The "Benson" answered both like a charm.
"The gasoline part of the craft is working all right," declared the
youthful skipper to Eph, who had come up into the tower.
Fifteen minutes later Hal shouted up:
"All electric connections appear safe, Captain. And all the air
compressors are working."
"Are you ready to shut off the gasoline motors?"
"Yes, sir."
"Go ahead, then, and we'll take a dive." Down they shot below the
surface, the boat going on a diving keel. Then, for some minutes,
Captain Jack ran his submarine pride along at a depth of fifty feet
below surface.
"Might as well rise, Captain," called up Mr. Farnum, coming from his
stateroom.
So Eph, at the young commander's orders, stood by to let the compressed
air gradually into the water tanks. As gracefully as ever the "Benson"
rose to the surface. Gasoline power was turned on again.
"Everything is all safe, Captain," nodded Mr. Farnum. "Run back and get
your naval party."
As they were to run, now, on the surface, Jack stepped out to stand
by the deck wheel Eph and Hal came out with him, David Pollard standing
further aft.
As the submarine rounded in under the gunboat's stern the voice of
Kimball called:
"As well done as ever, Mr.
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