human
This is your first voyage, my lad, I reckon,
gpt
Yes, Reuben said cheerfully,
human
You could not have chosen a better ship than this 'ere barkee, the sailor said;
gpt
But I thought there was regular food, according to a scale,
human
Ay, there's that, the sailor replied,
gpt
What tonnage is the vessel?
human
How many hands are there, altogether?
gpt
Twenty-five, counting you as one, and not a-counting the two stewards.
human
We are going to take some passengers, I see, Reuben said.
gpt
I have been at work, putting up pegs and shelves for them.
human
Yes, there's eight or ten passengers, I hears, the sailor said.
gpt
Passengers don't mostly like going by convict ships, but then the fares are lower than by other vessels, and that tempts a few. Besides, the Paramatta is known to be a fast ship, and the skipper has a good name; so we shall have a better class of passengers, I expect, than usually voyages with convict ships; and besides the passengers there will be the officer of the convict guard, and a surgeon, so we shall be pretty full aft.
human
And what will my duties be, when we are at sea?
gpt
It just depends on the captain, the sailor said.
human
You will be put in a watch, and work with the others, except that they may not send you aloft. That depends on the terms that you shipped.
gpt
I shipped as carpenter, and to make myself generally useful, and to obey orders. I shall be happy to do anything I can; hard work is better than doing nothing, any day.
human
That's the sort, my lad, the sailor said heartily.
gpt
Now I am sail maker, but, bless your heart! Except putting a patch on a sail, now and then, there's nothing to do that way; and when not so wanted I am one of the ordinary crew. Still, if you works your passage, it ain't to be expected as they will drive you the same as a man as is paid. He's a fair man, is the skipper; and you won't find yourself put upon, on board the Paramatta.
human
Can't I go up aloft now? Reuben asked.
gpt
I would rather accustom myself to it while we are lying steady, than go up when the wind's blowing, and she is heeling over.
human
Go up! To be sure you can, and I will go up with you, and tell you some of the names of the ropes, and put you up to things. There's a pleasure in helping a lad who seems in any way teachable. Some of they boys as comes on board a ship ain't worth their salt, in these days.