Two of my men were to be left in the fore peak, for they were unhurt and could be shut in safely, while the other three were set amidships, with men of the crew round them.

These three had some slight hurts, and a man set about caring for them, roughly but skilfully enough.
But what I chiefly noticed as we were led aft, was that the ale was passing freely, and, as I should have thought, too often for good seamanship.

That, however, was not my business, if it did seem to explain why Asbiorn separated us.

Seven desperate men might do much among a helpless crowd, once they had snatched the arms they could reach from those who had forgotten to guard them.
The young chief paid no heed to us as we passed into the darkness of the low cabin.

The door was closed and barred after us, and we were left to our own devices, though in a few minutes some man on the after deck took off the little square hatch cover which let the light into the place.