The Captain laughed. “I think that Bob’s heard all my stories. I’m afraid that they’re a little moth-eaten now. But how about the two of you telling me a story? Some of the things that you’ve been reading so carefully. How about it?”
“We can’t tell a story the way you can, old scout,” said Bob. “Anyway, we asked you first.”
“All right, I’m caught,” said the Captain. “But I’ll tell you a story only on one condition. Each of you has to tell one too. That’s only fair, isn’t it?”
Bob and Hal looked at each other. Hal spoke. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to,” he said, blushing. “I can’t tell stories, I’m sure I can’t.”
Captain Bill knew that it would be tactless at that moment to try to convince Hal that he could tell a story. It would only increase the boy’s nervousness, and convince him only more of the fact that he could not spin a yarn. So he said, “Well, we’ll tell ours first, and you can tell yours later. After you hear how bad ours are, you’ll be encouraged.” Then Bill had an idea. “How about having a contest?” he said. “The one who tells the best story gets a prize.”
“Now, you take your time. We’ll decide on the prize later. We’ll have to let Pat in on this, too, I suppose, but he’s going to give us some competition. Pat’s a great story teller. I’ll tell my story first. Then Bob can tell his, after he’s had some time for preparation; then Pat will probably want to get his licks in; and Hal will come last. He’ll have the benefit of our mistakes to guide him. How about it?”
“All right with me,” said Bob, eagerly. He was keen about the idea.
But Hal seemed less enthusiastic. His natural reticence, he felt, would make it torture for him to tell a story. It would be all right just for Bob—and he was even getting well enough acquainted with Captain Bill to tell his story in front of him—but this Pat McDermott—even his name sounded formidable. Captain Bill didn’t give him a chance to say aye, yea, or nay, but went on talking.
“I think that we ought to choose subjects that you two know about,” said Bill. “How about stories of the aviators—of Famous Flyers and their Famous Flights?”
“Great!” said Bob. “Gee, I want Lindbergh.”
“Lindbergh you shall have,” said Captain Bill. “What’s yours Hal?”