"More," declared the other. "These Greeks are getting rich off sponging. It is not anything unusual for a schooner's crew to clear up three or four thousand dollars from a single trip. It takes quite a bit of money to make a start, though."
"We have got a little change in our clothes," said the Captain, modestly. "Do you reckon a person could get started good on a Thousand dollars?"
"That would do nicely," declared Captain Roberts, "and I can tell you just how to lay it out to the best advantage, but let's order dinner first. We can talk while we are eating."
He beckoned to a dark-skinned, ill-favored waiter and gave an order in low-pitched fluent Greek.
The waiter was back almost instantly with a tray-load of steaming dishes which he placed upon the table. The boys could not determine the exact nature of the strange viands, but they were too hungry to be critical, and attacked the food with hearty appetites.
"This mutton stew is delicious," Charley declared as he took another helping. "I don't know as I ever tasted anything better."
Captain Roberts grinned. "You don't want to make any guesses about Greek food," he declared. "That isn't mutton, but just tough old Billy-goat, fattened on a diet of tin cans. These fellows have the knack of fixing up such things so they can't recognize them themselves. Just wait till the coffee is served. You'll say you never drank any better. But let's get back to that sponging business now, Captain."
He and Captain Westfield were soon plunged in a tangled maze of talk about schooners, diving boats, sponges, and divers.
The boys gave but little heed to the discussion for their attention was partly diverted by the unusual scene around them.