"
"If I don't, I shall be glad to be enlightened," laughed Jack, softly.
"Who are you?"
"I'm the son of the man who expects to put a big amount of capital into
this enterprise. Farnum wants my father to do it."
"Then I hope your father does," nodded Jack Benson, with a look of polite
interest.
"Of course, in that case," pursued Don, "the whole business will be
reorganized."
"I should imagine so," nodded Jack.
"And, as a part of that reorganization, I'm to have command of the
'Pollard,' and of any other boats that may be built here!"
Captain Jack Benson's face blanched in an instant. He did not falter,
but he felt, for the moment, as though he had been stabbed to the heart.
Hal Hastings gave a little, barely perceptible gasp. Eph Somers, with
a snort of wrath, turned and stepped through into the motor room.
"I'm to command this boat, and the others that may be built; that's one
of my father's conditions in putting up the required capital," continued
Don Melville. "Of course, I shall select my own helpers and crews. If
you three are really competent, and show sufficient respect for authority
over you, I may be able to provide some sort of places for you aboard
this boat and the new one that's being built. Now, do you understand
who I am?"
"I've heard all you said," replied Captain Jack, dully. He was so dazed,
so tormented, that, for the moment, he did not dare trust himself to make
more of a reply.
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