reathed Captain
Jack Benson, eagerly.
"As a cadet in the Navy, do you mean?" asked Mr. Farnum.
"Why, that would have been well enough," assented Jack, "before I had such
a chance in your submarine service. No; I mean I'd like to see Annapolis.
I'd like to watch the midshipmen at their training, and see the whole
naval life there."
"It's too bad every fellow can't have his wish gratified as easily,"
continued Jacob Farnum.
"Do you mean we're going to Annapolis, too?" asked Jack Benson, his eyes
glowing. Even Hal Hastings sat up straighter in his chair, watching the
shipbuilder's face closely.
"Yes," nodded Jacob Farnum. "Permission has been granted for me to send
our second boat, the 'Farnum,' along with the 'Pollard'--both under the
care of the--"
"The Dad boat," laughed Hastings.
"Yes; that will give us a chance to have the 'Farnum' studied most closely
by some of the most capable officers in the United States Navy. It ought
to mean, presently, the sale of the 'Farnum' to the Government."
"That's just what it will mean," promised Captain Jack, "if any efforts of
ours can make the Navy men more interested in the boat."
"You three youngsters are likely to be at Annapolis for some time," went
on Mr. Farnum. "In fact--but don't let your heads become too enlarged by
the news, will you?"
Hal, quiet young Hal, neatly hid a yawn behind one hand, while Benson
answered for both:
"We're already wearing the largest-sized caps manufactured, Mr. Farnum.
Don't tempt us too far, please!"
"Oh, you boys are safe from the ordinary perils of vanity, or your heads
would have burst long ago. Well, then, when you arrive at Annapolis, you
three are to act as civilian instructors to the middies. You three are to
teach the midshipmen of the United States Navy the principles on which the
Pollard type of boat is run. There; I've told you the whole news. What do
you think of it?"
Mr. Farnum's cigar having burned low, he tossed it away, then leaned back
as he lighted another weed.
"What do we think, sir?" echoed Captain Jack, eagerly. "Why, we think
we're in sight of the very time of our lives! Annapolis! And to teach the
middies how to run a 'Pollard' submarine."
"How soon are we likely to have to start, sir!" asked Hal Hastings, after
a silence that lasted a few moments.
"Whenever the 'Hudson' shows up along this coast, and the officer in
command of her gives the word. That may be any hour, now."
"Then we'd
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