about each.

"Strange deal of baggage," he said, when nearly all was on board. "Must
say it's a big lot for two passengers."

"More than you've got, sir?" said the mate.

"Twice as much, lufftenant. But hullo, what have you got there--barrel
o' brandy?"

"No," said the mate roughly; "it isn't juicy: it's dry."

"That's queer, lufftenant, but so it is: there's holes in the top. What
do they mean?"

"I haven't been inside, sir," said the mate roughly.

"Ain't you though? Well, I s'pose not. Ain't anything alive, though,
is it?"

"Alive? Pooh! Ventilation holes to keep the things from fermenting. I
dessay it's something in the eating line."

"Be nice too, I dessay," said the American. "Wish I was going. I
should like to have had some of that. Anyhow, mister, I think I'd be
careful with that hogshead in case your men might let it go down. It'd
be a pity to spoil it by letting it slip 'twixt the wharf and the ship."

"We'll take care of that, sir," said the mate, as the chains were
hitched to the barrel and it rose slowly from the stones of the wharf,
swinging slowly in a half-circle, and was lowered through the deck of
the brig.

"There we are," said the mate, with a laugh, as he turned to the
American.

"Yes, there you are, lufftenant. Bit heavy, wasn't it?"

"Oh, no, nothing much.--Now, my lads, look alive!"

There was a chorus of: "Ay, ay, sir!" and a few minutes later the
contents of the last truck were reposing in the partitioned-off space in
the brig's hold.

Then, and then only, the second mate turned to the American, and, taking
out one of the cigars presented to him, bit off the end.

"Now," he said, "work done, play begins. I'll trouble you for a light."

"A light? Oh, certainly, lufftenant," replied the American, handing his
match-box. "You'll like those cigars. They're good ones."

"I'm sure of that," said the mate.

"Stop ashore, and have a bit of dinner with me up at the hotel."

"You're very good," said the mate; "but I must get back on board.
There's a lot to do. I expect we shall drop down the river to-night."

"Eh? Soon as that?"

"Yes. The skipper is off to sea."

"Oh, but you might find time for that. A man must eat. Ask the boss to
give you leave."

"Humph! I hardly like to ask him, as the time for sailing is so near;
but well, there, I will."

"That's right. Come and dine at the hotel just for a pleasant chat.
Wish I'd been coming with you on you