"I'd sooner set mines in the deepest water than face much of this kind of music," wailed Dick in return.
The two boys could scarcely contain themselves until the appointed hour when they were to meet Superintendent Brown in the works. The nearly forty-eight hours dragged by slowly for the youths who in their eagerness to find out what it was all about were down at the yard two days later a half hour before the appointed time.
"Medals or mischief, whatever it is, here we go," snorted Larry, the irrepressible, as he joined the group. He was in working togs.
Just at nine o'clock they sent in their names and were promptly admitted to the private office of the superintendent.
"Good morning, boys, I see you are out bright and early, and all set for the big game," began that official.
"At your service, sir," answered Jay.
At one side of the superintendent's big desk sat a grizzled old chap who had all the earmarks of a salt-sea captain of a matured vintage—side whiskers, smooth brown skin and steely blue eyes that twinkled with merriment.
"Gentlemen, I want you to meet Captain Dwight Austin, whom I will further identify a little later," said Brown indicating the fifth man in the room. Deferentially the latter got to his feet and shook hands all around with a crisp "Glad to meet you, boys."
Brown indicated chairs and bade the boys be seated.