They all talked together, and it was almost impossible to understand them. Some spoke in French, and others in Italian; for it appeared that there was a scarcity of Frenchmen, so many of them had gone into the army. The most intelligent one was an Italian; and he was conducted to the quarter-deck, where O’Hara was instructed to question him. But all the information needed had been obtained from Mr. Frisbone.
This man said his name was Alfonzo. He was asked if he and his companions were willing to work as firemen of the steamer on the trip to Funchal, if they received good wages. Then the fellow put on a cunning look, and it was plain that he was disposed to drive a sharp bargain. He thought a moment; and the interpreter saw that he was studying up some hard terms, and was going to ask for something which he regarded as exorbitant.
“We worked on the Ville d’Angers six days for which we have received no pay,” said Alfonzo, with a cunning leer on his face. “Pay us for this time, and we will work on the steamer.”
“What were your wages on the steamer?” asked O’Hara.
The fellow hesitated a moment, and then said three francs a day. O’Hara reported the substance of Alfonzo’s reply to the senior, at the same time expressing his belief that the Italian was lying, and that the firemen—for such they all were—had not been paid more than two francs, or at most not more than two and a half.
“Sixty cents a day is little enough for men who work in the fire-room of a ship at sea; and they shall have their own price,” replied Mr. Fluxion.
O’Hara informed Alfonzo that his terms were acceded to, and he was told to settle the matter with his companions. He looked quite sad, instead of rejoicing that his terms had been accepted: he was sorry that he had not asked more. The others assented.
“This young gentleman is the captain of the steamer,” said Mr. Fluxion, pointing to O’Hara.
The firemen all laughed as they surveyed him from head to foot; and possibly they thought they should have an easy time of it on board of the Ville d’Angers, if she was to be managed by boys like those of the Tritonia. They were ordered into the boat, and were put on board of the steamer.
“Mr. Speers particularly desires that the studies may be continued while we are on board of the steamer,” said O’Hara, when the men had been sent away.