"Jack, Mr. Stevens says you're a handy lad, and I'm going to promote you. You are relieved from duty in your watch, and will be cabin-boy the rest of the voyage."
I did not feel like thanking him at all, for I preferred to be forward, as I had been; but I was obliged to say something, and so I replied, "Thank you, sir."
"All right," said the captain, "come into the cabin, and I'll tell you what you're to do."
I followed him in to the cabin,—they call it a saloon on grand ships,—where Captain Graham and his family were seated. I presume he'd given them warning, as they were grouped around the table like members of a royal court when the king is expected to walk in.
"This is Jack Crane," said Captain Dawson; "and he's going to be cabin-boy the rest of the voyage. I don't believe he knows much about waiting on gentlemen and ladies, but he's a handy boy around the ship, and it won't take him long to learn."
Again I didn't know exactly what to say, and I think my embarrassment must have shown on my face. Captain Graham helped me out by saying,—
"He's a fine-looking youth; and I'm sure that anybody who sails with Captain Dawson can do anything that is wanted. That's what we say in England of all you people on the other side of the Atlantic," he continued, looking at me all the while; "and I think this lad will give a good account of himself."
"I'll try, sir," said I. "I don't know what is expected of me, and if I make any blunders I want to be told of 'em at once."
"Spoken like a man," said Captain Graham; "I'm sure we'll get along well together."