Bob was so amazed at this novel way of making a bargain that he did not answer immediately; and the young trader, thinking that perhaps he was not satisfied with his offer, exclaimed:
“Isn’t that enough? Well, then, I’ll give you a dollar a day. Does that suit you?”
If Bob had still hesitated, Captain Newcombe might have made him an offer of still higher wages, but he honestly replied:
“A dollar a day is a man’s pay, and that is more than I can earn. But if you think you can afford to give it to me, I am willing to work hard for it!”
“Of course I can give it to you,” said Tom. “We’ll put it down in writing.”
So saying, he produced his memorandum-book, and settling himself into a comfortable position, began to study up a contract.
The fisher-boy was not accustomed to this way of doing business, neither was he at all pleased with it. He entertained very serious misgivings as to Tom’s ability to carry out his grand ideas, and he did not like to be promised such high wages unless he could positively rely on receiving them. He did not wish to offend his employer, but still he thought it prudent to suggest a delay in the signing of the contract until they had made at least one trial of Tom’s scheme. They would then be better able to judge whether or not such an arrangement could be made. Captain Newcombe listened very patiently, and, when Bob had ceased speaking, he straightened himself up and answered:
“Mr. Jennings, what kind of a trader would I be if I couldn’t make my own calculations? Why, I would be swindled out of the last cent I had. (Tom hesitated a little as he said this, for he remembered his experience of the previous day.) But if a man does his own figuring, no one can cheat him. Now I am just as certain that I shall make ten dollars to-day as I am that I am now sitting in this boat. So, you see, I can afford to pay you good wages. A dollar a day! that would be—let me think a moment—how much a week!”
“Six dollars,” said Bob.
“Well, is it a bargain?”