shipbuilder, and president of the submarine company, and David Pollard,
inventor of the Pollard type of submarine craft.

In this shed, placed on racks in three tiers, lay the two dozen Whitehead
torpedoes with which the first work was to be done. As Jack stepped
about the shed, looking to see that everything was in order, he was
thinking of the exciting work soon to come.

Eph Somers was near at hand, though up in the village at that particular
moment. There was a fourth member of the crew, however, named
Williamson. He was a grown man, a machinist who had been long in
Farnum's employ, and who was considered a most valuable hand to have in
the engine room of a submarine.

Williamson, during the preceding fortnight, had been away in the interior
of the country. He had taken a midwinter vacation, and had gone to visit
his mother. Now, however, the machinist knew of the work at hand, and
his return was expected.

"Really," declared Jack, turning around to his chum, "Williamson ought
to be here not later than to-morrow morning. He had Mr. Farnum's
letter in good season."

At this moment a heavy tread was heard on the light crust of snow
outside. Then a man's head appeared in the doorway.

"Speaking of angels!" laughed Hal.

"Williamson, I'm mighty glad to see you back," hailed Captain Jack,
delightedly.