"Perhaps there ain't no more bales," said Cockney.
It might have been the Devil that prompted Scholar at that moment. Perhaps he was feeling a little gay after his bout with the steers; perhaps he thought how funny it would be if Mike led the way ashore for refreshment after having so recently proclaimed that no man would go ashore for that purpose until the bedding-down was over. Perhaps he thought to make some sign to these men that he appreciated the fact that they had not all cold-shouldered him as an outsider, and could think of only one way to do it that would seem expressive to them.
"Well," he said, "let me stand the treat anyhow."
Mike turned upon him.
"Do you mane it?" he asked.
Scholar nodded.
"Come along, boys," cried Mike.
It now appeared that many of them had already vacated the deck. Jack and Jack's partner and several others were gone. The cowboy was nowhere to be seen; the man of the long coat and spectacles was all alone, making some knots more sure upon the ropes, tying fresh ones on those that had been knotted so near the end as to suggest to a watchful eye that a few vigorous pulls of a steer's head would make them give.
"We'll lave him," said Mike, and those few who remained hurried to depart, clustering round Mike and Scholar. A bo'sun at the gangway said: "There's some more cattle coming up, you fellows."
"Let them come," replied Mike. "Everything's ready for them."