It should in any case have been a sufficient explanation. But
before more could be added, their attention was drawn at last to
Ogle, who came bounding up the broad ladder, and to the men lounging
aft in his wake, in all of which, instinctively, they apprehended a
vague menace.
At the head of the companion, Ogle found his progress barred by
Blood, who confronted him, a sudden sternness in his face and in
every line of him.
"What's this?" the Captain demanded sharply. "Your station is on
the gun-deck. Why have you left it?"
Thus challenged, the obvious truculence faded out of Ogle's bearing,
quenched by the old habit of obedience and the natural dominance
that was the secret of the Captain's rule over his wild followers.
But it gave no pause to the gunner's intention. If anything it
increased his excitement.
"Captain," he said, and as he spoke he pointed to the pursuing ships,
"Colonel Bishop holds us. We're in no case either to run or fight."
Blood's height seemed to increase, as did his sternness.
"Ogle," said he, in a voice cold and sharp as steel, "your station
is on the gun-deck.
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