on the "Benson" ran forward, to find the "Oakland" swinging around so
that her bow pointed the path for the leading submarine.

Eph remained at the wheel, steering steadily. He carried the "Benson"
past the gunboat's bow, some seventy yards away. A cheer went up from
the sailors crowding forward on the gunboat's spar deck. The cheer
would have sounded, no matter which submarine had won.

Then Eph cut a wide circle, coming back close to the gunboat.

"You win!" shouted an officer at the "Oakland's" rail.

"Of course," nodded Lieutenant Danvers, "But what distance?"

"The board allows you half a mile and a furlong."

Captain Jack Benson, now that the strain was over, felt as though the
platform deck were sinking under him.

"Let me have that wheel," commanded Jacob Farnum, stepping forward.
"Jack, you and Eph, below with you! Coffee, steak--and anything
else--for all three of you youngsters!"




CHAPTER XII

LET A SAILOR STICK TO HIS DECK