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There was a double row of bunks on either hand and overhead were hooks to swing hammocks in the space between. Bludson unslung a hammock from the wall and tossed it to Ralph. There was a blanket inside. "Wrap your clothes in that blanket and give the hammock a turn or two so."
"I lost my way for a little while," began Ralph, but the captain signified that the tardiness was pardoned already. "You see we sail tonight on the flood," he added, "and we have yet much to do. This is our boatswain or bos'n as we call them Mr. Bludson. He will accompany you to the ship. Perhaps you will not mind assisting him a little in seeing to some stores that are yet to go down.
Such unheard of insolence appeared to deprive Gary of words wherewith to do the situation justice. "You know what I want!" he roared at Bludson, as he left the deck. "See that it is done!" The boatswain at once collared Ralph and took him forward, where both disappeared in the forecastle.
"I did not know it was you. But we learn to look sharp and be spry on shipboard. Did Bludson treat you well? Ah that's good. Had a pleasant time? I always want my men to enjoy themselves. I see you have tidied up things here. You must keep this cabin clean, and also these staterooms. You will also wait on the cabin table and take your meals here."
"Stay with Bludson, Ralph," called the captain, waving his hand gracefully; "he will see you through in fine shape." "Aye, aye. I warrant I see him through," echoed the boatswain hoarsely as the two went out. In Ralph's opinion the captain was much more agreeable and "well mannered" than his subordinate.
In his bewilderment Ralph attempted to mount the mainmast ratlines in a lumbering way. "Start him up, Long Tom," roared the captain. "The fool don't even know where the fo'mast is." Bludson again seized Ralph by the collar, propelled him the length of the deck and gave him a long boost up the forward ratlines.
I told him to take a run round, but to show up at eleven. He is a thorough backwoods rooster and he may have got lost. Suppose you take a turn round the square and look him up. Don't be gone long. I have stores yet to go down by tug." "Aye, aye, sir," quoth Bludson, and promptly vanished.
Ralph replied and Bludson added: "Blest if the kid's ever seen the ocean before. He don't know a brace from a marlin spike." "I can learn, I reckon," said Ralph so heartily that Mr. Duff took a second look at the boy, then smiled to himself. "Run down to the cabin and fetch me up the doctor," said the mate. "Yon's the way." He pointed towards the companionway.
Then Bludson and his assistants passed the next few hours in throwing overboard the ballast that had been stowed at Tybee Island in far away America. Meanwhile Duff and his companions entered the river, which seemed to be a small stream flowing deviously through a low, half swampy region, where insects swarmed and many kinds of strange animals and bird life were to be seen.
"If we don't reach the Verdes," said Duff to Ralph one day, as the lad was sweeping the cabin, "there will be an outbreak of some kind. Come to the gangway and listen." The second mate, who still remained below his place being taken by Bludson after a fashion now led Ralph to the grated door where stood the loaded howitzer. The sentry was not there; another sign of the crew's demoralization.
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