Book-bot.com - read famous books online for free

The Submarine Boys' Trial Trip - "Making Good" as Young Experts by Victor G. Durham
page 8 of 190 (04%)
day. And so, while, our young friends were still aboard the "Pollard,"
and happy, affairs were shaping that might alter the whole current of
their lives, their ambitions and their hopes. Convinced that he could,
by the use of sufficient energy and capital, equip a larger yard and
sell the United States Government a solid, efficient fleet of submarine
torpedo boats that would constitute a fearful menace on the waves--or
under them--to any foreign foe, Jacob Farnum had now begun to look
about for the necessary capital with which to expand what he believed
to be a highly promising business.

Thus it happened that the two Melvilles now came upon the scene. The
elder possessed a good deal of spare money, and could influence several
business friends into investing heavily. It was George Melville's habit
to acquire control, gradually, of any business in which he invested
heavily. He had wonderful skill in that line of conduct, and combined
much tact with it. Mr. Melville, going into a new business, and
contributing capital heavily, was accustomed to securing whole control
of the business before his associates quite realized what was happening.

Now, as this capitalist climbed up the side and stood on the platform
deck, looking about him, he began to picture himself as selling a fleet
of such boats--all of them practically his--to the Government.

"Not much of a place, this deck, to stand on and handle a vessel through
rough weather?" he inquired, looking sharply at Mr. Farnum.

"No," admitted the builder, adding with a smile: "Of course, it takes
the cream of our seafaring men to travel in such craft, anyway. Such
men can stand discomfort and any amount of danger, at need. Ask Captain
Benson."
DigitalOcean Referral Badge