The forward cabin was arranged as on all American ships of large tonnage,—­that is, with the house built upon the main deck, the forward end of which was a passage athwartships to enable one to get out from either side when the vessel was heeled over at a sharp angle.  Next came the mates’ rooms on either side of two alleyways leading into the forward saloon, and between the alleyways were closets and lockers.  The saloon was quite large and had a table fastened to the floor in the centre, where we now sat and awaited the appearance of the agents.  Aft of this saloon, and separated from it by a bulkhead, was the captain’s cabin and the staterooms for whatever passengers the ship might carry.

While we were talking I heard a hail.  Mr. Trunnell, the mate, instantly jumped to his feet and sprang up the companionway aft, his short, stout legs curving well outward, and giving him the rolling motion often noticed in short sailors.  In a moment there were sounds of footsteps on deck, and several men started down the companionway.

The first that reached the cabin deck was a large man with a flowing beard and sharp eyes which took in every object in the cabin at a glance.  He came into the forward saloon, and the “doctor” stood up to receive him.  He took no notice of the cook, however, but looked sharply at me.  Then the mate came in with two other men who showed in a hundred ways that they were captains of sailing ships.  The large man addressed one of these.  He was a short, stout man with sandy hair; he wore thin gold earrings, and his sun-bronzed face showed that he had but recently come ashore.

“If you don’t want to take her out, Cole,” said the large man, roughly, “say so and be done with it.  I can get Thompson.”

“There’s nothing in it without the freight money.  Halve it and it’s a go.”

“Andrews has the whole of it according to contract.”

“But he’s jugged.”

“He’ll need it all the more,” put in the other captain, who was one of the agents.  “Colonel Fermoy has put the rate as high as he can.”

“I’m sorry, colonel,” said the stout skipper, turning to the large man.  “Halve or nothing.”

“All right, then, nothing.  Mr. Trunnell,” he continued, turning to the mate, “Captain Cole will not take you out in the morning as he promised.  I’ll send Captain Thompson along this evening, or the first thing in the morning.  I suppose you know him, so it won’t be necessary for me to come down again.  Is this your mate?” And he looked at me.

“Yessir, that’s him,” said Mr. Trunnell.

“Got your papers with you?” asked the colonel.

I pulled them out of my pocket and laid them upon the table.  He glanced at them a moment and then returned them.

“All right; get your dunnage aboard this evening and report at the office at nine o’clock to-night.  Eight pounds, hey?”

I almost gasped.  Eight pounds for second mate!  Five was the rule.