Frank Reade, Jr., the latest representative of the wonderful family, is a young man whose name is a household word the world over.
He is the inventor of so many wonderful machines, for traveling in the air, under water, or anywhere else that the people of this great country were by no means greatly surprised at the announcement which one day went forth that the young inventor had perfected a new submarine boat, and in conjunction with a famous scientist was about to make a trip of exploration through the great Atlantic valley, which is under the sea.
But they were interested if not surprised, and everybody was agog to know just when the expedition was to start.
And all the people would await with great interest the outcome of the new and wonderful enterprise.
Some predicted a calamity.
It did not seem an easy matter to remain under water in a submarine boat for days and weeks, living upon artificial air and deprived of heaven’s light.
But those who knew Frank Reade, Jr., had no doubt of his success.
Particularly Prof. Von Bulow, the distinguished German scientist, who was to accompany Frank.
This gentleman was very enthusiastic over the enterprise.
He had dined with the young inventor in the cabin of the Dart, and had spent some hours in its trial under the surface of the river at Readestown.