"If I didn't, I reckon I wouldn't have suggested it."
"No, of course not, but—"
"It's like this," the captain interrupted. "I believe every man we've got except Josh is a good man, and straight as sailors go, but the best of them can't stand too much mystery, and we've been laying it on pretty thick lately, with all this zig-zagging back and forth."
"What do you think, boys?"
"I think the captain's about right," Bob replied and Jack nodded in agreement.
"So do I," Mr. Lakewood declared after a short pause. "Jack, suppose you ask Pat to have all hands on deck in ten minutes, and I'll make a little speech and tell them all about things."
Ten minutes later found the entire crew gathered on the forward deck with the exception of the first mate who was in the wheel house where he could hear all that was said. Mr. Lakewood lost no time, but at once began to tell the story he had told the boys some weeks before, although he cut it much shorter. He finished by saying:
"Now men you know what we're after. Of course we may not find a thing, but if we do, one half of everything will go to Captain Ole, the two boys and myself. The other half will be divided equally among you share and share alike. This, of course, will be in addition to your wages."
"Three cheers fer de boss!" one of the men shouted.
The three cheers were given with a will, after which Mr. Lakewood added: