and steady?"

"We feel fine, sir," Jack answered.

"They look in the pink of condition," agreed Doctor McCrea.

"If you don't feel wholly up to the mark," urged Mr. Mayhew, "say so.
For, if you put out to-day, it is my intention to take the cadets
through drills below the surface."

Jack's eyes sparkled at the thought. This meant that he and Hal were
to be taken back fully into the confidence of the Navy!

"We're ready, sir--ready at the word of command."

"Very good, then," replied the gunboat's commander. "You will receive
sixteen of our young men on board within an hour. Ensign Trahern will
come with them."

Jack started, flushing.

"Oh, you will be in command of your boat, Mr. Benson," continued Mr.
Mayhew, noting the start and interpreting it correctly. "Mr. Trahem
may make some suggestions, if he thinks them necessary, but you will
command, sir, and you will instruct the midshipmen."

"Thank you, sir."

"That is all, Mr. Benson."

Jack and Hal saluted, turned and left the cabin.

"That's not as bad as it might be, is it?" queried Hastings, as soon as
they were back on board the "Farnum."

"We're on probation," smiled Jack. "It's all we can expect, I suppose."

In due time the section of naval cadets came on board. Mr. Mayhew was
also thoughtful enough to send a naval machinist to take the place of
Sam Truax in the engine room. Thus Hal had two men to look after the
motors and other machinery under his direction, leaving Eph at Jack's
more personal orders.

"The lieutenant commander sends you word, with his compliments," reported
Ensign 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 are about ten miles off the coast, due East."

"Mr. Trahern, will it not be a good idea to have the midshipmen manage
the deck wheel and engine room signals, each in turn, on the way out
and back?" inquired the young submarine skipper.

"Excellent, I should say," nodded the ensign. "But that is as you
direct, Mr. Benson. I am not here to interfere with your acting in full
charge of the instruction tour."

Six of the cadets, of the engineer division, being below in the engine
room, there were but ten on the platform deck. Jack selected one of
the latter, ordering him to the deck wheel.

"You will take charge, Mr. Surles," instructed Jack. "Assume all the
responsibilities of the officer of the deck.