank more slowly, though he enjoyed the
beverage.
“If you don't mind,” suggested Curtis, “I
will light a cigar. And say, by the way, gen-
tlemen, what if we take a little walk down to my
beach? Before showing you the models I spoke


176
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“Now, I'll go below first and light up. So!
Now, come down and take a look. Do you find
many yacht cabins more comfortable than this
one?"
It was, indeed, a cozy place. Up forward
stood a miniature sideboard, complete in every
respect with glass and silver. In the center of
the cabin was a folding table. There were
locker seats and inviting looking cushions. The
trim was largely of mahogany. On either side
was a broad, comfortable-looking berth.
“Just get into that berth and try it, Mr. Hast-
ings," urged the bearded one.
“I-I'm afraid to,” confessed Hal, stifling
another yawn.
“Afraid?"
“Very sure thing!"
“Why?”
“I'm—hah-ho-hum!" yawned Hal Hastings.
“I'm afraid I'd—yow !-abuse your hospitality
by going to sleep."
Jack Benson leaned against the edge of the
opposite berth, feeling unaccountably drowsy.
“Oh, nonsense,” laughed Curtis. “Just pile
into that berth for a moment, Hastings, and see
what a soft, restful place it is. I'll agree to pull
you out, if necessary.
Not realizing much, in his approaching
stupor, Hal Hastings allowed himself to be


AND THE MIDDIES
177
coaxed to stretch himself at full length in the
downy berth.
Almost immediately he closed his eyes, drift-
ing off into stupor.
“Why, your friend is drowsy, isn't he?"
laughed the bearded one, turning to the sub-
marine skipper.
Jack Benson's own eyelids were suspiciously
close together.
“Why-what-ails you?”
Curtis spoke in a low, droning, far-away voice
that caused Jack Benson's upper eyelids to sink.
Curtis stood watching him, in malicious glee, for
some moments. Then, at last, he took hold of
the young skipper.
“Come, old fellow," coaxed the bearded one,
"you'll do best to join your friend in a good
nap. Get up in the berth."
“Lemme alone,” protested the boy, thickly,
feeling that he was being lifted. Jack strug-
gled, partly rousing himself.
“Come, get up into the berth. You'll be more
comfortable there."
“Lemme alone. What are you trying to do?'*
demanded Jack, swinging an arm.
Curtis dodged the light blow, then gripped
Jack Benson resolutely.
“Now, see here, young man,” hissed the
bearded one, "I'm not going to have any more
12-The Submarine Boys and the Middies.


178
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
nonsense out of you. Up into the berth you go!
Do you want me to hit you?”
Another man thrust his head down the cabin
hatchway, showing an evil, grinning face.
“Got 'em right?” demanded the one from the
hatchway.
“Yes," snapped the bearded one, then turned
to give his attention to Jack Benson, who was
putting up an ineffectual fight while Hal slum-
bered on. “Now, see here, Benson, quit all
your fooling!”
“You lemme up,” insisted the submarine boy,
in a low, dull voice, though he swung both his
arms in an effort to assert himself. "'M not
goin't stay here. Lemme up, I say! 'M goin'
back to own boat."
“The submarine?" jeered the bearded man.
“Yep."
“Guess again, son," laughed Curtis, jeeringly.
“You're not going back aboard the submarine
to-night.”
“Am so,” declared Benson, obstinately,
though his tone was growing more drowsy every
instant, and his busy hands moved almost as
weakly as an infant's.
“Listen, if you've got enough of your senses
left,” growled the bearded men. "You're not
going back to the 'Farnum?-neither to-night,
nor at any other time during the next few


AND THE MIDDIES
179
months. You’re bound on a long cruise, but not
on a submarine boat. I am the captain here,
and I'll name the cruise !"
CHAPTER XVIII
HELD UP BY MARINES
I
T was barely a minute afterward that Jack
Benson lapsed into a very distinct snore.
“No more trouble from this pair,”
laughed the bearded one to his companion at the
hatchway. “Now, I'll douse the cabin light,
and then we'll cast off. This thing has moved
along very slickly."
Eph, after having made up his mind to turn
in early, had found his sleepy fit passing. He
read for a while in the cabin, then pulled on a
reefer and went up on deck. Williamson was
already in a berth, sound asleep.
“It would be a fine night if there was a
moon,” Eph remarked to the marine sentry on
deck.
“Yes, sir.”
The marine_soldier, and sailor, too”-not
being there for conversational purposes, con-
tinued his slow pacing, his rifle resting over his
right shoulder.
As Eph strolled about in the limited space of


180
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
the platform deck he heard a distant creaking.
It was a sound that he werì knew—the hoisting
of sail.
"I wonder if the local fishermen start out at
this time of the night?” Eph Somers remarked,
musingly, to the sentry.
“It
may
be so, sir; I don't know," replied the
marine.
Presently Eph made out the lines and the
spread of canvas of a handsome knockabout
sloop standing on out of the harbor.
The course being narrow, the sloop was
obliged to sail rather close to the fleet.
“That's no fisherman!” muttered Somers,
watching, his hands thrust deep in his pockets.
Presently the sloop's hull was lost to Eph's
sight beyond the gunboat. Then the boy heard
a voice from the "Hudson's" deck roar out:
“Look alive, you lubber! Do you want to
foul our anchor chain?'
“No, sir,” came from the sloop's deck.
"We'll clear you all right.”
“See that you do, then!”
Then the sloop's hull came into view again,
as the craft headed out toward the open water
beyond.
“That's the kind of a craft Jack would give
a heap to be on,” thought Eph. “Queer that
he should spend all his time on gasoline peanut-


