dead when they harpooned it, and if
it didn't already have an iron in it?" suggested Frank.

"Another iron; eh? That's a different story. Somebody bring a
lantern," called the captain quickly.

One was procured, and the crowd made way while the aged whaleman
approached the dead beast.

"Here, you can see our iron," said Bill Lowden eagerly. "There it is,
as plain as day, with our boat's name burned in the handle."

"Hum, that's right," admitted Captain Trent as he noted the harpoon.
"But what about this?" he asked quickly, pointing to a second one,
lower down, and in such a position that it could not be readily seen.
"Is that yours too?" and Captain Trent held the lantern so that the
gleam shone on the other implement.

"What's that? Another harpoon?" cried Kett. "Did we use two, boys?"
and he turned to the group of his men.

"No, only one," somebody answered.

"This has a brand on it too," went on Bob's father. He held the
lantern nearer. "The _Flying Fish_," he read as he saw the burned
letters. "Guess that was in some time before your iron, Lowden, for
it's pretty well worn by sea water. There's a prior claim to this
whale, and as long as no one is here from the _Flying Fish_ this prize
belongs to the boys that towed it in. If you don't agree with that
jest say so, an' we'll go to law about it. But I know my rights, and
these boys will get theirs."

"That's right!" cried several in the crowd. "The whale belongs to the
boys."

Jack Kett and Bill Lowden looked at each other. This was something for
which they had not bargained. There was a murmur among their men.

"We--we didn't know the whale had been struck before," admitted Bill.

"That's right," chimed in his partner. "We only want what's fair," he
went on, in more conciliatory tone than at first.

"That's the way to talk," commented Captain Trent. "I admit you have
some claim on the whale, for your iron helped to kill it. The law
gives you a tenth part, after other parties have landed the prize, and
I'll see that you get it. Now if it's settled you fellows can go, and
I'll notify you when the money's ready."

"All right," assented Bill, after a conference with his partner and
men. "I guess it's the best we can get out of it. But it's hard to
lose a prize when you think you're got it. I'm not blaming you boys,"
he added quickly, "for I guess you had a hard pull with it. Come on,
men, we'll leave our case with Captain Trent."