“Very well put, Belton; very well,” cried Terry.
“Your officer is helpless. Will you obey Mr Terry, and do your duty like men?”
“No!” came with a roar.
“Then let Mr Roy lance take command. Come, be men.”
“We arn’t got nothing agen Mr Roylance,” shouted a voice; “but we want you.”
“Go on, Belton; take command. The ship will be back perhaps to-night, and we must have those guns up,” said Roylance.
“Will you back me up?”
“Of course,” cried Roylance, heartily.
“All right, then, my lads,” cried Syd. “Now then, with a will.”
“Ay, ay. Hooray!” shouted the men.