Part 9 (1/2)

”Ain't you though? Well, I s'pose not. Ain't anything alive, though, is it?”

”Alive? Pooh! Ventilation holes to keep the things from fermenting. I dessay it's something in the eating line.”

”Be nice too, I dessay,” said the American. ”Wish I was going. I should like to have had some of that. Anyhow, mister, I think I'd be careful with that hogshead in case your men might let it go down. It'd be a pity to spoil it by letting it slip 'twixt the wharf and the s.h.i.+p.”

”We'll take care of that, sir,” said the mate, as the chains were hitched to the barrel and it rose slowly from the stones of the wharf, swinging slowly in a half-circle, and was lowered through the deck of the brig.

”There we are,” said the mate, with a laugh, as he turned to the American.

”Yes, there you are, lufftenant. Bit heavy, wasn't it?”

”Oh, no, nothing much.--Now, my lads, look alive!”

There was a chorus of: ”Ay, ay, sir!” and a few minutes later the contents of the last truck were reposing in the part.i.tioned-off s.p.a.ce in the brig's hold.

Then, and then only, the second mate turned to the American, and, taking out one of the cigars presented to him, bit off the end.

”Now,” he said, ”work done, play begins. I'll trouble you for a light.”

”A light? Oh, certainly, lufftenant,” replied the American, handing his match-box. ”You'll like those cigars. They're good ones.”

”I'm sure of that,” said the mate.

”Stop ash.o.r.e, and have a bit of dinner with me up at the hotel.”

”You're very good,” said the mate; ”but I must get back on board.

There's a lot to do. I expect we shall drop down the river to-night.”

”Eh? Soon as that?”

”Yes. The skipper is off to sea.”

”Oh, but you might find time for that. A man must eat. Ask the boss to give you leave.”

”Humph! I hardly like to ask him, as the time for sailing is so near; but well, there, I will.”

”That's right. Come and dine at the hotel just for a pleasant chat.

Wish I'd been coming with you on your voyage.”

”I begin to wish you were,” said the mate, smiling. ”You'd have found me handy when you wanted to ask questions.”

The American looked at the speaker keenly, and then smiled.

”I understand,” he said. ”So you think I ask a lot?”

”Well, yes,” said the mate, laughing. ”You are pretty good at it.”

”I suppose so. Way I've got. Pick up knowledge that how. Seems to me the way to learn. Hullo! What are they doing with your s.h.i.+p?”