Part 25 (1/2)

”This speed,” overnment's plans for another test The Navy Department must have planned to see whether any of these boats could stand such a gait for twenty-four long hours”

”I couldn't tell you if I knew,” remarked Lieutenant Danvers, with a quizzical look, then turned and strolled away

”And I guess,” muttered the submarine boy to hi a tip, once he has had the Navy muzzle padlocked to his jaws”

So race--for such it ere better equipped as to the nu a captain and four men, in addition to Rhinds himself and his secretary Yet Jack and Eph relieved each other regularly at the wheel, catching long naps between Hal and Mr Farnus” kept well in the van through the day, and also through the long night that followed

Two hours after daylight the ”Oakland” signaled to the subunboat

”Further orders, of course,” muttered Jack, as at the wheel at the ti run, now, from the reported location of that derelict”

The fleet holly out of sight of land The as fresh and the sea lively with short, choppy waves, crested by white-caps Yet, for boats as staunch as these sub

One after another, while still going at full speed, the subnaled, the boats put in within easy hailing distance of the gunboat

”The 'Hastings' will keep to the same South West, by South course, but at a distance of two miles off this vessel's port bow,” came the order

”The 'Thor' will take up sis'”

The three rened to positions corresponding on the starboard side of the ”Oakland”

In this order the boats went ahead at a speed reduced to fourteen miles

The front of the line extended over some ten miles; in reality the line of vision extended ed derelict had moved much faster than such derelicts usually do, it was difficult to see how the wreck could get through this line of exploration

Jack Benson pressed a signal that brought Hal Hastings up on deck

”Rouse Eph and Mr Farnuot to have all hands on, now And call Lieutenant Danvers, also He's not allowed to help us, but he'll be anxious to see what is going on”

As soon as Eph Somers reached deck Jack Benson turned the wheel over to hi himself, most of the time, beside the deck wheel

”If it's in any way possible,” ht that derelict I want the honor of sinking her to cohting for”

As Benson spoke he swung his glass around to cover the deck of the ”Thor,” that craft being, now, her full two miles away off the port bearowled young Benson, using his powerful lass with interest ”Yes; everyone on deck, except two ine room”

At this h he had slept well The naval officer carried a glass very much like the sublass on deck with ive you any information I may find for myself”

Jack nodded pleasantly, then turned to sweep the sea ahead At a distance of a few ed derelict

For some three hours the flotilla swept on, with active officers on every deck The naval board had ordered this new for the probable location of the derelict

”We haven't passed the thing, anyway,” Jack h for that to be possible”

Part of the tilass to his first officer, while the captain hi the deck, while Eph, his eyes mostly on the compass, steered steadily by course