The Submarine Boys on Duty / Life on a Diving Torpedo Boat
eling of exhilaration was over, the anxiou
n her construction? I
ld have been in much danger, for all were
onths of hopes that wo
on, then David Pollard
concernedl
e inventor. "How do
h. "Why, you see
train, something unpleasant might be said
drop the
l and Eph quickly
shook it out, for the band had suddenly begun to play "The Star Spangled Banner," and on shore the crowd was hushed, ha
om which wonders were expected. Presently a small boat put off from shore. Mr. Farnum and
either the bow nor stern showing. In rough weather the platform deck would be a wet place, indeed; but now, with l
ell go below and get o
t An
hing aboard?" querie
num's thoughtfulness. C
dly store of clothing, much more than would be needed for the present, and of differe
in on these?" murm
" laughed Andrews, quietly, "I think I'd be brave e
wonder a bit. These suits were dark blue uniforms, the coats braided, and the fron
g about him, "I'm only a
common sailor to
drews. "I judge, from the togs,
sigh, fitted himself to
hour, until the owner comes aboard and throws me into
one of the state-room mirrors, he stood up unaccounta
wanted to get up where they could stare at the hull, the water and at anything else
d of men s
rs," explained Grant Andrews. "We have nothing to do with their wo
ing," declared Eph. "When the two bosses come aboard I'
join the crew, Eph?" as
tfully. "I've been dreaming about this old boat for three months back. Say, I'd giv
nodded Jack Benson. "
old life, and, Eph, I h
til he saw a chance to help, then joined in the work. He was as industrious as the p
figure that he belong
ack, when the pair
ous to be of the crew,
s like a spl
"He's a good, straightforward young chap, and comes of good water
inventor. "Let him stay. I d
o below and tell him he may
sonal interest in young Some
l in your interests thi
l him, then," nodd
ed work long enough to dance an
ig one, with trimmings-come to me!" begged young Some
rits down, Eph returned, to
meal at the galley fire, and this all hands a
ck again Mr. Pollard
much further along than we've allowed to leak out. In fact, when the men below finish with the air-
red Eph, enth
, but, until the actual trial is made, we don't know how she'll behave. If any of you feel
ith a couple of quarts of corn, looked at the hens, and said: 'Now, biddies, I'm going to toss you
David Pollard,
asked Eph, with a comi
ed hen staye
n went ashore. Again Andrews and Ep
wn was asleep, for the gasoline tanks were filled, and a
-past ten when Po
he gasoline engines
for they wanted to observe the work of the air compressors and the dynamos. The work had to be st
t had been in commission a year," remarked the invent
dy for a start, isn't
Fa
erned," replied Andrews. "But I'm going to stay by the eng
plied to rai
launching," said the yard's owner. "Somers, stand by on
low speed," directed Da
eel. Without an unnecessary sound, and with no outer lights showing, as yet, the "Po
dge of the ocean Farnum himself tur
rked Pollard, almost in a whisper.
've got clear seaway ah
rn on a few
er twin-propellers, the "Pollard
, light-riding boat!" cr
he would be. Give he
he whole of that part of the ocean to herself. She was still headed due east, and was moving at la
mersed "Pollard" rode splendidly, w
fluenced the crew, David Pollard's face was whitening with anxi
ered, hoarsely, at last, to the builder. "But will the
ckly shipped. Jack Benson shifted to the steersman's seat inside the conning tower. Sailing lights were turned off; the manhole cover
son in that little conning tower
st submerging, Farnum,
aid I'm to
ff, the submarine now running at less s
the water tanks. As the tanks filled the "Pollard" settled lower and lower in the water. They were beginning to go down. All whowas not rushing things. Then the deck outside, as shown by the steady glow of the
the top of the conning tower was l
!" pleaded David Pollard
d Mr. Farnum below, and Eph, stationed at the bottom of
them, changing the balance of the boat, the bow shot downward, making it difficult for
shot under the water, where m