"Benson, Navy men are
handling that searchlight."
"You think so, sir?"
"No; I know it," was the dry rejoinder. "There's a way, in the Navy, of
swinging a searchlight; a way that no merchantman or yachtsman has ever
yet caught."
As yet the vessel behind the searchlight was not visible. Indeed, if she
were painted the dark gray color of the Navy craft, it would be some time
yet before her hull could show plainly at night.
Commander Ennerling used his glasses for some moments.
"Shall I answer with our searchlight, sir?" inquired the submarine boy.
"No, no, thank you. I'm more interested in seeing how close we can get
to that vessel, since she belongs to the Navy, before she succeeds in
picking us up with her light. It's of great practical value to know
just how close we can get to that other vessel, undiscovered, in the
night time."
"How close would you like to get to her?" inquired young Benson, a
smile playing about the corners of his mouth.
"Humph! I'd like to tie up to the other craft," muttered the Naval
officer.
"Well," propounded Jack, "what's to prevent us from doing it?"
"Several things. The watch that's kept aboard a Naval vessel under way,
for one thing."
"I'll try the trick, sir, if you'll stand for it."
Ennerling turned to stare at the boy in amazement.
"Benson, you've done several clever things, but now you're talking
nonsense.
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