“My! but that is a scheme!” exclaimed Phil, who, having no conception of Alaskan distances nor the slightest idea of where the Shumagin Islands might be, imagined that, once in those waters, it would be an easy matter to reach Sitka. In fact, to him Sitka meant Alaska, and Alaska was the same as Sitka, for he could not remember ever having heard the one spoken of except in connection with the other.
“That would suit me to a T,” he continued, “for I have hated the thought of giving up my Alaska trip, and I have hated worse the idea of spending two or three weeks in this place with nothing to do. Do you suppose that your captain would make the same arrangement with me that he has with you? My father would be glad enough to pay him my passage-money if he would only drop me at Sitka.”
“I don’t believe the Seamew is allowed to take passengers,” answered Serge, doubtfully. “I am one of her crew, you know, only I am working without wages for the sake of getting home.”
“No wages! Don’t you get anything at all?”
“Oh yes! I get my passage and food, and I got an outfit of clothing to start with.”
“Well, I should be glad enough to get a passage to Alaska on the same terms, and if your captain will only take me, I’ll ship with him in a minute. But look here, old man, if you don’t get any wages, how do you happen to have money to spend on breakfasts at expensive restaurants for your pauper friends?”
“I haven’t,” laughed Serge.
“Do you mean to tell me that you squandered your last cent on me this morning?”
“I don’t mean to tell you anything about it.”
“Well, if that doesn’t make me feel meaner than dirt! If I had known you were spending your only dollar for my breakfast I wouldn’t have eaten a mouthful.”