Then he followed leisurely, becoming aware, as he reached the open air, of loud voices in angry dialogue.
Entrances to the _Empress of the Ocean's_ cabins were on the main deck, and also on the raised half-deck at the stern, near the wheel, the binnacle and the officers' corned-beef tubs, swinging in their frames.
From this upper deck two flights of steps led down to the main deck below.

At the top of one of these flights stood young Pearson, cool and alert.

Behind him half crouched the Japanese steward, evidently very much frightened.

At the foot of the steps were grouped three rough looking men, foreigners and sailors without doubt, and partially intoxicated.

The three men were an ugly lot, and they were all yelling and jabbering together in a foreign lingo.