"Now, young man," began the young officer, "have you anything to tell me about yourself!"
"Yes," volunteered Eph.
"Go ahead."
"I'm wet."
"Boy, you're in the wrong place to try to get funny," came the stern rebuke. "I guess I know what you need."
Just at that instant the sounds of a decided though indistinct commotion came from aft.
"Then shake," begged Eph, offering his hand. "I know, too, what you need."
"What is it that you think I need?" demanded the officer, suspiciously, eyeing the boy closely.
"You need to get wise," declared Somers, promptly. Then, noting that the sounds from aft had caught the officer's quick ear, the submarine boy added, with another grin:
"By the time you've found out the meaning of the rumpus aft you'll know a lot more."