"I hope you treat Baxter as he deserves."
"I will try to do right," was Captain Blossom's answer. "But what I
want to know now is, What do you intend to do with that money? It
seems to me I should be paid something for keeping you on board."
"I have a proposition to make, captain. We will give you two hundred
dollars if you will allow us to consider ourselves passengers. And
by 'us' I mean the young ladies as well as ourselves."
"It's not very much."
"If we pay you that amount it will leave us but thirty dollars, hardly
enough with which to cable home for more. Of course, when we get our
money in Australia we will pay you whatever balance is due you,--and
something besides for saving us."
This pleased Captain Blossom and he said he would accept the offer.
The matter was discussed for half an hour, and it was decided that
the boys should have two staterooms, the one occupied by Baxter and
another next to that given over to the girls.
When Dora, Nellie, and Grace heard of the new arrangement that had
been made they were highly pleased.
"I didn't want to see you do the work of a common sailor," said Dora
to Dick.
"Oh, it wouldn't kill me," he returned lightly. "Even as it is, I'll
give a hand if it is necessary."
"It's a wonder Captain Blossom took to your offer so quickly."
"He loves money, that's why, Dora. He would rather have that two
hundred dollars than our services," and with this remark Dick hit
the nail squarely on the head.
Pages:
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70