Walter, however, insisted upon going; he had a right to go; the captain called for volunteers, and he had volunteered, and was going.
“But you too young, chile, for such ting.”
“Young,” replied Walter, in high dudgeon; “I shipped before the mast, and have a man’s wages, and can steer my trick, and do my duty.”
“I can’t do without you, pilot,” said the captain.
Several others had also intended to volunteer, and now came forward; but Walter had been too quick for them, and claimed his right.
“Captain,” said Fred Williams, as he took leave of Arthur Brown, “you’ll find one of our young men aboard, Walter Griffin (he’s not much more than a boy, but he’s a choice one); I know him through and through. He never should have left me if I could have helped it; but he seems one of those made to go to sea. Put him anywhere, trust him with any matter, and he will give a good account of himself. You will find him better, on an emergency, than many older persons; for he belongs to an iron-sided race, and what he lacks in experience he will make up in mother wit.”
All that the captain had seen of Walter went to corroborate Fred’s statement, and he determined to try him.
Little Ned now besought the captain to permit him to share the adventure with Walter, but he refused, telling him he had promised his mother not to expose him unnecessarily; that one was enough, and two would be more likely to attract attention.