They were talking in whispers, but Rufus Dawes, lying with his head close to the partition, was enabled to catch much of what they said.
At first the conversation turned on the catastrophe of the burning ship and the likelihood of saving the crew.

From this it grew to anecdote of wreck and adventure, and at last Gabbett said something which made the listener start from his indifferent efforts to slumber, into sudden broad wakefulness.
It was the mention of his own name, coupled with that of the woman he had met on the quarter-deck, that roused him.
"I saw her speaking to Dawes yesterday," said the giant, with an oath.
"We don't want no more than we've got.

I ain't goin' to risk my neck for Rex's woman's fancies, and so I'll tell her." "It was something about the kid," says the Crow, in his elegant slang.
"I don't believe she ever saw him before.

Besides, she's nuts on Jack, and ain't likely to pick up with another man." "If I thort she was agoin' to throw us over, I'd cut her throat as soon as look at her!" snorts Gabbett savagely.
"Jack ud have a word in that," snuffles the Moocher; "and he's a curious cove to quarrel with." "Well, stow yer gaff," grumbled Mr.Gabbett, "and let's have no more chaff.

If we're for bizness, let's come to bizness." "What are we to do now ?" asked the Moocher.