"Well, that's a heap more'n I deserve."
"You'll be the mate to help us back to Belize. I'm in charge until we get there, and I order you to go below and go on duty."
"Orders is orders, I reckon," and Cassidy hoisted himself up and followed Matt to the tower hatch and down into the periscope room. The room was fairly crowded, and a roar of delight went up at the sight of Matt. It died away suddenly as Cassidy showed himself. A glitter came into Speake's eyes as he regarded the mate.
"Better lock Cassidy up somewhere, Matt," suggested Jordan.
"Yes," grunted Speake venomously, "or tie his hands and feet an' throw him overboard."
"You're wrong in your drift, friends," said Matt quietly. "Cassidy is a good fellow at heart, and Fingal twisted him around his fingers. I haven't any fault to find with Cassidy, and he's going back to Belize as mate of the Grampus."
"Avast there, matey!" expostulated Dick. "That's playing it kind of rough on some of the honest men that stood by the ship, don't you think?"
"Vat a foolishness, Matt!" exploded Carl. "Dot feller come pooty near being der finish oof you."
"Better think that over a little, Matt," suggested Jordan.
"Him plaanty bad man," said Tirzal, climbing up into the tower in order to do his steering from the lookout.