"I should think you would have stayed there, then. The pay is better and the hours more regular."
"We wished to learn this end of the business," answered Steve somewhat shortly.
A few minutes later they were introduced to Mr. Macrae, the chief engineer, in whose department they were to begin their work on a lake steamer. The chief was a man of few words, these words always to the point. The mate explained to him the disposition Captain Simms wished made of the boys.
"Ever fire any?" demanded the chief.
Steve shook his head.
"Nothing more than a cook stove," spoke up Jarvis, with a twinkle in his eyes, at which the chief's face threatened for a few seconds to relax into a smile. Instead, it drew down harshly and his lips set more firmly together.
"Humph! Nice couple to send me, and short-handed in the stoke hole, as it is. Well, you'll fire all right, and you'll find it ain't no six-day stove-firing, either."
"When do we go on?" asked Rush.
"I guess now is as good a time as any. Where's your jumpers?"