Eph went home for two or three days. Jack and Hal slept on board the
"Benson," while Williamson quartered himself aboard the "Hastings,"
which craft no longer carried any torpedoes.

One afternoon, as Jack Benson was strolling through the shipyard, Jacob
Farnum, in the doorway of the office building, called to the young
skipper.

"I suppose both boats are ready, Jack?" asked the shipbuilder.

"Quite, sir," nodded Benson.

He did not inquire for what they were expected to be ready. Jacob
Farnum was one who liked to plan by himself, and to announce a new move
only when he was ready for it.

"All right, lad," nodded Farnum. "Keep both boats ready for any instant
move that may be required of them. That's all."

Again young Benson nodded, then strolled on out of the yard. Up on the
Main street of the village he encountered his chum.

"There's something in the wind, Hal, for the boats," Jack announced.

"All right," nodded Hal. "We're ready when needed."

Nor did either one of them waste any time in wondering what the new move
was to be. When Jacob Farnum wanted them to know he would tell them and
not before.