Are you willing to do duty on board of her in any capacity in which I may place you in the engineer department, provided you receive the same wages as before ?" "I am, sir; and I was paid a month in advance, so that I shall not lose anything," chuckled the careful Scotchman.
"If you are regularly appointed, though I can only give you a temporary position, in addition to your wages, you will be entitled to your share in any prize we may hereafter capture." "Then I will take any position you will please to give me," answered the engineer, apparently delighted with the prospect thus held out to him.
"I shall appoint you first assistant engineer of the Bronx," continued the captain, not a little to the astonishment of Flint, who wondered that he was not assigned to the Ocklockonee.
"I am quite satisfied, captain," replied Bockburn, bowing and smiling, for wages were more than rank to him.

"I will bring up my kit at once, sir.

You see, captain, when a man has a family he--" "Precisely as you say, Mr.Bockburn," interrupted the captain.

"You will report to Mr.Sampson in the engine room of the Bronx for further orders." "Thank you, sir; I supposed I was out of a job from this out, and I was feeling--" "Feel your way to the engine room of the Bronx.

Mr.Gawl," the captain proceeded.
"On duty, sir," replied the first assistant engineer of the Bronx, touching his cap as respectfully as though the commander had been forty years old.
"You are appointed temporarily as chief engineer of the Ocklockonee, and you will take your place in the engine room as soon as possible," said the captain, as brusquely as though favors cost nothing.
Mr.Gawl was taken to the engine room and introduced to the first and second assistants, Rowe and Leeds, and was kindly received by them, for, like their late chief, the question of wages was the only one that affected them.