Page:The Amateur Emigrant-The Silverado Squatters.djvu/97

Rh steerage began to fill with legitimate passengers, and the worst of Alick's troubles was at an end. He was soon making himself popular, smoking other people's tobacco, and politely sharing their private stock of delicacies, and when night came he retired to his bunk beside the others with composure. Next day by afternoon, Lough Foyle being already far behind, and only the rough north-western hills of Ireland within view, Alick appeared on deck to court inquiry and decide his fate. As a matter of fact, he was known to several on board, and even intimate with one of the engineers; but it was plainly not the etiquette of such occasions for the authorities to avow their information. Every one professed surprise and anger on his appearance, and he was led prisoner before the captain.

"What have you got to say for yourself?" inquired the captain. "Not much," said Alick; "but when a man has been a long time out of a job, he will do things he would not under other circumstances." "Are you willing to work?"

Alick swore he was burning to be useful. "And what can you do?" asked the captain. He replied composedly that he was a brass-fitter by trade.