"It will take us out on the water, for one thing," Captain Jack
continued, "and we've been growing stale on shore, of late." Then he
added, whimsically: "Besides, if the agents of any more foreign
governments show up, they won't find us here."

"And there's a Jap just about due now," grimaced Eph.

"Take Williamson with you, for use in the engine room," advised Mr.
Farnum. "That will allow you to take the boat through with two watches
above and below. Which boat will you take?"

"The 'Spitfire,' unless you'd rather have us take the other one," young
Benson replied.

"Take the 'Spitfire,' by all means," nodded the owner.

Twenty minutes later, Williamson having been found, the crew was all
ready for the start for Craven's Bay.

Eph and Williamson cast off from moorings while Hal Hastings, down below
at the gasoline motors, started the twin propellers as soon as Jack
Benson, at the deck wheel, signaled for speed ahead.

Right after the start, Williamson, a grown man and machinist, dropped
below. Eph Somers stood beside the young submarine captain.

For some minutes both boys gazed out over the waters. Then Eph remarked:

"Well, we got away without being overhauled by a Jap or a Russian,
didn't we?"