Then Rattleton was seized, and he lay in his bunk, groaning and dismal,
even though he tried to be cheerful at times.

Browning enjoyed everything, even Rattleton's misery, for he could be
lazy to his heart's content.

They had enlivened the times by singing songs, those of a nautical
flavor, such as "Larboard Watch" and "A Life on the Ocean Wave," having
the preference.

Now it happened that the Frenchman occupied a room adjoining, and he was
very much annoyed by their singing. He pounded on the partition, and
expressed his feelings in very lurid language, but that amused them, and
they sang the louder.

"M. Montfort seems to get very agitated," said Frank, laughing.

"But I hardly think there is any danger that he will do more than hammer
on the partition," grunted Bruce. "He's kept away from us since he found
he could not frighten anybody."

"He's a bluffer," was Diamond's opinion.

"He's a great fellow to play cards," said Merry. "But he seems to ply
for something more than amusement."

"How's that?" asked Jack, interested.

"I've noticed that he never cares for whist or any game where there are
no stakes. He gets into a game only when there's something to be won."