"Come to business, carn't yer?
Tell 'em they may like it or lump it, but we mean to have the ship, and them as refuses to join us we mean to chuck overboard.

That's about the plain English of it!" This practical way of putting it produces a sensation, and the conservative party at the other end look in each other's faces with some alarm.

A grim murmur runs round, and somebody near Mr.Gabbett laughs a laugh of mingled ferocity and amusement, not reassuring to timid people.
"What about the sogers ?" asked a voice from the ranks of the cautious.
"D--- the sogers!" cries the Moocher, moved by a sudden inspiration.
"They can but shoot yer, and that's as good as dyin' of typhus anyway!" The right chord had been struck now, and with a stifled roar the prison admitted the truth of the sentiment.

"Go on, old man!" cries Jemmy Vetch to the giant, rubbing his thin hands with eldritch glee.

"They're all right!" And then, his quick ears catching the jingle of arms, he said, "Stand by now for the door--one rush'll do it." It was eight o'clock and the relief guard was coming from the after deck.