182
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“Yes, sir.”
“That's queer,'' reflected Eph. “It wouldn't
be like them to go sailing at this time of the
night, and without notifying me, either. But,
then, I didn't see anything of 'em aboard that
sloop, either."
Eph was silent for a few moments, thinking.
Then, suddenly, he leaped up in the air, coming
down flat-footed.
“Crackey!" ejaculated Eph Somers.
For a moment or two his face was a study in
bewilderment.
“Mighty strange things have been happening
all through this cruise,” Eph muttered, half-
aloud. “Especially happening to Jack! Now,
the two of them go aboard that sloop, and im-
mediately after the boat puts out to sea in the
dead of night. What if Jack and Hal have
been shanghaied on that infernal sloop??'
Cold chills began to chase each other up and
down the spine of Eph Somers. He was not,
ordinarily, an imaginative youth, but just now
the gruesome thought that had entered his mind
persisted there.
He began to pace the platform deck in deep
agitation.
"Anything wrong, sir?” questioned the ma-
rine sentry, halting and throwing his rifle over
to port arms.


184
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
relief to the boy when Mr. Mayhew's voice
sounded from the rail of the gunboat. Somers
swiftly answered all questions.
“Your craft and crew are in a measure under
our protection and orders," decided Mr. May-
hew. “I think we may properly extend you
some help. I will send some men to you, and a
cadet midshipman who will have my instruc-
tions."
“Will you send them quickly, sir?" begged
Eph.
“I'll have men on board of you by the time
that your engines are running," promised the
lieutenant commander.
“Engines ?” That word came as a fortunate
reminder to the submarine boy. He darted be-
low, almost yanking Williamson from his berth,
nearly pulling the machinist into his clothes.
By the time that Williamson was really wide
awake he found himself standing by the motors
forward.
Then young Somers darted onto deck again,
just in time to see the boat coming alongside.
It brought two more marines, one of them a cor-
poral. There were also two sailors. A cadet
midshipman commanded them.
"Mr. Somers," reported the cadet midship-
man, “I am not intended to displace you from
the command of this boat. I am here only with


AND THE MIDDIES
185
definite instructions in case you succeed in over-
hauling that white sloop."
“What-4" began Eph. Then he paused,
with a half-grin. “Really," he added, "I ought
to know better than to quiz you about your in-
structions from your superior officer.”
“Yes, sir," assented the midshipman, simply.
Eph turned on the current to the search-light,
swinging the ray about the bay. Then, too im-
patient to sit in the conning tower, the subma-
rine boy took his place by the deck wheel.
“Will your seamen cast loose from the moor-
ings?” Somers asked.
“Yes, sir," replied the midshipman.
"If there's anything wrong, good luck to
you," sounded the cool voice of Lieutenant
Commander Mayhew, from the gunboat's rail.
“Thank you, sir.”
No sooner had the moorings been cast loose
from than Eph sounded the slow speed ahead
bell. Within sixty seconds the propellers of
the “Farnum” were doing a ten-knot stunt,
which was soon increased to fourteen.
One of the seamen now stood by to swing the
searchlight under Eph's orders.
By the time that the submarine reached the
mouth of the bay the light faintly picked up
a spread of white sail, off to the East.
“That's the knockabout,” cried Eph, ex-


186
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
citedly. “Now, see here, keep that ray right
across the boat as soon as we get half a mile
nearer."
"It'll show the boat that you're chasing 'em,
sir," advised the midshipman.
“I know it,” admitted Eph. “But it will also
keep the rascals from dumping my friends over-
board without our catching 'em at it."
“What do you think the men in charge of
that boat are, sir-pirates ?”
“They're mighty close to it, if they've shang-
haied Mr. Benson and Mr. Hastings and put to
sea with 'em,” rejoined Eph. Then he rang for
more speed. Down below, Williamson almost
instantly responded. The “Farnum" now
fairly leaped through the water.
“Turn the light on the knockabout, now, and
keep it there," directed the submarine boy.
There was a seven-knot breeze blowing. At
the speed at which the submarine boat was trav-
eling the distance was soon covered.
And now the searchlight revealed two men
in the standing-room of the sloop, one of whom,
a bearded man, was looking backward over his
wake much of the time.
"Can one of the marines fire a shot to stop
those fellows?” asked Eph Somers.
“In the air, do you mean, sir?” asked the
midshipman. “Certainly."


AND THE MIDDIES
187
"Then I wish he'd do it."
Bang! The discharge of the rifle sounded
sharply on the night air.
“It ain't stopping 'em any," muttered Eph,
after a few seconds had gone by.
“Nothing would, unless fired into them,” vol-
unteered Midshipman Terrell.
It did not take long, however, to run the sub-
marine up alongside of the sloop, at a distance
of about one hundred yards.
“Now, we want you men to stop,” called Mid-
hipman Terrell, between his hands. “We are
United States naval forces, from the gunboat,
and you will regard this as an order that you
must obey. No!” thundered the midshipman,
suddenly, as the bearded one started to step
down into the cabin. “You will both keep on
deck. Otherwise we shall be obliged to fire into
you. We mean business, remember!”
“What do you want to board us for?” de-
manded Curtis, pausing.
“We will explain when we come aboard."
“How are you coming, aboard? You've no
small boat."
“We can land this submarine right up beside
you," responded the midshipman, "if you keep
straight to your present course.”
"And scrape all the paint off our side," ob-
jected Curtis.


