"I'm sorry I missed seeing Eph do the flying somersault act, though," laughed Mr. Farnum.
"I missed it as much as you did," admitted Jack Benson. "At the moment my face was buried in the carpet."
When the two ascended to the platform deck Captain Jack asked, soberly:
"Well, Eph, what is your present opinion about the ability of a Japanese to look after himself?"
"Don't rub it in," muttered Somers, with another sheepish grin.
"Oh, that's all right," retorted Jack. "I came in for pretty nearly as much as you did. I may meet Kamanako again, however. If I do, I'll pay him back."
"What?" gasped young Somers. "Jack Benson, I thought you knew enough to be sure when you've had plenty!"
"I'll pay that little fellow back, just the same, if I ever get a half-way chance," insisted Benson.
"Please yourself," muttered Eph, grimly. "As for me, I'm not looking for any damages. I've had plenty of 'em already."
Not much later the submarine people were favored by a visit from some of the officers of the gunboat.