He had not shipped with them, and they could not legally make him work, though he did not mind lending a hand if he was asked in a friendly manner.
His mother would pay for his passage if she was asked.
The officers evidently took him, Carl, and Stump to be three sons of fishermen, and had made up their minds to treat them accordingly.
When he left the galley, Mont went to where the regular hands slept and messed, and where he and his companions had slept.
There was a great outcry as he came in.
"Leave off, I say," Carl was exclaiming; "I won't have it. Two of you onto me at once isn't fair."
In a moment Mont was there. He found the two young men, Sam Holly and Jerry Dabble, standing over his chum with two ropes' ends, with which they were hitting him.
"What are you licking him for?" asked Mont, his eyes flashing.
"Because he won't get the breakfast," said Holly.
"He's not your servant—why should he?"