The same thought was in Captain Jack Benson’s mind.  However, they were not long to be kept in doubt, for Jacob Farnum had moved hastily to the outer door.

“Good day, friends!” called the shipbuilder, as he pulled the outer door open, for he recognized most of the faces of men and women in the crowd.  “What’s wrong, friends!”

At the very doorstep the leaders of the crowd halted.

“The ‘Mary Bond’ isn’t in yet, Mr. Farnum,” called one of the men.

That was the name of a fishing smack that put out from Dunhaven at regular intervals through the winter.  She carried a Dunhaven captain and mate, and, altogether, fourteen men and boys.

“When should she have been in!” queried Mr. Farnum.  The crowd had halted, now, and all but their chosen speaker remained silent.

“Yesterday morning, sir,” replied the spokesman.

“Do you people fear that harm has come to the ’Mary Bond!” queried the shipbuilder.

“Why, it must be so, sir.  For the smack wasn’t due to go out more’n some forty miles.  With the winds we’ve been having lately she could come in, any time, within a few hours.”

“Perhaps the captain had a poor run of luck,” suggested Mr. Farnum.  “He may be staying out longer than usual.”

“No, sir, for all the reports that have come in off the sea are of big catches.  The ocean has been swarming with fish these last few days,” replied the spokesman.

“Then, friends, I take it there’s something you want me to do.  What is it?” demanded Jacob Farnum.

“We’ve come to ask you, sir, if you won’t have one of your torpedo boats put out and look for the ‘Mary Bond.’  Your boats can go a big distance in a few hours.  We’re afraid, Mr. Farnum, that the smack’s canvas or sticks may have suffered in the big blow of yesterday.  We’re afraid, too, that the ‘Mary Bond’ may be drifting about helplessly on the sea, just for the need of a little aid.  We’re afraid, sir, that good Dunhaven men may be in great danger of going to the bottom, and leaving behind families that—­”

The spokesman stopped, a little choke in his voice.  As though in answer sobs came from some of the women.

“Now, now, friends, if that’s the trouble, we’ll soon know about it,” promised the shipbuilder, one of the biggest-hearted men living.  “One of our boats is going out for practice.  But, if you’ll supply a good sea-going hand or two, the second boat shall go out and sweep the seas hereabouts, looking for the ‘Mary Bond.’”

A cheer went up at once.  Mr. Farnum flushed with pleasure.  Not above doing a kind act, he also enjoyed having it appreciated.

“Who’ll command the relief boat!” called one of the women.  “Jack Benson?”

“No,” replied Mr. Farnum, shaking his head.  “Captain Benson must go out on naval business to-day.”

A murmur of disappointment went up from the crowd.  Jack Benson was a young skipper on whose success a Dunhaven crowd would make bets.