Determined not to miss any of the excitement, the boys had preceded the others, and as the light illumined the back of the boiler, Ted glanced at a pipe, then rushed to that of the next boiler and felt of it.
“The stop-cock in the feed pipe is shut off!” he cried excitedly. “See, Captain Perkins!” and he pointed to the brass handle which stood at right angles to the pipe instead of in line with it.
Investigation by the chief engineer proved that Ted’s statement was correct.
“Pretty good for a boy, eh, Sam?” asked the captain, turning to his engineer.
“I told you I liked machinery,” returned Ted, happily.
“Want a job?” smiled the chief.
“I’d like it if I weren’t going farming.”
“You’ll earn more here and with less work.”
“Perhaps, but if I hadn’t made up my mind to be a farmer, I should have stuck to my airship, sir.”
“Well, any time you change your mind, just send word to Sam Morris, in care of Mr. Atwood, and he’ll find you a place.”