"
"You're satisfied with your test, aren't you?" inquired Mr. Farnum.
"Yes, for the log was carefully standardized for us before we came."
Hal Hastings was called on deck to be complimented for this performance.
"The motor can be improved so as to beat that speed," declared Hal,
flushed and happy, for he had nursed that motor along during the hour!
"As it stands, the twenty-one-spot-four record beats anything of the
kind with any other submarine boat in the United States, doesn't it?"
inquired David Pollard.
"I--I--it may do. It's a very excellent record for speed, anyway;
very remarkable," admitted the president of the board, cautiously.
"Now, gentlemen, what test will you have next?" asked Mr. Farnum.
"Suppose," replied Commander Ennerling, after glancing at his associates,
"that you submerge the boat, on even keel, and let us see how many feet
under water you dare to go with this craft?"
"It shall be done," nodded Mr. Farnum. Accordingly the ventilators were
shipped, all hands went below, and the conning tower manhole was closed.
Everything was in readiness for the drop below the surface. The
gasoline engine was shut off, the electric motor being started. At
Captain Jack's order Eph stepped up to take the conning tower wheel,
while the young commander stood by the diving controls.
"Even keel, if you please," again requested Commander Ennerling.
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