nson took his place at the deck wheel, and Eph, after Hal had
come to the conning tower opening, hurried forward once more to cast off
the moorings. Then speed was called for, and the "Benson" made a
graceful sight as she swept out of the little harbor with such a
brilliant, interested company aboard.

The submarine continued until she was three miles out at sea.

"Now, if it pleases the company," Captain Jack called out, "we will
go below and dive. Then you, will know what it feels like to be running
under the surface."

From the ladies came a few little gasps of excitement. Some of them,
now that the moment had come, almost wished they had remained ashore.

"No one need be afraid," smiled Jack. "This boat has been thoroughly
tested. We shall go below the surface, true, but we shall come up
again the instant that the proper devices are applied to our machinery.
Let no one be afraid. There is not even a particle of danger."

"Not a particle," repeated Lieutenant Commander Kimball. "This is an
even safer sport than automobiling."

"Let the Navy officers go below first, please," urged Jack, as the
ladies began to crowd about the conning tower. He wanted this done in,
order that both Mr. Kimball and Mr. Featherstone might be able to use
their eyes on the guests below.

At last all had passed down the iron staircase save Eph, who remained
by the wheel in the conning tower.

"Pass directly aft, everybody, please," called Jack, quietly.

"What's that for?" asked Miss Peddensen.

"We cannot allow anyone except naval officers to see how our diving
apparatus is worked", replied Jack. "Some of you step into the
staterooms, on either side, please. All of the visitors must be aft
of this curtain."

The extreme after end of the cabin had been rigged with a heavy curtain
that could be dropped into place.

"Why, I feel as if we were all being penned up here and held for the
slaughter," gasped one American girl, in a tone of fright.

"Yes, indeed!" protested Miss Peddensen. "This is going too far."

"It strikes me as being a good deal like an outrage," blurted the
young Englishman. "Mr. Kimball, can't you--won't you interfere in
this matter?"

"I am very sorry," replied the lieutenant commander, "but I cannot.
This step is necessary, in order to prevent anyone from having an
improper view of the working of the craft. I am going behind the
curtain with you. Mr. Featherstone will remain out in the cabin to