“Aye, aye, sir! A sailor’s life for me!”
Twenty minutes later they were seated around the table on which steamed a dish of corned-beef hash, nicely browned about the edges, a dish of hashed brown potatoes, and three cups of very strong tea. There was bread, too, and cheese in a little crockery jar, and jam and crackers. Dan uttered a sigh of content as he piled his plate.
“Tommy doesn’t know what he’s missing,” he said.
“I wish to goodness he’d show up,” said Bob. “Is it clearing up any, Dan?”
“Not so you’d notice it,” replied that youth who had been up on deck a moment before. “It’s as thick as ever and maybe thicker.”
“Well, Tommy’ll turn up all right, I guess,” said Nelson.
“When he does I’ll bet he will be hungry enough to eat raw dog,” said Dan. “Gee, but this hash is swell! Who’s got the bread?”
“Have some butter, won’t you, Dan?” begged Nelson.
“Well, I should say not! With my complexion? What are you thinking about? Say, how would a little lard taste on the bread, fellows?”
“You might try it,” answered Bob. “I dare say it wouldn’t be any worse than some butter I’ve met.”