A few days later at sea, Captain Graham sent for Chris to put the finishing touches to managing the welfare of the officers and crew.
“There"s not much in the way of a slop chest aboard, Chris,” the captain said. “How"d you like to manage it for me?”
“Sure thing, sir. I can do that.”
Chris had noted the paucity of the Peliopadus"s slop chest. Some toiletries, and little else. The ship was bound for Rotterdam—a good port in which to replenish the chest.
“I"ll get the agent to run you up to Botlek. You can negotiate a good price. You decide. I"ll come with you, if you like.”
“Thanks, sir, but no need. Ah can handle it.”
Chris asked about supplies for the crew.
“They can buy from the slop chest,” the captain said. “But they prefer to bargain with local merchants. There might be the odd
