Don't think we mean harm to the fleet.

We mean to do it good.
All we want is that its masters shall remember we're human flesh and blood; that we're as much entitled to good food and drink on sea as on land; and that, if we risk our lives and shed our blood, we ought to have some share in the spoils.

We're a great country and we're a great people, but, by God, we're not good to our own! Look at them there." He turned and waved a hand to the bowels of the ship where sailors traded with the slop-sellers, or chaffered with women, or sat in groups and sang, or played rough games which had no vital meaning; while here and there in groups, with hands gesticulating, some fanatics declared their principles.

And the principles of every man in the Nore fleet so far were embraced in the four words--wages, food, drink, prize-money.
Presently Ferens stopped short.

"Listen!" he said.
There was a cry from the ship's side not far away, and then came little bursts of cheering.
"By Heaven, it's the Delegates comin' here!" he said.