As soon as a landing was made, Mr. Shalley went on board, taking Randy with him. Captain Hadley was at hand.
"So this is the new deckhand, eh?" said the captain, in bluff tones. "Pretty strong, are you?"
"I think so," answered Randy, respectfully.
"Well, you'll have to be, to stand this work. Know anything about handling trunks and such stuff?"
"Not a great deal, but I think I can learn."
"We are shorthanded, so you can jump right in," went on the captain of the steamboat.
"Pat Malloy. He is the head man of the gang. Here, Malloy," he called out.
"Aye, aye, sur," answered a brawny and jolly-looking Irishman, coming forward and touching his cap.
Pat Malloy looked at Randy in some astonishment. Our hero was neatly dressed and did not look as if he was used to hard labor.
"Sure an' it's only a boy," murmured the head deckhand.
"He says he can work. Give him a chance," put in Andrew Shalley.
There was plenty to do, and Randy threw off his coat, took off his collar and tie, and pitched in. The labor was by no means easy, and he had not the trick of throwing up a trunk to the best advantage, yet he did very well, and Pat Malloy nodded approvingly.
"Sure, an' ye do better nor some o' thim foreigners already," he declared. "Kape it up an' we'll git along foine together."
Captain Hadley and Andrew Shalley watched the work for several minutes, and then walked to the cabin of the steamboat. Here the owner of the boat told something about Randy.
"I want you to give him a chance even if he is a bit green," said he. "I want the lad to get along."
"He shall have all the chance possible," answered Captain Hadley. "I am glad to get a hand who is intelligent."
Then the two conversed upon private matters until the boat was ready to leave Nyack.
"Good-by, my boy!" cried Mr. Shalley, on leaving. "Take good care of yourself, and let me know how you get along."
"It may be hard work at first, but you'll get used to it."
"The captain will give you a uniform in a few days."
The gangplanks were hauled in, the lines cast off, and with a hoarse whistle the _Helen Shalley_ continued on her course down the Hudson. There was a small Italian band on board, consisting of two violins, a harp and a clarionet, and they struck up a popular air.