At the exit to the companionway he halted and spoke to us over his shoulder:
"You mind what I said about the girl. Keep her under cover."
"Must we all remain below decks?" I demanded with some heat.
"That's as ye may happen to feel," he replied carelessly. "So long as ye don't try to suck up to any o' my men and make trouble you can go and come around the ship; but let me find ye up to mischief, and treasure or no treasure, I'll keelhaul ye."
His green eyes twinkled evilly.
"Maybe Murray told ye what that might mean."
He gave Darby a push before him.
"Run out and call the men aft," he commanded. "That's the boy! Bill, —— ye for a low-hearted —— ——, plaster a grin on that mug o' yours and pipe up a song. We mustn't let them swabs for'ard figure us to be worried none, eh?"
And his voice boomed hollow betwixt the confined walls of the companionway:
"Oh, a fine, tall ship was the Elephant
As ever sailed the seas;
She came down-Channel apast Ushant
Bound for the East Indies.