"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 your submarine service. No; I mean I'd like to see
Annapolis. I'd like to watch the midshipmen 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. "Permission has been granted for me to send
our second boat, the 'Farnum,' along with the 'Pollard'--both under the
care of the--"