When he emerged at length from his seclusion he had the plans of his new invention all perfected.
All that was necessary now was to construct the boat.
He a once conferred with his engineers and machinists. The result was that a large gang of skilled workmen were quickly engaged in the construction of the Dolphin, which was the name Frank gave the craft.
In some manner news of the projected boat leaked out, and it became known all over the country that Frank Reade, Jr., was about to present to the world the greatest triumph of mechanical science ever known.
Of course the whole country was agog with interest.
Frank had scores of letters asking various privileges, all of which of course he refused.
The weeks passed by and progress on the Dolphin was very rapid.
In Frank’s employ were two peculiar characters. One was a red-headed Irishman of the Tipperary type named Barney O’Shea. The other was a comical darky of the old plantation species named Pomp.
Pomp and Barney were Frank Reade, Jr.’s most valued servants.
They had accompanied him on all his travels, shared dangers, hardships and triumphs with him.