Hardly had all been made snug aboard the "Farnum" when Jack, standing on
the platform deck after the cadets had been transferred to the "Hudson"
for the night, saw a small boat heading out from shore.
"Is that one of the new submarine crafts?" hailed a voice from the bow of
the boat.
"Yes, sir," Jack answered, courteously.
No more was said until the boat had come up alongside.
"I thought maybe you'd be willing to let me have a look over a craft of
this sort," said the man in the bow. He appeared to be about forty years
of age, dark-haired and with a full, black beard. The man was plainly
though not roughly dressed; evidently he was a man of some education.
"Why, I'm mighty sorry, sir," Captain Jack Benson replied. "But I'm afraid
it will be impossible to allow any strangers on board during this cruise."
"Oh, I won't steal anything from your craft," answered the stranger,
laughingly. "I won't be inquisitive, either, or go poking into forbidden
corners. Who's your captain?"
"I am, sir."
"Then you'll let me come aboard, just for a look, won't you?" pleaded the
stranger.
Such curiosity was natural. The man seemed like a decent fellow.
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