“I would not have come on board the vessel of my own free will. I don’t like to be forced into going in such a position.”
“That is a natural feeling; but I am not sure whether it will not be best to yield in the present instance. A captain on board of his own vessel is a monarch, and has almost supreme power. This is very often abused; but I suppose it is necessary that he should possess it. I don’t know what sort of a man this Captain Brandon is; but you had better not needlessly provoke him. Besides, I suppose you wish to be earning something, and, as cabin-boy, you will be entitled to wages.”
“Suppose the captain should ill-treat me?”
“I will stand your friend,” said the supercargo, earnestly.
“Then,” said Harry, after a moment’s thought, “I will not oppose the captain’s wishes. I will do my duty, but I won’t submit to be imposed upon.”
The entrance of the captain at this point prevented our hero from communicating the details of his story to his new friend.