The Submarine Boys' Lightning Cruise / The Young Kings of the Deep

heltered body of water, some seven miles long and three wide. At the mouth of t

their destination, until they arrived in the bay on

e him at the wheel, while Mr. Farnum had helped Hal in the engine room.

s, Eph had handled the "Hastings," with Ewald as relief. Williamson had handled

t was a relief to all hands when they f

unboats, the "Chelsea" and the "Oakland." Near the gunboa

, "that has seen fit to enter more than one boat. I

ed Danvers, generously. "And, if anything can win for you, Mr. Farnum, it's the having

s," replied Jacob Farnum, qui

drops of cold sweat oozed out on his forehead. Success meant so much to this shipb

ay fair to the last gasp. No doubt some of the other competing submarine builders feel the same way about it. Yet, with so many riv

or rivals, in mind, his fears, as was aft

. Farnum," Jack, begged. He

ck, Bi

eplied the sailor,

hone in hand, by the time that his emplo

ngs, sir?" Jack shouted to the w

you your moorings," came the reply. Then the launch gl

Hastings" were moored, at the extreme ea

m the engine room heat, came u

re," murmured young Hastings, ga

shape of rival builders and their employees, and among them there may be some mean tricksters who'd do anything in their power to put the Pollard boats out of the ru

ntil he has tried it, can realize how cramped such small c

paused, point

he gasped. "L

approaching them. In

an, and five workmen

ain Jack, as he and his chum waved thei

ngly demanded Jacob Farnum, w

's wrong?"

replied the

drews and the oth

t the men with Andrews are all picked fr

r. That'

told Grant to bring these men with him. Then they'll serve another purpose. I want you youngsters to be keyed up to your best performances all the time we're here. That you can't do if you're kept co

Jack. "And mighty consi

nt to drain the last bit of performance out of you youngsters that I possibly can while we'

aleboat put in alongside of the "Benson," an

ver the side to go ashore

to the "Hastings," where Eph and his companions were taken off and t

t the leading hotel on shore. Hence, in landing, the shipbuilder was really killing two birds with a single st

ntire party, the naval lieutenant included, had landed at the wharf. The two sa

Farnum engaged for his own party. In five minutes more they stood about in the

espite their easy attitudes there was yet a certain military erectness abou

a doorway before which stood a folding scr

m badly. On his upper lip was a heavy moustache, now iron-gray. His face was red, almost bloated. There were heavy pouches under his eyes that told of many hours of senseless, vicious dissipation. A small wart on the

e of the boats now at anchor in Groton Bay were his-or, rather, his com

he Navy Department. Twice he had been on the point of a sale, but

t any cost, to make the government buy several

grow smaller. He knew the members of this party, though none of them as yet knew Rhinds. But the cunnin

ou are,

man of some thirty years of age, tall, dark, handsome, sle

uld be inclined to lik

of the somewhat shifty

turned one skilled in

was secretary to

our noses to the Navy Department," continued Rhinds, a snarl frami

oung submarine officers with such fine reco

. "They're bright youngsters, too

d over into our employ

tions about loyalty to the Farnum Pollard crowd. And, b

t with us?" suggested Radwin, as he peered t

sharply. "I know abou

en t

ing," said

balk, or behave badly. We must destroy all naval confidence in Pollard boats. Then we must engineer matters so that none of that crowd will be fit to find out what ails their boats-in time, anyway. The easiest point of attack will be the boys themselves. It is absolutely necessary to

pstairs, when John C. Rhinds, his face beaming craftily, approached them, followed by Radwin.

"But we want to be good-natured, friendly rivals, my dear

it came Jack Benson's turn to be introduced, Rh

ica-with two chums who run him a close race. We must all dine t