Thought it was grass.

Cows have no brains.
Hallo! What is it, Billy ?" "Mr Morgan wants you, sir." "What is it ?" "One on 'em, sir, right below." "Bah!" ejaculated the mate.

"Coming directly.

Let him wait till I've finished my tea." The sailor gave Mark a knowing look, and made a sign which the lad did not comprehend, as he disappeared through the door.
Mark would have given something to ask who "one on 'em" was, for the news seemed to have ruffled the mate terribly.

A few minutes before he had been growing quite friendly; now he was as gruff as ever, finishing his steak viciously, and drinking his tea far hotter than was good for him.
"I'd like to trice them all up and give them the cat," he exclaimed suddenly, and with so much emphasis that at the last magic word Bruff suddenly sprang into action, cocked his ears and tail, uttered a fierce growling bark, and then looked excitedly from one to the other, his eyes plainly enough asking the question "Where ?" "Get out with you, ugly!" cried the mate.