"Here he is,
an' I reckon there ain't no better sailor in the great Confed'racy. This
yere is Mr. Balker."
"How are ye, Mr. Balker? You are just the man I want more'n I want my
supper. Now tell me something about yourself."
Graines invented a story suited to the occasion. Then the conversation
was about wages; and the candidate haggled for form's sake, but finally
accepted the lay the captain offered.
"By the way, Captain Sullendine, do you happen to have a second mate?"
asked the engineer when the terms were arranged.
"I had one; but he run away with Bird Riley. He wa'n't good for nothin',
and I'm glad he's gone," replied the skipper.
"The man you talked with is Jerry Sandman, and he was the other mate of
the Rattler. He isn't a showy fellow, but he was a first-class second
mate," continued Graines.
"Then I ship him as second mate;" and they arranged the wages without
much difficulty.
The six seamen were promptly shipped. The whole party then embarked in
the two boats, Captain Sullendine dividing them into two parties for the
purpose. The fog had settled down very densely upon the shore; but the
West Wind was easily found, and they went on board, where one boat was
hoisted up to the stern davits, and the other on the port quarter.
"Here you be, Mr. Balker," said Captain Sullendine when the party
reached the quarter-deck; and he was so lively in his movements, and
so glib in his speech, as to provoke the suspicion that he had imbibed
again at the conclusion of his oration on shore.
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