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 Submarine Boys' Trial Trip_," will
recall, among other things, the desperate efforts made by. George
Melville, the capitalist, aided by the latter'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 received, 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 promising these talented, daring, hustling submarine
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 window, with almost a bored look in
his eyes.

"You young men wanted action," announced Mr. Farnum, quietly. "I think
you'll get it."