“Think it safe to go any furder, sir?” said Smith.
“Safe or no, we mean to get to the top now we’ve mounted so high. Why do you ask? Want to stop?”
“Well, sir, you see Billy Wriggs been thinking for some time as it was getting werry dangerous, and he’d like to go down.”
“Speak the truth, Tommy, speak the truth,” growled Wriggs.
“Why, I am speaking the truth, Billy,” cried Smith, in angry remonstrance. “Didn’t you say over and over again as it was werry dangerous?”
“Nay, I said it was dangerous, I didn’t say werry.”
“Oh, well, that’s nigh enough for me, messmate.”
“You two had better stay here while we go to the top,” said Oliver, quietly. “Ready, you others?”
“Yes,” said Panton. “Forward,” and they started upward again, but stopped directly, for the two sailors were trudging up close behind them.
“I thought you two were going to stop back,” cried Oliver.