Part 8 (1/2)

”Really I cannot say, Mr. Brindle; of course, I am awfully lucky! The twenty pounds, with what I had before, will enable me to live while I am looking for a job.”

”And have you any decided preference?” asked Mr. Brindle. ”I mean, must the employment be in America? I have a proposal to make, and you must consider it before you decide. I am a Cuban planter. I told you that I had some rough engineering knowledge. It has been acquired amongst the machinery on my plantations. I want an engineer, one who can act as master in my absence. Will you accept the post? The pay shall be good.

You shall have a percentage on the profits, and where your department is concerned I will give you a free hand. But in addition to the engines, I shall want you to help me with the management of the plantation.”

He sat on the rail of the s.h.i.+p, and looked curiously at Hal; for he had taken a fancy to our hero, and was impressed by his behavior on the s.h.i.+p.

”It is very good of you, Mr. Brindle,” Hal exclaimed. ”I never expected to be offered such an important post, and I accept with pleasure. Tell me when I am to sail, and where I am to go to.”

”I am glad you fall in with the plan,” Mr. Brindle answered. ”To tell you the truth, I have been itching to get hold of you ever since you set us to work at that tr.i.m.m.i.n.g. You showed a fine example. You see, appearance and manner is everything when dealing with blacks; and the natives of Cuba, who are anything from genuine negro to almost pure Spanish, recognize and look up to a European who knows how to treat them, and can show them what to do. Now, as to marching orders, I have business which will keep me in New York for a few days; after that we'll go to Florida, where I have another plantation. From there we will sail to Havana, and three days later we shall reach the hacienda, which goes by the name of 'Eldorado,' and is one of the most beautiful spots I have ever seen. But when can you leave the s.h.i.+p? I should be glad to take you with me this evening.”

”I can get away whenever I wish,” Hal answered, overwhelmed by the prospect before him. ”But where do you stay? I am sorry to say that my clothes are rough, and scarcely fitted for polite society.”

”That is a matter that is easily arranged, my lad. Now, pack your traps, and come along. Leave the clothes to me, for as my engineer you are given a free kit, just as they say to the soldier.”

Mr. Brindle smiled pleasantly, and, turning away, hurried to his cabin to collect his baggage.

Left to himself, Hal went below, and soon had his few belongings packed in a bag. Then he went the round of his friends, and took farewell of them.

”Lucky beggar!” exclaimed Masters, whom Hal found propped up in his bunk, with his head enveloped in bandages. ”You are a fortunate fellow, Marchant! But you deserve it all. I wish you were staying, for, after what has pa.s.sed, I am sure we should have been capital friends, and had some splendid trips together. And now you say you are off to Cuba, and I suppose in a few weeks' time you will be lording it over hundreds of n.i.g.g.e.rs. Well, old man, must you go? Good-by, and the best of luck.”

”Thank you,” Hal answered, with a laugh. ”A rapid recovery to you. As to my looking a swell and doing the grand, why, that's all humbug. Ta, ta; and if ever you come to Cuba, look me up.”

Whatever idea Hal may have had of his appearance in the future, the matter was soon settled when he and Mr. Brindle had left the s.h.i.+p.

”There, in you hop,” said the latter, motioning him to enter the cab which had pulled up beside the wharf.

Then he mentioned the name of a fas.h.i.+onable hotel, to which they were driven. They obtained rooms, then emerged from the enormous building, which rose for many stories into the air, and entered one of the numerous electric cars that run through the streets of New York, and within ten minutes they were entering the doors of a big tailoring establishment known as Riarty's Store.

”I always get my clothes here,” said Mr. Brindle. ”It is not more expensive than obtaining them locally in Cuba, and as they have my measure for suits, boots, and hats, I can get anything by writing. Ah, good-day, Mr. Riarty.”

He suddenly stepped towards a florid man, whose enormous proportions almost dwarfed his own.

”This young gentleman is my overseer, and requires suitable clothes for plantation life,” he said. ”You can take his measure, and I should like the things in four days. But he wants a ready-made suit for wearing in town, and an evening one as well. Can you do it?”

”To be sure I can,” was the ready answer. ”Step this way. One of the a.s.sistants shall attend to you.”

Hal was astonished at the extent of the order. In the old days--which already seemed so very long ago, though only a few weeks had actually elapsed--he would have thought nothing of it. Then he was the son of a wealthy man, and had no need to stint himself; now it was totally different, and a gentleman, who was not much more than a stranger, though one with a kind heart, would pay whatever was called for.

”But you are ordering too much,” expostulated Hal. ”I shall never need all these clothes. Besides, think of the cost!”

”The cost, my dear young sir; that is my affair,” Mr. Brindle laughed pleasantly. ”I can a.s.sure you that if you only do your duty by me you will rapidly repay the outlay. As to there being too many things, you will want every suit I have ordered. I am an old hand, and know now exactly what will be useful.”

Hal was silenced, but determined to do his utmost to repay the kindness of his benefactor. Fortunately, Mr. Riarty had a smartly cut plain suit which fitted his youthful customer, and another of evening clothes which required but slight alteration.

”We'll take the first with us,” said Mr. Brindle, ”and Mr. Riarty can send the other to the hotel in time for dinner. Good-day, sir, and please do not disappoint me. Remember, in four days' time we require the bulk of the order. Come along now, my friend. By the way, I must have some shorter name for you. Marchant is far too long. How are you usually called? Hal? Ah, that is short, and sounds well. It fits your character, and is a good one.”

Five days later they boarded the railway cars running south, and Hal had his eyes opened as to the possibilities of traveling in comfort. The saloons and dining-cars were decorated in sumptuous fas.h.i.+on; and when night came, the accommodation had nothing of the make-s.h.i.+ft about it.

Americans, he discovered, did not consider that discomfort went hand-in-hand with travel. Their railways were designed for speed, safety, and easy running, and their cars for rest and freedom from vibration. Mr. Brindle led the way into the smoking-room at the end of the cars, and pressed the b.u.t.ton for the porter.

”We shall want two compartments through to Florida,” he said. ”See that it is a good one, and take our small traps there.”