“Would twenty pound a month do you?” asked the skipper, wistfully.
The fellow did not understand. The amount probably dazed him. Captain Watkins repeated the offer.
“Weel an’ guid! weel an’ guid!” he cried, slapping his stout leg. “Let’s have a squint o’ th’ goold.”
“I shall be glad to hand you a few pounds at once in advance,” said the old skipper. “Please sign this receipt for four pounds,” and so saying, he produced the money.
The fellow put it in his clothes and signed the paper at once.
His companion stepped up. He was a Swede and blond. His blue eyes were bleary with liquor, and the old man looked at him and shook his head sadly.
“No drinkin’ and no swearin’ aboard here, my friend--er--er--”
“Anderson,” said Henry.
“No drinking here, Mr. Anderson. If you’ll accept fifteen pounds a month and three pounds in advance, just scratch off a receipt and we’ll finish up and have dinner.”
This was done and the two men saw Henry over the side, giving him, as I had done, a good tip for his kind interest in getting them such fine berths. Then the big nigger cleared the table and brought in a very substantial[substantial] meal, at which the captain and we mates fell to.