human
How are you, Ephraim? he said, as the mate entered.
gpt
I saw your ship had arrived. Had a good voyage?
human
First-class, the mate replied;
gpt
and he took a cigar from an open box on the table and lighted it.
human
I haven't come round for a talk with you now, I have only just come ashore for the first time; but I wanted to speak to you about a young chap as came out with us. He has worked his passage out, and is about the smartest young fellow I ever shipped, and has the makings of a first-class seaman in him, but he doesn't care about stopping at sea. He's of good family in the old country, as one can easily see. I expect he has got into some scrape, and has had to make a bolt of it; however, that's no business of mine. He's as strong as a horse, and as active as a squirrel; he can handle an oar and sail a boat. I didn't like the thought of his landing here and getting into bad hands, so I thought I would come straight to you. He said what he wanted to do was to work on the river, for a few months at any rate, until he got to know the place. Now I know you have a dozen tugs and a score of barges, and I thought you might set him on at once. He would make a good second hand on one of your large boats. If it's but to oblige me, I wish you would put him on board one with a sober, steady chap of a decent kind; as soon as he gets to know the work and the river, I will guarantee that he will be fit to take charge himself.
gpt
That's easy enough done, Ephraim, the trader replied,
human
Yes, he is outside, Ephraim said; and rising, he went to the door and called Frank in.
gpt
This is the hand I was speaking to you about, Mr. Willcox.
human
Well, young man, the trader said,
gpt
I hear you want a berth on board a tug or flat. Which would you rather have?
human
I would prefer to be on a flat,--at any rate for a time, sir, Frank said;
gpt
I am a pretty good hand at sailing or rowing, but I don't know anything about steamboats.
human
There's not much to learn in that, the trader said;
gpt
That will do, sir, very well, Frank said.
human
When shall I come to work?
gpt
If you come here this time to-morrow you can go aboard at once. One of the flats will go up the first thing in the morning.
human
Thank you, sir, I will be here. I am greatly obliged to you, Mr. Alderson, for your kind recommendation of me.
gpt
I am glad to have put you into a berth, the mate said.
human
Now I should recommend you to get on board again soon.