"Well?" suggested the captain inquiringly, and with an enchanting smile.
"I've read a book or two about sea life and ships, and all that.
Outside of that I ain't posted."
"I see. Did you bring any kit along?"
"What's that, sir?"
"Outfit, clothes, baggage, you know."
"I've got a bundle of clothes down at the car shed."
"Ah--yes." The captain reflected a moment.
"My boatswain is to be here at eleven sharp. I guess you had better go
aboard with him."
"Go where, sir?"
"Down to the ship. We call it going aboard, you see," and once more
Captain Gary smiled with almost infantile amiability. "Been to
breakfast? Yes? Well, then, suppose you take a stroll about and see
the town. Don't get lost, and be sure and be back by eleven. My room
is forty nine; can you recollect that?"
Ralph thought he could, and was about to withdraw when the captain
pulled out a silver dollar.
"You may need a little spending money," said he. "Only I hope you
won't buy tobacco. Lads of your age, you know, are best without it,
and as for cards----"
Ralph hastened to assure him that he not only did not smoke or gamble,
but that he had some money of his own.
"Take this, however. We will call it a slight advance on your wages."
The captain insisted so genially that Ralph could not refuse.
"Looks like I've dropped into a soft snap at last," thought he, as he
found his way to the street. "I wonder if many ship captains are like
him? Them as I have read of were mostly great, big, strapping,
swearing sort of fellows, ready to knock a body down when things don't
go to suit 'em.
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