“You seem to be more like an American than a Norwegian,” remarked Jack.
“I’m a full-fledged citizen and I vote whenever I have the chance to do so,” answered the sailor, a bit proudly. “I have very little desire to visit the old country. I love the sea and love to take trips upon it, both short and long. But if I ever settle down on land it will surely be in the United States.”
“Is Leif Olesen a citizen?” questioned Jack, just for the purpose of bringing the conversation around to the deep-sea diver.
“No. He has never taken out papers, so he says; and he doesn’t intend to. And his helper, Nick Amend, isn’t a citizen either.”
“What about these other Norwegians on the yacht? Do you know anything about them—I mean the fellows who were on the Firefly when Captain Corning chartered her?”
“I don’t know much about those fellows. You see, I came aboard with the cap’n and Mr. Brooks. I sailed with them on two other trips, and I liked ’em so well that I told the cap’n and the mate both that I’d stick to ’em as long as they wanted me.”
“Well, I’m glad to know that, Patnak,” and Jack’s face showed his satisfaction. “You know, on a trip like this we want all our friends to stand by us,” and Jack looked at the sailor suggestively.
“Yes, Mr. Rover, I understand that.” Thus speaking Patnak drew a step closer. “You and the cap’n can depend on me, no matter what happens.”
Jack could readily see that the sailor had more in his mind than his words conveyed. He looked at Patnak sharply.