s, by the
determination of the first lieutenant was then happily quelled, and the
ship soon after returned to Port Royal. Here Captain Falkner was found
sufficiently recovered to resume his command. The men soon discovered
that he had been informed of the mutiny. He told the men so in very
explicit terms. Adding--

"You have brought disgrace on yourselves, men, and on the ship, in a way
which makes me ashamed of you, but I hope before long, that we shall
fall in with an enemy, and that then I shall find you wipe it out, by
the gallantry of your conduct." The men on hearing these words, cheered
their captain, and from that day forth he had no cause to complain of
the general conduct of the ship's company. They were continually on the
look-out for an enemy's cruiser. Several merchant vessels were taken
and sent into port, and a small brig-of-war was captured, without having
fired a shot in her own defence. The midshipmen were always encouraged
by their captain to exercise themselves by running aloft over the
masthead, and sliding down by the different ropes which led on deck.
Sometimes the game of follow my leader was played; the most active lad
leading the way. Now to the mizen-mast-head, next to the
main-topgallant-mast-head, and so on to the foremast, and finally,
perhaps down to the bowsprit end. Now like monkeys, they were seen to
run out on the yard-arms, and it seemed wonderful that they could, at
the rate they went, escape falling. On one occasion, during a game,
both the midshipmen and the ship's boys were thus amusing themselves.
Several of the top-men were on the main-top-mast yard. A sudden splash
was heard. "A man overboard!" was the cry. Quick as lightning a ship's
boy was seen gliding down a backstay. As he touched the
hammock-nettings, instead of jumping down on deck, he plunged overboard.

"A shark! a shark!" was heard, uttered in tones of horror by several
voices on deck. The order was given to lower a boat. Gratings and oars
and spars were hove overboard. A short way from the ship, a young fair
face was seen floating upwards, while Charles Denham, who it appeared
had sprung overboard, was striking out rapidly towards him. The
attention of all on board was directed to the spot. Had it not been for
fear of the voracious monster of the deep, many might have jumped
overboard to assist, still they shouted and kept throwing in things, to
distract, if possible, the attention of the shark,