The old sailor looked up as if astonished that such a proposition should be made; but before the angry reply, which was trembling on his lips, could be spoken, Joe said gently:
"Think the whole matter over before you say anything, and take plenty of time, for we don't want to make another mistake."
Bob looked at the speaker angrily for a moment, and then seating himself at the table with his head in his hands, he remained silent so long that the boys, who were watching him intently, believed he had fallen asleep.
"What's your plan?" he finally asked.
"It isn't what can be called a plan, but, according to my way of thinking, the only course left for us to pursue. We've got to make some kind of a trade with those villains in order to get away from this place, and the sooner it's done the better."
"Go out an' see what they'll agree to!" Bob said hoarsely. "I'll stand by any bargain you think half-fair."
Joe did not wait for further conversation. He was eager to take advantage of the tide, and no time was to be lost.
"Look here, Jim," the old sailor said, when the engineer had left the cabin, "if Joe makes a trade with them scoundrels, as I reckon he will, something must be done to prevent you boys from bein' kicked 'round, for we can't have a fight every hour. While the brig is aground you'd best stay on board the tug, so's to be out of the way. When the grub is ready shove it on the table, an' then all three clear out, leavin' us to wait on ourselves. That'll ease things up a little."
While Bob was thus planning to save the boys from brutal treatment, Joe had lost no time in finishing his very disagreeable task.
When he went forward the men did not pay the slightest attention to his movements, but continued their conversation as if whatever he might do was no concern of theirs. It was not until he halted directly in front of the party that the red-nosed man so much as raised his eyes.