“What have you to say for yourself?”
The boy had a good deal to say for himself, and it took him some time to say it, although he related his story with all haste, touching only on such portions of it as he thought would interest the captain. The latter listened patiently, but with evident surprise, and when Chase ceased speaking, said:
“I saw the yacht you describe, and noticed that there was a good deal going on aboard of her. Were you the boy who jumped overboard?”
“No, sir,” replied Chase, wondering what the captain meant.
“Were you on her when she was under the fire of the fort?”
The boy began to open his eyes now. These questions made it plain to him that he and Wilson were not the only ones who had seen excitement and been in perilous situations during the afternoon. The rest of the yacht’s company had come in for a share, but of course Chase knew nothing about it, for he was ten miles away in the country, and part of the time locked up in the Don’s wine-cellar.
“As you are here and I can’t well put you ashore, I shall do the best I can by you,” said the captain. “Of course you have no outfit?”
“Nothing except the clothes I stand in,” replied Chase.
“Then you had better sign articles at boy’s wages, and after that you can go to the slop-chest.”
“Very well, sir,” replied Chase, who did not quite catch the captain’s meaning. “I suppose I can do no better.”