Broadmayne had completed his self-imposed task and was going on deck, when he encountered his late antagonist.
The ex-stoker's battered features wore a broad grin. Extending a huge hand, he greeted the Sub with a hearty shake.
"Put it there, chum!" he exclaimed. "I was whacked proper. I'd like to know where you learnt that punch! An' don't you forget it: if ever you wants a friend, 'sides the one you've got already, Jim Soames—Slogger Soames—is the man."
"We're getting on," observed Broadmayne, when he related the incident to Vyse. "That fellow isn't a bad sort. Wonder how he came to row on this galley. And several of the crew seem quite well disposed towards us. We might work it."
"Work what?" asked Rollo.
"Induce some of them to put us ashore," replied the Sub.
"Bit risky," observed his chum. "Not on our account," he added. "That I don't mind. It would be hard on those fellows if they were found out. Cain seems a bit of a tartar."
"He may be," admitted Broadmayne. "But he hasn't much of a hold over his men. And I fancy, although I'm not sure, that Pengelly and he are parting brass rags. That conversation we overheard—about the cave behind a kitchen somewhere—struck me as if Cain and his lieutenant don't hit it off together."
"Well, Cain won't truss us up for a flogging after the licking you gave Soames," remarked Vyse. "I don't mind admitting I felt a bit on the scared-stiff side when the bo'sun began playing with his cat-o'-nine-tails. And Cain hasn't turned us into pirates yet."
"And never will," added the Sub. "Hello, we're altering course. What's the game now?"