“I’m perfectly safe in making that bargain,” he declared. “There’s about as much chance of a wooden-legged mate on a whaler as there is of the Hector coming back with a load of ambergris!”
CHAPTER II
OUTWARD BOUND
The boys scarcely could wait to finish their breakfasts, so anxious were they to see the owner of the Hector. Arriving in New Bedford across the harbor, they at once hurried to Mr. Nye’s office, only to find that he was not in and was not expected for an hour.
“Let’s go over to the museum,” suggested Tom, and the two boys hurried downstairs, turned into a waterfront street, and a few moments later, reached the Old Dartmouth Historical Society with its wonderful whalers’ museum.
Here they always found plenty to interest them and the time passed quickly as they studied the fascinating exhibits of whaling weapons and utensils, old prints, log books, and, best of all the half-size model of a New Bedford whaling ship complete in every detail.
As they were about to leave the building and passed by the office, they noticed the genial curator talking with a man whose back was towards them.
“Hello, boys!” called the curator, “I understand you’re about to lose your ship. Where are you off to now?”
“Yes,” replied Tom, “but we’re going to try and go on her. We’re going to see Mr. Nye now and ask him if we can.”
The curator laughed.
“Want to turn real whalemen, eh? How about your parents’ consent?”