the way, or at the station?" laughed Jack,
as the government gas-wagon whirled them down Pennsylvania Avenue.

"Will what happen?" inquired McGrath.

"Why," laughed Benson again, "I know we've got to wake up out of this
trance, but I can't figure when it's going to happen."

"I suppose all of you do feel excited," nodded Ensign McGrath,
understandingly.

"Not excited," declared Jack. "I'm just simply unprepared to believe
that any part of this has really happened."

At the railway station they were met by a messenger from the chief
clerk's office, who handed each of the submarine boys a small parcel.

"Copy of the Regulations, sir" stated the messenger. "It is required
that each officer of the Navy possess a copy."

"You'll want to scan the book good and hard most of the way down to
Norfolk," advised Ensign McGrath. "You'll find much between the covers
that you'll need to know right at the first jump-off. And now, for the
tickets."

These McGrath bought, including parlor car seats. The ensign then saw
them safely to their seats.

"Now, you've got enough to do, reading your new books," laughed the
ensign, "So I'm not going to waste your time by staying here to talk
to you. It's ten minutes, yet, to the time of your departure. Good-bye,
gentlemen--_and good luck!_"

When McGrath had gone Jack leaned across the aisle to whisper:

"Eph, can you get at your sword handily--to draw it, I mean?"

"What's up?" said Eph, suspiciously.

"I want you to stick about a sixteenth of an inch of the point of your
sword into me, so I can judge how long I've been dreaming."

"What's the matter with using your own sword?" demanded Eph, a trifle
gruffly.

"That's just the trouble," smiled Benson, plaintively. "I'm afraid I'll
wake up and find I haven't any."

Hal was leaning back in his parlor car chair, his eyes closed. He was
dreaming delicious daydreams.

CHAPTER XIII

COMMANDER OF A U.S. GUNBOAT!

"Lieutenant Benson, sir?" inquired a coxswain, saluting.

"Yes," replied Jack, returning the salute.

"The gig is waiting to take you to the 'Sudbury' sir."

This information was punctuated by another salute which Jack, as head of
the party of three young officers, again returned.

"Lead the way," directed Jack.

For the third time saluting, the coxswain possessed himself of Jack's
suit case and sword, then crossed the wharf to the landing stairs
down below, the gunboat's cutter waited, a natty l