“And I should be sorry to be harsh to any man; but once more, as an officer in the Royal Navy, I have got my duty to do, and I mean to do it.”
“Ay, ay, sir!” came again, in a low acquiescent growl. “But he needn’t keep on a-telling us.”
“Those men who stand by me and do their duty in navigating this vessel shall have ample pay and reward.”
“What about prize-money, sir?” shouted a voice.
“There’ll be no prize-money.”
The men groaned.
“But there will be reward in the shape of salvage, my lads. I, single-handed, have taken this schooner as a prize to the gunboat Tonans, commanded by Captain Glossop, whose officer I am. She will be condemned and sold, and those who help me loyally will have their reward. Now then, every man stand forward who is ready to do his duty by me.”
At that moment there was a sharp tapping heard from below.
“What’s that?” cried Fitz sharply, though he perfectly well knew.
“It’s the skipper, sir, a-opening his eyes, I think,” said the carpenter. “You’ve woke him up, talking like that, and he’s coming on deck with a pair of revolving bulldogs, to begin potting us all round. Here, who’s coming below?”