The mate, whistling cheerily, complied, and the four men, neatly attired in scarlet, came on deck.
“Now, what’s all this nonsense about?” demanded the incensed man. “What do you want?”
“We want your pore sinful soul,” said Dick with ecstasy.
“Ay, an’ we’ll have it,” said Joe, with deep conviction.
“So we will,” said the other two, closing their eyes and smiling rapturously; “so we will.”
The skipper, alarmed, despite himself, at their confidence, turned a startled face to the mate.
“If you could see it now,” continued Dick impressively, “you’d be frightened at it. If you could—”
“Get to your own end of the ship,” spluttered the indignant skipper. “Get, before I kick you there!”
“Better let Sam have a try,” said one of the other men, calmly ignoring the fury of the master; “his efforts have been wonderfully blessed. Come here, Sam.”
“There’s a time for everything” said Sam cautiously. “Let’s go for’ard and do what we can for him among ourselves.”