"What won't do?" replied the quartermaster.
"You know what I mean," said Loe; "it must not and it shall not be, by——"
"It must and shall be, by——" replied Russel; "'Self-preservation is the first law of nature,' and 'Necessity knows no law,' says the adage."
"Well," says Loe, "it shall never be by my consent."
The rest of the company then declared it was a pity, and ought to be seriously weighed and put to the vote. Loe said, indeed it ought, and that there was no time like the present to determine the matter. The rest all cried, "Ay, it is best to end it now." Loe then ordered all hands upon deck, and bade Roberts stay in the cabin.
In about two hours (awful hours for Roberts, to sit listening for shouts or cries), Loe came down, and asked him how he did. Russel said, with a frown, "Master, your sloop is very leaky."
Roberts replied it was, wishing to depreciate its value.
"Leaky," said Russel, "I don't know what you could do with her if we gave her you, for all your hands now belong to us." Russel then continued to taunt him for his want of cargo and provision, as if to give a keener edge to his misery.
At last, "Come, come," said Loe, "let us toss the bowl about, and call a fresh course."