"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. "We have four of them here made fast to the rail, and Galvinne complains of his treatment; he says he is cold." "I should think he might be, for the night air is very chilly," replied Christy. "I should have preferred to get rid of these men before we went into any enterprise, for they are dangerous persons to us." "With their arms locked together behind them, they are not in condition to do any harm," added Mr. Flint. "I will go below and see what can be done with them. I desire to make them as comfortable as possible, though I do not believe they will be satisfied with any location to which I may assign them." "I think you need not be too particular about them; they have made their own nest, and now they must live in it," said the first lieutenant. "You may come with me, Ralph," added Christy, as he descended the companion-way. The commander found Dave keeping close watch over Corny Passford, though he was fast asleep in his berth. Passing through the ward room and steerage, Dave unlocked the door that led into the quarters of the crew. Next to the bulkhead, or partition, was space enough for the prisoners, and the steward was required to bring five berth sacks, which were placed on the deck. "The only objection I have to this as prison quarters is that Sayles and Nichols will be too near them; but I shall keep a sentry over them all the time," said Christy. "I should think they would be safe with a guard," added Ralph. "Now, Dave, you will wake your prisoner, and I will relieve you of all responsibility in regard to him. He is dressed, is he not?" continued the commander when they reached the ward room. "He is, Captain Passford, for he did not undress when he turned in last night," replied the steward. "What is the matter now?" asked the prisoner in the ward room, after he had rubbed his eyes for a time.