“Silence, sir; and keep your places.”
The carpenter stepped back behind the rest, and the next moment there rang out a most perfect imitation of the crow of a bantam cock, which was followed by a roaring outburst of merriment from the men.
Fitz turned scarlet with rage.
“How dare—” he began.
“Ahoy! On deck, there!” came faintly from the cabin, followed by a heavy sound of beating and kicking.
One of the men made a start aft for the companionway, followed by two more, but Fitz stepped before them.
“Stop!” he shouted fiercely.
“On deck, there! Do you hear? Open this door!” came from below.
“Take no notice,” shouted Fitz, “until I give orders. Here, you carpenter; where’s the arm-chest?”
“Down in the cabin, sir.”