Part 10 (1/2)
groaned the shi+pbuilder, to hiasp No doubt so submarine builders feel the same way about it Yet, with so many rivals in the field, there are sure to be one or two rascally felloon't consider any trick too low to give theh Mr Farnum had no particular rival, or rivals, in mind, his fears, as was afterwards proven, were only too well founded
”Take the wheel, please, Mr Farnued He ran down the steps to call:
”On deck, Biffens!”
”Aye, aye, sir!” replied the sailor, scraaphone in hand, by the time that his employer ran up rather close to the ”Chelsea”
”Will you direct us to our unboat
”Proceed slowly east Our launch will follow and show you your lided around the stern of the gunboat, leading the way
Ten s” were moored, at the extreme eastern end of the line of subine room heat, came up on deck for a breath of air
”I don't suppose we can get ashore,”wistfully at the city beyond
”No,”his head ”We're short-handed as it is, and we've got to be on hand to watch these boats There are too many of the enemy about, in the shape of rival builders and their e the in their power to put the Pollard boats out of the running in the tests to come No; I reckon on't see hty cra on one of these small craft”
Hal took a couple of turns up and down the deck No one, until he has tried it, can realize how crath of ti landward
”Great Scott!” he gasped ”Look who's here!”
A rooers, sat Grant Andrews, foreman, and five workmen from the home yard
”What can have happened?” wondered Captain Jack, as he and his chu
”Surprised, eh, lads?” laughingly demanded Jacob Farnu?” asked Jack
”Nothing,” replied the shi+pbuilder
”Then what are Andrews and the otherhere?”
”Do you notice,” hinted Mr Farnu our older, trusted shi+pyard men”
”Yes, sir That's true”
”Well, in the first place,” pursued Farnus or other work are required in a hurry, while we're here, we have a fine lot of our ownthese men with histers to be keyed up to your best performances all the time we're here That you can't do if you're kept confined closely aboard until your very souls ache So, asfelloill be ashore, stretching your legs, and Grant Andrews and his lowed Jack ”And hty considerate of you, too, sir”
”Considerate? Not a bit of it!” retorted Jacob Farnunantly
”Jack Benson, I want to drain the last bit of perforsters that I possibly can while we're here That's why I aht this way, Grant!”