aa!_ This, Mr. Osmore took as an insult, and ordered
the port to be shut down; but the messes that were accommodated by the
light from it, forced it up again. Now the origin of this ludicrous
and sheep-like interjection was this: a story was in circulation, that
lieutenant O. had taken slyly some sheep from the neighboring marshes,
without leave or license, and converted them to his own use; and that
the owner being about to prosecute him, the affair was made up, by the
interposition of friends, on compensation being made. Now it is
probable that there was not a word of truth in this story; but that
was the report. The commander, therefore, on finding his orders
resisted by the prisoners, directed some marines to shut the port, and
confine it down with spikes; and ordered the sentinel to fire into the
port if they forced it open again. Upon this, some of the prisoners
tore up a large oaken bench, with which they forced open the port; and
kept the bench out, so as to keep up that valve, or heavy shutter,
sustained on hinges, which when down, closes the port hole, at the
same time the sheepish note of _baa! baa! baa!_ was uttered from every
part of the ship; sounding like an immense flock of sheep, that might
have been heard full a mile. Although none of us could help joining in
the loud laugh, for laughter is contagious, the most prudent of our
countrymen condemned the conduct as highly improper. It was said, if
one man is determined to insult another, let him do it, and abide the
consequences; but never insult a man in the presence of his family. If
we Americans are in the habit of ridiculing ribbands, and garters and
keys, and crowns and sceptres, and mitres, and high sounding titles,
let us never attempt to diminish the dignity of _patriarchal_ rank.

The riot did not end here; for when the commander found that he could
not keep the port entirely shut, he ordered the marines to drive the
prisoners off the forecastle down into the pound, which occasioned the
boys to sing out as before; and even to be more insulting. This he was
determined to bear no longer; and he therefore drove them all below,
allowing only the cooks to remain in the galley, and the caterers to
go upon deck, to get water from the tanks. The market boats were
forbidden to come near us; and in this state of embargo we remained
during two days, all the time confined merely to the government
allowance of food. At length, the committee requested the comman