"I wish he would run us on der ground!" murmured Mr. Switzer. "I haf hat enough of der ocean. Der ground is goot enough for me."
"I can navigate!" cried Jack. "I hold a master's certificate, though I've only filled mates' berths of late."
"I—I refuse to serve under him," stormed Captain Brisco. "And when we reach port, I shall lay this matter before the authorities. You can't depose a captain this way!"
"Can't I?" asked Mr. Pertell coolly. "I rather think I can. I looked up the law on the rights of owners before I started on this voyage. Jack Jepson is captain."
"And I refuse to serve under him."
"Very well. Then you can either work your passage, or pay for your passage, I don't care which. But I'm going to save this ship, and the lives of those aboard her, if I can."
There was a sudden little scuffle near Jack Jepson, and Hen Lacomb went sprawling on the deck.
"No you don't!" drawled Mr. Switzer in his most German comedian voice. "I think you haf fallen. Dit you hurt yourself?" he asked of the prostrate Hen.
The latter, with a growl, got to his feet, an angry look on his face.
"What happened?" asked Mr. Pertell.