"What we want to do, boys," he said, "is to make for the nearest
port. This here is a police matter."

"And a hanging matter," someone else put in.

"We've got to remember, boys, that this ain't like a crime on land.
We've got the fellow that did it. He's on the boat all right."

There was a stirring among the men, and some of them looked aft to
where, guarded by the Swede Oleson, Singleton was sitting, his head
in his hands.

"And, what's more," Charlie Jones went on, "I'm for putting Leslie
here in charge--for now, anyhow. That's agreeable to you, is it,
Burns?"

"But I don't know anything about a ship," I objected. "I'm willing
enough, but I'm not competent."

I believe the thing had been discussed before I went up, for
McNamara spoke up from the wheel.

"We'll manage that somehow or other, Leslie," he said. "We want
somebody to take charge, somebody with a head, that's all. And
since you ain't, in a manner of speaking, been one of us, nobody's
feelings can't be hurt. Ain't that it, boys?"

"That, and a matter of brains," said Burns.