"Don't kill me. I will obey all orders. I won't hurt no one."
"I don't mean you shall."
We made him fast, as we had Martino, and were so much nearer the completion of our task.
"I thought they would show fight," said the second mate.
"I almost wish they had, for it would have been a pleasure to break their heads," replied Baxter, who was not a little elated by the easy victory we had obtained.
"Now, how many hands have we on deck?" I asked, when the two whom we had regarded as the most dangerous among the crew had been secured.
"We have all hands except the three Spaniards in the forecastle, and Franklin, who is still doubtful. Fifteen, all told, are on our side now," answered Baxter.
"Good! We have a dozen men on deck, and we will settle the business with those in the steerage now," I continued.
I led the way forward.
"All the starbowlines, on deck, ahoy!" shouted the second mate, at my request.