“Seems to be,” said the American. “Fine lot o’ gun tackle, ammunition, and suchlike. Wish I’d been going too.”
“Wish you had, sir,” said the mate, fingering the presentation cigars, and then to himself: “What a whopping fib! I wouldn’t sail in the same craft with such a nuisance.”
“I’d tell my men not to let that case of cartridges down if I was you, lufftenant,” said the American, as the men raised a heavy chest.
“What case of cartridges?” said the mate, turning sharply. “Humph I didn’t know that was ammunition.”
“Looks like it,” said the would-be passenger drily.
“’Tarn’t branded,” said the mate. “Oh, yes, it is. But what fool marked it there at the bottom instead of the top?”
“I reckon that is the top,” said the American, taking his cigar from his lips to send forth a great puff of smoke.
The loading and unloading went on, the heavy packages being swung on board by means of a crane, the lighter being carried over a gangway on the sailors’ backs; and as fast as they reached the brig’s decks they were lowered through an open hatch.
As the packages were taken off the truck, the American’s eyes twinkled, and he had something to say about each.
“Strange deal of baggage,” he said, when nearly all was on board. “Must say it’s a big lot for two passengers.”