it was for the submarine folks to keep on good terms with newspaper
writers if the American people were to be favorably impressed with the
claims of the Pollard boat.

"Now, see here," said Eph, balancing the boathook, "I'm sorry to stand
here making a noise like a crank, but have you any idea at all what
orders mean on shipboard? And I'm under the strictest orders not to
let anyone aboard."

"Get your orders changed, then," proposed another newspaper man,
cheerfully.

"If you'll wait, I'll see if I can," muttered Eph, hopefully.

"Oh, we'll wait."

Williamson's head had appeared in the manhole way.

"Come out on deck, and don't let anyone on board unless we get orders
to that effect," murmured Somers, passing the conning tower. Then,
through a megaphone, the submarine boy hailed the gunboat, asking if it
would be possible for him to talk with Jack Benson. Benson soon
afterward came forward on the "Waverly." Eph explained the situation.
Jack shouted back to allow the visitors on the platform deck, but not
to let any of them into the conning tower, or below.

So Eph turned to the two boatloads of visitors, explaining:

"Perhaps you men can get that all changed if you come out to-morrow, when
the captain is here. But the best I can do to-day is to let you up here