trips. There used to be hot arguments as to whose turn it was at the
port hole, and we had to arrange regular times between us. The novelty
soon wore off, though, and now, as you see, there isn't much
competition."

"Well, it's new to me, yet, and I certainly find it very interesting,"
replied Bert. "These fishes seem to be every color of the rainbow, and
the way they keep darting in and out reminds me of a kaleidoscope on a
large scale.

"It does, rather," the lieutenant assented, "and, believe me, we see lots
of things besides fishes, too. Why, I've come across all kinds of
wrecked ships, from rowboats to big four-mast-ers. In tropic waters,
we've seen many a ship that I'm sure was an old Spanish galleon, and I'll
wager there's many a fortune in gold and silver pieces that we've had to
pass over in the performance of duty. There are uncounted riches lying
at the bottom of this old ocean, my boy."

"I don't doubt it in the least," answered Bert, and then Mr. Warren went
on to tell him various yarns of strange adventures he had undergone and
marvelous things that he had seen. Bert listened, fascinated, for the
officer was a man who had not only been all over the world, but knew how
to tell a story. The time passed more quickly than he had dared to hope,
and just before dawn, he was told that they were almost at the entrance
of the Canal.

The little submarine flew into the great new waterway, and hesitated no
more than the brave hearts guiding its course. Its powerful searchlight
illuminated the Canal from side to side, and they were able to get an
idea of the immensity of the completed enterprise. Mile after mile, the
smooth concrete wall slipped away back of them, thick, ponderous,
designed to last as long as civilization lasted, and perhaps longer. As
Bert gazed, his heart thrilled with a great pride at what his country had
accomplished, and this feeling was succeeded by a fierce hatred of those
who were plotting to set the great work at naught.

But now, the submarine had almost reached the mined gate of the Lock, and
its speed was gradually reduced three-fourths. It nosed cautiously
along, until the searchlight revealed a vast structure directly ahead.
Instantly the motors were reversed, and by the time the boat's speed had
been checked, it was not more than thirty feet from the gate.

In the meantime one of the crew had been encased in a diver's suit and
now made ready to leave. He was conducted