“I demand to know where you will send us. That is, if we are not to have the freedom of the deck?”
“You will both go to the brig with your men,” Dalzell answered.
“But we are officers and gentlemen!” cried Sparnheim, indignantly.
“Gentlemen!” repeated Dan Dalzell, a world of irony in his tone.
Then to the petty officer:
“To the brig, with the whole lot of them!”
Sparnheim struck at a sailor who took hold of his arm and the sailor promptly felled him to the deck.
“I am insulted and treated outrageously because I am helpless,” yelled the German, sitting on the deck.
“I am sorry that violence was necessary,” Dan replied, raising him to his feet. “You have only to obey, and you will not be handled roughly.”
“I will not go to the brig with common sailors!” roared Sparnheim.