It is stuffy below-deck.

When we get below-decks, we find "cargo" to be Spanish,while "ballast" (from bat, a boat, and last, a load) is Saxon.

In every case I found below-decks a number of cruses of corn-brandy, marked aquavit, two of which I took into the pram.

After looking around I descended the three steps aft into the dark and garrety below-decks, and with stooping back went calling in an awful whisper: 'Anyone?

In every below-decks was a wooden or earthenware image of the Virgin, painted in gaudy faded colours; and in one case I found a boy who had been kneeling before the statue, but was toppled sideways now, his knees still bent, and the cross of Christ in his hand.