“I think we should prefer to be on one of the guns—in a gun squad, sir.”
“That’s my idea, too; but, first of all, serve some time on deck. You will learn a great deal there. I will instruct you carefully in your duties and show you your billet, after which you will go forward and get acquainted with your shipmates.”
“Will you tell me, sir, what I do with this casket?” inquired Sam.
“The ditty box?”
“Yes, I guess that is what the other man called it.”
The boatswain’s mate smiled good-naturedly.
“That is for the purpose of holding your valuables.”
“Money?”
“Oh, no, it would not be exactly safe. You had better place your money in the hands of the paymaster.”
“That is what we intend to do,” spoke up Dan.