188
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
course.
“That has no bearing on my instructions, sir.
I direct you to keep straight to your present
We will come up alongside."
“What if we don't do it?" demanded Curtis,
with sudden bluster.
“Then your danger will be divided between
being shot where you stand and having your
craft cut in two by the bow of our craft,” re-
torted Mr. Terrell. “You will realize, I think,
that there can be no parleying with our orders.”
The bearded one swore, but the corporal and
his two marines stood at the rail with their
rifles ready, waiting only the midshipman's
order to aim and fire.
Eph allowed the “Farnum” to fall back a
little way. Then he exerted himself to show his
best in seamanship as he ran the submarine up
to board the sloop by the starboard quarter.
The two boats barely touched. Mr. Terrell, his
three marines and two seamen leaped to the
standing room of the yacht. Eph, all aquiver,
let the nose of the “Farnum” fall back slightly.
Then he trailed along, under bare headway.
Then a shout came from the sloop, as the two
seamen reappeared, bearing the forms of Jack
and Hal.
“We've found them aboard, Mr. Somers,
shouted Terrell. “Drugged, I think, sir. Will
you come alongside, sir."


AND THE MIDDIES
189
Eph quickly rang the signal, then did some
careful manquvring. As he touched, one of the
marines leaped back to the platform deck, then
passed a line to Mr. Terrell. The two craft
were held together until Jack and Hal had been
passed, still unconscious, over the side. The
naval party quickly followed, then cast loose
from the sloop.
“This whole proceeding is high-handed,”
growled Curtis, as soon as he saw that he was
not to be molested.
“Oh, you shut up, and keep your tongue pad-
locked,” retorted Midshipman Terrell, in high
disgust. “You're lucky as it is. Now, Mr.
Somers, are you going back to the bay, sir?"
“Aren't you going to take those two-body-
snatchers ?”' demanded Eph, glaring venomously
at the pair on the sloop.
“My instructions don't cover that, sir," re-
plied the cadet midshipman.
"Then hang your orders!” muttered young
Somers, but he kept the words behind his teeth.
Eph veered off, next headed about, while the
two seamen bore Jack and Hal below to their
berths.
“Will you take the wheel, Mr. Terrell?”
asked Eph, edging away, with one hand on the
spokes.
“Yes, sir.”


AND THE MIDDIES
191
“Hm! Mr. Terrell and his detachment will
return to this vessel.”
The boat took them away. It was five min-
utes later when the boat returned, bringing the
lieutenant commander, Doctor McCrea, the sur-
geon, and a sailor belonging to the hospital
detachment aboard the “Hudson.” Eph con-
ducted them below.
“Drugged,” announced the medical officer,
after a brief examination.
“Humph!” uttered Mr. Mayhew. "That
sort of trick isn't played on folks in any decent
resort on shore. I don't understand Mr. Ben-
son's conduct. I remember his mishap at Dun-
haven. I remember the plight he got into at
Annapolis; and now he and Mr. Hastings are
found in this questionable shape. I am very
much afraid these young men do not conduct
themselves, on shore, in the careful manner that
must be expected of civilian instructors to
cadets."
Eph somers felt something boiling up inside
of him.


192
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
CHAPTER XIX
THE LIEUTENANT COMMANDER'S VERDICT
"L
ET me try to get at your meaning, sir, if
you please," begged Somers, after
standing for a few
seconds with
clenched fists. “Do you mean that my friends
have been going into tough resorts on shore?”
“Where else do sailors usually get drugged?”
inquired Mr. Mayhew. “What kind of people
usually feed sea-faring men with what are gen-
erally known as knock-out drops ?”
"How should I know?” demanded Eph,
solemnly.
“You see your friends, and you see their
condition."
“Smell their breaths, sir. There isn't a trace
of the odor of liquor.”
The surgeon did so, confirming Eph's claim.
“But I remember that Mr. Benson came
aboard, at Dunhaven, with a very strong odor of
liquor," continued the lieutenant commander.
“That had been sprinkled on his clothes, sir,"
argued Somers.
"Perhaps. But then there was the Annapolis
affair.'
"Mr. Benson explained that to you, sir.”


AND THE MIDDIES
193
“It's very strange," returned the lieutenant
commander, “that such things seem to happen
generally to Mr. Benson when he gets on shore.
I know I have been ashore, in all parts of the
world, without having such things happen to
me."
“There is something behind this, sir, that
doesn't spell bad conduct on the part of either
of my friends," cried Eph, hotly. “There's
some plot, some trick in the whole thing that we
don't understand. And we might understand
much more about it, sir, if your midshipman had
arrested that pair of blackguards on the sloop,
and brought them back with us.”
"Had Mr. Benson and Mr. Hastings been
members of the naval forces we could have done
that," replied Mr. Mayhew. “Probably you
don't understand, Mr. Somers, how very careful
the Navy has to be about making arrests in times
of peace, when the civil authorities are all-
supreme. We carried our right as far as it
could possibly be stretched when we boarded
and searched that sloop for you."
“I don't care so much about that,” contended
Eph, warmly. “But it does jar on me, sir, to
have you take such a view of my friends. You
don't know them; you don't understand them. as
Mr. Farnum and Mr. Pollard do."
"Perhaps you wouldn't blame me as much for
13– The Submarine Boys and the Middies.


