"Is every thing all right now?" asked Tom Topover, in a tone of authority, when the calker announced that his job was finished.
"Every thing is all right," replied Kidd Digfield, who had used the cotton and putty. "The boat is all ready."
Tom proceeded to take his place at the stern.
CHAPTER II.
THE VOYAGE OF THE THUNDERER.
"Who is to be the captain of this craft, Tom?" asked Ash Burton, when the leader of the gang had taken his place at the post of honor.
"I am, of course," replied Tom, opening his mouth from ear to ear in a grin which was intended to express his astonishment that any one should put such a question to him.
"All right," added Ash, with a nod of his head in addition to emphasize his consent; "we will all obey your orders."
"Of course you will. In a boat there can be only one head, and others must do as the captain says," continued the self-appointed skipper.
"You are exactly right there, Tom. On board of the Sylph a fellow is not allowed to say his soul is his own; and if he disobeys the orders of his superior officer, he is shut up in the dark, or something of that sort."