rst man who advances another
step must take the consequences. I shall be justified in shooting him,
and I intend to do so. His blood be upon his own head. Now lay down
these capstan-bars and stretchers, and tell me, had you overpowered us,
what you intended to do."

The mutineers were dumbfounded, and even the boldest could make no
reply. Most of them, indeed, did as they were ordered and threw their
weapons on the deck, hanging down their heads and looking ashamed of
themselves. The boatswain and Hulk, and a few of the more daring, tried
to brazen it out.

"All we want is justice," blustered out the boatswain. "We shipped
aboard here to fight our enemies, like brave Englishmen, and to take as
many prizes as we could fall in with; but there does not seem much
chance of our doing so this voyage."

"You shipped on board to do as I ordered you, and not to act the part of
sea-robbers and pirates, which is what you would wish to be," answered
the captain. "Those who intend to act like honest men, and obey orders,
go over to the starboard side; the rest stand on the other."

The greater number of the crew--with the exception of the boatswain and
Hulk and two others--went over to starboard. The captain then ordered
the remainder of the crew to be piped on deck. They quickly came up.

"Now, my lads, those who wish to obey me and do their duty, join their
shipmates on the starboard side; those who are inclined the other way,
stand on one side with Mr Capstick and his mate."

Two or three cast a look at the boatswain, but one and all went over to
the starboard side. The boatswain looked greatly disconcerted, for he
had evidently counted on being joined by the greater part of his
shipmates.

"Now," said the captain, "I am averse to putting men in irons, but as
these have shown a spirit of insubordination which would have been
destructive, if successful, to all on board, they must take the
consequences. Mr Shobbrok, seize the fellows and put them in
confinement below."

The three mates, calling six other men, sprang on the mutineers, who,
drawing their knives, attempted to defend themselves; but they were
quickly disarmed, and their weapons being thrown overboard, their hands
were lashed behind them, and they were carried below, to have the irons
put on by the armourer, who was among those who could be trusted. None
of the rest of the crew attempting to interfere, order was speedily
restored on board the _Cham