“Yes, sir, whaleback; a whaleback steamer, you know. Didn’t you ever see one?”
Brandon shook his head.
“Well, you’ll have a chance to,” declared Mr. Pepper. “These whalebacks are something new. Lots o’ folks don’t believe in ’em; but I do. I bought the third one the company ever built, and it lies at one of my wharves now, being fitted up.”
“But where will that go?” Brandon inquired with interest.
Mr. Pepper rubbed his bald pate reflectively.
“Well,” he said, “that I don’t know yet. I haven’t decided. I’ve got a scheme, but whether ’twill work or not, I can’t say. I must find a man to command her first. I don’t suppose you’d feel like doing that, would you?” and the ship owner laughed jollily.
“I’m afraid not; perhaps, though, there’d be some other place on her I could fill with satisfaction to you.”
“Perhaps so. If I put her in the passenger trade, how would you like to be purser—assistant purser, of course, till you learn the duties?”
“I think I should like it,” replied Brandon, with some hesitation, however; “provided, of course, that I could take it at all.”
“Eh? Not take it? Why not?” demanded Mr. Pepper.