youth, Eph Somers, ran nimbly forward over the hull. At just the right
instant Eph bent over, securing the forward tackle to the buoy, then
straightened up, saluting the young captain, as he called:

"Single tackle all fast, sir."

Now, a third boy, in uniform similar to those worn by the other two,
sprang out through the manhole. Hal Hastings, who had remained behind
to shut off the electric motor, waved his cap to Mr. Farnum.

"Well done, Captain Benson and crew!" shouted Jacob Farnum, heartily,
across the water.

"It won't take you long to be able to beat that performance, I take it,
Don," smiled the elder Melville at his Son. Don's upper lip curled just
perceptibly. Jacob Farnum frowned slightly, as he turned his face away.
It would not do to offend George Melville without cause, for that
gentleman was considering the raising of six or seven hundred thousand
dollars of additional working capital for the making of submarine boats.

"We're coming aboard, captain," added Mr. Farnum, shouting between his
hands, across the water. "Everything ship-shape for inspection?"

"Aye, aye, sir!" Captain Jack responded.

"It was a shame, really, to ask that question," laughed Mr. Farnum,
turning to his companions. "Benson was all but born aboard a boat, and
he's a genuine old maid for having things aboard in apple-pie order.
His two friends are just like him in that respect."