"Look here, Chadwick," interposed Captain Glenn at this point, "all this probably is very funny and all that; but tell us the joke so we can laugh too."
"I'm telling you that it's no joke," replied Frank. "I am asking you whether, for the moment, you will all become pirates and fare forth with Captain Jack and myself in search of adventure, riches and Germans."
"Germans?" said Jack, pricking up his ears.
"Sure, we'll fare forth with almost any one in search of Germans.
Explain, Frank."
"First," said Frank, "I want you to meet Captain Jack, a true pirate.
Captain Jack, my friend and chum, Jack Templeton."
"Seems we've both got a regular name, anyhow, doesn't it," said Jack
Templeton, as he shook hands with Captain Jack.
"It does," returned the latter with a grin.
The two took stock of each other, each realizing in the moment their hands met that before him stood an antagonist worthy of his steel.
Frank introduced the others. Then he explained the situation.
"Now do you think I have done right to join the expedition?" he asked.