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.Somebody slammed the cabin door to with a kick; the darkness full of menacing mutters leaped with a short clatter over the streak of light, and the men became gesticulating shadows that growled, hissed, laughed excitedly.Mr.Baker whispered: – »Get away from them, sir.« The big shape of Mr.Creighton hovered silently about the slight figure of the master.– »We have been hymposed upon all this voyage,« said a gruff voice, »but this 'ere fancy takes the cake.« – »That man is a shipmate.« – »Are we bloomin' kids?« – »The port watch will refuse duty.« Charley carried away by his feeling whistled shrilly, then yelped: – »Giv' us our Jimmy!« This seemed to cause a variation in the disturbance.There was a fresh burst of squabbling uproar.A lot of quarrels were set going at once.– »Yes.« – »No.« – »Never been sick.« – »Go for them to once.« – »Shut yer mouth, youngster – this is men's work.« – »Is it?« muttered Captain Allistoun, bitterly.Mr.Baker grunted: »Ough! They're gone silly.They've been simmering for the last month.« – »I did notice,« said the master.– »They have started a row amongst themselves now,« said Mr.Creighton with disdain, »better get aft, sir.We will soothe them.« – »Keep your temper, Creighton,« said the master.And the three men began to move slowly towards the cabin door.In the shadows of the fore rigging a dark mass stamped, eddied, advanced, retreated.There were words of reproach, encouragement, unbelief, execration.The elder seamen, bewildered and angry, growled their determination to go through with something or other; but the younger school of advanced thought exposed their and Jimmy's wrongs with confused shouts, arguing amongst themselves.They clustered round that moribund carcass, the fit emblem of their aspirations, and encouraging one another they swayed, they tramped on one spot, shouting that they would not be ›put upon.‹ Inside the cabin, Belfast, helping Jimmy into his bunk, twitched all over in his desire not to miss all the row, and with difficulty restrained the tears of his facile emotion.James Wait, flat on his back under the blanket, gasped complaints.– »We will back you up, never fear,« assured Belfast, busy about his feet.– »I'll come out to-morrow morning –– take my chance –– you fellows must –« mumbled Wait, »I come out to-morrow –– skipper or no skipper.« He lifted one arm with great difficulty, passed the hand over his face; »Don't you let that cook.« he breathed out.– »No, no,« said Belfast, turning his back on the bunk, »I will put a head on him if he comes near you.« – »I will smash his mug!« exclaimed faintly Wait, enraged and weak; »I don't want to kill a man, but.« He panted fast like a dog after a run in sunshine.Some one just outside the door shouted, »He's as fit as any ov us!« Belfast put his hand on the door-handle.– »Here!« called James Wait, hurriedly, and in such a clear voice that the other spun round with a start.James Wait, stretched out black and deathlike in the dazzling light, turned his head on the pillow.His eyes stared at Belfast, appealing and impudent.»I am rather weak from lying-up so long,« he said, distinctly.Belfast nodded.»Getting quite well now,« insisted Wait.– »Yes.I noticed you getting better this.last month,« said Belfast, looking down.»Hallo! What's this?« he shouted and ran out.He was flattened directly against the side of the house by two men who lurched against him.A lot of disputes seemed to be going on all round.He got clear and saw three indistinct figures standing alone in the fainter darkness under the arched foot of the mainsail, that rose above their heads like a convex wall of a high edifice.Donkin hissed: – »Go for them.it's dark!« The crowd took a short run aft in a body – then there was a check.Donkin, agile and thin, flitted past with his right arm going like a windmill – and then stood still suddenly with his arm pointing rigidly above his head.The hurtling flight of some heavy object was heard; it passed between the heads of the two mates, bounded heavily along the deck, struck the after hatch with a ponderous and deadened blow.The bulky shape of Mr.Baker grew distinct.»Come to your senses, men!« he cried, advancing at the arrested crowd.»Come back, Mr.Baker!« called the master's quiet voice.He obeyed unwillingly.There was a minute of silence, then a deafening hubbub arose.Above it Archie was heard energetically: – »If ye do oot ageen I wull tell!« There were shouts.»Don't!« »Drop it!« – »We ain't that kind!« The black cluster of human forms reeled against the bulwark, back again towards the house.Ringbolts rang under stumbling feet.– »Drop it!« »Let me!« – »No!« – »Curse you
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