"Hm! Does that new boy figure that he belongs aboard with us?" asked
David Pollard, of Jack, when the pair came on deck again.
"He's frightfully anxious to be of the crew, sir," Benson answered.
"And he seems like a splendid fellow."
"We might as well let him stay aboard, Dave," proposed Mr. Farnum. "He's a good, straightforward young chap, and comes of good water stock. I know what it is to be a youngster and to have ambitions."
"All right, then," nodded the inventor. "Let him stay. I dare say we can use his time."
"May I, as a great favor, go below and tell him he may stay?" asked Jack, eagerly.
"Why, you seem to take a personal interest in young Somers," laughed the yard's owner.
"I do. And he was useful in your interests this morning, Mr. Farnum."
"Run along and tell him, then," nodded the yard's owner.
When Eph heard the news he stopped work long enough to dance an exultant jig on the cabin floor.
"Oh, Jack Benson, if ever you want a favor—a great, big one, with trimmings—come to me!" begged young Somers, imploringly as soon as he caught his breath again.