194
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
my opinions,” replied Mr. Mayhew, "if you
could look at the matter from my viewpoint, Mr.
Somers. I am in charge of this cruise, which
is one of instruction to naval cadets, and I am
in a very large measure responsible for the con-
duct and good behavior of young men who
have been selected as
as instructors to the
cadets. If you were in my place, Mr. Somers,
would you be patient over young men who, when
they get ashore, get into one unseemly scrape
after another? Or would you wonder, as I do,
whether it will not be best for me to end this
practice cruise and sail back to Annapolis, there
to make my report in the matter?”
“For heaven's sake don't do that,” begged
Eph Somers, hoarsely. “At least, not until you
have talked with Mr. Benson and Mr. Hastings.
You'll wait until morning, sir?.”'
"I'm afraid I shall have to, if I want to talk
with your friends," replied the lieutenant com-
mander, smiling coldly. “And now, Mr. Som-
ers, you and I had better leave here. The doctor
and his nurse will want the room cleared in order
to look after their patients. I hope your friends
will be all right in the morning," added the
naval officer, as the pair gained the deck.
“Now, see here, sir,” began Eph, earnestly,
all over again. "I hope you'll soon begin to
understand that, whatever has happened, there


196
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
his own limited point of view," urged William-
son.
“Oh, yes, I suppose so," nodded Somers,
gloomily. “I've been trying to tell myself that.
But it would be fearful, wouldn't it, if the 'Far-
num' were ordered away from the fleet, and
Jack disgraced, just because of things he really
didn't do."
“It's a queer old world,” mused the machin-
ist, thoughtfully. “We hear a lot about the
consequences of wrong things we do. But how
often people seem to have to pay up for things
they never did!”
“Oh, well," muttered Eph, philosophically,
"let's wait until morning. A night's sleep
straightens out a lot of things.”
Williamson, however, having had some sleep
earlier in the night, was not drowsy, now.
He
lighted a pipe, lingering on the platform deck.
Eph, not being a user of tobacco, went below to
find that Doctor McCrea, from the gunboat, was
sitting in the cabin, reading a book he had
chosen from the book-case.
“I've brought the young men around some-
reported the physician. "I've made
them throw off the drug, and now I've left some
stuff with the nurse to help brace them up.
They'll have sour stomachs and aching heads in
the morning, though.”
what,”


AND THE MIDDIES
199
“Eph," he cried, wheeling upon his friend the
moment Doctor McCrea was gone, “there's
something you haven't told us."
“Such as--what?” asked Somers, doing his
best to look mighty innocent.
“Doctor McCrea as good as admitted that we
won't have anything to do to-day. What's
wrong?” Then, after a brief pause: "Good
heavens, does Mr. Mayhew believe we've been
acting disgracefully? Are we barred out of the
instruction work?”
Hal had been raising a glass of cold water to
his lips. The glass fell, with a crash. He
wheeled about, then clutched at the edge of the
cabin table, most unsteadily.
“We-e-11,” admitted Somers, reluctantly,
“Mr. Mayhew said he would want to question
you some, perhaps, this morning."
“What did he say? Out with it all, Eph!”
A moment before Jack Benson had been pallid
enough. Now, two bright, furious spots burned
in either cheek.
The red-haired boy, however, was spared the
pain of going any further, for, at that moment,
a heavy tread was heard on the spiral staircase.
Then Lieutenant Commander Mayhew, holding
himself very erect, one hand resting against the
scabbard of the sword that he wore at his side,
came into view below.


200
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
Many were the questions that the naval offi-
cer put to the two victims of the last night's mis-
hap. All the time his eyes studied their faces
keenly. Apparently, it needed a lot of assur-
ance to half convince Mr. Mayhew that the two
submarine boys were telling him the truth.
“Well, gentlemen," he said, at last, rising and
speaking with great deliberation, “I believe you
to be gentlemen, which means that you are
young men of honor, if it means anything at all.
Your story is so strange that-pardon me—it is
difficult to credit. Yet I have no evidence that
it is not true. I am sorry we have not in cus-
tody the two men who sailed that sloop last
night
“Pardon me, sir," broke in Eph, "but I have
an idea to spring.
“Well, Mr. Somers?"
"It is a mighty likely thing that, if you ques-
tion that fellow, Truax, that you have on board,
you may be able to learn something from him.
For I tell you, sir, there's some plot on hand to
discredit the Pollard submarine boats with the
United States Government. There's a scheme,
too, to ruin Jack Benson-but that's only a part
of the bigger plot to discredit our company's
boats with the Navy, sir."
An expression of wonder crept into Mr. May-
hew's face. Then he looked thoughtful.
9
Iz


AND THE MIDDIES
203
sented. “To a stranger our yarn does have a
fishy sound.'
“If it weren't for the restriction against our
going ashore," hinted Jack, “we'd certainly
hustle to land and find out all we could about
that fellow Curtis since he has been living in
Blair's Cove."
“I'm under no promise, or orders, either,
bristled Eph, ready to do battle for his friends.
“I can go on shore."
“No, you can't, Eph!" negatived Jack, with
decision. “You might be the very next one to
get into a big scrape. Then how would things
look for the whole of us?"
“Humph! I'd have my eyes open,” grunted
Somers.
“We thought we had ours open,” smiled Hal
Hastings.
“No one of our crowd will go ashore, unless
ordered there by Mr. Mayhew," declared Ben-
son, with emphasis. “We're not taking another
solitary chance."
“We've got all we can do to take our present
medicine," muttered Hal, making a wry face.
But they did take it, and, as is always the case,
with benefit to their general sense of discipline.
In fact, when ordered aboard the gunboat, be-
fore eight o'clock the next morning, Jack Benson
and Hal Hastings, in their best uniforms, and


