The Submarine Boys on Duty / Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat

n naval warfare," declared David Pollard, his eyes a

ine diving torpedo boat is understood by the United States Government you'll need some reliable and intelligent experts. Take us in now. Let us learn the work

as good as you promise," admitted the inven

your boat against all the older types that the Government already takes an interest in. Yet you feel sure that yo

these drawings," replied Mr. Pollard, indicatin

was now eleven o'clock at night. Jack and Hal had been in the inventor's room for the last three h

ory stored away in his mind. He had inherited some money, soon after leaving school, but this money had vanished in inventions that he had not succeeded in marketing. Now, all his hopes

hed at by "practical" men. It was success, more than mere fortune, for which David Pollard hungered. The officials of the Navy Department, at W

inventor felt that he would be "down" indeed in the world. Also, he must feel that he ha

intelligent interest or faith in his plans. These two friends were but boys, nor had they had any experience in submarine boat construction. Yet they had shown the inv

e just the plainest sort of helpers, fetching and liftin

ubmarine boat is very important and confidential work. Now, while I like the

he principal of the school we attended in Oakport, and you can telegraph the minister of our church, too. We'll abide by just what the

ything to do with the building of the 'Pollard.' After the steel workers and the riveters had finished on the hull, then the inside work, including the fi

e him take a dislike to us," spoke up Jack Benson, candidly

ll stir up some feeling

it very difficult for

ot of that disagreeable

you a whole lot bett

ffing slowly at a pipe, and then he removed

mselves. You talk like youngsters with some experience and some ideas in the matter of machinery. I admire your honesty. I also like what you say about

you. I won't wire, but I'll write, to-night, to the references you've given. If we find you're not of much use we'll drop you. If your references don't turn out to

an?" smiled Ja

ooked grave a

rks in the boat-fitting crew. I think we can get over the effects of your little trouble thi

nventor good night, then hurried to thei

his face radiant, as he thou

ed Hal Hastings. "Jack, you're a wonder with your tongue. I

nd, oh, Hal! I believe it's goin

'Pollard' as the inventor himself,

of the future, old chum! And, starting this early, we may become Pollard's real experts-his leading men when he's famous, successful and rich! We may eve

submarine boat-under water and all!" glowed young Hastings. "Say,

six call came in the morning, both boys turned out in a jiffy. Excitement took the place of rest with them. They breakfasted with ap

were half a dozen sloops in various stages of completion. There were two houses, close to the water's edge in which, as the boys afterwards learned, motor boats were built

youngsters hurried toward that shed. As they reached it the inventor came into sight around the en

s," was his greeting.

g, he isn't likely to lie abed until the last

nventor most favorably. He

," he said, producing a key and leading t

ance of light fell. But Jack, once inside the door,

h!" he m

nquired the inv

frankly, looking over the whole length of the "

gh Hal Hastings remained silent for some time, his fascinated gaze rested st

h of the boat was about one hundred and ten feet, which in point of size placed he

e feet in outside diameter, and extending some four feet above the sloping deck

nd all was in readiness for placing the propeller shaft and the propeller itself. On the floor of the shed,

form deck. In the top of the conning tower a man-hole cover stood propped

In dark weather these wires carried the cu

nd other workmen arrive," explained Mr. Pol

an's clothes, reached the open doorway of the shed. One look inside, and he halted short. He gathered f

man-and I think I do!" growled the

red and about twenty-eight years of age. He was good-humored a

black-haired and with a frame that spoke of great physical power and endurance. Yet he had restless, rat

le aside. "Say, you know that cheeky young fellow I told ye about-th

and paid him back yet

d Dan. "What do you think? Pollard has engaged tha

e about it?" demanded Joshua Ow

hat you're foreman and take on and l

wen. Then he stepped on toward the long shed, a very grim look on his f

re," he ordered, "get out and on your way. W

right young chaps, with some experience, that I've engaged

sir?" asked the foreman, again

eplied Pollard. "I believe you'll be rather pleased w

to fire all manner of machine-shop questions at both boys. Yet Jack and Hal, paying respectfu

lkers, and all that, but they belong to the know-it-all class of boys. I've had a lot of experience with that kind of 'prentices,

ettled the matter. Jack Benson and

en," replied Pollard quietly, yet in a tone of auth

laimed Joshua Owen, irrita

ere, and to give your advice when it's wanted. I have much at stake in the success of this boat, and

like these young fellows," retorted the fore

t," retorted Pollard, firmly. "If they can't do o

ed during this talk. Now, at the order from Owen all climbed the ladder to the platform deck, thence disappearing through

o scowl at them, but, as Mr. Pollard was right be

caught sight of the two newcomers

ellers couldn't work here,

ered Joshua Owen. "They're not go