"Well?" inquired Captain Cain laconically.
"Us of the fo'c'sle wants to know what's to be our attitude to'ards those blokes we picked up, sir," said the man. "Seem' as 'ow they messes an' berths for'ard, 'ow are we to treat 'em? Are they with us as part of the crew, sir?"
"What are you driving at, Matthews?" asked the captain.
The man hesitated.
"'Tes like this, sir," he continued, after a pause. "If they ain't hands, then why are they berthed along o' we? If they are, it ain't fair on the rest of us that they don't take part in the routine of the ship—slackin' about while we are a-workin' 'ard."
It was then that Captain Cain made a serious mistake. Instead of "ticking the man off" for attempting to interfere with the captain's plans—a grave breach of discipline—he temporised with the delegate.
"The matter will receive my attention, Matthews," he replied.
"Very good, sir," rejoined the man.
He saluted, turned and went back to the others. His comrades saw what the pirate captain could not—a self-satisfied look upon the man's face at the thought that he had scored off the owner.
"Pipe down!" ordered Captain Cain.