I've something to
show you, and much to tell you. And I'm wagering an anchor to a
fish-hook that you'll be glad you stationed me over on that neck of
sand."

Major Woodruff led the way back into the cabin. There he examined the
chart, with a start of astonishment.

"The fellow was marking down all our mine positions," came savagely from
between the Army officer's teeth.

Then he picked up the book.

"A nice little assortment of notes on matters of military interest along
this coast," muttered the soldier. "Your long-legged fellow has been
busy at other points than Craven's Bay."

Then, closing the book with a snap, Major Woodruff looked keenly at the
submarine boy as he remarked:

"Mr. Benson, I think our present submarine tests can be well suspended.
We have a much more important task ahead of us--to catch this impudent
thief of military secrets! And, in this undertaking, Benson, you can be
of the greatest sort of help!"

CHAPTER V

SIGHTING THE ENEMY

"You can count on me, sir," declared Captain Jack Benson, eagerly.

"I can count on every one of you submarine boys, can't I?" asked Major
Woodruff, thoughtfully.

"You can count on us," declared Benson, earnestly, "as though every one
of us were sworn into the service and had a record of being tried and
tested!"

In an instant after speaking the submarine boy realized that this must
have had a boastful sound. So he added, quickly:

"Please don't suspect me, Major, of being a braggart. But Hal, Eph and
I have always taken our work with seriousness. We have always acted
just as though the Flag depended upon us for its protection. We have
the desire, every minute of our lives, to be great Americans--that is,
great in our devotion to the Flag, even if we cannot be great in deeds."

"By Jove, I believe you!" cried Major Woodruff, reaching forward and
clasping Jack's hand tightly in his own.

The major went on heartily:

"No, no, Benson, I don't consider you boastful. You're talking the way
I heard some youngsters talk when I was a boy. It's refreshing and
encouraging to hear you talk that way. Do you know, boy, when we older
fellows sometimes get to thinking of the country's past glories, we
wonder whether the boys of to-day are going to make such men as have
carried the United States of America forward in the past? The thought
makes us solemn and anxious. I suppose every man who is grown and on
toward middle life has always, in eve