‘It is grandly managed,’ said I, answering for the mate, who seemed incapable of speech, and who stood staring at the repulsive, massive, small-poxed face and wonderful figure of the prize-fighter with looks of dread and aversion. ‘You, Mr. Abram, will have been the genius of this splendid stroke.’ ‘I thik I bay claib to ’ave ’ad a small ’ad in it,’ he answered, with an indescribable smirk of self-complacency, as he gazed at Tom. ‘Hark at those brutes outside!’ cried my sweetheart. ‘There’ll be no navigation, there’ll be nothing to be done with the ship if those hell-hounds are not to be brought under some sort of government.’ ‘You bust let theb howl it out of thebselves. They’ve got at the drik and that’s dot going to quiet ’eb,’ said Abram. ‘Perhaps sub of theb will be jubping overboard presedly, or going for each other with the soldiers’ sballarbs; we’re rather duberous.’ He spoke with a great affectation of gentility and superiority. At any other time I should have burst into a fit of laughter at the fellow’s grotesque, genteel air, coupled with the indescribable leering smirk of self-complacency that was fixed upon his pitted face. ‘Captain Butler, what use can you make of me?’ said Mr. Bates, finding his voice on a sudden. ‘I owe you my life, and I want to prove myself grateful, and I want to show myself grateful for Mr. Abram’s friendship and protection.’ ‘Let Mr. Bates go and take charge of the deck,’ said Tom, looking at Abram. Abram, with a cunning grin, shook his head. ‘Trust the ship to wud of her bates! Reckon that he’s going to steer you to the port agreed upod for our dispersal? He’ll wait upod you!’ said Abram. ‘The ship must be watched,’ said Tom. ‘Suppose a squall should burst down upon us! Suppose something with paddle-wheels and a white pennant flying should heave into sight!’ he added with an oath which I had never before heard in his mouth, and looking Abram fiercely in the face as he spoke. ‘How am I to teach these wretches common-sense? The ship must be watched!’ he shouted. ‘Am I to be your only man? Is it to be a twenty-four-hours’ look-out with me day after day until I bring you in sight of the land we agree to make? Bates, you are still first mate of this ship under me. You won’t go wrong. You’ll have no chance. I’d blow out the brains of any man who’d imperil the liberty I’ve regained this morning!’ His eyes flashed, his face filled with blood, he took a step and put his arms round my neck and stood so, scarcely sensible, it seemed to me, of what he did. ‘I’ll back you, Tom!’ said I. ‘The liberty you’ve this day got you’ll keep.’ Abram burst out laughing. I felt, and was amazed to feel Tom’s influence over this ruffian. ‘Your little fred’s got the spu’k, Butler,’ said he. ‘A bugful of it wouldn’t hurt that lad there,’ he continued, nodding at Will.