"Very good, Miss Peddensen," murmured the young Englishman.
Jack Benson took his place at the deck wheel, and Eph, after Hal had come to the conning tower opening, hurried forward once more to cast off the moorings. Then speed was called for, and the "Benson" made a graceful sight as she swept out of the little harbor with such a brilliant, interested company aboard.
The submarine continued until she was three miles out at sea.
"Now, if it pleases the company," Captain Jack called out, "we will go below and dive. Then you, will know what it feels like to be running under the surface."
From the ladies came a few little gasps of excitement. Some of them, now that the moment had come, almost wished they had remained ashore.
"No one need be afraid," smiled Jack. "This boat has been thoroughly tested. We shall go below the surface, true, but we shall come up again the instant that the proper devices are applied to our machinery. Let no one be afraid. There is not even a particle of danger."
"Not a particle," repeated Lieutenant Commander Kimball. "This is an even safer sport than automobiling."
"Let the Navy officers go below first, please," urged Jack, as the ladies began to crowd about the conning tower. He wanted this done in, order that both Mr. Kimball and Mr. Featherstone might be able to use their eyes on the guests below.
At last all had passed down the iron staircase save Eph, who remained by the wheel in the conning tower.
"Pass directly aft, everybody, please," called Jack, quietly.