"Deadbeats and hoboes, every doggoned one of them," growled the mate; "not a chanty in 'em, neither."
All hands were now tramping steadily round the capstan.
"Heave an' bust her!" sang out the big bosun. "Heave an' she comes!"
Presently a slim young Englishman with curly hair struck up the well-known chanty, "Away, Rio."
As the hoarse voices echoed over the calm waters of the bay, the crews of two large British barques came to the rail, hooting and jeering at the notorious hell-ship.
"Cut his black liver out, boys!" came a stentorian voice across the water.
"H'I bloomin' well will, one o' these fine dyes," muttered the cockney under his breath, with a murderous glance at the bucko mate.
Jack Derringer, who was a great exponent of chanties, followed the lead of the curly-headed one, and in a clean, strong baritone broke out with:
"As I was walking out one day
Down by the Albert Docks."