"Where are you going, boys?" demanded Captain Briskett, as the rebellious watch appeared in the standing room.
"Going below to get our dinner."
"Not yet; you must wait till the watch is relieved. You heard the captain's orders."
"We don't care for the captain's orders. We are not going to be treated like dogs."
"But it is necessary that one watch should be on deck all the time."
"Can you tell me why it was necessary to have the starboard watch go to dinner first?"
"I cannot; it is the captain's business to order, and mine to obey," replied the mate.
"It isn't our business to obey any such orders as that," said Tom. "Come, Paul, let us all go below, and have our dinner."
"I shall obey orders," replied Paul, decidedly.
"On deck, there! What's the matter?" called Captain Gordon, from the cabin.