“Well, my boat’s unloaded, an’ I’m ready to pull right out. Wha’ do ye say? Go?”
“What wages do you pay?” asked the boy, hesitatingly.
“Well, you’re big an’ smart-lookin’ an’ know how to handle hosses, an’ I’ll give you extra big pay.”
Joe’s spirits rose. True, the man looked forbidding, and undesirable as a master; but if he paid good wages, the rest might be endured.
“Well, what will you pay?” persisted the boy.
“I’ll give ye four dollars for the round trip, an’ board an’ lodge ye.”
Joe’s spirits fell.
“How long does the trip take?” he asked.
“Two weeks.”
“An’ when do I get my money?”