“Can you row a boat?” he asked.
“I’ve done it often,” said Martin. “My father was a sea-captain, and I’ve helped my friends among the watermen more than once.”
“Capital! Then I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll put another boy on your round, and I’ll give you the river. You’ll take supplies to the ships in the Pool. What do you say to that?”
“I’ll say thank you, sir; I shall like it very much.”
“Very well, then. You see, I’ve taken a fancy to you.”
CHAPTER THE TWELFTH
THE BRASS-BOUND BOX
When Martin reached home that evening he told his friends of the approaching change in his work that was due to Mr. Slocum. Susan Gollop’s red cheeks grew redder as she listened to him.
“That Slocum is a monster!” she cried indignantly. “I’d like to give him a piece of my mind, that I would!”