human
It was mighty decent of you to help me out last night,
gpt
Every one has to make a beginning; you did very well to stay there during the whole of your first watch,
human
Is it always as hot down there as it was last night?
gpt
Yes; sometimes more so. You see, last night we had a head wind.
human
After my hands harden, and my stomach becomes accustomed to the food, I guess I'll be able to stand it all right.
gpt
You can if you want to, I replied.
human
You have the build. The food is coarse, but perhaps the best for that kind of work. Four hours is not very long to stand anything; you have not worked lately?
gpt
Lately?--never! Then as though frightened at my reference to his past or even himself, he surprised me by asking,
human
How soon do we eat again?--I believe I could eat some of that horse-meat now.
gpt
You think it's horse-meat?
human
Well, if it's not horse-meat, it came off a bull just behind the horns. However, my grates are clean and there's a good draft; I believe I can get up steam on it now,