"Yes; funny thing about that. They boarded the ship with a load of ore."
The captain went on to explain how the boys came to be on board.
"Doesn't it strike you as peculiar that they are sent down here in this way?"
"Not at all, Mac. They want to learn the business. Mr. Carrhart sent me a line yesterday explaining the case. Said they were a fine pair, and he wanted to see them get along."
"Then why put them in the hole?"
"Don't you think that will try them out as quickly as anything else?" said the captain.
"I guess that's right," admitted the chief engineer. "And we need them just now, too. I'm glad they are on board, even if they are green hands. But young Rush is going to be a winner, and no mistake."
"What's the matter with the other one?"
"Nothing, except that he is a little fresh at times."
"So I already have observed. You will take that out of him, Mac."