He was interrupted by Harris bawling in the passage, and the Chinese stokers swarming up the fire-room ladder, chattering and yelling to their mates below. The news of the murder had spread through the ship and had created a great turmoil.
The mate thrust a man into the doorway, whom I recognized as one of the men who had brought Meeker's organ on board.
"Here's one of the new men, sir," said Harris, "Says he has been for'ard since going off watch. He's next at the wheel, sir."
"Now, then," began Riggs, with pencil poised, "what's your name in the ship's articles?"
"Buckrow, sir," said the sailor, staring at a lamp, and avoiding the figure of Trego almost at his feet.
I observed him closely, and was not pleased with his appearance. His large mouth carried a leering, insolent expression and his nose was broken, hanging a trifle to one side. He was short, with great hulking shoulders. His black shirt was open at the neck, and he wore blue navy trousers with the familiar wide bottoms. His brown forearms were covered with tattoo-marks.
"Tell all you may know which could throw any possible light on this dreadful affair, that the guilty may be brought to justice and the dead avenged," said Meeker.
"Steady as she goes!" warned Captain Riggs. turning in his chair and holding up his hand. "I'll ask the questions, if you please, Mr. Meeker. Now, then, my man, where have you been in the last hour?"
"For'ard, turned in, sir," replied Buckrow, keeping his eyes on the flame of the lamp.
"See this dead man here?"