the "Oakland" a dense cloud of

flashed a s

is fleet of two gunboats, this gunfire was the si

e naval board. Moreover, the lieutenant was to remain on the Pollard craft that day. Each submarine that was enter

ily, and move out, Mr.

iles will be fas

y the platform deck steering wheel

Pollard. Eph was below, until otherwise needed, t

submarines left her moorings, making for sea in the wake of the "C

that particular Rhin

replied Lieut

ame for a fighting

the Rhinds people," hi

Jack admitt

ature to be fond of our rivals,"

own, for disliking Rhinds,"

n fact, I think Mr. Rhinds must be a self-made man, made very badly.

hed, but

boat we have to be

gazing suddenly over at the "Zelda," now well ahead and c

, for the moment. For the "Zelda" was showing a burst of

ack, "will you pass the wor

ngs was up

azing after the "Zelda" uneasily. "I can ove

asked Lieutenant

uietly. "Save all overheated pistons

of the "Chelsea," which was put

rply, hoarsely, from the deep th

"They've ordered the Rhinds scooter to slow

ry," mut

d the naval

s go ahead and get all his mac

is head, Hal Hastings

that scooter to-day, Hal?" inqu

s,

you so cer

e we've got to do it, sir," Hast

have a strong fight to make to-day. Somehow, Rhinds has managed to put a pretty lively

ything like the 'Zelda's' best spe

ematurely white. As success depends solely upon actual showings made, the anxiety of any builder duri

away the honors on that day and on the subsequent days of the present tests, then Farnum and Pollard, who had th

e vanquished, Farnum and Pollard would have no more work for the

't you, Benson?" asked Lieut

ile, as he glanced into the naval officer's

nd I don't

ested as that in

ck up, and I don't want to see you lose

came on dec

t the wheel. I don't want to see your steering wrist going stale when the race starts,

vers, "there is no impropriety in my taking the wheel o

on, flashing a smile of gratitude at the l

oted his whole thought, apparently, to th

s bow and the lighthouse on Groton Point, to the northward, was to furnish the imaginary starting line. This line the five competing submarine torpedo bo

an hour, under forced draught, lay to, some two miles further out. The "Oakland's" ta

of the "Chelsea." In five minutes' time the second

e was then among these f

be but a spectator-a judge, at need, and on his honor, as an officer of the Uni

, at any instant, he stood lea

s standing in shirt-sleeves, ready to render any possible aid to Hal Hasting

come, Jacob Farnum hardly dared breathe. He said not a

its best place for a start over the line, the "Zelda" came

n craft, with what was intended to be a smile

the better boat, go ahead and leave us at the finish. May the best craft win, no hard feelings! Fair s

"I'm mighty sorry I can't head this boat arou

ad! Don't let vengeful thoughts get into your head and stick to-day. You've got

ines were manoeuvering

out, and the six hours' spee