on Mr. Farnum. “In fact—but don’t let your heads become too enlarged by
the news, will you?”

Hal, quiet young Hal, neatly hid a yawn behind one hand, while Benson
answered for both:

“We’re already wearing the largest-sized caps manufactured, Mr. Farnum.
Don’t tempt us too far, please!”

“Oh, you boys are safe from the ordinary perils of vanity, or your heads
would have burst long ago. Well, then, when you arrive at Annapolis, you
three are to act as civilian instructors to the middies. You three are to
teach the midshipmen of the United States Navy the principles on which the
Pollard type of boat is run. There; I’ve told you the whole news. What do
you think of it?”

Mr. Farnum’s cigar having burned low, he tossed it away, then leaned back
as he lighted another weed.

“What do we think, sir?” echoed Captain Jack, eagerly. “Why, we think
we’re in sight of the very time of our lives! Annapolis! And to teach the
middies how to run a ’Pollard’ submarine.”

“How soon are we likely to have to start, sir!” asked Hal Hastings, after
a silence that lasted a few moments.

“Whenever the ’Hudson’ shows up along this coast, and the officer in
command of her gives the word. That may be any hour, now.”

“Then we’d better find Eph,” suggested Captain Jack, “and pass him the