several of the crew were at work nearby repairing the shattered deck , the carpenter and his mates ; one of them , a cheerful , slant-shouldered fellow named leddowes , brought aboard at spithead and already established as the ship 's jester , sat up on his heels at this remark and stared at hammond in open disapproval , until the carpenter eklof , a big silent swede , thumped him on the shoulder with his big fist , drawing him back down to the work .