The long ride after my forced quietness at home, and the sea air, combined with my novel surroundings--I was so overjoyed at being on board a ship, and having a meal in a real cabin, the very height of my ambition and what I had often longed for--gave me a tremendous appetite.

It was the first really hearty meal I had eaten since my illness.
"Well, Eastman," said Captain Miles presently to dad, "I suppose you've come about the youngster.

Do you want me to take him home with me this voyage, eh ?" Of course I pricked up my ears on hearing this question; but dad did not satisfy my curiosity, although he noticed that I almost jumped up in my seat and was all attention.
"No," replied he, evading the subject, "I wanted to see you about shipping some cocoa.

I've got a good lot ready, and you may as well take it as anybody else." "Oh, I see," rejoined the captain, winking in a confidential way at dad, as if they had some secret between them.

"We can talk over the bills of lading and so on, while the youngster has a run round to see what a ship is like, eh ?" "Yes," said dad; and turning to me he added, "You would like to go over the _Josephine_, would you not, Tom, now you are on board her ?" "Rather!" I replied, delighted at the idea, but still wondering what the captain had meant about "taking me home." There was evidently something on the tapis.
"All right, my hearty, so you shall," said Captain Miles.