“Stop the speed,” repeated Benson.
“You're the captain,” admitted Williamson. Grasping the twin levers of the two motors he swung them backward.
“Disregard any signal to go ahead until we've had a chance to inspect the motors,” added Captain Jack.
Then the submarine skipper darted out into the cabin.
[pg 164] Sam Truax lay sprawling on the floor. Midshipman Merriam, a most cheerful smile on his face, sat across the fellow, while Hal and the other two midshipmen stood by, looking on.
“Hold him please, until I can have the wretch taken care of,” requested Captain Jack, making for the spiral stairway to the conning tower.
Just as the young skipper stepped out on deck he heard the “Hudson's” bow-gun break out sharply in the halting signal.
Taking a megaphone, Benson stood at the rail until the gunboat ranged up alongside.
“Have you broken down?” came the hail from the gunboat's bridge.
“I thought it best to stop speed, sir. We'll have to look over our engines before it will be safe to attempt any more speed work,” Captain Jack answered. “I've caught a fellow tampering with our machinery. We hold him a prisoner, now. Can you take him off our hands, sir?”