again, on the sly, and go to find some handy people I know in the little
city of Colfax. So that's settled, and I'll signal for the boat now."

Jack and his comrades slept on the "Benson" that night. For one thing,
they felt so tired, after the day's long strain, that they really
lacked the desire even to go to larger, softer beds on shore. So they
awoke in the morning feeling as fresh as sea-larks should.

"There are no tests on for to-day, and nothing to be done on board,
except to clean the engines," spoke Jacob Farnum over the breakfast
table in the little cabin. "So, youngsters, we'll go ashore and refresh
ourselves. Grant's men will clean the engines. That's what they're
really here for."

"Don't you think it would be wiser, sir, to remain on board?" smiled
Captain Jack. "As you will remember, we found the shore rather too
lively the last time we were there."

"Things happened because you boys got out of our sight," chuckled the
shipbuilder, quietly. "That's the point. What you youngsters need is
a brace of guardians. So, while you're to go on shore, Dave and I will
go along, and you're not to get out of our sight. Remember that."

"We'll be safe, then," nodded Eph, sagely. "I surely do want to stretch
my legs, and take a yawn or two where a sea-gull won't flap down my
throat."

Of course, the idea of going on shore really appealed to all hands. So,
half an hour later, a shore boat put off with them all, leaving Grant
and his men still in charge.