By this time Harry had changed his clothes, and had all the appearance of a young sailor.
“Now go and report yourself to the mate,” said Captain Brandon.
Harry left the cabin, and went up on deck. He saw and recognized the man to whom the captain had spoken the day before, and walked up to him.
“I believe you are the mate, sir,” he said.
“Well, my lad, and who are you? The new cabin-boy?”
“Yes, sir. The captain ordered me to report to you.”
“Tom Patch!” said the mate, calling one of the sailors near by.
Tom Patch came forward, hitching up his pants, as he advanced with a regular sailor’s roll. He had a short, square-built figure, and a face bronzed by exposure to the suns of every clime. But his expression was honest and intelligent, not brutish and stupid, as is the case with many who have followed the sea for years without rising above the position of a common sailor.
“Show him his bunk. Patch, and break him in.”