and I'm going to report you to Captain Marshall. I'm
not going to work with a greenhorn, who don't know enough to check up
a simple list. I'll report you, that's what I'll do, and we'll see
how long you'll have a berth on this ship!"

Angrily muttering to himself, the mate started for the captain's
cabin, while poor Nat, much distressed over the trouble into which he
had gotten, stood dejectedly in the purser's office.

CHAPTER VI

AN UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY

"Don't let him worry you," said Mr. Dunn consolingly. "He's a surly
fellow, and he's always interfering in my department."

"But the captain may discharge me," replied Nat. "Still, I am sure
those boxes came aboard. I counted them carefully and I don't believe
I would be ten out of the way."

"Of course not. Probably the mate stowed them in some other place and
he's forgotten all about it. They'll turn up."

"I hope so, for I would not like to make a mistake the first day out."

At that moment a deckhand came up to where Nat stood talking to the
purser.

"Captain wants to see you," he said to the boy.

"Don't get excited now," advised Mr. Dunn. "Here, take our checking
list with you and tell the captain exactly how it happened. If you are
sure the boxes came aboard say so--and stick to it."

"I will," answered Nat, and, with rather an uneasy feeling, he went
aft to where the captain's cabin was located.

He found the mate there, looking quite excited, while Captain Marshall
was far from calm. Evidently there had been high words between the
men.

"What is this, Nat?" asked the captain. "The mate says he is short ten
boxes. You have them on your list as coming aboard, but they are not
to be found. You know that will make trouble, to have anything wrong
with the cargo."

"I'm sure nothing is wrong," replied Nat. "I went over my list
carefully, and I am positive the boxes are on board."

"And I say they're not," insisted the mate. "I guess I've been in this
business long enough to know more than a green lad who has only been
here a day."

"You want to be careful, Nat," went on Captain Marshall. "I have
always depended on Mr. Bumstead in regard to matters connected with
the stowing of the cargo."

"I am sure those boxes are aboard, sir," went on Nat firmly. "If you
will allow me to take a look I think I can find them."

"What! Go through all the cargo after it's stowed away!" exclaimed the
angry mate. "I guess not much! I'll not allow it!"