"That's what I do mean," sighed the wretched senior partner, who did not find that he enjoyed the sea at all. "That is exactly wot I do mean."
"Good Lord," said Shody, "and there ain't enough decent grub to do more than take us to Gibraltar."
"This is a very 'orrid situation," said Gruddle, "and we owes it entirely to you, Butterworth, for quarrellin' with the second mate. I believe you done a lot more than call him clumsy. I'll lay odds you was grossly insultin', as you always are."
The others turned on Butterworth and said that they believed it too, and the unhappy Butterworth acknowledged that he had called Cade a hound.
"I'm right as usual," said Gruddle; "and if I know my man no apology will do any good. I can see that they are savage because we cut down their wages. I've a good mind to raise 'em again till we get a chance to cut 'em down safely. We was fools to come this 'ere trip, and we owe it all to Butterworth who suggested it."
Butterworth got it all round, and was in an extreme state of wretchedness.
"I think that if Butterworth is a gent, as we are all ready to believe," said Shody, "that 'e will go at once and apologise to that beast of a second mate; and we can tell the skipper that we will raise 'is wages again—till we can sack 'im."
This seemed a very good idea to everyone but Butterworth.
"I never apologised to anyone, and I ain't goin' to begin with a man like Cade," said Butterworth stubbornly.
"You're not a man of business in the least," said Shody. "I always maintained that we lose more money by your manners, w'ich are those of a pig, than we ever gain by your sharp practice. And now, 'avin' got your partners into a 'orrid mess with a mad and insubordinate captain, you are prepared to see them eat muck on'y fit for sea-goin' folks. The on'y consolation is that you will 'ave to eat it yourself."