“Humph!” ejaculated the mate gruffly.
“I like him, though,” said the American: “seems to know the ropes.”
“Oh, yes, he knows the ropes,” said the mate. “Easy there with that chest.”
“Easy it is, sir.”
“Now, I wonder what’s in that case,” said the American. “It’s marked with two X’s and a cross and SpG and OG. Now, what would that be, lufftenant?”
“Dunno,” replied the mate. “Rareohs for meddlers, I should say, sir.”
“Should you now?” said the American drily. “I shouldn’t. Yes, I like your skipper, and I should have liked to have a voyage with him.”
“Pity you didn’t, sir,” said the mate.
“Yes, that’s jest how I feel; but I was too late. They’re taking a deal of luggage with ’em, ain’t they?”
“Yes,” said the mate, as the men had the empty truck wheeled out of the way and attacked the next. “A pretty tidy lot, and it’s heavy too.”