"Then it's a good thing also to make the crew dependent upon the captain. If he can appoint one of the party for the Volga excursion, his favor is worth something," added Sheridan, good-naturedly.
"I would give fifty dollars out of my spending money for the privilege of going," said De Forrest.
"Suppose you make the captain the offer?"
"I! Humph! Do you think I would go down on my knees to Cantwell?" sneered De Forrest.
"Don't you do it! There's no law to compel you to do so," laughed Sheridan.
"Of course the captain will reward some one of his friends," said Beckwith.
"Yes, I suppose he will."
"Would you appoint a fellow that had worked against you?" asked Sheridan.
"I should try to be fair," answered the first purser, with a struggle to look dignified.
"Precisely so! Just as you nominated yourself over the heads of Judson and Norwood, and tried to cut them out."