so Dave stepped over to the conning tower, calling
down:

"One man of the watch---on deck!"

Seaman Mallock was on deck in a hurry, saluting Midshipman Farley.

"Mallock, report to Lieutenant Benson, or the next ranking officer
who may be visible below. Report with my compliments that the
speed of the craft has slackened, and inquire whether that was
intentional."

"Aye, aye, sir."

Mallock was soon back, saluting.

"Engine tender reports, sir, that he slowed down the speed in
obedience to the indicator."

"But I-----" Farley began. Then he checked himself abruptly,
noting out of the corner of his eye that Dan Dalzell had wandered
over to the rail and stood looking off to seaward. If Dan were
responsible for the slowing down of the speed, and admitted it
under questioning, then Farley, under the regulations, would be
obliged to report Dalzell, and that young man already had some
demerits against his name.

"Oh, very good, then, Mallock," was Midshipman Farley's rather
quick reply. "Who is the ranking officer visible below at present?"

"Ensign Somers, sir."

"Very good. My compliments to Mr. Somers, and ask at what speed
he wishes to run."

Seaman Mallock soon returned, saluting.

"Ensign Somers' compliments sir, and the ensign replies that Mr.
Farley is in command of the deck."

"Very good, then," nodded Midshipman Farley, and set the indicator
at the twenty mark.

Ten minutes later Lieutenant Benson reappeared on deck. First
of all he noted the "Dodger's" position. Then, as Ensign Eph
and Mallock appeared, Benson announced:

"Gentlemen, you will come down to Supper now. Mr. Somers, you
will take command of the deck."

"Very good, sir," Eph responded. "Mallock, take the wheel."

Lieutenant Benson seated himself at the head of the table, with
Ensign Hastings on his right. The midshipmen filled the remaining
seats.

"We're necessarily a little crowded on a craft of this size,"
explained Benson. "Also the service is not what it would be on
a battleship. We can carry but few men, so the cook must also
act as waiter."

At once a very good meal was set on the table, and all hands were
busily eating when Eph Somers came down the stairs, saluted and
reported:

"Sir, we are on the bottom of Chesapeake Bay, with our nose in
the mud!"

CHAPTER IX

THE TREACHERY OF MORTON

To the midshipmen that was rather startling news to receive while
in the act of enjoying a very excellen