"I've told the boys they shall have a chance Mr. Owen," replied Pollard
quietly, yet in a tone of authority. "So of course my word must be kept
with them."

"But I'm the foreman," exclaimed Joshua Owen, irritably, "and I'm
supposed to--"

"Exactly," interposed David Pollard. "You're supposed to obey all
instructions from your superiors here, and to give your advice when it's
wanted. I have much at stake in the success of this boat, and when I
find what looks like good material for our working crew I'm going to try
out that material."

"But I don't want to be bothered with boys, like these young fellows,"
retorted the foreman, angrily. "This is no job for amateurs!"

"The boys remain until they've been well tried out," retorted Pollard,
firmly. "If they can't do our kind of work, then of course we'll
let them go."

"I'll speak to Mr. Farnum about this business," muttered Foreman Owen,
turning on his heel. Three other workmen had arrived during this talk.
Now, at the order from Owen all climbed the ladder to the platform deck,
thence disappearing through the manhole. Electric light was turned on
inside the hull by the time that Jack and Hal appeared at the manhole
opening.

Owen looked upward, from the floor of the boat, to scowl at them, but,
as Mr. Pollard was right behind them, the foreman said nothing at that