“Just exactly what I says, sir,” was the reply. “The fact is, there’s something brewin’ in the fo’c’s’le, and I want to get to the bottom of it. But I can’t, because the men have got the notion into their heads that I’m a bit of a favourite of yours, and they won’t trust me. So I want you to pitch into me, hot and heavy, before all hands, to-morrow; and then I’ll turn sulky, and start a good growl, and perhaps then they’ll say something to me.”
“But I don’t understand you, Joe,” I protested. “The men are the most quiet, willing, contented, well-behaved set of fellows it has ever been my pleasure to sail with; and do you mean to tell me that they are plotting mischief among themselves?”
“Well, sir, they’re plottin’ something, that’s certain; and if it ain’t mischief, why do they keep me out of it?” argued Joe.
“How do you know—or rather, what makes you suppose they are plotting?” I asked.
“Why, they’re everlastin’ly whispering together,” was the reply. “If you’ll only take notice, sir, you’ll see that there’s never a minute, day nor night, but what two or three of ’em has got their heads together, palaverin’. And if ever I goes near and makes a show of chimin’ in, the talk’s stopped at once and changed to something else. And away along in the first dog-watch, for an hour or so, the steward ’ll come for’ard, and then they’ll all be as thick as thieves together, instead of turnin’ in and gettin’ their sleep, as honest men should. If it’s our eight hours out, our chaps slinks off down into the fo’c’s’le out o’ my way; and if it’s our eight hours in, the whole watch except me ’ll be on deck until pretty nigh on to four bells. Pretends, they do, that the fo’c’s’le’s so hot they can’t sleep. I don’t find it too hot to sleep.”
“And how do they behave to you?” I asked.
“Oh, as to that,” conceded Joe, “I haven’t got no fault to find. They’re all civil and friendly enough, exceptin’ cookie; he won’t have a word to say to me, or come anigh me if he can help it; and, whatever it is, it’s my belief that he’s at the bottom of it. But the rest of ’em are all right, only they won’t have me in with ’em durin’ their confabs.”
“Pshaw! my good fellow,” I exclaimed, “you have found a mare’s nest. Their ‘confabs,’ as you call them, relate to nothing worse than their past experiences at the mines, I’ll be bound. And the reason why they will not speak about them to you is, most probably, because they think you would not be interested in them.”
“Well, sir, maybe you’re right,” remarked Joe, “but I don’t believe you are, all the same, if you’ll excuse my sayin’ so. There’s too much secrecy for everything to be quite right. And, if you don’t mind, I should like to try that little experiment I spoke about just now; if there’s nothing wrong it won’t matter, and if there is, perhaps they’ll be inclined to have me in with ’em, if they think I’ve fallen out of your favour.”
“Very well, Joe,” said I; “have your own way, if you like. I’ll not spare you if you do anything to vex me; only remember, my good fellow, that whatever I may say will only be said to humour you.”