"I haven't anything else to do, sir," said Joe, turning once more to the young captain. "I'll take Dyer in hand if you say so."
"Go ahead," assented Halstead. "First of all, take him below, Mr. Dawson, and introduce him to the cook. I imagine that will be agreeable."
"You're good at guessing, Captain," laughed the San Francisco boy, saluting.
"Come along then, Ted Dyer," proposed Joe, taking him by the arm with a friendly grip. "You can come below to my cabin and chat while you eat."
"I guess I can do a lot of both," admitted the San Francisco boy, going along with Joe after making a bow that was intended to include everyone.
Joe, however, did not at first press the other boy to talk much, but was delighted at seeing Dyer able to stow away so much satisfying food.
"Now," demanded the newcomer, pushing his chair back from the table, "what am I going to do aboard this craft to earn my way?"
"What do you know best how to do?" asked Dawson.
"You said you are the chief engineer?"
"Yes."