"Oh, yes, honorable Captain."
"Then, if you'll wait for us, we'll take you aboard. We shall be going in a half an hour, or sooner."
"Would it not be as well, honorable Captain, if I go out before you?" asked Kamanako, respectfully.
"No," smiled, Benson. "Our first officer, Mr. Somers, does not take kindly to strangers who are not introduced."
"Then, if I may suggest—if honorable Captain will write note for me—then I might go out sooner."
"If you want to go aboard, Kamanako, we'll take you out when we go," Jack replied. He was annoyed, though he could not have told why, by the little brown man's insistence.
Smiling and bowing again, Kamanako left the dining room. He was waiting, though, when the others came out. As all three carried dress suit cases the Japanese quietly took those belonging to Mr. Farnum and Captain Benson.
"Most sorry I have not three hands, honorable officer," Kamanako assured
Hal Hastings.
There were always plenty of shore boats at Spruce Beach. Just now, on account of the visit of the submarine, there appeared to be more of the small craft than usual. So the submarine party had no difficulty in finding transportation at once. Looking out into the harbor they beheld the "Benson," surrounded by more than a score of rowboats containing sight-seers. Eph Somers, backed by Williamson, stood on the platform deck, doggedly driving away people who wanted to come on board. Yet Eph kept wholly good-natured about it, for he could quite appreciate the curiosity of the sight-seers.
As this last boat from shore made its way, through the concourse of boats Jack heard a sudden, joyous hail in a woman's voice.