"When do we sail?"
"Some time to-night. The 'Wanderer' is not yet in. She passed the Soo nearly forty hours ago and should dock some time this afternoon. She is coming up light this time, for a change."
"How long does it take to load the ship with ore?" asked Steve, his active mind already in search of knowledge along the line of their new calling.
"Eight hours or so."
"That is quick time," nodded Jarvis.
"It strikes me as being a long time," remarked Rush.
"That is the point exactly," agreed Mr. Carrhart. "If you boys can find a way to shorten the loading time you will have served your purpose well. That is exactly why we are sending you out on this inspecting tour—that is, it is one of the reasons. We want to know where we can save money and time in the shipment of ores to the furnaces."
"But, sir, we know nothing about this branch of the business," protested Steve. "Are there not others better qualified than ourselves?"
"They think they are," answered the president reflectively. "We have tried them out. Most of them are wedded to old methods. What we want is new methods as well as new blood. Besides, you lads have expressed yourselves as being anxious to learn everything about the mining and steel business. I am taking you at your word. You are thoroughly posted on the mining end. I do not believe you could be much more so were you to spend three years more underground. The shipment of the ore is the next step. You have followed the ore down from the mines to the shipping point, here in Duluth. Now I am going to have you spend a few months on the Great Lakes."
"That will be a fine experience, sir."