He controlled his temper and said:
"I'm doing the best I can, sir. That winchman doesn't have to wait on
us a second, sir. We handle them as fast as they swing them in from
the mill dock."
"Yump in an' do somedings yourself," Kjellin growled. "Don't stand
roundt like a young leddy."
"D'ye mean you want I should mule shingles round in this hold like a
longshoreman?"
"Sure! Ve got to get to sea Sunday morning, und every liddle bit
helps."
"Well, then you'll get along without my little bit. If you don't know
your business, sir, I know mine. Somebody's got to tend that sling,
and everybody's business is nobody's business. If I'm not on the job
a bundle of shingles may come flying down from above and kill a man,
or that heavy cargo block may crack a stevedore on the head. Who's
going to look after the broken bundles and see that they're repacked
if I don't? I can't do that and mule shingles round in this hold,
sir; and what's more I'm not going to do it."
"Den, by yimminy, you get off der ship!" the captain roared. "I don't
vant no loafers aboard my boat, und if you tank--"
"Stow the gab, you big Finn! I'm through. Pay me off and help
yourself to another second mate." And Matt put on his coat and
whistled to the winchman to steady his slingload while he climbed out
of the hold.
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