at he had displayed more
flexibility than was actually necessary to secure my co-operation. I
therefore said:

"Well, whichever way the affair goes, I am at least glad to hear you say
that the ship's crew are willing to agree to any reasonable proposition
that I may make; but that still remains to be seen. You and I may
differ in our ideas as to what is reasonable, you know."

"Ay, of course we may; but I don't think it's at all likely as we shall,
sir," answered the boatswain. "You state your conditions, Mr
Troubridge, and I'll soon tell ye whether they seems reasonable or not."

"Very well," said I, "I will. If I understand the ins and outs of this
affair, Wilde has persuaded all hands aboard this ship, seamen and
emigrants alike, to seek out some suitable island, whereon you can try
the experiment of living the ideal life of the Socialist. You are, one
and all, absolutely determined to give this fantastic experiment a
trial; and you desire me to help you to the extent of finding the island
for you. Is that it?"

"That's it, sir; yes, that's it; you've got it hit off to a
happigraphy," agreed the boatswain.

"Then listen to the conditions upon which I am willing to do what you
require of me," said I. "The sort of island that you people desire is
only to be found--if found at all--in an ocean that is at present
comparatively unknown, and is full of dangers in the shape of rocks,
shoals, and islands, the position of which is doubtful, as shown by the
charts, while there are doubtless many others that have never yet been
sighted, and which a ship, bound upon such an errand as ours, is liable
to blunder up against at any hour of the day or night. To navigate
successfully a ship among such dangers as these it is imperative that
there should be one person--and one only--as the supreme head, to whom
all the rest shall render the most implicit, unquestioning obedience;
and I demand to be that one, with you and the carpenter as first and
second mates. I must command the ship, and nobody must presume to
interfere with or dictate to me in any way. Secondly, the crew must
undertake to observe and maintain strict discipline, both among
themselves and also among the emigrants if need be. And, thirdly, I
decline--nay, I absolutely refuse--to acknowledge Wilde's authority. He
may be your king, or president, or whatever he chooses to call himself,
as soon as your island is found and all hands are ashore; but until
th