There was such silence, for a few seconds, that the ticking of the big
clock in the corner sounded almost like hammer-blows.
"You understand fully, do you not, Benson?" demanded George Melville,
breaking the silence.
"I heard you, sir," Jack replied, not without an effort.
"And what have you to say, Captain Benson?" inquired Mr. Farnum, speaking
with some effort.
Captain Jack turned around to face his employer; the other two submarine
boys wheeled with him.
"Mr. Farnum, we have been in your employ, and we have always taken your
orders. If you say we are to be dropped from the boat's crew, we bow to
what we can't prevent."
"No one has spoken--definitely, that is--of dropping you boys from the
'Pollard's' crew," interposed Mr. Melville, slowly. "I have only
announced that in the reorganization of this enterprise the group that
I represent will require that my son, Don, be placed in command of the
'Pollard,' and of any other submarine boats that may be built. If you
do not like to work aboard the submarines, very likely we can find work
for you at something in this yard."
Jacob Farnum exchanged a few words in an undertone with David Pollard.
Now, the boat builder faced about.
"Mr. Melville," he began, "Mr. Pollard and I feel under a debt of deep
obligation to Captain Benson and his mates. Boys though they are, they
have done much to make the 'Pollard' as famous as it already is.
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