"Man's mad," murmured the astonished second officer.
"Insufferable outrage!" continued the doctor. "Take us back to Melbourne at once."
"You get for'ard," said the other sharply; "get for'ard, and don't let me have any more of your lip."
"I want to see the captain of this ship," cried the doctor; "go and fetch him at once."
The second officer gazed at him, limp with astonishment, and then turned to the steersman, as though unable to believe his ears. The steersman pointed in front of him, and the other gave a cry of surprise and rage as he saw another tatterdemalion coming with uncertain steps toward him.
"Carson," said the new arrival, feebly; and coming closer to his friend, clung to him miserably.
"I'm just having it out with 'em, Thomson," said the doctor, energetically. "My friend here is a solicitor. Tell him what 'll happen if they don't take us back, Harry."
"You seem to be unaware, my good fellow," said the solicitor, covering a large hole in the leg of his trousers with his hand, "of the very dangerous situation in which you have placed yourselves. We have no desire to be harsh with you—"