You can tend a furnace and have worked in mines.' Then I spoke to the captain.
'Here is a fellow who used to be in my employ, Captain Schenk.

It's almighty luck we've struck him.

He's old, and not very strong in the head, but I'll go bail he's a good worker.

He says he'll come with us and I can use him in the engine-room.' 'Stand up,' said the Captain.
Peter stood up, light and slim and wiry as a leopard.

A sailor does not judge men by girth and weight.
'He'll do,' said Schenk, and the next minute he was readjusting his crews and giving the strayed revellers the rough side of his tongue.
As it chanced, I couldn't keep Peter with me, but had to send him to one of the barges, and I had time for no more than five words with him, when I told him to hold his tongue and live up to his reputation as a half-wit.