“Hello there, Jim Warner!” exclaimed Mr. Ryder; “what the dickens are you doing down in this part of the world?”
“Why, I’ve been tinkering with the old Lobo’s Island Light for nearly a month. To tell you the truth, I’ve just finished the job and knowing that you were within a few hundred miles of me I decided to run in to see you. I was going out to Necaxa to-morrow and spend a week or two with you, but unfortunately that can’t be done for I’ve just received a telegram from Washington instructing me to go ahead with a mighty big undertaking I’ve been figuring on. I’ll have to hustle back to the coast immediately. And in view of the fact that you have been having quite a fuss out there I’m rather glad my plans have been changed. I’m not hankering to be drilled through by a soft-nosed bullet just now,” concluded Mr. Warner with a smile.
“Oh! you would soon get used to those little things,” said Jack banteringly.
“I suppose so,” replied the marine engineer. “You must have had rather an adventurous month there.”
“Indeed I did,” answered Jack.
“Well, how would you like to have another month of thrills? If you feel inclined that way, come along with me. If you don’t fight men you’ll fight the elements. I am going to cruise the high seas for Uncle Sam.”
“That sounds interesting,” said Jack, “but I am going north on the next steamer from Vera Cruz.”
“So am I, and we’ll get a chance to talk it over anyway,” said Mr. Warner.
VAIL-BALLOU CO., BINGHAMTON AND NEW YORK