ed an error of eighteen
miles--a big enough distance to admit of a ship being run on no end of
rocks and shoals."

"I didn't realize it amounted to so many miles," was the sober reply.

"Probably the error even in miles did not shock people of that time as
much as it would us, for they were accustomed to inaccuracies. Moreover
such a record was worlds better than anything previously known. Yet
notwithstanding this fact, the commissioners haggled over awarding the
prize money and after advancing another L5,000 insisted that William
make a second trip."

"Shucks!"

McPhearson paid no heed to the interruption.

"This time," continued he, "the undaunted young clockmaker embarked on
an English man-of-war, the _Tartar_, and sailed for the Barbados, the
chronometer gaining only forty-three seconds; and then back he came on
the _New Elizabeth_, making the round trip of one hundred fifty-six
days with only a total gain of fifty-four seconds in his father's
instrument."

"Bravo! And so old Harrison at last got his money," asserted Christopher
with a satisfied sigh.

"Not yet. You move too fast, sonny. Governments do not bestow fortunes
at your pace. Not they! This time the commissioners paid over a third
L5,000, joining with it the demand that the elder Harrison explain to a
company of experts exactly how his invention worked. In our day a man
would have protected himself with a patent before he surrendered the
requested information but the universe of the eighteenth century was
less sophisticated. Patiently Harrison told his inquisitors everything
they wanted to know and in 1765 they declared themselves satisfied with
the instrument in every detail."

"Well, I should think it was high time!" scoffed the boy.

The Scotchman smiled at his indignation.

"Oh, don't imagine yourself through with the story yet," said he, "for
even now more conditions were enjoined. Before the balance of the prize
money was paid, one of the experts was appointed to construct a
chronometer like Harrison's for the purpose not only of finding out
whether every claim he made for it was true, but also to assure the
board that other persons beside this one old man could make such an
instrument. The fulfillment of this final condition consumed three
years."

"Oh, rats! I should have told them they could keep their money--the old
grannies!" jeered his listener wrathfully.

"They had to be sure, you know."

"But poor Harrison! What was he doin