"Never mind now—fall back there," added the captain, and the cook fell back, but shook his fist at Semmel.
"I not in de galley," reiterated the bearded sailor. "Russell an' Striker no tell de truth."
"It is true," cried Larry.
"Thet's so, an' you can't squirm out o' it," broke in Luke. "I saw ye as plain as day."
"I want to know what you put into that stew-pot?" continued Captain Ponsberry.
"I no go near de galley. I——"
"I know you went into the galley and I know you put something into the stew. For the last time I ask you, what was it?"
For reply Ostag Semmel simply shrugged his shoulders.
"Are you going to tell me the truth?"
"I reckon the truth ain't in him," grumbled Luke, under his breath.