of them, a spirited young
Highlander, Mr McIvor, put a brace of pistols into his belt and
followed me on deck. I tried to escape being seen by the captain, but
he caught sight of me, I was sure, though I stooped down and kept close
to the bulwarks as I crept for'ard.

By this time the men were heaving at the windlass, which they continued
to do, in spite of what old Tom said to them. The captain had overheard
him, and threatened to knock the first man down with a handspike who
ceased to work. Old Tom, however, had got one in his hand, and the
captain did not dare to touch him. In another instant I heard Mr
McIvor's voice exclaiming, "What is this all about, Captain Pyke? What!
are you going to leave our friends on shore?"

"If your friends don't come off at the proper time they must take the
consequences," answered the captain. "Then, what I have got to say,
Captain Pyke, is, that I'll not allow them to be deserted, and that I
intend to carry out my resolution with a pretty strong argument--the
instant the anchor leaves the ground I'll shoot you through the head."

"Mutiny! mutiny!" shouted the captain, starting back, "seize this man
and heave him overboard." As he spoke the other two gentlemen made
their appearance, and old Tom and I, with two or three others, stepped
up close to them, showing the captain the side we intended to take.
Neither of the mates moved, while the men folded their arms and looked
on, showing that they did not intend to interfere.

"Very well, gentlemen," cried the captain, "I see how matters stand--you
have been bribing the crew. I'll agree to wait for the boat, and if she
does not come with the missing people we must give them up for lost."

"That depends upon circumstances," said Mr McIvor, returning his pistol
to his belt. He and the rest continued to walk the deck, while the
captain went, muttering threats of vengeance, into his cabin.

None of us after this turned in. In a short time the splash of oars was
heard, and the boat came alongside. "We have come for food," said Mr
Fraser, one of the gentlemen who had gone in her. "I intend going back
at daylight, and must get two or three others to accompany me. We will
then have a thorough search for Duncan and the boy--there is no doubt
that they have lost their way, and if we fire a few muskets, they will,
with the help of daylight, easily find the harbour. Mr McIvor promised
to accompany his friend, and I volunteered to go