of the art. Both of them had a taste for this sort of thing; and, as soon as they had installed themselves in the galley, they were as happy as though they had drawn the cards bearing the titles of first and second officer.
The galley, or kitchen, was in the house on deck, with a glazed door on each side. The galley, or stove, from which the apartment takes its name, was forward of the doors. The after-end of the room was fitted up with a table, and a great number of lockers to contain every article needed in the art of cooking, except the meats and vegetables, which were in the ice-house, next to the galley. The two cooks, though strangers to each other until they met on board, were soon on excellent terms, and proceeded to make an examination of their new quarters.
Captain Gildrock next called out the three stewards, and conducted them to the forward cabin. The general duties of the stewards were to take care of the cabins, set the table, wait upon it at meals. One had not yet come on board.
“Then, we are to be sort of servants, are we?” said Lick Milton.
“We are all equal on board of the Sylph,”
replied the captain with a smile. “You are no more servants than all the others on the steamer. The first duty of officers and seamen is to obey orders; and the first officer is as much bound to do this as the stewards and deck-hands. It is as necessary to have our food good and well served as it is to navigate the vessel. You have as fair an opportunity to distinguish yourselves in this department as in any other. The officers may be waiters or stewards next month. In the course of time all the pupils will be required to discharge the duties of every department.”
“How long do we have to serve as stewards?” asked Bob Swanton.
“I am not fully decided as to that: it will depend somewhat upon what progress you make. Probably we shall make some changes in a month. But this yacht is not the principal thing in the Beech-Hill Industrial School. We shall not go out in her every day in the week, perhaps not more than once a week after you have learned your duties.”
“We are not to sail in her every day!” exclaimed Steve Baxter.
“Certainly not: after you have obtained a few