Captain Edwards burst into a hearty laugh. “So you’re some of the youngsters that have been using my ship for a playground, eh?” he exclaimed. “And now you’d like to take a real try at the game. And your dads said you could if I’d take old Pem for mate, eh?”
“Yes, sir,” said Tom, “and father said that was just about as likely as for the Hector to bring back a load of ambergris.”
The captain and the curator burst into hearty laughter.
“That’s pretty good!” declared the old skipper at last. “But stranger things have happened to whalemen, boys. Many a ship’s brought home a mighty good cargo of ambergris and I’ve sailed with a wooden-legged captain, let alone a mate.”
“These boys can navigate,” put in the curator. “Cap’n Pem’s taught them nearly all there is to know about handling a ship, except going to sea.”
“Indeed!” exclaimed the captain with new interest. “Now, boys, let me ask you some questions.”
For the next half hour Captain Edwards plied the boys with queries on seamanship, navigation, ropes and rigging, handling sails, nautical and whalemen’s terms, and in fact, everything he could think of. Then, banging his fist on his knee, he exclaimed, “Why, hang it all, Frank! These two kids could get second officer’s tickets to-morrow, if they were old enough. Boys, come along over to Nye’s office.”
“Gosh! I’d forgotten about seeing him,” cried Tom as he and Jim rose and hurried out with the captain.
Arrived at the ship owner’s office, the boys quickly told Mr. Nye of their desire to go on the Hector and repeated the conditions on which their parents had consented. Then, when they had finished, the captain drew the owner to one side and conversed in low tones with him for a few moments.
“Well, boys,” said the Hector’s owner, resuming his seat, “I have no objection if Captain Edwards hasn’t, and he tells me he’d be glad to take you, as you might be useful. You see, it’s mighty difficult to get a crew of any sort now and navigators are scarce as hens’ teeth. Of course, he wouldn’t count on you as full-fledged officers; but he thinks you’d be more useful than ornamental and that two husky, wide-awake boys who really know the old Hector from stem to stern would be worth their keep—might help in breaking in the green hands, you know. Of course, you’d find it a mighty rough life—not all beer and skittles by any means—and a dirty job too. But I was younger than either of you when I first went on a cruise and it did me a pile of good—made a man of me and taught me a lot—and hard work never hurt any boy yet. Yes, as far as I’m concerned, and Captain Edwards too, you’re more than welcome on the Hector; but, of course, that doesn’t mean you’re going. Don’t forget old Pem is one of the conditions, and I’ve never had a wooden-legged mate on one of my ships yet!”