"I know how to check a cargo," replied Nat quietly.
"I say you don't! There are ten boxes missing, and you've got to find them, that's all there is about it!"
"Everything down on my list came aboard," insisted Nat.
"Well, those ten boxes didn't, and I know it. You made a mistake, that's what you did, or else you let the boxes fall overboard, and you're afraid to admit it."
"No boxes fell overboard when I was checking up, Mr. Bumstead."
"Well, where are those ten missing ones then?"
"I don't know."
"Of course you don't. And no one else does. You made a mistake, that's all, and it's going to be a bad one. It puts me to a lot of work. I'll have to check over all my lists to make up for your blunder."
"I made no blunder."
"I say you did, and I'm going to report you to Captain Marshall. I'm not going to work with a greenhorn, who don't know enough to check up a simple list. I'll report you, that's what I'll do, and we'll see how long you'll have a berth on this ship!"