204
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
looking as natty as could be, appeared quite the
ideal of young submarine officers.
Passing scores of cadet midshipmen, they
were ushered into Lieutenant Commander May-
hew's cabin. Doctor McCrea, the gunboat's
surgeon, sat with the commanding officer.
"I was anxious to see how you looked this
morning,” smiled Mr. Mayhew, as the two naval
officers rose.
“How do you feel ? Thoroughly
clear-headed and steady?”
“We feel fine, sir," Jack answered.
“They look in the pink of condition,” agreed
Doctor McCrea.
“If you don't feel wholly up to the mark,”
urged Mr. Mayhew, “say so. For, if you put
out to-day, it is my intention to take the cadets
through drills below the surface."
Jack's eyes sparkled at the thought. This
meant that he and Hal were to be taken back
fully into the confidence of the Navy!
“We're ready, sir--ready at the word of
command."
“Very good, then,” replied the gunboat's
commander. “You will receive sixteen of our
young men on board within an hour. Ensign
Trahern will come with them.'
Jack started, flushing.
“Oh, you will be in command of your boat,
Mr. Benson," continued Mr. Mayhew, noting the


AND THE MIDDIES
207
everything in good order. We can go below the
surface at any moment.”
Two or three of the naval cadets smiled
broadly at hearing the title bestowed on a boy
younger than many of themselves.
“No levity, gentlemen," broke in Ensign Tra-
hern, rather sternly. “Mr. Benson is captain
to his own chief engineer."
Jack waited until he saw the signal flags
break out at the foretop of the "Hudson.” It
was an inquiry as to whether he was prepared
for diving.”
“Yes," signaled back the “Farnum's” flags.
“Dive at will, but keep to a due east or west
course, Be careful to avoid collision with the
sister craft,” came the next order from the
parent boat.
“All below!” ordered Benson, crisply.
Ensign Trahern waited until the last of the
cadets had filed below, then followed them.
Last of all came Jack Benson, after having low-
ered the short signal mast and made other pre-
parations. Now he stepped inside the conning
tower, swiftly making all fast. Then he called
Midshipman Surles
up the stairway to the tower
wheel.
“Do you think you can head due east, and
keep to that course under water, Mr. Surles?"
asked the young submarine instructor.


AND THE MIDDIES
211
with a smile, as he interpreted the signal to
Captain Jack.
“We have run for hours below, with safety,
sir,” Benson answered.
Two minutes later the section of middies that
had just come up from a brief trip under water
were below again.
“I think you'll find, gentlemen, that it will
seem like the longest half hour you can remem-
ber," announced young Captain · Benson. “My
friends and I have spent many long hours under
the surface, though we have never yet gotten
over the terrible monotony of such a trip.
Twenty-four hours under, I think, would make
a lunatic of the bravest or the most stolid
man.
As they ran along, in the silence and the dark-
ness, the young midshipmen began to look curi-
ously at one another.
"Did you misunderstand the time, Mr. Ben-
son?” asked one of the midshipmen, at last.
"It's surely more than a half hour since we
made the last dive."
“Almost twelve minutes,” Jack corrected,
quietly.
"Whew-ew-ew!" whistled several of the
naval cadets. Not one of them was a coward,
yet, in their experience, the thought that they
had put in barely more than a third of the or-


AND THE MIDDIES
215
had laughingly told his passengers. “A sub-
marine boat could get away again, without leav-
ing a trail. In these days no other kind of pirate
craft could long escape.”
So the passengers had joked each other about
the submarine boat that would meet them, and
rob the liner of its precious cargo. Bets had
laughingly been offered that the submarine
pirate would be encountered off the coast of the
United States.
Now, when the little craft shot up in the path
of the big one, the bow watch of the “Grey-
town," and a dozen passengers standing up in
the bow, saw the little boat at the same time.
“There's the pirate!” shouted one nervous
woman, leaping up and down, and pointing.
“Oh, Captain! Captain! Save us from all
being murdered!”
Two or three young children, who also saw the
floating, queerly-shaped little craft dancing on
the waves just off the steamship's starboard
bow, began to scream in terror.
Even several of the men, who should have
known better, experienced a shock of fright for
a moment.
The “submarine pirate" that had been joked
about for so many days, now seemed a thing of
reality.
Down amidships, on the main deck, a pretty


220
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“No more men go overboard !” bellowed Mr.
Trahern.
Splash! splash! The order had come too late
to stop these last divers. A solitary midship-
man, hatless and with his blouse half off, stood
beside the ensign, both of them knee-deep in dis-
·carded parts of uniform, while Eph peered out
from the conning tower.
“That was kind of a mean trick, sir, to play
on me! I'm the only one that didn't get over,
grinned the last midshipman, sheepishly.
It was a gross violation of discipline, so to
address an officer. But Ensign Trahern merely
smiled, for this once, as he replied:
“Never mind, Mr. Satterlee. You'll be
needed to stand by with me and help some of
these venturesome ones aboard again."
Jack's start had been a good one, and he was
a lusty swimmer.
He headed straight for the young woman,
whose cries reached him across the water.
She could not swim, but her skirts, spreading,
were buoying her up briefly. When these skirts
became thoroughly soaked they would fall, en-
closing her in an envelope of considerable
weight.
The brother, on the other hand, could swim a
little. He had begun to do so, instinctively,
striking out for his sister.


AND THE MIDDIES
221
Yet, before he could reach her, his buoyancy
gave out, his limbs cramping.
With a despairing cry he sank.
"Tread water! Tread! Keep up until I reach
you!” called Jack, clearly, as he fought on to
reach the young woman.
Her skirts were beginning to fill and drop-
She might have trod water, but she did not
understand how it was done.
“Help me! I'm sinking!” she screamed, as
she threw up her hands. Then some of the water
washed into her mouth.
“No; you're not sinking, either!" shouted
Jack, encouragingly, as he redoubled his efforts
at water sprinting.
He darted in, catching at her with one hand
just as the girl's head sank under a wave.
In a jiffy Jack Benson had a secure hand-hold.
"Save me-oh, save me!” choked the girl, in
terror, as her head came once more above.
“Keep cool; do just as I tell you, and No!
Don’t grab me like that, or you may drown us
both!” remonstrated the submarine boy.
But the girl acted as though possessed solely
by the demon of terror. She succeeded in wrap-
ping both arms in a frenzy about the sub-
marine boy.
“You must leave my arms free," urged Jack,
desperately, “or we shall go down together."


