ice,
without ever being brought to punishment; but if I am to be hung now,
saving your pleasure, and with all respect, I can't help it."

"I give you but one moment more, sir," cried the captain: "do your
duty."

The man looked at the captain, and then eyed the yard-arm. "Captain
Hawkins, I will _do my duty_, although I must swing for it." So saying,
he threw his cat down on the quarter-deck, and fell back among the
ship's company.

The captain was now confounded, and hardly knew how to act: to
persevere, appeared useless--to fall back, was almost as impossible. A
dead silence of a minute ensued. Everyone was breathless, with
impatience, to know what would be done next. The silence was, however,
first broken by Jones, the Joe Miller, who was seized up.

"Beg your honour's pardon, sir," said he, turning his head round: "but
if I am to be flogged, will you be pleased to let me have it over? I
shall catch my death a-cold, naked here all day."

This was decided mockery on the part of the man, and roused the captain.

"Sergeant of marines, put Jones, and that man Collins, both legs in
irons, for mutiny. My men, I perceive that there is a conspiracy in the
ship, but I shall very soon put an end to it: I know the men, and, by
God, they shall repent it. Mr Paul, pipe down. Mr Simple, man my
gig; and recollect, it's my positive orders that no boat goes on shore."

The captain left the brig, looking daggers at me as he went over the
side; but I had done my duty, and cared little for that; indeed, I was
now watching his conduct, as carefully as he did mine.

"The captain wishes to tell his own story first," said Thompson, coming
up to me. "Now, if I were you, Simple, I would take care that the real
facts should be known."

"How's that to be done," replied I; "he has ordered no communication
with the shore."

"Simply by sending an officer on board of each of the frigates to state
that the brig is in a state of mutiny, and request that they will keep a
look-out upon her. This is no more than your duty as commanding
officer; you only send the message, leave me to state the facts of my
own accord. Recollect that the captains of these frigates will be
summoned, if there is a court of inquiry, which I expect will take
place."

I considered a little, and thought the advice good. I despatched
Thompson first to one frigate, and then to the other. The next day the
captain came on board. As soon as he stepped on