‘I reckoned as much,’ said he, with a laugh. ‘’Taint every purser’s name as fits like old boots. Step this way.’
I entered. Just then the doctor came down the companion-steps at the end of the cuddy and entered an after-cabin on the port side. He paused a moment, as though to observe me, but did not speak. A young man, whom I supposed to be an under-steward, was lighting the cabin lamps, but there still lived a wild flush of western light, and you saw plainly by it.
The steward began by informing me that I had no business in the ship; that by stowing myself away on board a convict ship I risked the chance of being made a felon of, of receiving six dozens at the gangway, of being hanged at the yard-arm. In thus reassuring me he gave himself the airs of the captain of the ship. He then added: ‘However, I like your looks, as I told you before, and I’ve put in a good word for you with Captain Sutherland, who, I may tell you, don’t think any the worse of a youngster like you for squaring up, as he’s heard you’ve done, to the doctor. The doctor himself owned to the captain,’ said he, lowering his voice and looking aft toward the surgeon’s cabin, ‘that he got rather more from you than he knew what to do with.’ He then abruptly inquired if I possessed any clothes besides those I wore. I answered I had not.
‘All I shall need on my arrival,’ said I.
He looked puzzled, eyed me all over, then approaching me by a step he exclaimed with an earnest, confidential face: ‘Jokin’ apart, young man, who are you and what’s your object in cutting this here caper?’ Finding I did not reply, he continued: ‘You’re to have all the money you want when you arrive? And you haven’t money enough to pay your passage to get what’s awaiting for you?’ He paused. ‘Well, now, see here. You’ve got no business aboard, and you stood to be whipped, and you stood to be hanged for hiding in a Government transport. You’ve got to be fed, and gent or no gent, you must work.’
‘The captain’s handed you over to me. There’s plenty of hands for’ard, most of them about as sarviceable at a pinch as you’d be likely to prove. We’re short of a man aft, and you’ll do for the post. Can you wait at table?’
‘Well, you may rise to it. We’ll see. You’ll be wanted to carry the dirty dishes for’ard for the cook’s mate to wash, to help bring the dishes along from the galley, and to hang about here whilst the officers are eating, ready to run to the galley on arrands.’