human
Here we are, sir. That's you, isn't it?
gpt
Yes, Barney. But you didn't go in feet first?
human
No, sir, head-first; and I come out head-first too.
gpt
Precious hot in there, sir,
human
But how did you manage? You said you were stuck fast,
gpt
So I was, matey, for a minute or two, right at the end as far as I could go; for it got too small for me at last.
human
How far did you go in?
gpt
Ah, that I don't know, sir. Ever so far in, till it got so as I should ha' been stuck fast if I'd gone any farther.
human
Then how could you turn round?
gpt
It was wider and higher a little bit this side of the narrow part, and I made shift to double myself up pretty close and get round there.
human
Then was it there you were stuck?
gpt
Yes, sir; but by a bit o' giving and taking I got round, and come out face forrard, as you see.
human
I am thankful,
gpt
Well, if you come to that, sir, I liked it better when I'd got face outwards; for it arn't nice to feel yourself set fast in among a lot o' cargo which may shift if the ship gives a roll, and there you are, just like a blue-bottle shut in a big book, and come out next year flat and dry.
human
Why, you must be a thin 'un, Barney, growled Bob.
gpt
You'd better leave the sea, and take to being first-class messenger to go up and down steam-pipes.
human
Be quiet, Bob! I said angrily.
gpt
Here, tell me, Barney,
human
Tell you what, sir?
gpt
Is it hopeless? Is there no chance of getting to the forecastle bulk-head that way?
human
Well, sir, I can't say only that you know how far Neb Dumlow got, and then how Bob Hampton got a little farther.
gpt
Didn't,
human
Now what's the good o' you talking, messmate? because he did, just a bit farther, said Barney, in a tone full of protest.
gpt
You may just as well say I didn't go three times as far.
human
Nay, I won't say that, lad.
gpt
Then there is a way on?
human
Kind of a sort of a way, sir. I don't think I could ha' got along if I'd tried ever so hard, 'cause the cargo's jammed up so close to the roof; but a small sort o' man might do it, or p'r'aps I might if old Frenchy keeps me here long enough to get precious thin.
gpt
But a boy could get along?
human
Oh yes, sir, I dessay a boy could; but don't you get thinking it's a regular pipe or a passage, 'cause it arn't. It's all in and out, and over chests and cases and things as don't fit together, or has got settled down; and you have to feel all this as you go, and trust to the tips of your fingers for leading of you right. It arn't as if there was any light, you see; 'cause their ain't enough to show a mouse the way to the inside of a Dutch cheese.
gpt
Then if any one got along there far enough, he would come to the forecastle bulk-head?
human
Well, that I can't say, sir; 'cause, you see, he might find he had to creep along right under the forksle floor, and the men's bunks.
gpt
If he got to the place where our friends are, that would not matter, I cried excitedly.
human
The distance must be very small.
gpt
O' course, sir.
human
But one moment, Barney. Could any of the cargo be pushed out of the way, so as to make more room?
gpt
No, sir, for sartain, 'cause it's all wedged together, and there's nowhere else to put it so as to make room.
human
And I don't see, if one got there, that it could be a great deal of good, because they couldn't get here, and we couldn't all get there.
gpt
They seems to think it would be some good, sir, growled Barney,
human
Give 'em the sigginals, Bob,