t go out sooner."
"If you want to go aboard, Kamanako, we'll take you out when we go,"
Jack replied. He was annoyed, though he could not have told why, by
the little brown man's insistence.
Smiling and bowing again, Kamanako left the dining room. He was waiting,
though, when the others came out. As all three carried dress suit cases
the Japanese quietly took those belonging to Mr. Farnum and Captain
Benson.
"Most sorry I have not three hands, honorable officer," Kamanako assured
Hal Hastings.
There were always plenty of shore boats at Spruce Beach. Just now, on
account of the visit of the submarine, there appeared to be more of the
small craft than usual. So the submarine party had no difficulty in
finding transportation at once. Looking out into the harbor they beheld
the "Benson," surrounded by more than a score of rowboats containing
sight-seers. Eph Somers, backed by Williamson, stood on the platform
deck, doggedly driving away people who wanted to come on board. Yet
Eph kept wholly good-natured about it, for he could quite appreciate the
curiosity of the sight-seers.
As this last boat from shore made its way, through the concourse of
boats Jack heard a sudden, joyous hail in a woman's voice.
"Oh, here he is--my gallant young captain."
"Mlle. Nadiboff!" ejaculated Jack, under his breath.
Jacob Farnum turned his head away for an instant, but the young captain
heard the unmistakable sound of a chuckle from the shipbuilder.
Kamanako turned his mild eyes inquiringly in the direction of the
handsome young woman, as though he wondered who she might be.
"Good morning, Mademoiselle," was Jack's greeting, as he courteously
lifted his uniform cap. Hal and Mr. Farnum also uncovered. Then the
boat ran alongside, and all four clambered on the deck.
In another instant. Mlle. Nadiboff's boat was also alongside.
"You are going to be kind, my Captain, and invite me aboard?" asked the
young woman. Eph Somers, who was never intentionally rude to a woman,
found himself staring with all his eyes, whereat he colored hotly.
"I shall be very glad to invite you as far as I am permitted to invite
visitors," Benson replied. Then, turning briefly to Eph, he muttered:
"The Japanese is to be cook and steward. Take him below, and show
him the galley and the supplies."
Then Benson turned to reach down his hand to Mlle. Sara Nadiboff, who
trustingly extended her hand to him. She slipped. Jack was obl
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