CHAPTER XII.
A SAIL ON THE STARBOARD BOW Before Captain Passford had read two lines of the document in his hands, a noise as of a scuffle was heard in the passage way to the ward room.
Mr.Baskirk was sent to ascertain the cause of the disturbance, and he threw the door wide open.

Dave was there, blocking the passage way, and Pink Mulgrum was trying to force his way towards the cabin door.

The steward declared that no one must go to the cabin; it was the order of the captain himself.

Mulgrum found it convenient not to hear on this occasion.

The moment Baskirk appeared, the deaf mute exhibited a paper, which he passed to the new lieutenant, evidently satisfied that he could get no nearer to the door.