the afternoon's affair with Dan Jaggers.

"Yes, that certainly will stir up some feeling," replied Mr. Pollard.
"In fact, it will make it very difficult for you to get along with
Owen, for he thinks a lot of that disagreeable, bullying nephew of his.
Yet, Benson, I like you a whole lot better for your honesty."

The inventor was silent for some moments, puffing slowly at a pipe, and
then he removed the stem from between his teeth and continued:

"You've made a good impression upon me, both of you, and particularly
with what you say about giving young fellows and young boats a chance
to prove themselves. You talk like youngsters with some experience and
some ideas in the matter of machinery. I admire your honesty. I also
like what you say about the need Farnum and I will have, in the future,
of young men who will understand our boats thoroughly. I don't know
what you can do until we try you out."

He took a few more thoughtful pulls at his pipe and resumed: "See here,
you come to the yard at eight o'clock in the morning, ready to do
anything that's wanted of you. I won't wire, but I'll write, to-night,
to the references you've given. If we find you're not of much use
we'll drop you. If your references don't turn out to be unusually good,
out you go! But, if you make good, you'll have your chance. It's just
your fighting chance, you understand. I'll fix the matter with Mr.
Farnum."

"And the foreman?" smiled Jack, wistfully.

Mr. Pollard looked grave as he answered: