“Take, for instance, the case of the Silver Swan. I’ll make you a proposition, Brandon, and you see if it isn’t a fair one. Caleb shall judge himself. I’ll send the whaleback out after the brig at my own expense. If we are successful and find the derelict and tow her to port, I will take the cargo (I know it to be a valuable one) for my pains—of course, not including the diamonds, which are your own personal property, my boy. The brig herself is Caleb’s, any way, according to the terms of your father’s will. Now what do you say?”
“I say it’s a good offer!” exclaimed Caleb, slapping his thigh heartily. “You’re a man and a gentleman, Adoniram. And far from thinking this scheme of yours crazy, I think well of it—mighty well.”
“That’s because it ‘hits you where you live,’ as the saying is,” returned Mr. Pepper, smiling slily.
“Oh, I don’t know anything about whalebacks,” began Caleb.
“But you will,” the merchant declared, interrupting him. “I haven’t got through with my proposition yet.”
“Fire ahead, old man,” said Caleb puffing steadily on his pipe.
“Well, then, first I want you for the captain of the steamer, Caleb.”
“Yes, so I supposed,” remarked the mate of the Silver Swan imperturbably. “What else?”
“I want Brandon for second mate.”
“Me?” exclaimed Don. “Why, I never was aboard a steamship in my life.”