AtD translation: Seems more like work somehow is all.

[Mike Jing]

P193.15-19   “Rather be workin fathoms,” Deuce muttered.
      “No contract system around here,” said Webb, who happened to be
single- jacking alongside. “Not since the aught-one strike, and it took
some good men dyin to get that.”
      “Nothin personal. Seems more like work somehow is all.”

Here does Deuce mean "working fathoms" is more like real work? Or does he
mean something else?