Jack Benson still stood by the little cabin table, resting one hand on
it. His eyes were turned toward the floor, his chest heaving. The blow
had struck him like a bolt from a clear, sunny sky!

"That cold duffer coming aboard to boss us all around like cattle?" burst
from Eph Somers, as he stamped out from the engine room.

"Confound it!" growled Hal Hastings, savagely. "I don't believe the yarn.
Do you?"

"I'm half afraid," replied Captain Jack, raising his eyes, "that I do."




CHAPTER II

_A SUBMARINE STUNT THAT DUMFIOUND THE BEHOLDERS_


"It ain't true! Can't be! I won't believe it!" declared Eph, in a rage.

"We've had such a good time aboard, and have been so proud of what we've
been able to do," added Hal, chokingly.

"Mr. Farnum won't put that snob in here!" asserted Eph. "Not in charge,
anyway. Why, Mr. Farnum couldn't stand the fellow any more than we
could."

"Fellows," rejoined Jack, looking at the hot faces of his mates, "we