"Down to the ship. We call it going aboard, you see," and once more
Captain Gary smiled with almost infantile amiability. "Been to
breakfast? Yes? Well, then, suppose you take a stroll about and see
the town. Don't get lost, and be sure and be back by eleven. My room
is forty nine; can you recollect that?"

Ralph thought he could, and was about to withdraw when the captain
pulled out a silver dollar.

"You may need a little spending money," said he. "Only I hope you
won't buy tobacco. Lads of your age, you know, are best without it,
and as for cards----"

Ralph hastened to assure him that he not only did not smoke or gamble,
but that he had some money of his own.

"Take this, however. We will call it a slight advance on your wages."

The captain insisted so genially that Ralph could not refuse.

"Looks like I've dropped into a soft snap at last," thought he, as he
found his way to the street. "I wonder if many ship captains are like
him? Them as I have read of were mostly great, big, strapping,
swearing sort of fellows, ready to knock a body down when things don't
go to suit 'em. Well, I'm glad I've got such an easy going boss to
learn a sailor's trade under. I wonder where we will sail to first? I
hope it will be a good long voyage where I can see and learn a heap."

After Ralph's departure Captain Gary sank back into his chair and
smoked his cigarette out. Then he produced another letter, addressed