“If you will call to-morrow, we will be prepared to submit our terms. We shall need to talk matters over, and estimate what sum we must ask to make ourselves good.”
“Very well, Mr. Gray. Then I will come into New Bedford again to-morrow.”
“No, Guy, you must stay at my house for the night,” interposed the captain. “It is long since you have been my guest, and my wife and daughter will be very glad to see you.”
“Thank you, captain. I shall be glad to accept your invitation.”
The next day, Guy, accompanied by the captain, called again at the office of the brothers Gray.
They submitted a proposal which, after consulting with Captain Grover, Guy pronounced satisfactory.
“Now that all is settled about the voyage, I will write to my brother-in-law.”
“I shall be glad to have him come to New Bedford at once,” said Guy, “and his friend, too. You may say in your letter that his wages will commence as soon as he reports for duty.”
“That will remove every obstacle. My brother-in-law is a poor man, and he would not be able to remain here any length of time on expense.”
Captain Grover dispatched a letter at once.