in our own way, and
showing that British seamen can at once be mutineers and patriots? We
have a pilot who knows the river. We can go to the West Indian Islands,
to the British fleet there. It's doom and death to stay here; and it may
be doom and death to go. If we try to break free, and are fired on, the
Admiralty may approve of us, because we've broken away from the rest.
See now, isn't that the thing to do? I'm for getting out. Who's coming
with me?"

Suddenly a burly sailor pushed forward. He had the head of a viking. His
eyes were strong with enterprise. He had a hand like a ham, with long,
hairy fingers.

"Captain," said he, "you've put the thing so there can be only one
answer to it. As for me, I'm sick of the way this mutiny has been
bungled from first to last. There's been one good thing about
it only--we've got order without cruelty, we've rebelled without
ravagement; but we've missed the way, and we didn't deal with the
Admiralty commissioners as we ought. So I'm for joining up with the
captain here"--he waved a hand towards Dyck--"and making for open sea.
As sure as God's above, they'll try to hammer us; but it's the only
way."

He held a handkerchief-a dirty, red silk thing. "See," he continued,
"the wind is right to take us out. The other ships won't know what we're
going to do until we start. I'm for getting off. I'm a pressed man. I
haven't seen my girl for five years, and they won't let me free in port
to go and see her. Nothing can be worse than what we have to suffer now,
so let's make a break for it. That's what I say. Come, now, lads, three
cheers for Captain Calhoun!"

A half-hour later, on the captain's deck, Dyck gave the order to pass
eastward. It was sunset when they started, and they had not gone a
thousand yards before some of the mutineering ships opened fire on the
Ariadne. The breeze was good, however, and she sailed bravely through
the leaden storm. Once twice--thrice she was hit, but she sped on. Two
men were killed and several were wounded. Sails were torn, and the high
bulkheads were broken; but, without firing a shot in reply, the Ariadne
swung clear at last of the hostile ships and reached safe water.

On the edge of the open sea Dyck took stock of the position. The Ariadne
had been hit several times, and the injury done her was marked. Before
morning the dead seamen were sunk in watery graves, and the wounded were
started back to health again. By daylight the Ariadne was well