ty at work, but he made that work as light as possible by
setting them to do it in the best way it could be done, and only
ordering them to do what was absolutely required. Sailors, as indeed is
the case with most classes of men, are very quick in discovering when
they have an efficient officer placed over them who knows his duty.
Insubordination and mutiny are generally the consequences rather of the
ignorance and sloth of the captain than of tyranny.

Fortunately, the calm continued. The decks were washed clean of their
bloody stains; the dead were committed to their ocean graves, and their
shipmates, if they did not forget, soon ceased to talk about them.
Jury-masts were rigged on board the _Concorde_, and a breeze at length
springing up, the four ships, thus partially repaired, made sail for
Rio.

Old Jacob and Dick had accompanied Ralph on board the _Eagle_. It was
an unfortunate circumstance for the latter. Spirits were more easily
obtained than on board the frigate, and he very soon became quarrelsome
and mutinous. Ralph, not observing his state, had directed him to
perform some duty.

"Not for you, or any man like you. You, who were before the mast only
yesterday--you think you can top the officer over me, do you? I told
you I wouldn't stand it, and I won't," exclaimed Dick, reeling about and
flourishing his arms as his excitement increased.

The whaler's crew laughed, and some of the rougher characters even
encouraged Dick with their applause.

Ralph knew that discipline must be maintained, though ready himself to
bear any insult, and most unwilling to punish his former messmate. A
boat from the _Falcon_ was alongside. He ordered the boatswain and some
other men on whom he could depend to seize Dick and lower him into her.
It was done before the unhappy man knew what was happening. Ralph then
wrote a note to Lieutenant Handsel, saying that the proceeding was
necessary to prevent worse consequences, but begging that, as Bracewell
had behaved bravely in the action, his offence might be overlooked.
Dick stormed and raged when he found himself being carried back to the
frigate, and vowed that he would be revenged. Ralph regretted what had
happened, the more as he had hoped that, by keeping Dick on board the
_Eagle_, he might have prevented him from attempting to desert. He
resolved, however, as soon as they arrived at Rio, to go on board the
_Falcon_ and to try and bring him to reason. Though the