The Second Mate twisted his head round, and stared at him a moment, in astonishment. Then he opened his mouth.
"No, Sir; I don't think—" he began.
"That's sufficient, Mr. Tulipson," the Old Man interrupted. "I've made up my mind."
He turned to the First Mate, who had stood by without a word.
"Mr. Grainge," he said. "Take a couple of the 'prentices down with you, and pass out a box of blue-lights and some flare-ups."
The Mate answered something, and hurried away into the Saloon, with the two 'prentices in his watch. Then the Old Man spoke to the men.
"Now, men!" he began. "This is no time for dilly-dallying. The Second Mate and I will go aloft, and I want about half a dozen of you to come along with us, and carry lights. Plummer and Jessop here, have volunteered. I want four or five more of you. Step out now, some of you!"
There was no hesitation whatever, now; and the first man to come forward was Quoin. After him followed three of the Mate's crowd, and then old Jaskett.
"That will do; that will do," said the Old Man.
He turned to the Second Mate.