t of the talking from
among the crew, "we go no farther."

He was confident that he had the backing of the men, and in that
confidence grew bold with reckless temerity. Flushed by the victory of
the morning, the rum he had imbibed, intoxicated by the thought of the
treasure which was to be shared, the man went on impudently:

"No, Sir Harry Morgan, we've decided to follow our latest plan. We'll
work this ship up to the New England coast and wreck her there. There
are plenty of spots where she can be cast away safely and none to know
it. We'll obey you there and no further. We've got enough treasure under
hatches to satisfy any reasonable man. We're not afeared o' the King if
you are."

"You fool!" thundered Morgan. "You will be hanged as soon as your part
in the adventure is known."

"And who is to make it known, pray? As you said, we are poor ignorant
men. It's nothing to us if you are marked, and you, and you," he
continued, stepping forward and pointing successively at Morgan and the
little band of officers who surrounded him. "A bird in the hand is worth
two in the bush, we'd have you understand, and we're content with what
we've got. We don't take no stock in them islands of yours. We can get
all the women we want, and of our own kind without crossing the Isthmus.
We don't want no further cruisin'. There's no need for us to land on the
Spanish Main. We've made up our minds to 'bout ship and bear away to the
northward. Am I right, mates?"

"Ay, ay, right you are!" roared the men surging aft.

"You mutinous hound!" yelled Morgan, leaning forward in a perfect fury
of rage, and his passion was something appalling to look upon.

Hornigold clutched at the helm, which had been deserted by the seamen
detailed to it during the course of the hot debate. The old man cast one
long, anxious glance to windward where a black squall was apparently
brewing. But he said nothing. The argument was between Morgan and his
crew, there was no need for him to interfere. Teach, Raveneau, Velsers,
and the officers drew their pistols and bared their swords, but most of
the crew were also armed, and if it came to a trial of strength the
cabin gang was so overwhelmingly outnumbered that it would have been
futile to inaugurate a contest.

Morgan, however, was frantic with rage. To be braved by a member of his
crew, to have his plans balked by any man, and to be openly insulted in
this manner! He did not hesitate a second. He rushed at M