“Now, follow us, captain,” directed the ensign, “and we’ll lead you to your anchorage.”

Five minutes later the “Pollard” rode snugly at anchor, with all made trim and secure.  But Captain Jack and his two boy friends, despite the lateness of the hour, were in no hurry to turn in below.

It was the first glimpse any of the trio had ever had of such an imposing war fleet, and all wanted to stay on deck drinking in the glory of the sight.

CHAPTER XX

“ONE ON” THE WATCH OFFICER

At nine o’clock the next morning Messrs. Farnum and Pollard were sent for to report aboard the flagship, where they had a long talk with Admiral Bentley.

The result was somewhat disappointing.  During the manoeuvres a board of naval officers would be sent aboard the “Pollard” to observe what she could do in surface running, diving, etc.  The “Pollard,” however, was not to be included in any of the deep-sea manoeuvres of attack and defense, as there were already two Government submarines with the fleet, and the work of these had been mapped out.

“However, that’s the best we can do, and we must be satisfied,” sighed Jacob Farnum to Captain Jack.  “We’ll find plenty of chance to show what we can do, and I know the Navy officers will see that we get a fair show at Washington.”

“Of course,” nodded Captain Benson, loyally.  “When they see just what a handy craft the ‘Pollard’ is at all times, they’ll be wild to have a few ‘Pollards’ in the Navy.”

“That’s the way to talk,” beamed the anxious inventor, all of whose hopes of the future were based on the developments of these few days.

“It’s the way to talk, sir,” replied Captain Jack, “because it’s the truth.  We’ll show these Navy folks so much about the ‘Pollard’ that, being men of good sense, they’ll see the point.”

In the afternoon several delegations of naval officers visited the little submarine from the different craft in the fleet.  The tiny cabin was crowded with visitors, the air being thick with cigar smoke much of the time.  What astounded many of the visitors was the extreme youthfulness of captain and crew, but Jacob Farnum assured the naval callers that these young men had accomplished all that had been done with the ‘Pollard’ up to date.

“And I’m going to be wholly satisfied, gentlemen,” added the builder, “with the impression that will be made upon you by what my crew of boys can show you.”

“Why, your boy crew is your strong point,” laughed Captain Carew.  “You’re building a type of submarine so simple that any child can handle it above or below water.”

All present joined in the laugh at this sally, but Mr. Farnum took it in good part declaring: 

“That is just the idea, Captain Carew.  We have the simplest, most effective submarine boat that it is possible to build.”

All of the visitors were inclined to take this view, from an inspection of the simple running methods of the boat.  Of course, none of the visitors had seen the “Pollard” dive or run beneath the surface, but they were willing to accept the statements of builder and inventor.