From the expression that settled on the skipper’s face, Phil and Ted realized the information was serious.
“Green at the job?” inquired the captain.
“No, ugly.”
“Send him to me in half an hour if he doesn’t get onto his job. Anything else? How are the firemen doing?”
“All right, I reckon. I haven’t had time to go down on account of Swanson.”
“Why didn’t you send your assistant down?”
“He’s there, sir.” Then turning to the boys, he said: “How do you think you would like to work down here?”
“I love machinery. I was building an airship at home. I know I should like it if it weren’t for the heat,” replied Ted.
“If you think this is hot, just go down into the stoke hole,” smiled the chief. Then, as there sounded a discordant note in the hum of the machinery, he darted away to learn its cause, while the captain led the way across the iron grating, which served as floor, to another ladder leading down to the boiler room.
As Phil put his hand on one of the iron rungs, he drew it back hastily.