"Below there, ahoy!" hailed a hoarse voice down the companion-stair, after the hurly-burly had somewhat ceased on deck.
"It is the voice of that villain, Sharkey," said Quail.
"The murderer of poor Manfredi," added Dr. Heriot.
"Below there, you swabs and cork-suckers! have you all gone to sleep?" hailed the squat mutineer.
"Hollo!" responded Noah, "what do you want, gallows-bird?"
"We want the two girls. Give them up, and come on deck. Tumble up, or it will be the worse for every man jack of you."
"How so, you squab ragamuffin?" asked Captain Phillips.
"We'll drop down the skylight, and make precious short work with you all," was the hoarse response.
"Come on then, one at a time, or all together—we are ready for you," said Captain Phillips.
At the same moment the cover of the skylight was roughly wrenched off, and the chill night wind poured through the cabin, extinguishing the lamp.