the belligerents; and, at the
first sign of revolt, he endeavored to baptize the heathen with his
steaming slush. But dinner had been over for some time, so that the
lukewarm liquid only irritated the savages, one of whom laid the
unfortunate "doctor" bleeding in the scuppers.

All this occurred in perhaps less time than I have taken to tell it;
yet, rapid as was the transaction, I saw that, between the squall with
its flying sails, and the revolt with its raving blacks, we would soon
be in a desperate plight, unless I gave the order _to shoot_.
Accordingly, I told my comrades _to aim low and fire at once_.

Our carabines had been purposely loaded with buck-shot, to suit such
an occasion, so that the first two discharges brought several of the
rebels to their knees. Still, the unharmed neither fled or ceased
brandishing their weapons. Two more discharges drove them forward
amongst the mass of my crew, who had retreated towards the bowsprit;
but, being reinforced by the boatswain and carpenter, we took command
of the hatches so effectually, that a dozen additional discharges
among the ebony legs, drove the refractory to their quarters below.

It was time; for sails, ropes, tacks, sheets, and blocks, were
flapping, dashing, and rolling about the masts and decks, threatening
us with imminent danger from the squall. In a short time, every thing
was made snug, the vessel put on our course, and attention paid to the
mutineers, who had begun to fight among themselves in the hold!

I perceived at once, by the infuriate sounds proceeding from below,
that it would not answer to venture in their midst by descending
through the hatches. Accordingly, we discharged the women from their
quarters under a guard on deck, and sent several resolute and
well-armed hands to remove a couple of boards from the bulk-head, that
separated the cabin from the hold. When this was accomplished, a party
entered, on hands and knees, through the aperture, and began to press
the mutineers forward towards the bulk-head of the forecastle. Still,
the rebels were hot for fight to the last, and boldly defended
themselves with their staves against our weapons.

By this time, our lamed cook had rekindled his fires, and the water
was once more boiling. The hatches were kept open but guarded, and all
who did not fight were suffered to come singly on deck, where they
were tied. As only about sixty remained below engaged in conflict, or
defying my party of sa