'I want to follow Captain Thorne,' he said.
'Well, my son,' the quarter-master replied, 'I certainly believe you are on the right tack. The skipper you know is better than the one you've had no dealings with. Putting that aside, sonny, you'd have a far better chance of learning your business in a small craft. In this clipper there are men enough to turn her inside out, so to say, and youngsters must stand aside, or teach themselves as best they may. You've had three months' experience, and can see that no one here takes much notice of others. Barring what I've tried to do, lad, there isn't another man to show you how to splice a rope-yarn. I believe your father spoke to Thorne, and he would naturally feel more interested than any stranger. Yes, lad, I should try to palaver the old man as soon as may be, and if you go I'll not be far astern.'
'Humph!' the captain grunted, on hearing Jack's tale. 'I do not see why you should leave so fine a vessel for one not half her size. But if you would really sooner come with me there is nothing to keep you away, only you must clearly understand, boy, that in a craft of that kind there are few hands, and you will have to take an ordinary seaman's place, and work as he would.'
'I don't mind that, sir,' Jack promptly replied. 'I wish to learn all I can before returning home.'
'Very good. Can you box the compass?'
'Yes, sir, and knot and splice ropes, too,' Jack proudly said.
'Who taught you?'
'Readyman, sir; he knew and sailed with my father.'
'Get your gear shifted immediately. I told your father I'd make either a lubber or a sailor of his boy.'
Jack needed no further incentive. 'I say, Archer,' he cried, on entering the deck-house, 'I'm off to the new vessel. Are you coming?'