It struck the water in a cloud of spray and Mr. Chadwick shouted:
“I hereby christen thee White Shark, Jr.”
“Hurrah!” shouted Tom, furnishing the applause proper on such occasions.
“Don’t holler till you see how it works,” remarked Mr. Dancer, cautiously; “put on the power, Jack.”
As the model submarine rose to the surface after its dive, Jack pressed the button that started the motors going. The spark flashed along the wire and the tiny craft’s propellers flew round with a whirring sound.
“Now for the real test,” said Mr. Dancer after a breathless pause, during which the White Shark, Jr., sped around in a circle, for Jack had set the rudder so that the craft could not get too far from shore.
The boy obeyed and at the same instant everyone uttered an undignified yell of triumph. As the concealed machinery tilted the screws downward, the White Shark, Jr., vanished from sight! Five seconds later Jack brought the little craft to the surface again, and then put it through a series of diving and rising evolutions that showed that his invention worked perfectly.
“If my dream is ever realized it will be solely owing to you!” cried Mr. Dancer, glowing with the fire of success and warmly clasping the boy inventor’s hand.