“The United States will take its boat one of these days, Captain,” Mr.
Farnum continued, after lighting a cigar. “By the way, did Dave tell you
the name we are thinking of for the third boat, now on the stocks?”

“Dave” was Mr. Pollard, the inventor of the Pollard Submarine boat.

“No, sir,” Captain Jack replied.

“We have thought,” resumed Mr. Farnum, quietly, after blowing out a ring
of smoke, “of calling the third boat, now building, the ’Benson.’”

“The—the—what, sir?” stammered Jack, flushing and rising.

“Now, don’t get excited, lad,” laughed the shipbuilder.

“But—but—naming a boat for the United States Navy after me, sir—”

Captain Jack’s face flushed crimson.

“Of course, if you object—” smiled Mr. Farnum, then paused.

“Object? You know I don’t, sir. But I am afraid the idea is going to my
head,” laughed Jack, his face still flushed. “The very idea of there being
in the United States Navy a fine and capable craft named after me—”

“Oh, if the Navy folks object,” laughed Farnum, “then they’ll change the
name quickly enough. You understand, lad, the names we give to our boats
last only until the craft are sold. The Navy people can change those names
if they please.”