The gunboat's cutter came alongside, transferring Jack and Hal back to the “Farnum.”
Hal went directly below to the engine room.
“You fixed the trouble with the 'Pollard'?” demanded Eph Somers, eagerly.
“Yes,” Hal admitted.
“Why, I don't know as I'd want to commit myself in too offhand a way,” replied Hal, slowly, as though thinking.
“What appeared to be at the bottom of the trouble?”
“Why, it may have been that one of the naval machinists, not understanding our engines any too well, allowed one of the pistons to get overheated, and then resorted to filing,” Hal replied.
“What? Overheat a piston, and then try to correct it with a file?” cried young Somers, disgustedly. “The crazy blacksmith! He ought to be set to shoeing snails—that's all he's fit for.”
“It looks that way,” Hal assented, smiling.