224
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
A shudder passed through the frame of the
girl; she clung more convulsively still.
Then Jack tried another little dodge. This
time he nearly freed his left arm. Summoning
all his strength, he gave another tug.
His left arm was free!
Working mightily with it, now, Jack Ben-
son fought his way to the surface.
There was no need to give much heed to his
unknown companion. She was holding to him
in a way that insured her rising to the surface
with him.
“Ugh! Whew!” What a mighty breath it.
was that the young submarine captain took into
his lungs as his head shot into air.
“Oh, you—Benson!” shot from a middy's
mouth.
The cry led half a dozen of the young men
toward the all but exhausted rescuer. They
came with long, lusty strokes that brought them
to Benson, quickly, while he trod water and tried
to raise the face of the girl above the surface.
The girl's eyes were closed, now, her cheeks
pallid and waxen. Twice her face dropped be-
neath the surface, but Jack fought to bring her
lips up into the air.
Then strong hands seized them both.
“Untwine the young lady's arms, if you can,
begged the submarine boy.


226
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
terference, calmly turned and made for the
“Farnum."
The girl proved to be unconscious, the brother
more than half-dazed.
“Bring them aboard," directed Mr. Trahern,
briefly.
“Now, gentlemen, you've a chance to apply
what you may know about first aid to the drown-
ing,” suggested Ensign Trahern, tersely,
Under that vigorous treatment Walter Car-
ruthers, as the young man afterwards declared
himself to be, was quickly brought around. The
middies had much harder work in reviving the
girl. Her brother sat by watching the work,
“Elsie isn't-isn't dead, is she?” asked the
brother, anxiously.
“Oh, no," replied one of the midshipmen,
suspending his rescue work for an instant. "In
fact, if there were women here to do the work--
loosening her corsets, and all that sort of thing,
you know-Miss Carruthers would be sitting up
in short time.”
At last, the girl was made to open her eyes.
She swallowed a little coffee, too.
The “Greytown,” in the meantime, had man-
@uvred as close as was safe for such a big craft
to come.
The ship's doctor put off in a lifeboat,
and soon declared his patient fit to be removed to
the liner.


AND THE MIDDIES
227
While all this was going on, Jack had slipped
quietly below. He took a brisk rub-down,
donned dry clothing, and speedily appeared on
deck, looking as though nothing had happened.
“Drink some of this,” ordered Eph, holding
a pint cup of coffee toward the young skipper.
Jack finished it all in a few gulps. Then, as
his blood warmed, he began to smile over his
late adventure.
Supported on the arm of the ship's doctor,
Elsie Carruthers turned to ask:
“Where is the midshipman who first reached
me-the-the one I so nearly drowned. I-I
want to thank him, oh, so heartily, and to
apologize.!'
“Here he is,” cried Ensign Trahern, shov-
ing Benson forward.
“But I'm not a midshipman, nor anything
else in the Navy—no such luck,” laughed Jack.
“If you're not in the Navy, you ought to be,
you splendid fellow.” cried the girl, weakly,
holding out her hand in sheer gratitude. “And,
oh, I was such a coward, and so unreasoning!"
“I guess anyone would be unreasoning if
drowning and unable to swim," chuckled Jack
Benson. “I know I would be."
“That's good of you,” cried the girl, grate-
fully. “Awfully good, but I'm not deceived.
I realize, now, what a criminal ninny I was to


230
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
midshipmen are coming on,” muttered Mr. May-
hew, rising
Yet there was a twinkle in his eye as he turned
away.
For some minutes Jack Benson talked with
Doctor McCrea. That naval medical officer lis-
tened at least with interest. Finally, he began
to grin. Then he roared, slapping his knees.
“Mr. Benson, there's one thing about you.
You certainly are ingenious!”
“Will you do what I have suggested ?”
pressed the young submarine skipper.
“Why, I-er-er—"
Doctor McCrea hesitated, then again laughed,
as he replied:
"Mr. Benson, all I can say is that I-I—
well, I'll have to think it over. I'm afraid that
I-but I'll think it over."
CHAPTER XXIII
WHAT BEFEL THE MAN IN THE BRIG
TH
HE "brig” is a place aboard a warship,
as aboard some merchant vessels, that is
set apart for prison purposes.
Here drunken or mutinous members of the
crew are confined. Here, too, on board a vessel
of war, any enlisted man is likely to be stowed


AND THE MIDDIES
231
away when under severe discipline for any
reason.
It is a room fitted up like a prison cell, and
having a barred door of iron.
On a war vessel a marine sentry, with bayonet
fixed to his gun, is usually stationed before the
door, both to watch the prisoners and to prevent
men of the crew from talking with those under
arrest.
It was in the brig, between decks on the "Hud-
son,” that Sam Truax was spending his time,
the only prisoner then in confinement.
Truax, since his arrest in the submarine's
engine room, had had plenty of time to think
matters over.
He had been doing a good deal of thinking,
too, yet thought had by no means improved the
fellow's temper.
On a stool in the corner sat Truax, his scowl-
ing, sullen face turned towards the barred door
when the marine outside, taking a turn, peered
in.
“Good heavens, man! What ails you?”
demanded the marine.
“I'm all right,” growled the prisoner.
“I'll be hanged if you look it!” was the
marine's emphatic answer.
“What are you talking about?” demanded the
prisoner, angrily.


