"It'll be dark in about an hour and half," he muttered. "Why not wait until dark? We can't have been seen from any of the villages yet. Looking out over the water you don't see a craft of any sort headed away from here. From this point, looking down, we can see if any of the boats in port get ready to put out. So Millard, if he hasn't already escaped, can't get away by sea without our knowing it. If he tries to get away by land, we're right where we can see him coming."
"Then you think we'd better wait here, keeping out of sight, until dark?" asked Hal.
"Most decidedly. Don't you?"
"Yes," nodded Hal.
"But it'll be a mighty tedious wait," growled Eph, the impatient one.
"Well, youngster, we're not here to consult our own comfort," retorted Captain Jack. "There's something higher to consult—the best interests of our country."
"Oh, if you put it that way!" grumbled Eph, much mollified.
The submarine boys had stepped into a little hollow, just off the road, and barely below a rise in the ground. There were trees and bushes about to aid them in concealing themselves. If they saw anyone coming their way they could easily find better hiding.
No one came, however. Dark found the boys desperately hungry.
"Of course we didn't think to bring anything to eat," uttered Eph, disgustedly. "What are we going to do about it?"