same time it appeared perfectly incomprehensible, that six prisoners
should have even formed the idea of attempting the recapture of a vessel
manned with sixteen Englishmen, and that they should consider themselves
_so strong_ as to insure success. Determined to report what he had
heard to Courtenay, Seymour walked the remainder of his watch, was
relieved, and went below to his hammock.

The wind had increased during the night; but as it was fair, and the sky
clear, and the sun shone bright, the breeze was rather a matter of
congratulation when they met at breakfast in the morning, although Peter
and Paul complained of the violent motion of the vessel having taken
away their appetite. Seymour reported to Courtenay the fragments of the
conversation which he had overheard; and, insane as appeared to be the
idea of recapture, the latter agreed with him that it demanded caution
on their parts: but as it would appear very opposite to the English
character to take open measures against six prisoners, when they were so
numerous, he contented himself with desiring all the arms and ammunition
to be stowed in the cabin, and gave orders that the prisoners, as they
refused to work, should not be allowed to come on deck after dusk,--and
then gave the affair no further thought. Seymour was aware that,
although it was his duty to report the circumstance, he had no right to
press the matter upon Courtenay, who was to be supposed the best judge;
still he was not satisfied. He had an unaccountable foreboding that all
was not right. He turned the subject in his mind until dinner was
announced by Billy Pitt, which put an end to his reverie.

The violent jerking motion of the vessel made it no easy task to retain
a position at table, which was securely lashed. As for placing on it
the whole of the dinner at once, decanters, etcetera, that would have
been certain destruction; a plate and spoon for their soup was all which
Billy Pitt, who was major-domo, would trust them with. Paul, who was
not the best sailor in the world, had secured to himself the seat to
windward, and it consequently fell to his lot to help the pea-soup,
which was placed at the weather-side of the table. To save time and
breakage,--two important things in a sea-mess,--they all held their own
plates, which they thrust in towards the tureen from the different
quarters of the table to receive their supply. Paul having helped those
nearest to him, rose from his chai