sail was drawn from beneath the bows.
Spoke two small schooners during the day.

July 9th. Fine weather. All hands employed in repairing bulwarks. Peters
had again a long conversation with Augustus, and spoke more plainly than
he had done heretofore. He said nothing should induce him to come into
the mate's views, and even hinted his intention of taking the brig out
of his hands. He asked my friend if he could depend upon his aid in such
case, to which Augustus said, "Yes," without hesitation. Peters then
said he would sound the others of his party upon the subject, and went
away. During the remainder of the day Augustus had no opportunity of
speaking with him privately.

CHAPTER 7

JULY 10. Spoke a brig from Rio, bound to Norfolk. Weather hazy, with
a light baffling wind from the eastward. To-day Hartman Rogers died,
having been attacked on the eighth with spasms after drinking a glass of
grog. This man was of the cook's party, and one upon whom Peters placed
his main reliance. He told Augustus that he believed the mate had
poisoned him, and that he expected, if he did not be on the look-out,
his own turn would come shortly. There were now only himself, Jones, and
the cook belonging to his own gang--on the other side there were five.
He had spoken to Jones about taking the command from the mate; but the
project having been coolly received, he had been deterred from pressing
the matter any further, or from saying any thing to the cook. It was
well, as it happened, that he was so prudent, for in the afternoon the
cook expressed his determination of siding with the mate, and went over
formally to that party; while Jones took an opportunity of quarrelling
with Peters, and hinted that he would let the mate know of the plan
in agitation. There was now, evidently, no time to be lost, and Peters
expressed his determination of attempting to take the vessel at all
hazards, provided Augustus would lend him his aid. My friend at once
assured him of his willingness to enter into any plan for that purpose,
and, thinking the opportunity a favourable one, made known the fact
of my being on board. At this the hybrid was not more astonished than
delighted, as he had no reliance whatever upon Jones, whom he already
considered as belonging to the party of the mate. They went below
immediately, when Augustus called to me by name, and Peters and myself
were soon made acquainted. It was agreed that we should attempt to
retake the v