"Also the service is not what it would be on
a battleship. We can carry but few men, so the cook must also
act as waiter."
At once a very good meal was set on the table, and all hands were
busily eating when Eph Somers came down the stairs, saluted and
reported:
"Sir, we are on the bottom of Chesapeake Bay, with our nose in
the mud!"
CHAPTER IX
THE TREACHERY OF MORTON
To the midshipmen that was rather startling news to receive while
in the act of enjoying a very excellent meal.
Lieutenant Jack Benson, however, appeared to take the news very
coolly.
"May I ask," he inquired, "whether any of you young gentlemen
noticed anything unusual in our motion during the last two or
three minutes?"
All six of the midshipmen glanced at him quickly, then at Darrin
the other five looked, as though appointing him their spokesman.
"No, sir; we didn't note anything," replied Dave. "We were too
busy with our food and with listening to the talk."
"But now you notice something?"
"Yes, sir."
"What?"
"That the boat appears motionless, as though speed had been stopped."
"And that is the case," smiled Benson. "Mr. Somers, soon after
the soup was placed on the table, came in from the deck with the
one man of his watch, closed the tower and signaled for changing
to the electric motors. Then he filled the forward tanks and
those amidships, at last filling the tanks astern. We came below
so gently that you very intent young men never noticed the change.
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