The mate stepped back, and the captain emerged from the door inside the pantry. He followed Frinks out into the cabin, and looked as though he was in no better humor than the second in command. “I ordered you not to come into the cabin till I told you to do so,” said the captain, who had the expression on his face with which Louis was most familiar, for he was angry with the mate. “But you did not order me to take in sail if it came on to blow a hurricane,” answered Frinks, as smartly as his superior had spoken. “I thought you had sense enough to do that without any orders,” growled Scoble. “It can’t be done now without all hands, including the captain and cook,” added Frinks. “I have business below, and I can’t go on deck at present,” said Scoble. “You will have business below in Davy Jones’s locker if you don’t attend to the working of the vessel.” “No more jaw! Go on deck and take in the foresail!” continued the captain beginning to be furious. “That will not prevent the mainmast from being taken out of her, for you know both sticks are half rotten,” returned the mate. Mr. Frinks evidently believed he was quite as good a man as Scoble. CHAPTER VIII BOUND TO ENGLAND At this stage of the discussion, Louis happened to step out of the stateroom to which he had retired on the appearance of Scoble, for he did not wish to provoke a quarrel with him at present. But if the vessel was in danger, as the mate intimated, he wanted to know something more of the situation. It would have been better, so far as preserving the peace was concerned, if he had kept out of sight. “Go on deck, Mr. Frinks, and put a reef in the mainsail!” stormed the captain; and his wrath seemed to be freshly rekindled at the sight of Louis. “It can’t be done without more hands. If you don’t care what becomes of your schooner, I am sure I don’t,” replied Frinks, who did not seem to be a model sailor, for he had not learned the duty of passive obedience. “Here is a stout boy; take him on deck with you!” said Scoble, concentrating a look of hatred upon Louis. “He shall work his passage. Take him on deck with you! He’s of no use below.” “He is a lubber, and good for nothing,” answered the mate, glancing at the victim. “I expect every minute to hear the mast snap off; but I shall wait till you get ready to go on deck, Captain Scoble.” “What do you mean by calling me Captain Scoble?” demanded the commander; and it was clear that Frinks had forgotten his instructions in the excitement, and that Scoble had not noticed it till he realized that Louis was present to hear the name. “I stand corrected, though Farrongate is not your name, all the same,” added the mate in sulky tones. “We will not quarrel, Mr. Frinks,” said the captain, doubtless seeing that he was tipping his own fat into the fire. “I will go on deck with you, and we will reef both the fore and the mainsails.” “All right, Captain Farrongate,” added Frinks, who had carried his point, and went on deck.