“Mr. Benson,” said Mr. Mayhew, after greeting the submarine boy, “your craft will be under a marine guard to-night, and at all times while here at the Naval Academy. If you and your crew would like to spend the night ashore, in the quaint little old town of Annapolis, there's no reason why you shouldn't. But you will all need to report back aboard, ready for duty, by eight in the morning.”
Jack thanked the naval commander, then hastened back to the “Farnum” to communicate the news.
“Me for the shore trip,” declared Eph, promptly. All the others agreed with him.
“I'll come back by ten o'clock to-night, though,” volunteered Sam Truax. “One of the crew ought to be aboard.”
“We'll stay ashore,” decided Jack, “and return in the morning.”
“I'm coming back to-night,” retorted Truax.
“Keep still, and follow orders,” muttered Eph, digging his elbow into Truax's ribs. “The captain gives the orders here.”
[pg 075] Jack, however, had turned away. Within five minutes a boat put off from shore, bringing two soldiers of the marine guard alongside. With them, in the shore boat, was a corporal of the guard.
“Any of your crew coming back to-night, sir?” asked the corporal.
“None,” Benson answered. “Will you instruct the sentries to see that none of the crew are allowed aboard during the night?”