"the lakeman now patrolled the barricade, all the while keeping his eye on the captain, and jerking out such sentences as these:—‘it’s not our fault; we didn’t want it; i told him to take his hammer away; it was boy’s business; he might have known me before this; i told him not to prick the buffalo; i believe i have broken a finger here against his cursed jaw; ain’t those mincing knives down in the forecastle there, men? look to those handspikes, my hearties. captain, by god, look to yourself; say the word; don’t be a fool; forget it all; we are ready to turn to; treat us decently, and we’re your men; but we won’t be flogged.’