The six midshipmen, as soon as they realized what had happened, had sprung eagerly to the door of the engine room and stood peering in. Behind them were the cook and crew of the "Dodger."
Presently Hal straightened up.
"Sir," he said gravely, "I have hopes that if you test the compressed air apparatus you will find that this motor will do its share."
Midshipmen and crew drew back as Jack and Eph came out of the engine room. Lieutenant Jack had his wrench in hand, and went back to his former post.
"Young gentlemen," the commanding officer announced coolly, "we will take up, at the point where we were interrupted, the work of expelling the water from the compartments Are you ready, Mr. Hastings?"
"Right by my post, sir," came from Hal.
The six midshipmen gathered about Benson with a stronger sense of fascination than ever. Eph stepped past them to the stairs leading—-to the little conning tower.
With steady hand Jack Benson turned the wrench. The motor began to "mote" and there was a sense of being lifted.
"Going up!" sang Ensign Eph, with a grin.
Nor could Dan Dalzell help imitating the grin and calling out jovially: