Little time was lost in entering the cabin and engine-room, Garret Jackson accompanying the party to aid with the machinery. It did not take long to start the motors, dynamos and the big gasolene engine that was the vital part of the craft. A little water was admitted to the tanks for ballast, since the food and other supplies were not yet on board. The Advance now floated with the deck aft of the conning tower showing about two feet above the surface of the creek. Mr. Swift and Tom entered the pilot house.
"Start the engines," ordered the aged inventor, "and we'll try my new system of positive and negative electrical propulsion."
There was a hum and whirr in the body of the ship beneath the feet of Tom and his father. Captain Weston stood on the little deck near the conning tower.
"All ready?" asked the youth through the speaking tube to Mr. Sharp and Mr. Jackson in the engine-room.
"All ready," came the answer.
Tom threw over the connecting lever, while his father grasped the steering wheel. The Advance shot forward, moving swiftly along, about half submerged.
"She goes! She goes!" cried Tom.
"She certainly does, if I may be permitted to
