Taking the marine
glasses from the conning tower, the shipbuilder was now well forward on
the platform deck, scanning what was visible of the steam craft to the
southward. At last the yard's owner turned around to say:
"I don't believe you young men can have things ship-shape a second too
soon. The craft heading this way has a military mast forward. She must be
the 'Hudson.' If there's anything to be done, hustle!"
Jack and Hal sprang below, to scan their respective departments. Five
minutes later Grant Andrews hailed from the "Pollard," and Eph rowed over
in the shore boat to ferry over the machinists.
Half an hour later Andrews and his men had put in the few needed touches
aboard the newer submarine boat. The sun, meanwhile, had gone down,
showing the hull of a naval vessel some four miles off the harbor.
Darkness came on quickly, with a clouded sky. As young Benson stepped on
deck Grant Andrews followed him.
"All finished here, Grant?" queried the yard's owner.
"Yes, sir. There's mighty little chance to do anything where Hal Hastings
has charge of the machinery."
"That's our gunboat out there, I think," went on Mr.
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