THE DISPOSAL OF THE PRISONERS Before Christy could begin his report he was called to the deck by the first lieutenant, though everything had appeared to be quiet and orderly there.

Ralph Pennant had been at work among the crew, and was unable to discover that any of the men were disloyal; but the commander had better information obtained by his own investigations.

Ralph was in consultation with Mr.Flint when Christy went on deck.
"I think the men are all right, and, so far as I can ascertain, not a man is a rebel," said Ralph in answer to a question of the executive officer.
"You have the names of the four men that I sent to you by the steward, have you not ?" asked Christy.
"I have, captain; Rockton and Warton took part with Mr.Galvinne, but Sayles and Nichols did nothing, and they seem to be as in earnest on the right side as the other two were on the wrong side," replied Ralph.
"I should not be willing to trust them.

I know they were the intimate associates of Rockton and Warton, for they were in council together on board of the Vernon.

In carrying out our orders, we may have a fight either with a battery or with some vessel, and we must not have any black sheep in the crew,--one who might speak a word or make a sign that would ruin all our calculations," added Christy.
"Of course I can't say that Sayles and Nichols are not rebels; but they have done nothing that is suspicious, and one of our men has pumped them both," answered Ralph.
"Have them closely watched, or they may play us some trick when we least suspect it, and in some critical moment," said the commander.
"But I wished to see you in regard to the prisoners," interposed Mr.
Flint.