“Look at the crowd over on the 'Pollard's' decks,” muttered Hal. “They're all Navy folks over there.”
“And they mean to beat such plain 'dubs' as they must consider us,” laughed Captain Jack, in an undertone.
[pg 155] “Will they beat us, though?” grinned Hal Hastings. “You and I, Jack, happen to know that the 'Farnum' is a bit the faster boat by rights.”
Suddenly the signal broke out from the gunboat.
“Race her, Eph!” shouted Captain Jack.
“Aye, aye, sir!”
Eph Somers's right hand caught at the speed signals beside the wheel. He called for all speed, the bell jangling merrily in the engine room.
A little cheer of excitement went up from the cadets aboard the “Farnum” as that craft shot ahead over the waters. The cadets were catching the thrill of what was virtually a race. At the same time, though, these midshipmen could not help feeling a good deal of interest in the success of the “Pollard,” which was manned wholly by representatives of the Navy.
In the first three minutes the “Farnum” stole gradually, though slowly, ahead of the “Pollard.” Then, to the disgust of all three of the submarine boys, the other craft was seen to be gaining. Before long the “Pollard” had the lead, and looked likely to increase it. Already gleeful cheers were rising from the all-Navy crowd on the deck of the other submarine.
Behind the racers sped the “Hudson,” keeping [pg 156] just far enough behind to be able to observe everything without interfering with either torpedo craft.