Immediately after supper Captain Jack took his place in the conning tower.  He concerned himself principally with the compass, his only other task being to keep the course by the “Hudson’s” lights, for the parent boat supplied in its own conduct all the navigation orders beyond the general course.  The “Farnum’s” searchlight was not used, the gunboat picking up all the coast-marks as they neared land.

“Annapolis is the place I’ve always wanted to see,” Jack declared, as Hal joined him in the conning tower.

“It’s the place where I’ve always wanted to be a cadet,” sighed Hal.  “But there’s no chance for me, I fear.  Jack, I’d rather be an officer of the Navy than a millionaire.”

“Same here,” replied Jack, steadily.  “It’s hard to have to feel that I’ll never be either.”

As she entered the mouth of the Severn River the “Hudson” signaled to the submarines to follow, in file, the “Pollard” leading.  A little later the three craft entered the Basin at the Academy.  While the gunboat anchored off the Amphitheatre, the two submarine boats were ordered to anchorage just off the Boat House.  Then a cutter came alongside.

“The lieutenant commander’s compliments to Mr. Benson.  Will Mr. Benson go aboard the ’Hudson’?” asked the young officer in command of the cutter.  Captain Jack lost no time in presenting himself before the lieutenant commander.

“Mr. Benson,” said Mr. Mayhew, after greeting the submarine boy, “your craft will be under a marine guard to-night, and at all times while here at the Naval Academy.  If you and your crew would like to spend the night ashore, in the quaint little old town of Annapolis, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t.  But you will all need to report back aboard, ready for duty, by eight in the morning.”

Jack thanked the naval commander, then hastened back to the “Farnum” to communicate the news.

“Me for the shore trip,” declared Eph, promptly.  All the others agreed with him.

“I’ll come back by ten o’clock to-night, though,” volunteered Sam Truax.  “One of the crew ought to be aboard.”

“We’ll stay ashore,” decided Jack, “and return in the morning.”

“I’m coming back to-night,” retorted Truax.

“Keep still, and follow orders,” muttered Eph, digging his elbow into Truax’s ribs.  “The captain gives the orders here.”

Jack, however, had turned away.  Within five minutes a boat put off from shore, bringing two soldiers of the marine guard alongside with them, in the shore boat, was a corporal of the guard.

“Any of your crew coming back to-night, asked the corporal.

“None,” Benson answered.  “Will you instruct the sentries to see that none of the crew are allowed aboard during the night?”

“Very good, sir.”