232
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
“Man alive, I wish you could see your face!"
“I could if this place were fitted with a mir-
ror," sneered Sam Truax.
The marine, after looking at the prisoner, and
shaking his head, continued his pacing to and
fro past the door.
Two or three minutes later a sailor, halting at
the door, looked at Sam, then wheeled about to
the marine.
“Say, what ails that man? What's the mat-
ter with his face?" demanded the seaman in a
low tone, yet one loud enough to be overheard
by the prisoner within.
"I don't know," said the marine. “Looks
fearful, doesn't he?"
“He ought to have the doctor—that's what,"
muttered the seaman, then passed on.
“Now, what are those idiots jabbering
about?” Sam gruffly asked himself. He shifted
uneasily, feeling his face flush.
Five minutes later a sailor wearing on one
sleeve the Red Cross of the hospital squad,
passed by.
“Say,” said the marine, “I wish you'd look
at the feller in the brig."
“What ails him?'' demanded the man of the
hospital squad.
“Blessed if I know. But just look at his face
-his eyes!”


234
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
fectly still, while Doctor McCrea paced the brig
for two full minutes. Then the “sawbones'
took the thermometer from between Truax's lips
and inspected it keenly.
“Hospital man!” rapped out Doctor McCrea,
sharply.
“Aye, aye, sir!" reported the man with the
Red Cross on his sleeve, reappearing before the
door.
“Have the stretcher brought here at once!”,
“Aye, aye, sir!”
Still holding the clinical thermometer in one
hand, Doctor McCrea stood keenly regarding
the prisoner.
"What on earth is the matter with me?"
demanded Truax, speaking somewhat nervously.
“Oh, you'll be all right—soon,” replied Doc-
tor McCrea, in what was too plainly a voice of
false hope.
The stretcher was brought.
“Get on to this, Truax. Don't think of at-
tempting to walk," ordered the surgeon. “Sen-
try, I am taking your prisoner to the sick bay.
I'll make proper report of my action to the lieu-
tenant commander."
The “sick bay” is the hospital part of a war-
ship. It is a place provided with wide, com-
fortable berths and all the appliances for taking
good care of ill men. Sam Truax was carefully


238
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
"Well, Truax?”
“Are we at anchor-now?"
“Yes; in the little bay for the night.'
“Is—is the 'Farnum' here, too?"
“Yes."
“I-I wonder if Jack Benson would come to
see me for a little while?"
“Why, I'll see, of course," volunteered Doctor
McCrea, rising and leaving the sick boy.
CHAPTER XXIV
CONCLUSION
T
EN minutes later the naval surgeon re-
turned with Benson.. With the latter
was Hal Hastings. Mr. Mayhew and
Ensign Trahern hovered in the rear of the group.
“Here's Mr. Benson, Truax," announced
Doctor McCrea. “Now, my man, if there is
anything of which you want to unburden your
mind, go ahead and do it. The rest of us can •
bear witness, and help matters straight if, in
your better health, you have done anything that
needs righting.”
Sam Truax feebly stretched out a hand that
certainly was hot enough by this time.
“Benson,” he begged, weakly, “will you give
me your hand?"
$


AND THE MIDDIES
241
“So Tip Gaynor hired you to do all you
could
to disgrace me in the eyes of the Navy people?”
demanded Jack.
“Yes—to hurt any of you, for that matter."
“And to play tricks in the engine room of
either submarine?”
“Yes; Tip Gaynor told me it was highly im-
portant to cause the boats to break down while
under the eyes of all Annapolis.
“I understand," muttered Jack. “That was
clever, in a way. It was intended to make the
whole Navy think the Pollard boat one that.
couldn't be depended upon?”
“That was the idea," assented Sam Truax,
weakly.
“What sort of a looking fellow is Tip Gay-
nor?" asked Jack,
“You've met him!”
“I?” demanded Jack, in astonishment.
“Yes. From what I hear. He was the black-
bearded man who drugged you and shanghaied
you in the white knockabout. Only Tip doesn't
usually wear a beard. He has grown it in the
last three or four weeks, in order to hide himself
from people who know him well. Then he came
down here to Blair's Cove and rented a house so
he could watch things. He had a tip that the
instruction cruise would center around this little
bay."
16- The Submarine Boys and the Middies.


AND THE MIDDIES
243
“Then it shows you, Truax," broke in Doctor
McCrea, now laughing, “how far below the
mark you shot in guessing at Jack Benson's
ingenuity and brains. For it was he showed
me how to induce you to make this confession,
voluntarily, after having refused to answer any
of the lieutenant commander's questions."
“What do you mean?” demanded Sam Truax,
quickly, a queer look creeping into his face.
“Why, my man, I mean,” grinned the naval
surgeon, “that, when I was first called in to you,
you were no more sick than I was.
You were
scared, first of all, by the remarks of others.
Then, after we got you to bed in here, we dosed
you with ippecac a few times. That started
your stomach to moving up and down until
you were convinced that you were a very sick
man.
“What!” now roared Sam Truax, sitting up
in the berth and staring angrily.
“Oh, the ippecac was my own choice,” nodded
the doctor, “but the general idea was Mr. Ben-
son's. My man, with a lad like him you haven't
a one-in-ten chance."
“So, to work a confession out of me, you've
poisoned me?” gasped Sam Truax.
“Oh, you're not very badly poisoned,"
laughed Doctor McCrea. “About the most
that you need, now, is to get into your clothes


