human
I wish to goodness they wouldn't. What is the good of their keeping on doing that? It means nothing, and does no good.
gpt
Oh, but it do mean something, sir,
human
Well, then, what?
gpt
They keep on tapping to show us where they are, and means us to go to them.
human
Why don't they come to us?
gpt
And we can't go to them,
human
Well, I don't know, sir; I've been thinking as perhaps we could.
gpt
But how, man? We can't get through all these cases and barrels and things.
human
No, sir; but praps we might manage to creep along over 'em. One on us ought to volunteer to try.
gpt
All right; volunteer it is, growled Dumlow.
human
I'll go.
gpt
There you are, Mr Dale, sir. Never say die. Wait a minute, Neb, old man, and let's set my fingers and thumbs to work to try whether they can see a hole as 'll soot you to go along by.
human
There can't be any holes, Bob,
gpt
Mebbe not, sir; but I tell you what cargo does in a voyage, specially if you get a storm or two to shake it together. You may pack it and jam it as much as you like when you're in dock, but it's sure to settle a bit, and leave some room up at the top. I'm going to try whether there arn't some o' that room here.
human
Here's plenty o' room here, sir, just at the top, but it goes aft. This can't be toward the bows. But it was this way as the knocking came, warn't it?
gpt
No, no, no, we all cried.
human
The other way.
gpt
Look at that, growled Bob.
human
My head can't be right yet, or else it's the darkness as confooses a man. It's like being in a thick fog and having to steer.
gpt
Try again,
human
Ay, ay, sir; I'll try again, o' course.
gpt
I say, don't kneel on a man's chesty like that, messmate,
human
Then why don't you put your chesty somewheres else? growled Bob.
gpt
You're allers lying about all over the deck.
human
Nay, I arn't, matey, remonstrated Dumlow.
gpt
Speak the truth, my lad, if you can.
human
Why, you're spreadin' about on your back now, arn't yer?
gpt
Course I am, mate; I was trying how flat I could make myself 'fore I started on the adwenter.
human
Try, pray try the other way, Bob, and don't quarrel so--
gpt
Now hark at that, Barney, when I'm trying all I can to be as civil and smooth as butter, on'y Neb let out at me.