, our food
and water gradually decreasing.

We now often looked at each other, wondering what would be the end. At
last, one night, when it was my middle watch on deck, Jim came aft to
me.

"I'm afraid the men won't stand it any longer," he said. "They vow that
if the captain don't serve out more food and water they'll take it. I
know that it will be death to all of us if they do, or I would not tell
on them. You let Mr Griffiths know; maybe he'll bring them to a right
mind. They don't care for Jack or me, and Brown, Soper, and Sam seemed
inclined to side with the rest. Jack says whatever you do he'll do."

"Thank you, Jim," I answered. "You try to show them what folly they'll
commit if they attempt to do as they propose. They won't succeed, for
the captain is a determined man, and there'll be bloodshed if they keep
to their purpose."

Jim went forward, and I took a turn on deck to consider what was best to
be done. It was the second mate's watch, and it had only just struck
two bells. I did not wish to say anything to him. I waited for a
little, and then asked the second mate to let me go below for a minute,
for I could not quit the deck without his leave.

"You may go and turn in if you like," he said. "There's no chance of
your being wanted on a night like this."

"Thank you, sir," I answered, and at once ran down to Mr Griffiths's
cabin.

He awoke when I touched his shoulder, and I told him in a low voice what
I had heard.

"You have acted sensibly, Peter," he answered. "I'll be on deck in a
moment. When the men see that we are prepared for them they'll change
their minds."

I again went on deck, and he soon appeared, with a brace of pistols in
his belt, followed by the captain and the doctor, with muskets in their
hands.

At that moment up sprang from the fore-hatchway the greater part of the
crew, evidently intending to make their way to the after store-room,
where the provisions and water were kept.

"What are you about to do, lads?" shouted the captain. "Go below, every
one of you, except the watch on deck, and don't attempt to try this
trick again."

His tall figure holding a musket ready to fire cowed them in an instant,
and they obeyed without uttering a word. The captain said that he
should remain on deck, and told Mr Griffiths and the doctor that he
would call them if they were wanted.

Some time afterwards, going forward, I found Jim, who told me that they
had all turned