“Well, I’ll tell you what I’ll do,” said the mate. “If you’ll obey all orders promptly, and to the very letter, I’ll stand by you, and see that nobody bothers you. But you say you want to learn to be a sailor. Come here; I have something to show you!”
The mate’s face wore a good-natured smile, and his words were spoken in a tone that, under any other circumstances, would have won Tom’s heart. But, as it was, he could not be easily deceived, and he had a suspicion that the officer was about to show him some work he wished him to do. The mate evidently guessed the thoughts that were passing through his mind, for he continued:
“Of course we don’t intend to work you hard at the start, Tommy. I’ll give you an easy job. Are you fond of horses?”
“Yes, I am!” replied Tom, eagerly. “Have you horses on board?”
“Yes, we’ve got one—a regular old sea-horse. He’s been with us now—let me see—this is the fifth voyage. Would you like to take care of him? That’s the job we always give to boys when they first come on board vessels.”
“All right,” said Tom. “Where is he?”
“Come this way, and I’ll show him to you,” said the mate, as he led Tom toward the galley, where a negro was engaged in sawing wood.
“Now, Tommy,” he continued, “can you do that kind of work?”
“Saw wood!” exclaimed the young sailor, in surprise. “No, I can’t do that. But where’s the horse?”
“Here it is! I meant the saw-horse,” said the mate. “By the time you have made as many voyages as he has, you’ll know something about a ship. You say you can’t do that kind of work?”