But three days, four days, passed, and he was still acting as steward; and he could not ask for leave of absence while he had that work to do. And whether he ought to ask for the place permanently or not, he could hardly make up his mind. He felt the need, more than ever before, of some one to go to for advice and counsel. Tom Haines was a good friend, but Tom could hardly advise him in such a matter; and to apply to the Captain was out of the question. So he did not know whether to feel glad or sorry when on the fourth day Captain Griffith brought a stranger into the cabin and introduced him as the new steward.
“You know the lay of the land in the pantry, Christopher,” he said, “so you can show him where things are kept.”
And that was the end of his dream of becoming steward of the North Cape!
“I think I am rather glad than sorry,” he soon said to himself; “but if I had really wanted the place, this would really serve me just right for not making up my mind about it. Chances don’t wait for a fellow if he does not seize them when they offer. So I am still the cabin boy, and will still have a chance to copy the manifests and go ashore to check off cargo. And maybe this will give me a chance for my visit home.”
That evening he walked the deck a little in the cold moonlight, deliberating whether he should ask for a furlough or not; and he had no sooner made up his mind to do it than he started for the Captain’s room, having seen enough of the dangers of delay. But before he reached the head of the companionway the Captain’s bell rang for him.
“Come in and shut the door, Christopher,” Captain Griffith said. “I have something to say to you.” Then when the door was closed, he continued, “How old did you tell me you are?”
“I am past seventeen now, sir,” Kit answered.
“You have done very good work for me, Christopher,” the Captain went on, “but still I am going to take your name off the crew list. I shall have to have a new cabin boy.”
“I hope not, sir!” Kit answered; “I have tried to give you satisfaction.”
“You have done very well, I must admit,” the Captain said; “but you are not exactly fitted to the place. You are too bright for a cabin boy, and there is no better berth in the crew that I can give you.”