"
"Ready for the word, 'forward,' sir," responded Captain Jack, saluting.
Hal and Eph also raised their hands to their foreheads.
It was a swift trip, with some hurried dressing on board the "Spitfire,"
but Major Woodruff landed them at the railway station ten minutes ahead
of train time.
"Good fortune, gentlemen," wished Major Woodruff, pressing the hand of
each when the train was ready. "Don't be scared when you find
yourselves face to face with so big a man as the Secretary."
It is not to be wondered at if the minds of all were in a bit of a whirl
as they made for their berths in a sleeping-car.
"After all," muttered Jack, to himself, as he undressed in his berth,
"it's strange how some fellows get the cream of things. Here we get
the trip to Washington, while Lieutenant Ridder will have only the fun
of going out to the cliff above Cobtown to-morrow to have a look at
what is left of Millard's mine."
Their train brought the submarine boys into Washington just before seven
in the morning. There was time for a good breakfast. Then, being
strangers at the national capital, the youngsters engaged a cab to take
them to the imposing building that shelters the State, War and Navy
Departments.
Pages:
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129