I should be glad to," cried Mark.
"Come, that's better.

Take that piece of chalk, and tally." "I--I don't know how." "Bah! what do they teach boys at schools nowadays?
Do you mean to tell me you can't make a mark and keep count of those barrels of beer they're going to bring on board ?" "Why, of course I can, sir." "Then why did you say you couldn't ?" "You told me to tallow something, sir." "I didn't! Here, catch hold of the chalk and make a mark there against every one that's rolled on board.

Hallo, ugly! you're there then!" continued the mate, suppressing a smile and addressing Bruff, who gave him a sour look and went behind his master.
Mark took the chalk, and for the next half-hour he was busy checking the barrels.

This done there was a succession of boxes to be accounted for in the same way, and after them a hundred sacks, the arrival of the latter putting the mate in a furious passion.
"For two straws I wouldn't have them aboard," he roared.

"They were to have been delivered a week ago, and here are we kept waiting like this." And still the vessel kept on swallowing up cargo, the riggers gave the finishing touches to the vessel's ropes and sails, and the confusion appeared to grow worse instead of better; but in spite of a low-spirited sensation, Mark was fain to confess to himself that he had been interested if not amused, when the least sailor-like man he had seen on board came from the cabin-door and spoke to the mate, who gave a slight nod, and the man went back.
The former individual then went to the big opening in the deck: "Below! Morgan!" he shouted.
"Ahoy!" came from somewhere in the interior of the great vessel, and directly after a pleasant, manly, brown face appeared above the steps.
"Take charge; I'm going to have some tea." "All right! Who's this ?" "Skipper's cub," said the first-mate shortly.