246
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
his, often displayed for long periods. About
this time, however, Mr. Pollard returned, with
a triumphant twinkle in his eyes. He had been
hard at work upon, and had perfected, an im-
proved device for the discharge of torpedoes
through the bow tube of the Pollard submarine
boat.
It is to be mentioned, also, that the Sidenham
Submarine Company, while admitting that Gay-
nor had been entrusted with the sale of their
boats to the Government, disclaimed all knowl-
edge of the methods that salesman had been em-
ploying. Everyone believed the disclaimer of
the Sidenham concern, yet up to date none of
its boats have been sold to the United States
Government.
For two days more the submarine boat in-
struction continued at sea. Then, the tour of
instruction over, the little flotilla returned to
the Naval Academy at Annapolis. From here
Captain Jack Benson wired Mr. Farnum for
further orders. Without delay back came the
despatch:
"Navy Department requests that, for pres-
ent, 'Farnum' be left at Annapolis. You and
your crew will return by rail when ready."
Soon afterward Jack was informed that the
Annapolis police had succeeded in running
down the mulatto who had decoyed the young


AND THE MIDDIES
247
submarine skipper on that memorable night.
Also, Jack's money, watch and other valuables
were recovered and returned to him. The mu-
latto is now serving a long term in jail. It
afterwards turned out that nearly two-score sea-
faring men had been robbed by the mulatto by
the same game that had been played on Jack
Benson.
One forenoon when Jack, and his mates were
about to go ashore, for good, from the “Far-
num,” Lieutenant Commander Mayhew came
on board, followed by Ensign Trahern and three
of the midshipmen who had been under sub-
marine instruction.
“Now, Mr. Benson, and gentlemen,” smiled
Mr. Mayhew, “I'm not going to frighten you
by making any set spech. What I have to say
is that the cadet midshipmen who have been
under your very capable and much-prized in-
struction of late, wish each of you
to take away
a very slight memento of your stay here. There
is one for each of you."
Not even Machinist Williamson had been
omitted. Each of the four received from the
lieutenant commander a small box. Each box,
on being opened, proved to contain a small gold
shield. In the center was the coat-of-arms of
the United States Naval Academy. At the top
of each pin was the name of the one to whom it


248
THE SUBMARINE BOYS
was given. Across the bottom of each pin were
inscribed the words:
"FROM THE
BATTALION OF NAVAL CADETS
IN KEEN APPRECIATION
OF ADMIRABLE INSTRUCTION."
“I do not believe," smiled Mr. Mayhew, “that
anyone of you will hesitate about wearing this
pin on vest or coat lapel. The gift is a simple
one, but it practically makes you honorary
members of the United States Navy of the fu-
ture, and I'm glad of it.'
Jack, in a voice that was somewhat husky
and shaky, expressed - thanks, as best he could,
for himself and mates.
Then Lieutenant Commander Mayhew held
out his hand.
“Mr. Benson, as you're leaving us, I want to
express to you again my regret at having, for
a while, believed you to be very different from
the real Benson that I am now glad to know."
“Why, sir, I surely can't blame you for what
you thought," smiled Jack. “In fact, I feel
that I owe a tremendous lot to you for your
patience when things looked as black against me
as they did.”
Jack and his friends, however, did not suc-
ceed in getting away from Annapolis until the


AND THE MIDDIES
249
entire battalion had a few minutes' leisure im-
mediately following the noon meal.
Then the late crew of the “Farnum" had to
shake hands rapidly all around. Just before
they were summoned back to their duties, the
assembled members of the battalion had time
to give three rousing cheers just as the carriage
bearing our young friends to the railway station
rolled
away.
It was not long after that the “Farnum" was
sold to the United States Government. Even
before the sale took place, Jacob Farnum re-
ceived by express a box of handsome mementos
sent to Jack Benson by Elsie Carruthers and
her brother.
The time has come, now, to leave the subma-
rine boys, though only briefly. We shall hear
of their further doings in the next volume of
this series, under the title: “THE SUBMARINE
BOYS AND THE SPIES; Or, Dodging the Sharks of
the Deep." This stirring tale of the ocean will
deal with the efforts of the boys to protect the
secrets of the Pollard submarine system from
the foreign spies who beset them with treachery,
violence, threats and bribes. It is a narrative
full of intense interest.
THE END


ALTEMUS' SUBMARINE BOYS SERIES
By Lieut. Commander VICTOR G. DURHAM
THE SUBMARINE BOYS ON DUTY or Life
on a Diving Torpedo Boat.
THE SUBMARINE BOYS' TRIAL TRIP or
“Making Good” as Young Experts
THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE MID-
DIES or the Prize Detail at Annapolis
THE SUBMARINE BOYS AND THE SPIES
or Dodging the Sharks of the Deep
THE SUBMARINE BOYS' LIGHTNING
CRUISE or The Young Kings of the Deep
THE SUBMARINE BOYS FOR THE FLAG
or Deeding Their Lives to Uncle Sam
Cloth, 12mo.
Illustrated. $1.00
At all booksellers or sent postpaid by the publishers
P H I L A D E 1 P H I A
HENRY ALTEMUS COMPANY


ALTEMUS' PONY RIDER BOYS SERIES
By FRANK GEE PATCHIN
THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE ROCK-
IES or the Secret of the Lost Claim
THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN TEXAS or
the Veiled Riddle of the Plains
THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN MONTANA
or the Mystery of the Old Custer Trail
THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN THE OZARKS
or the Secret of Ruby Mountain
THE PONY RIDER BOYS ON THE ALKALI
or the Key to the Desert Maze
THE PONY RIDER BOYS IN NEW MEXICO
or the End of the Silver Trail
Cloth, 12mo.
Illustrated. $1.00
At all booksellers or sent postpaid by the publishers
P H I L A D E L P H I A
HENRY AL TEMUS COMPANY