ached.

Within fifteen minutes the craft were surrounded by small boats from
shore. Some of these contained merchandise that it was hoped sailors would
buy. Other boats "ran" for hotels, restaurants, drinking places, amusement
halls, and all the varied places on shore that hope to fatten on Jack
Tar's money.

"I'd like to go ashore, sir," announced Sam Truax, approaching Captain
Jack.

"When?"

"Now."

"For how long?"

"Until ten o'clock to-night."

"Be back by that hour, then," Jack replied. "If you're not, you'll find
everything shut tight aboard here."

Truax quickly signaled one of the hovering boats, and put off in it. Eph
watched the boat for a few moments before he turned to Captain Jack to
mutter:

"Somehow, I wouldn't feel very badly about it if that fellow got lost on
shore!"

CHAPTER VI: TWO KINDS OF VOODOO

On the second day of the cruise Jack Benson returned to full duty.

For four nights, in all, the submarine squadron tied up at moorings in
harbors along the coast. On the fifth night, as darkness fell, the
squadron continued under way, in Chesapeake Bay, for Annapolis was but
three hours away.

Immediately after supper Captain Jack took his place in the conning tower.
He concerned himself principally with the compass, his only other task
being to keep the course by the "Hudson's" lights, for the parent boat
supplied in its own conduct all the navigation orders beyond the general
course. The "Farnum's" searchlight was not used, the gunboat picking up
all the coast-marks as they neared land.

"Annapolis is the place I've always wanted to see," Jack declared, as Hal
joined him in the conning tower.

"It's the place where I've always wanted to be a cadet," sighed Hal. "But
there's no chance for me, I fear. Jack, I'd rather be an officer of the
Navy than a millionaire."

"Same here," replied Jack, steadily. "It's hard to have to feel that I'll
never be either."

As she entered the mouth of the Severn River the "Hudson" signaled to the
submarines to follow, in file, the "Pollard" leading. A little later the
three craft entered the Basin at the Academy. While the gunboat anchored
off the Amphitheatre, the two submarine boats were ordered to anchorage
just off the Boat House. Then a cutter came alongside.

"The lieutenant commander's compliments to Mr. Benson. Will Mr. Benson go
aboard the 'Hudson'?" asked the young officer in command of the cutter.
Captain