it, then go to the
Maryland House for a good sleep on shore," Jack admitted.

For more than an hour the submarine boys wandered about. The principal
streets contained some stores that had a bright, up-to-date look, and
in these principal streets the evening crowds much resembled those to
be found in any small town. There were other streets, however, on
which there was little traffic. In some of these quieter streets were
quaint, old-fashioned houses built in the Colonial days.

"Annapolis is more of a place to see by day light, I reckon," suggested
Hal. "How about that sleep, Jack?"

"The greatest fun, by night, I guess, consists in finding a drug-store
and spending some of our loose change on ice cream sodas," laughed
the young submarine skipper.

This done, they found their way to the Maryland House. Jack and Hal
engaged a room together, Eph and Williamson taking the adjoining one.

"As for me, in an exciting place like this," grimaced Eph, "I'm off
for bed."

Williamson followed him upstairs. For some minutes Hal sat with his
chum in the hotel office.

Then Jack went over and talked with the night clerk for a few moments.

"There's a place near here, Hal, where a fellow can get an oyster fry,"
Benson explained, returning to his chum. "With that information came
the discovery that I have an appetite."

"Come and join me?"

"No," gaped Hal. "I reckon I'll go up and turn in."

"I'll be along in half an hour, then."

Jack found the oyster house readily. As he entered the little, not
over-clean place, he found himself the only customer. He gave his order,
then picked up the local daily paper. As he ate, Jack found himself
yawning. The drowsiness of Annapolis by night was coming upon him.
Little did he dream how soon he was to discover that Annapolis, in some
of its parts, can be lively enough.

As he paid his bill and stepped to the street, a young mulatto hurried
up to him.

"Am Ah correct, sah, in supposin' yo' Cap'n Jack Benson?"

"That's my name," Jack admitted.

"Den Ah's jes' been 'roun' to de hotel, lookin' fo' yo', sah. One ob
yo' men, Mistah Sam Truax, am done took sick, an' he done sent me
fo'yo'."

"Truax ill? Why, I saw him a couple of hours ago, and he looked as
healthy as a man could look," Jack replied, in astonishment.

"I reckon, sah, he's mighty po'ly now, sah," replied the mulatto.
"He done gib me money fo' to hiah a cab an' take yo' to him. Will
yo' please to come