"Cast off that rope!" shouted Wilton to the stroke oarsman in the barge.
"Don't you touch it, my lad," interposed Shuffles, when the boy attempted to obey the order of his leader. "If you attempt it, you will purchase a sore head."
The third lieutenant had picked up a boat-hook, and stood ready to rap any of the barge's crew who might attempt to cast off the line by which the boats were fastened together. No one was disposed to cross the purposes of so formidable a person as Shuffles, and the stroke oarsman did not obey the order of Wilton. It would not be safe to do so.
"Now, Wilton, what do you say?" demanded Shuffles, a smile of triumph playing upon his face, which was very aggravating to the leader of the runaways. "Will you go back to the ship, or not?"
"No, of course I won't," replied the discomfited chief of the malcontents.
"You had better, my dear fellow. There comes Mr. Lowington."
"I didn't think this of you, Bob Shuffles," said Wilton, reproachfully.
"I told you I should do my duty; and I shall, to the end. If you will return, all right; if not, I shall take you back."
"No, you won't."
"I think I will," added the third lieutenant, quietly. "Stand by to give way!" he continued, to the coxswain.