"Just my luck," muttered Eph, disconsolately. "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 respective departments. Five
minutes later Grant Andrews hailed from the "Pollard," and Eph rowed
over in the shore boat to ferry over the machinists.

Half an hour later Andrews and his men had put in the few needed touches
aboard the newer submarine boat. The sun, meanwhile, had gone down,
showing the hull of a naval vessel some four miles off the harbor.

Darkness came on quickly, with a clouded sky. As young Benson stepped
on deck Grant Andrews followed him.

"All finished here, Grant?" queried the yard's owner.

"Yes, sir. There's mighty little chance to do anything where Hal
Hastings has charge of the machinery."