They were excellent company, and Frank never felt at a loss for entertainment while in their company. He could ill have spared Barney and Pomp.
Barney and Pomp were the best of friends in all things, but each was as full of fun as a nut is of meat. Consequently there was nothing they enjoyed more than a rough and tumble wrestle or the playing of a practical joke.
If half the things they said to each other could have been taken seriously, there would have been good ground for a duel at most any time. But they knew better.
So there were to be four people in the crew of the Sea Diver. Besides Barney and Pomp, there were Frank Reade, Jr., and Wilbur Wade.
All were on board the boat that night and all was in readiness for the early start. It is safe to say that none in the party slept much that night.
Barney and Pomp were first astir.
As they made things ship-shape and breakfast was announced by Pomp, Frank and Wade came tumbling out. Then, after a light meal, Frank went into the pilot-house.
There were men on hand to open the locks and the boat was locked down into the canal. Thence it glided on down into the river.
It was an easy matter for Frank to place his finger upon an electric button and direct the course of the boat where he chose.
When they emerged into the river they were surprised to see a great throng upon the river banks. Thousands of people were there gathered to get a look at the new submarine boat.