earlier in the afternoon. That Larry had not obeyed orders was
patent, for he was sitting with his back propped against his sea-bag,
which ought to have been in the forecastle. Also, he and the group
with him ought to have been for'ard manning the windlass.

The mate stepped upon the hatch and towered over the man.

"Get up," he ordered.

Larry made an effort, groaned, and failed to get up.

"I can't," he said.

"Sir!"

"I can't, sir. I was drunk last night an' slept in Jefferson Market.
An' this mornin' I was froze tight, sir. They had to pry me loose."

"Stiff with the cold you were, eh?" the mate grinned.

"It's well ye might say it, sir," Larry answered.

"And you feel like an old stiff, eh?"

Larry blinked with the troubled, querulous eyes of a monkey. He was
beginning to apprehend he knew not what, and he knew that bending
over him was a man-master.

"Well, I'll just be showin' you what an old stiff feels like,
anyways." Mr. Pike mimicked the other's brogue.