The brothers had always entertained a great respect for Captain Alvarado. They had worked for him a short time and the silence of the three of them had made a little kernel of sense in a world of boasting, self-excuse and rhetoric. So now when the great traveller came into the dark kitchen where Esteban was eating the boy drew his chair farther into the shadow, but at a distance, he was glad. The Captain gave no sign of recognizing or even of seeing him until he had finished his meal. Esteban had finished long before, but not wishing to be spoken to, waited until the Captain should have left the cave. At last the Captain walked over to him and said: "You are Esteban or Manuel. You helped me once with some unloading. I am Captain Alvarado." "Yes," said Esteban. "How are you?" Esteban muttered something. "I am looking for some strong fellows to go on my next trip with me." Pause. "Would you like to come?" Longer pause. "England. And Russia.... Hard work. Good wages.... A long way from Peru.--Well?" Apparently Esteban had not been listening. He sat with his eyes on the table. At last the Captain raised his voice, as to a deaf person: "I said: Do you want to go on my next trip with me...." "Yes, I'll go," answered Esteban suddenly. "Fine. That's fine. I want your brother, too, of course." "No." "What's the matter? Wouldn't he want to come?" Esteban mumbled something, looking away. Then half rising, he said: "I got to go now. I've got to see somebody about something." "Let me see your brother myself. Where is he?" "... 'dead," said Esteban. "Oh, I didn't know. I didn't know. I'm sorry." "Yes," said Esteban. "I got to go." "Hmm.--Which are you? What's your name?" "Esteban." "When did Manuel die?" "Oh, just a ... just a few weeks. He hit his knee against something and ... just a few weeks ago." They both kept their eyes on the floor. "How old are you, Esteban?" "Twenty-two." "Well, that's settled then, you're coming with me?" "Yes." "You may not be used to the cold." "Yes, I'm used to it.--I've got to go now. I got to go in the city and see somebody about something." "Well, Esteban. Come back here for supper and we'll talk about the trip. Come back and have some wine with me, see. Will you?" "Yes, I will." "Go with God." "Go with God." They had supper together and it was arranged that they were to start for Lima the next morning. The Captain got him very drunk. At first they poured and drank and poured and drank in silence. Then the Captain began to talk about ships and their courses. He asked Esteban questions about tackle and about the guide-stars. Then Esteban began to talk about other things, and to talk very loudly: