It was all cut and dried, and there was really nothing to cavil at.

If they met a steamship, and she stopped in response to their signals, her captain would be asked to take care, not only of Miss Yorke, but of any other person who shirked further adventure.

As for Coke, and Watts, and the majority of the men, they were pledged to De Sylva.

Even Norrie, the engineer, a hard-headed Scot, meant to stick to the launch until the President that was and would be again was safely landed among his expectant people.
Watts let the cat out of the bag later.
"Those of us 'oo don't leave Dom Wot's-'is-name in the lurch are to get ten years' full pay, extry an' over an' above wot the court allows," he said.

"Just think of it! Don't it make your mouth water?
Reminds me of a chap I wonst read about in a trac'.