Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner. Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
"I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
"Do you understand it, Mack?" asked Ripples, turning to his fellow-prisoner at his side.
"Don't ask me any thing about it, Fred," replied Mack, in a tone of disgust. "Some of us are in a bad scrape, and I shall not say a word to any one."
"I don't understand you any better than I do this other fellow," continued Ripples. "If I am in a bad scrape, I don't know it."
Mack refused to say another word, and evidently did not mean to commit himself. By this time, Dory had become not a little impressed by the manner of Ripples, and by the refusal of Mack to speak. He removed the line which bound the former to the rail, and led him to the quarter-deck, where he seated him on the companion. Then he took the tiller.
"I should really like to know what you mean by what you have said and done," said Ripples.
"Are you not a member of the Nautifelers Club?" asked Dory.
"Without a doubt, I am; and the Club was formed for this excursion during the summer. We joined the vessel this morning, and Mack said you were trying to get the schooner away from the Club when you fastened us all below. That's all I know about this business," added Ripples.
"If you don't know any thing more, I am glad of it."