"Now then," said Singleton, "before I put you in irons I'd like to know what you mean by daring——"
It was paralysing to both Gawthrop and Hunt to be looked at as the captain looked at them. They felt like the scum of the earth.
"It's a mistake, a dreadful mistake," said Hunt; "if you will put me ashore, I'll give you five thousand dollars."
And the eager crowd on the main-deck sniggered.
"Lord, he's very big in drink, ain't 'e?" said Tom.
The skipper frowned, and shook his fist right against Hunt's face.
"You hound, don't joke with me. What's this man's name, Mr. Jones?"
"It's either Bates or Fisher," said Jones.
"No, my name's Hunt," cried Hunt. And one of the men on deck, an insinuating beggar who liked to curry favour with the powers, cried:
"His name's Fisher, sir. I've seed him often about the front."