'The ladies will be less trouble than the empty casks, at all events,' said Conyngham, 'because they will keep below.'
The sailor shook his head forebodingly and took an heroic pinch of snuff.
'One's as capable of carrying mischief as the other,' he muttered in the bigoted voice of a married teetotaller.
The ship was ready for sea, and this mariner's spirit was ever uneasy and restless till the anchor was on deck and the hawser stowed.
'There's a boat leaving the quay now,' he added. 'Seems she's lumbered up forr'ard wi' women's hamper.'
And indeed the black form of a skiff so laden could be seen approaching through the driving snow and gloom. The mate called to the steward to come on deck, and this bearded servitor of dames emerged from the galley with uprolled sleeves and a fine con
