"Great Scott!" he gasped. "Look who's here!"

A roomy whaleboat was approaching them. In it, as passengers, sat
Grant Andrews, foreman, and five workmen from the home yard.

"What can have happened?" wondered Captain Jack, as he and his chum
waved their hands in greeting; then stood staring.

"Surprised, eh, lads?" laughingly demanded Jacob Farnum, who had stolen
up behind them.

"Yes; what's wrong?" asked Jack.

"Nothing," replied the shipbuilder.

"Then what are Andrews and the other men doing here?"

"Do you notice," hinted Mr. Farnum, "that the men with Andrews are all
picked from among our older, trusted shipyard men."

"Yes, sir. That's true."

"Well, in the first place," pursued Farnum, "if any sudden repairs,
fixings or other work are required in a hurry, while we're here, we
have a fine lot of our own men to attend to it. Before leaving I told
Grant to bring these men with him. Then they'll serve another purpose.
I want you youngsters to be keyed up to your best performances all the
time we're here. That you can't do if you're kept confined closely
aboard until your very souls ache. So, as much of the time as is