"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." "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?"