“Say, you ought to sleep until afternoon,” was Hastings’s next greeting, but Jack was looking out of the conning tower at the scene around him.

The three craft were leaving the coast directly behind.  About three hundred yards away, abeam, steamed the “Hudson” at a nine-knot gait.

“The ‘Pollard’ is on the other side of the gunboat, isn’t she?” asked Jack.

“Yes,” Hal nodded.

“Naval crew aboard her?”

“Yes; Government has taken full possession of the ‘Pollard.’”

“Who’s running this boat?  Just you and Eph?”

“No; that new man, Truax, is on board, and at the last moment Mr. Farnum put Williamson, one of the machinists, aboard, also.  You can send Williamson back from Annapolis whenever you’re through with him.”

“Williamson is all right,” nodded Jack, slowly.  “But how about Truax?”

“I think he’s going to be a useful man,” Hal responded.  “He seems familiar with our type of engines.  Of course, he knows nothing about the apparatus for submerging the boat or making it dive.  But he doesn’t need to.  Now, Jack, old fellow, we’re going along all right.  Why not let Eph help you back to your bunk, or one of the seats in the cabin, and have your sleep out?”

“I’ve had it out,” Benson declared, with a laugh.  “I’m ready, now, to take my trick at the wheel.”

“Nonsense,” retorted Hal Hastings.  “I’ve been here a bare quarter of an hour, and I’m good for more work than that.  Jack, you’re nothing but a fifth wheel.  You’re not needed; won’t be all day, and at night we anchor in some harbor down the coast.  Go and rest, like a good fellow.”

“Can’t rest, when I know I’m doing nothing,” Benson retorted, stubbornly.  “Besides, this is the first time I’ve ever found myself moving along in regular formation with the United States Navy.  I feel almost as if I were a Navy officer myself, and I mean to make the most of the sensation.  Say, Hal, wouldn’t it be fine if we really did belong to the Navy?”

“Gee-whiz!” murmured young Hastings, his cheeks glowing and his eyes snapping.

“If we only belonged to the old Flag for life, and knew that we were practising on a boat like this as a part of the preparation for real war when it came?”

“Don’t!” begged Hal, tensely.  “For you know, old fellow, it can’t come true.  Why, we haven’t even a residence anywhere, from which a Congressman could appoint one of us to annapolis!”

“One of us?” muttered Jack, scornfully.  “Then it would have to be you.  I wouldn’t go, even as a cadet at Annapolis, and leave you behind in just plain, ordinary life, Hal Hastings!”

“Well, it’s no use thinking about it,” sighed Hal, practically.  “Neither one of us is in any danger of getting appointed to Annapolis, so there’s no chance that either one of us ever will become an officer in the Navy.  Let’s not talk about it, Jack I’ve been contented enough, so far, but now it makes me almost blue, to think that we can only go on testing and handling submarine craft like these, while others will be their real officers in the Navy, and command them in any war that may come.”