"No, they won't. At the right time, we will pass the word for them, and say that Lowington wants to see them in the main cabin. As soon as they go below we will put the hatch on."
"The cooks and stewards will still be at large."
"We can lock them up in the kitchen. If they make trouble, I have a revolver," whispered Shuffles.
"A revolver! I won't have anything to do with it if you are going to use pistols," said the alarmed confederate.
"It's only to look at; there will be no occasion to use it," answered Shuffles, soothingly.
"There will be twelve men, besides the stewards, locked up in the main cabin."
"That's so."
"How long do you suppose it would take them to break down the bulkhead between the cabin and the steerage, or to climb up through the skylight?"
"If they attempt anything of that kind, we can show them the revolver; that will quiet them."
"You might frighten the parson in that way; but do you suppose men like Mr. Lowington, Mr. Fluxion, and Peaks, who have been in the navy so long, will be afraid of a pistol?"