But the men did not stir, and a low murmur, incoherent but menacing, reached the girl's ears. Suddenly the bos'n, who had been standing by, stepped up to her.
"It's like this 'ere, Miss," he said, in a voice that was half-apologetic and half-defiant, "we want to know where we are, we do. The skipper's took with fever, the mate ain't 'ere, and the second's crippled. Who's going to navigate this packet back to Singapore and take the old man's place?"
"I have already told you that I am."
"I know, Miss, but we didn't take it as you was serious."
"Well, you can take it that I'm serious now."
The bos'n shifted awkwardly from one foot to another, and glanced doubtfully at the sullen figures of the men.
"I'll tell them what you say, Miss," he said at last, "but I don't know how they'll take it. You see," he went on hastily, "maybe some of 'em aren't partial to taking orders from a woman, which don't seem natural, as you may say."
"See here, bos'n," answered the girl, raising her voice so that all could hear, "can you, or any other man on board, navigate this ship to Singapore?"
"No, Miss, I can't say as any of us could."
"Well, I can. I'm a practical navigator, and I will undertake to bring the Hawk safely into port. But if there's a man among you who thinks he can do it, let him take command."