Jacob Farnum eyed the boys quizzically, then turned to the young captain
of the submarine to inquire:

"Wouldn't you stand by me in anything? Wouldn't you yell for this yard
and its product with your last gasp? Answer me."

"Why, of course we would," Jack Benson admitted.

"Then I take just offense, if you expect me to be any less of a man than
yourself," declared Farnum, with a pretense of anger.

"The same sentiment puts me on record," chuckled David Pollard:

"Then let us forget the low comedy, the melodrama, or whatever it was,"
proposed the boatbuilder. "Let us get down to the regular business of
the day. We want more money here, if we can get it on a fair and square
basis. If we can't, we'll do our best to go along as we've been going.
And now, Jack, and the rest of you, Pollard and I have a few little
things to whisper over."




CHAPTER V

DON MELVILLE TAKES A HAND


"Are we at liberty to go up into the village, sir?" asked Jack Benson,
pausing at the door.