“The lieutenant commander sends word, with his compliments,” reported Trahern, “that after leaving the bay the formation will be as usual. The signal to halt and be ready for the tour of instruction will be given when we’re about ten miles off shore.”
Six of the cadets, of the engineer division, went below to the engine room. To one of the ten left on deck Jack turned and said:
“You will take charge, Mr. Surles. Assume all the responsibilities of the officer of the deck.”
In all, five of the midshipmen had commanded briefly before the laying-to signal was given. Hal Hastings then appeared on deck.
“Captain Benson,” Hal stated, saluting, “I have inspected all the submerging machinery, and I find everything in good order. We can go below the surface at any time.”
“Thank you, Mr. Hastings. All below!” ordered Jack crisply.
After the cadets and the ensign had filed below, Jack, having seen that all was in order, followed. He made all fast in the conning tower, then called Midshipman Surles up the stairway to the tower wheel.
“Do you think you can head due east and keep to that course under water, Mr. Surles?”
Going down to the cabin floor, Jack ordered two more midshipmen to the tower as observers.
“The rest crowd about me and ask questions while I handle the submerging machinery.”
Under the impetus from the electric motors, the propeller shafts began to throb. The next instant the submarine shot below, going down at so steep an angle that many of the middies were forced to reach for new footing.
“The gauge registers sixty feet below,” announced Jack.
In another moment, by the quick flooding of some of the compartments astern, the young skipper brought the boat to an even keel.
Having finished the prescribed distance under water, Captain Jack turned on the compressed air to expel the water from the compartments. The conning tower soon rose above the water, and a moment later the “Pollard” also emerged.
Other cadets were transferred from the gunboat to the submarines, and the instruction proceeded. The manœuvers for the day were ended with a half-hour run under water.
“By the way, sir, did you question Truax to see what you could learn about his reasons for acting as he did on the ’Farnum’?” asked Jack Benson the next day. Jack and Doctor McCrea were talking with Mr. Mayhew.