"I well know the man. Lately he has conducted matters with the greatest secrecy, both for the personal safety of the navigator, and to produce the greater astonishment to those against whom it is designed; and, you may call me a visionary, an enthusiast, or what you please, I do insist upon it that I believe the inspiration of the Almighty has given him understanding for this very purpose and design." When the seine-house door had been fastened open, when Dr. Franklin and Dr. Gale had gone within, followed by the two brothers, Mr. Bushnell and his wife stood without looking in, and wondering in their hearts what the sight they saw could mean; for, of the intent or purpose of the curious, oaken, iron-bound, many-paddled, brass-headed, window-lighted thing, they, it must be remembered, knew nothing. It must mean something extraordinary, of course, or Doctor Franklin would never have thought it worth his while to come out of his way to behold it. "Father," whispered Mrs. Bushnell, "it's the _fish_ David has been all summer catching." "Fish!" ejaculated Mr. Bushnell, "it's more like a turtle." "That's good!" spoke up Dr. Gale, from within. "Turtle it shall be." "It is the first _submarine_ boat ever made--a grand idea, wrought into substance," slowly pronounced Dr. Franklin; "let us have it forth into the river." "And run the risk of discovery?" suggested David, pleased that his work approved itself to the man of science. "We meant to try it last night, but failed," said Ezra Bushnell. "There, now, father, don't you wish we had staid at home?" whispered Mrs. Bushnell. "No!" growled the father. "They would have killed themselves getting it down alone." He stepped within and laid his hand on the machine, saying: "Anna, you keep watch, and, if any boat heaves in sight, let us know. Does the Turtle snap, David?" he questioned, putting forth his hand and laying it cautiously upon the animal. "Never, until the word is given," replied the son, and then ten strong hands applied the strength within them to lift the curious piece of mechanism and carry it without. The seine-house was close to the river-bank, and in a half-hour's time the American Turtle was in its native element. Madam Anna Bushnell kept strict watch over the shores and the river, but not a sail slid into sight, not an oar troubled the waters of the tide, as it tossed back the tumble of the down-flowing river. It was a hard duty for the mother to perform; for, at a glance toward the bank, she saw David step into the machine, and the brass cover close down over his head. She felt suffocating fears for him, as, at last, the thing began to move into the stream. She saw it go out, she saw it slowly sinking, going down out of sight, until even the brass head was submerged. Then she forsook her post, and hastened to the bank to keep watch with the rest.