“Why not speak with Mr. Jenkins?” Nelse whispered.
“Then we would be obliged to repeat the story twice. Come below!”
Nelse followed without further remonstrance, and a few moments later Captain Mansfield had learned sufficient to convince him that his guests were not the most honest people in the world.
“Are you certain no mistake has been made?” he asked, when Gil concluded the narrative.
“We heard everything very distinctly, and I am positive the words have been repeated correctly.”
“Call Mr. Jenkins, but do not let any one hear you,” and Captain Mansfield sprang from his berth as Gil went toward the companion-way.
CHAPTER VI.
MUTINY.
To find the mate and tell him he was wanted in the cabin did not occupy many moments, and the rescued party, who had turned mutineers almost at the same moment their appeal for help had been answered, apparently paid no attention to the boy’s movements.
Captain Mansfield repeated to Mr. Jenkins what Gil told him when the two were alone and the companion-hatch drawn to prevent the possibility of the conversation being overheard, and the expression which came over the mate’s face showed how serious he believed was the situation.