My idea is he referred them to the admiral commanding at Portsmouth, and was told that behind the whole thing is conspiracy--French socialism and English politics.

I give you my word there's no French agent in the fleet, and if there were, it wouldn't have any effect.

Our men's grievances are not new.

They're as old as Cromwell." Suddenly a light of suspicion flashed into Ferens's face.
"You're with us, aren't you?
You see the wrongs we've suffered, and how bad it all is! Yet you haven't been on a voyage with us.

You've only tasted the life in harbour.