"I will," answered Nat, and, with rather an uneasy feeling, he went aft to where the captain's cabin was located.
He found the mate there, looking quite excited, while Captain Marshall was far from calm. Evidently there had been high words between the men.
"What is this, Nat?" asked the captain. "The mate says he is short ten boxes. You have them on your list as coming aboard, but they are not to be found. You know that will make trouble, to have anything wrong with the cargo."
"I'm sure nothing is wrong," replied Nat. "I went over my list carefully, and I am positive the boxes are on board."
"And I say they're not," insisted the mate. "I guess I've been in this business long enough to know more than a green lad who has only been here a day."
"You want to be careful, Nat," went on Captain Marshall. "I have always depended on Mr. Bumstead in regard to matters connected with the stowing of the cargo."
"I am sure those boxes are aboard, sir," went on Nat firmly. "If you will allow me to take a look I think I can find them."
"What! Go through all the cargo after it's stowed away!" exclaimed the angry mate. "I guess not much! I'll not allow it!"
The door of the cabin opened and there entered the pilot, Mr. Weatherby. He started back on seeing the mate and Nat.
"Oh, excuse me," he said. "I didn't know you had any one in here, Captain Marshall."