We are now on the bottom---in about how many feet of water, Mr.
Somers?"
"About forty, sir," replied Eph.
The six midshipmen stared at one another, then felt a somewhat
uncomfortable feeling creeping over them.
"Had it been daylight," smiled Benson, "you would have been warned
by the disappearance of natural light and the increased brilliancy
of the electric light here below. However, your experience serves
to show you how easily up-to-date submarines may be handled."
"What do you think of the way the trick was done?" asked Hal Hastings,
looking up with a quiet smile.
"It was marvelous," replied Midshipman Farley promptly.
"I would like to ask a question, sir, if I may," put in Midshipman
Jetson.
"Go ahead, sir."
"Were submarines ever handled anywhere near as neatly before you
three gentlemen began your work with the Pollard Company?"
"We didn't handle them as easily, at all events," replied Jack
with a smile. "It has required a lot of work and practice, night
and day. Steward, a plate for Mr. Somers."
"This is the way we generally manage at meal times," smiled Ensign
Eph, as he took his place at table. "There's no use in keeping
an officer and a man on deck, or a tender at the engines, unless
we're going somewhere, in a hurry. So, in a case like this, where
the deck officer wants his meal, we just sink into the mud and
rest easy until the meal is over."
"Are you giving instruction, or merely seeking to amuse your guests,
Mr.
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