184 A YEAR WITH A WHALER, 



stored it in a warehouse to await the first steamer 

 for San Francisco, a boat's crew towed three or 

 four hogsheads roped together ashore for water. 

 Another boat went ashore for coal. Those left 

 aboard the brig were put to work in the hold 

 near the main hatch under the supervision of 

 Mr. Winchester. The mate suddenly noted 

 Slim's absence. 



"Where's Slim?" he asked. 



Nobody answered. 



" He didn't go ashore in the boats/" said the 

 mate. " Where is he? " 



Someone volunteered that Slim was sick. 



" Sick, eh? " said the mate. 



He hustled off to the forecastle scuttle. 



" Slim," he sang out, " what's the matter with 

 you?" 



" I'm sick," responded Slim from his bunk. 



" If you're sick," said the mate, " come aft 

 and report yourself sick to the captain." 



In a little while. Slim shuffled back to the 

 cabin. A few minutes later wild yells came 

 from the cabin. We stopped work. The mate 

 seemed to think we might rush to the rescue. 



