vessel. You read in the New Testament, speaking of Jesus, that he ‘entered into a ship.’ Have you an idea that the craft was a vessel with three masts, square rigged?”
“I did not know any thing about it,” replied Will Orwell.
“That ship was nothing but a boat, not as big as the Goldwing probably. I repeat, that we are to organize the ship’s company; and I assure you that the expression is quite correct.”
“Of course it is,” added Dave Windsor. “I only wanted to know about it.”
“That’s right: ask all the sensible things you can think of, and I shall be glad to answer you. You can’t all be captains or even officers.”
“We don’t expect to be,” added Ben Ludlow, when the captain paused to note the effect of his statement.
“It is necessary to have some privates on board; but one position is just as honorable as another if it is well filled,” continued the captain. “There is to be no favoritism on board or in the school. Now, we must have firemen, deck-hands, cooks, and waiters; and it is just as important for you to learn the duties of these positions as those of officers.”
“Are we to learn to cook?” asked Jim Alburgh, laughing.
“You are; and I consider this one of the most important parts to learn. I served as cook on board of a brig during one voyage to the West Indies; and I took as much pride in performing my duties correctly, as ever I did when commanding an East Indiaman,” replied the principal with energy.
“I know something about cooking, and I like the business,” added Jim Alburgh.