“Sure,” said Mr. Smith, “I think he will make a fine captain. But I say, Captain, I hope you will find time to do a little un-piratical work for me, as a plain sailor. I want you to help with the boats at the hotel. Perhaps it isn’t as exciting as pirating or catching mosquitoes,” he added, with a twinkle, “but I think you will find that it pays better.”
“Oh, I want to earn some money,” said Tom. “Some day I want to go to school in the city.”
“But if you go to Mr. Smith’s you won’t have time to play with us,” said Charlie; and Kenneth added, “Then you won’t be our pirate captain, Tom?”
“Oh, yes he will,” said Mr. Smith. “I’ll only keep him a few hours every day, when the ladies want to go sailing. Tom, will you be my sailor man?”
“Thank you, everybody,” said Tom, grinning. “I will be both, if you want me to. I’ll be a pirate captain and an honest sailor.”
“Here’s a little advance wages to begin with,” said Mr. Smith, handing Tom the famous five-dollar bill. Tom flushed.
“Thank you, sir,” he said. “But would you mind waiting until I have earned it? I want to start square this time.”
“Good for you, Tom!” said Mr. Smith approvingly. “I see that we shall be great friends.”
And Mr. Smith proved to be a true prophet.
The Riverside Press
CAMBRIDGE · MASSACHUSETTS
U · S · A