"He's frightfully anxious to be of the crew, sir," Benson answered.
"And he seems like a splendid fellow."

"We might as well let him stay aboard, Dave," proposed Mr. Farnum. "He's
a good, straightforward young chap, and comes of good water stock. I
know what it is to be a youngster and to have ambitions."

"All right, then," nodded the inventor. "Let him stay. I dare say we
can use his time."

"May I, as a great favor, go below and tell him he may stay?" asked Jack,
eagerly.

"Why, you seem to take a personal interest in young Somers," laughed the
yard's owner.

"I do. And he was useful in your interests this morning, Mr. Farnum."

"Run along and tell him, then," nodded the yard's owner.

When Eph heard the news he stopped work long enough to dance an exultant
jig on the cabin floor.

"Oh, Jack Benson, if ever you want a favor--a great, big one, with
trimmings--come to me!" begged young Somers, imploringly as soon as
he caught his breath again.

Then, to keep his rising spirits down, Eph returned, to work as soberly
as he could.