"It's a good cask, sir," amazed at the order from so prudent a man as Walter.
"No matter; do as I tell you."
"Obey orders if you break owners," said Dick; and in went the head of the cask.
"Cut the upper hoops off that beef-barrel."
Dick did as he was ordered.
"Take Sewall with you, go ashore, and inquire for a black cooper by the name of Pierre Lallemont, and ask him to come aboard, and put a head in a water-cask, cooper some barrels, and bring the stock to do it with. I want it done aboard."
Walter gave Dick the measure of the head.
"That beats all my going to sea," said Dick, as they pulled ashore—"to stave in the head of a good water-cask, cut the hoops of a new beef-barrel, and then send ashore for a cooper to mend 'em, as high wages as the coopers charge here."
"It's none of our consarn. We don't find the water-casks or pay the cooper."
"I guess Lion Ben would think it was his consarn to let us have the vessel for nothing, and then have water-casks stove up for the fun of the thing. There must be something the matter with his head. I hope the poor lad ain't got a sun-stroke. He was sitting there a long time in the sun, talking with the bumboat-man."