"Yes, sir," Gore muttered sullenly.
"Took five of you bums to handle him, did it?" Strom remarked sardonically, stooping to pick up the unconscious Quirl. He carried him easily, up the ladder. As they disappeared Strom's voice boomed out:
"Dr. Stoddard! Stoddard! Messenger, have Stoddard report at my cabin."
The mate was wiping the blood off his face with a rag.
"I tried to call yer," the guard whined.
"That tears it!" Gore exclaimed fiercely, bursting into a string of abuse. But one of his henchmen nudged him.
"Keep yer tongue in yer face, Gore, till the time comes."
Gore said nothing, but glared savagely at the prisoners.
"Get the buckets and mops!" he snarled at his men, and they fled precipitately.