"Not made for grace or beauty, but a very practical old craft," remarked "Cap" as he led the way forward. The new recruits were anxious to learn all about the new diving operations as quickly as possible. In a few minutes the rest of the party came aboard and the _Jules Verne_ slipped out into Long Island Sound--ready for business! CHAPTER XIII DIVING DE LUXE "All right, boys; now for the _Nautilus_." It was the voice of Captain Austin, hailing the Brighton boys and their chum Larry Seymour. The three youths, with Fismes at their backs, had been sitting on a forward promenade as the _Jules Verne_ worked her way through the shipping that lined the Bridgeford harbor entrance. By now the new diving ship had escaped the confines of the harbor and was out part way between the dimly distant shores of Long Island and the state of Connecticut. Occasionally a train on the New Haven flitted along the far shore line. A passenger steamship from New York to Boston via the Sound had but passed. "Here's where you get your first peep at the _Nautilus_," said Captain Austin, as the boys climbed down the companionway to the main deck. Superintendent Brown nodded to the three youths and then in turn introduced them to a party of gentlemen composed of officials of the Bridgeford Company and others who had been interested in the formation of a syndicate to back the new diving ventures. Members of the party had heard of the boys' war record, and also of their work on the _Dominion_, and on the U-boat off Cape May. The lads found themselves the objects of much attention. Captain Austin confided the information that this first trip of the _Jules Verne_ was to acquaint all hands around with the operation of the apparatus. In other words, it was to be a demonstration that would point out the feasibilities and practical virtues of the new plan. He told them that his company still held the assignment for the recovery of the gold from the old _Dominion_, but reclaiming the gold bullion was a man-size job and they had decided to use the _Jules Verne_ for it if the practical tests turned out satisfactorily. "You boys come along now," sang out Captain Austin as he climbed into a huge hatch standing above deck and lowered away into the depths below. Without further ceremony the boys followed suit, Jay going first, followed by Dick and Larry. Fismes had to stay behind, but barked furiously to manifest his displeasure at being deserted. Lowering away from handrail to handrail down the wide hatch, "Cap" Austin arrived finally at the bottom of the opening, closely pursued by the others. "Low bridge now, fellows," he cautioned.