"I tink," said he, "I vill marry de one and you vill have de other."
"I don't know about that," retorted James Leigh. "You see I've a girl at home, and somehow I thinks a lot about her. But a bit of money makes a difference; I must think it over."
Quarterdeck etiquette was not observed between the two men. The captain addressed his first officer as Jim, and Jim addressed his captain as "Dutchy." This familiarity was arrived at soon after they came together, owing to a strong difference of opinion on some point of seamanship which had to do with the way a topgallant sail ought to be taken in without running any risk of splitting it. The quarrel was furious. Jim had called his commander "a blithering, fat-headed Dutchman, not fit to have charge of a dung barge, much less a square-rigged ship. Captain Kickem of the _Pacific_ would not have carried you as ballast."
Vandertallen was almost inarticulate. He frothed out--
"Yes, an' you he vould not carry at all; you too much chick. Remember I the captain, and I vill discharge you at first port."
"No, I vill not go to h----. I'll just stay here, and you can go to ----. You jist a boy."
"All right, Dutchy," replied the refractory mate; "you'll want me before I want you."
And this was a correct prediction, as, a few days later, Dutchy lost himself, and was obliged to come to his mate and ask the true position of the vessel.
"I am not captain," said he. "Do it yourself; you are a very clever fellow."
"No, no," said Vandertallen; "you know better dan me. Let us be friends, Jim. I call you Jim; you call me Dutchy, or vat you like."
"All right, then," said James Leigh. "If that is to be the way, I'll tell you where you are, and if you had run in the same direction other four hours you would have been ashore on the Island of Mocha."
"Vair is dat?" said Vandertallen, nervously.
"For Heaven's sake don't ask such silly questions," said the mate. "You are miles out of your reckoning."
"Vell, I'm d----!" said the amazed skipper. "Den you must do de reckonin' now, Jim."
"That's all very well, Dutchy, but if I have to do the navigation I am entitled to share the pay."
"Vary vell," replied his captain, "dat agree."
So henceforth they were co-partners in everything--wages, perquisites, and position; and they never again got out of their reckoning. It was obvious James was first favourite with the crew, and after the first voyage the veteran owner showed his marked approval. Jim was allowed to do just as he pleased. The daughters were charmed with him, and frequently visited the vessel with their father when the officers could not get conveniently to their home. A strong and growing attachment was quite apparent so far as the girls were concerned. There seemed to be a preference with both of them for the first mate, who, in turn, fixed his affections on the youngest. His comrade was not quite satisfied with being so frequently ignored, so remonstrated with Jim to stick to one, and he would stick to the other; but the ladies having to be taken into account, it did not work at all smoothly, as each desired to have Mr. Leigh, and before it was settled the sisters had a violent tiff, which brought about the climax and made it possible for negotiations to be carried on in favour of a settlement. The father selected the elder girl for Vandertallen, and the younger was fixed on Leigh, who threw himself into the vortex of flirtation with youthful ardour. He thought at one time of marrying and settling down in Chili, and undoubtedly the owner and daughter gave encouragement to this idea.