s will be in here soon to
inspect it."

"Just what rank does that _young_ turkey-cock hold on board?" sneered
Truax, when the door had closed.

"Don't know, I'm sure," replied Williamson. "All I know is that the
three youngsters are aboard here to run the boat and show it off to the
best advantage. My pay is running right along, and I've no kick at
taking orders from any one of them."

"This is where I go on smoking, anyway," declared Truax, insolently,
striking a match and lighting his pipe again. Williamson reached over,
snatching the pipe from between the other man's teeth and dumping out
the coals, after which the machinist coolly dropped the pipe into
one of his own pockets.

"If you go on this way," warned Williamson, "Captain Benson will get it
into his head to put you on shore in a jiffy, and for good."

"I'd like to see him try it," sneered Sam Truax.

"You'll get your wish, if you go on the way you've been going!"

"Humph! I don't believe the Benson boy carries the size or the weight
to put me ashore."

"He doesn't need any size or weight," retorted Williamson, crisply. "If
Captain Benson wants you off this boat, it's only the matter of a moment
for him to get a squad of marines on board--and you'll march off to the
'Rogues' march'."

"So that's the way he'd work it, eh?" demanded Sam Truax, turning green
and ugly around the lips.

"You bet it is," retorted the machinist. "We're practically a part of
the United States Navy for these few days, and naval rules will govern
any game we may get into."

On that hint things went along better in the engine room. When Hal
Hastings came in to inspect he found nothing to criticise.

At the minute of eleven o'clock a squad of some twenty cadets came
marching down to the landing in front of the boat house. There
Lieutenant Commander Mayhew and one of his engineer officers met them.
Two cutters manned by sailors brought the party out alongside, where
Jack and Hal stood ready to receive them.

A very natty looking squad of future admirals came aboard, grouping
themselves about on the platform deck. It was rather a tight squeeze
for so many human beings in that space.

After greeting the submarine boys, Mr. Mayhew turned to the cadets,
calling their attention to the lines and outer construction of the
"Farnum." Then he turned to the three submarine boys, signing to them
to crowd forward.

"These young gentlemen," announced the lieutenant commande