Farnum. "However, if the last man aboard leaves
the boat then there is no way provided for a return to the 'Pollard,'
and we would be placed at great expense in raising her. I think we
have, however, shown you enough to make you believe that we have mastered
some new wrinkles in submarine work."
"You have shown us more than we can quite digest," admitted Lieutenant
Commander Briscoe. "But how is this all done?"
"That," responded Mr. Farnum, gravely, "the Government will know when
the boat is purchased for the American Navy."
The anchor being again lowered, both Jack and Hal dived below. In five
minutes the "Pollard" was on the surface. Mr. Farnum asked:
"Have we shown you enough at one time?"
"Yes," admitted the officers. "This evening, after dark, we may ask you
to take us out and show us your boat's diving powers."
"Jack, my boy," whispered Jacob Farnum, when the young captain joined the
party on shore, "your trick of leaving and returning to the boat when it
lies on the bottom has gotten our friends of the Navy into a state of
hard guessing. Do you think we'd better show them some more of it at
another time?"
"If you want my opinion, sir, I think we'd better not. We've puzzled
them this time, but if we keep on doing the trick for them, I'm afraid
they'll soon guess how it's done. I don't believe, sir, you can fool the
American Navy more than once.
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