e contraband."

Bobbing and courtesying on the waves, the little Swede soon drifted
from view.

But the crew grew mutinous,--for had they not come out for plunder?
The boatswain even called Rogers a traitor.

"Seize the fellow and flog him," cried the sturdy captain. "Put ten of
these talkative hounds in irons. We'll do the talking on this boat,
and the sailors must do theirs in the fo'castle."

This was done immediately.

Next day a seaman came aft, with near half the ship's company in his
rear, and cried:

"I demand the boatswain out of his irons, Captain Rogers. He's done
nothing to deserve such a severe punishment."

"Speak with me privately, on the quarter-deck," said the bluff
commander. "I cannot discuss this matter with you in such a crowd."
And he moved aft.

The grumbler followed, but, no sooner was he alone with stout Woodes,
than the captain sprang upon him with the agility of a leopard. He was
thrown to the ground, held, and bound by two officers. Then he was
stripped and whipped until the blood ran.

"This method," writes the doughty Woodes, "I deemed best for breaking
any unlawful friendship among the mutinous crew. It allayed the
tumult, so that they began to submit quietly and those in irons begged
my pardon, and promised amendment."

Thus the captain had won the first round with the mutineers.

Now, know you, that the War of the Spanish Succession was then in
progress; a war in which one party was endeavoring to put the Archduke
Charles of Austria upon the Spanish throne; another to place Philip,
grandson of Louis XIV of France, in the chair of the rulers. And
when--a few days later--the two privateers captured a small Spanish
vessel, they found that their possession of it was disputed, when they
sailed into the Canaries.

"It has been agreed between Queen Anne of England and the Kings of
Spain and France," said the Vice-Consul of that place--an
Englishman--"that all vessels trading to the Canary Isles shall be
exempt from interference by men-o'-war, or privateers. The prize must
be released. If you do not do so, we will keep your agent, Mr.
Vanbrugh, who has come ashore, and will throw him into irons."

But the Vice-Consul had reckoned without his host.

"We are apprehensive that you are obliged to give us this advice in
order to gratify the Spaniards," wrote Captain Rogers. "If you do not
allow my agent to come on board my ship, you may expect a visit from
my guns at eight o'clock