"We'll have to keep deck watch through the night, then," proposed Jack
Benson.
"Very well, Captain. I put you in command," smiled Mr. Farnum.
"I can keep a sharp lookout without the title of captain," responded the submarine boy.
"But you are going to be in charge of the boat—at least until she's sold to the Government or consigned to the junk-heap. So why not be captain from now on?"
Thus it was settled, off-hand. Jack flushed with delight. Had it been possible for him to be more loyal, or devoted to the interests of the builder, he would have been from that moment.
Jack took his own first deck-watch that night, dividing the remaining time up to six o'clock between Hal and Eph.
In the morning captain and crew had hardly more than finished breakfast when Jacob Farnum and Mr. Pollard came off from shore in the tender. Both looked highly pleased about something.
"I haven't mentioned anything about this before," announced the builder, "but I've been pulling some strong wires at Washington for some time. As a result I've just received orders from the Navy Department to attend the summer manoeuvres of the fleet at Cape Adamson. We're to have our trial by the Government there."
"How soon do we start?" cried Jack, eagerly.
"We'll start this afternoon, so as to be in plenty of time. It's only about a seven hours' run for us, though, and we're not expected at Cape Adamson before to-morrow evening. Can you be ready, Captain?"