will remember how Jack and his comrades spoiled the Melville plans, and
how Captain Jack and his friends handled the “Pollard” so splendidly, in
the presence of a board of Navy officers, that the United States
Government was induced to buy that first submarine craft.

After that sale, each of the three boys received, in addition to his
regular pay, a bank account of a thousand dollars and ten shares of stock
in the new company. Moreover, Messrs. Farnum and Pollard had felt wholly
justified in promising these talented, daring, hustling submarine boys an
assured and successful future.

Jacob Farnum at last looked up from the final reading of the telegram in
his hands. Captain Jack Benson’s gaze was fixed on his employer’s face.
Hal Hastings was looking out of a window, with almost a bored look in his
eyes.

“You young men wanted action,” announced Mr. Farnum, quietly. “I think
you’ll get it.”

“Soon?” questioned Jack, eagerly.

“Immediately, or a minute or two later,” laughed the shipbuilder.

“I’m ready,” declared Captain Jack, rising.

“It’ll take you a little time to hear about it all and digest it, so you
may as well be seated again,” declared Farnum.

Hal, too, wandered back to his chair.