"Call the captain, Mr. Mate," said Trego hurriedly, and, with his voice lowered, "Here are my papers—get those boxes off the wagon, eef you please. I am supercargo for the owners. I hold the charter for these sheep. Queeck—on deck with those boxes of the machinery."
"Oh, cap'n!" called Harris, after he had taken a quick glance at the paper which Trego thrust before him, and Captain Riggs came out of the saloon.
"What's up now?" he demanded. "What's this?"
Harris waved his hand toward the paper, and Trego put it before Captain
Riggs.
"Read it," said Trego. "Here are your orders from the company." He leaned against his cane and twirled his moustache, while Captain Riggs adjusted his glasses and scanned the papers.
"Get that stuff aboard, lively," said Captain Riggs to Harris, and the mate gave orders to have the slings thrown outboard.
"Where do they go?" asked Harris.
Captain Riggs looked at Trego inquiringly.
"In the storeroom below—right under the feet of me," said Trego, stamping his foot.
"Cargo in the storeroom," said Captain Riggs in surprise.