Farnum led them below.
Captain Jack helped the builder in explaining the general working
details of the boat. Hal and Eph answered such questions as were put
to them by father or son.
"It's all very interesting," said Mr. Melville, slowly, at last.
"Farnum, let us go up on deck a few minutes. Don, you might remain below.
I have no doubt there is still much that you want to see."
So Don remained below. The boys of the submarine's crew, feeling that
Mr. Farnum would want to be alone with his guest, also remained below.
"Do you--er--like this sort of thing, Benson?" asked Don Melville.
"The submarine boat work, you mean?" asked Captain Jack, brightly. "Why,
it's my life--my very life!"
The glow that came to the cheeks of the young submarine captain bore out
his words fully. Jack did love this fine craft. He gloried in having
the command of her, though he never made the weight of his authority
felt by his two comrades, who, indeed, virtually shared in the command.
Captain Benson was especially proud and grateful at the confidence shown
in himself and in his mates in being allowed full charge of the
"Pollard." Love the life? It wouldn't be life, for him, without the
"Pollard!"
Don began to ask some further questions about the boat. His tone was
slightly supercilious. It was plain to be seen that he looked upon
these daring, tried and proven youngsters as being decidedly his
inferiors.
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