e tempest. But
his situation was worse than the fisher-boy's, for he was to be kept a
prisoner until the voyage of the Sweepstakes was nearly ended. There was
no sport in being obliged to remain in that hot cabin bound hand and
foot; and when he remembered that the night promised to be very dark;
that a black cloud hung threateningly in the horizon, and hoarse
mutterings of distant thunder had been heard all the afternoon; that the
navigation of the bay was at all times dangerous, and especially during
a high wind; that Tom was scarcely sailor enough to handle a sail-boat
in calm weather--when Johnny thought of all these things, it may be
imagined that he was not very well pleased with his situation. The only
consolation he could find was in the hope that the Sweepstakes might be
speedily captured.

In half an hour all the prisoners had been stowed away in the bunks, the
Crusoe men had satisfied their appetites, and the governor was ready to
perform another duty that had been on his mind all the afternoon. It was
something he did not like to do; but the well-being of the loyal members
of the band demanded it. "Will Atkins," said he, "you an' Jack Spaniard
take some grub an' water to the prisoners."

"Atkins! Atkins!" repeated the mutineer. "Can't nobody in this band do
nothing except Atkins?"

"Silence!" commanded the chief, sternly. "Do as you are told, to onct,
an' without any more growlin'. I've give you one lesson to-day, an' if
you don't mind your eye, I'll give you another. Mark you, now. Don't
untie their hands, but feed 'em yourselves, an' give 'em all they want,
too."

The discontented members, fearing to disobey, sullenly gathered up an
armful of crackers, filled a cup with water, and went into the cabin.
The governor watched them suspiciously until they disappeared, and then,
turning to Xury, said:

"Well, was I right or wrong?"

"You were right," answered the mate. "They are just spilin' to get their
hands on that money, an' I told 'em that I'd help 'em. We've made up a
plan to steal the valise when we stop at the Elizabeth Islands fur
water."

"I knew I couldn't be fooled easy," said the chief, "but I wanted to be
sure. I'll fix 'em for that."

The skipper and Friday did not understand this conversation, but the
governor in a few words explained. He said that ever since Tom's new
idea was communicated to the band, he had been suspicious that Atkins
and Jack Spaniard were watching their chance to