The Submarine Boys Trial Trip | Page 5

us. That carries with it the idea of a big lot of loyalty."
"Right!" agreed Hal.
"Of course," nodded Eph, less angrily. "Just as long as Farnum runs the
business. But, if other folks get in here and get the control--"
"Of course, we can drop out of this business at any time we want to,
provided it wouldn't carry with it disloyalty to the employer who's been
mighty good to us," supplied Jack Benson.
"Mr. Farnum sent the boat out, to see if you young men want to go
ashore," announced a voice from above.
Within two minutes the three submarine boys were making for the

shore. After reporting at the office of the yard, and finding that Mr.
Farnum would not want them again that afternoon, the young cronies
sauntered off up into the village. At Jack's suggestion they talked no
more about the Melvilles for the present. Yet each felt as though a lump
of lead lay against his heart.
Though they tried to enjoy themselves in the village, there was too
great a weight of dread upon them. It began to look as though all the
pleasure of their recent life must fade. Though Don Melville, if he
secured command of the "Pollard," might tolerate them aboard, all
three knew that they would feel the burden of his cool contempt for
them as inferiors. Listlessly, at last, the three submarine boys turned
back toward the yard, went aboard, cooked a supper for which they had
no appetite, and then waited for turning-in time.
In the next few days there were many signs that Melville intended to
find and supply the desired capital for the promotion of the yard's
business. Don and his father were much about the place, though they
rarely came out to the "Pollard." Business friends of Mr. Melville's also
appeared. Finally there came an important looking lawyer and an expert
accountant.
"I reckon it's all settled except the signing of the papers," ventured Hal
Hastings.
"The toe of the boot for ours, then, or as bad," murmured Eph Somers
sardonically.
During these days David Pollard, the inventor who had made this
splendid type of submarine boat possible, did not appear. For one thing,
he was away in secret, pondering over the invention of further
appliances to be tried out on the boat now building. More than that,
David Pollard, shy and with no head for affairs, entrusted all new
business arrangements to Jacob Farnum, who, he felt sure, could be
trusted with a friend's interests.
"It's tough to be poor," grimaced Hal Hastings. "If I had the money, I'd
put it into the business for the sake of keeping my berth aboard, and

having things as pleasant as we've had 'em all along."
"So would I," grunted Eph. "But what's the use of talking, when this is
all the capitalist that I am?"
He took out four paper dollars, passing them ruefully between his
fingers.
"Why don't you say something, Jack?" demanded Hal. "Dry of words,
for once?"
"I'm thinking," responded young Benson, absently.
"Well, it's a sure thing that thinking does less harm than talking,"
nodded Hal.
"But when a fellow's silent he can't spit out all that's boiling inside of
him," snorted Eph Somers.
"I'm getting ready to talk presently," smiled Captain Jack.
"If it's anything strong, say it now," begged Eph.
The three boys were sitting about the cabin table. Eph sat with his
elbows on the table, his chin in his hands, his eyes glaring defiantly at
the wall opposite. Hal, rather listless, sat low in his chair, his feet well
under the table, his hands thrust deep in his pockets. Jack sat leaning
slightly forward, his left hand tapping lightly against the polished
surface of the table.
"Tell you what I'm going to do," suddenly exploded Eph. "I'm going to
Jake Farnum and ask him, straight, whether that snob of a duffer is
going to be put in here over us, with leave to kick us out when he
chooses."
"Don't you do it," advised Hal, with a shake of his head.
"Why not?"

"Our employer is absorbed, and, troubled as much as he wants to be,
now," rejoined Hastings. "When there's anything he wants us to know,
and he can find time, he'll tell us."
"Huh!" half assented Eph.
"Don't be forward about it," continued Hal. "Just play the waiting game
and rely upon Mr. Farnum being as fair and square as he has any
chance to be."
"Hum" again nodded Eph. "Well, anyway, with farm labor at a
premium, I'm not going to stay aboard to black the duffer's shoes."
"Fellows, listen!" commanded Jack Benson, suddenly looking up.
Then he told them both the thought and the scheme that had been in his
mind all that day. While the