rapidity of
action and unflinching nerve required where men are shut up alone on
the wide ocean with a quarrel so deadly in its nature that no
compromise can be thought of for a moment, and no quarter can be
allowed with safety to him who gives it.

But the next plot to seize the ship was even more dangerous. The "Rose
Algier," being in need of repairs, was taken to a cove in a small
uninhabited island, and careened on one side in order to reach the
damaged place. Most of the stores were moved on shore, the ship was
hove down, and a bridge was laid between the deck and the land. Under
the pretense of pastime, most of the crew now betook themselves to the
woods, and there plotted to return at seven in the evening, seize the
ship, force Phips and eight faithful men on shore, leave them there to
perish, and themselves sail away on a piratical cruise. But the
carpenter was one of the few who stood by the captain, and yet they
could not risk putting to sea without him. They sent for him,
therefore, on some pretext, and, having him in their power, offered him
the choice of instant death or of joining his fortunes with theirs. He
begged for half an hour to think about it, and said that at any rate he
should have to return on board for his tool-chest. They granted his
request, and sent two men with him to watch his movements. Soon
afterward, he was suddenly taken with a pretended cramp or colic, and
in great seeming agony rushed into the cabin for medicine; there he
found Phips, and in a few rapid words revealed the plot. In less than
two hours the mutineers would be marching on the ship. Not an instant
was to be lost. Immediately the guns were loaded and trained to command
the shore and all the approaches to the stores; the bridge was taken
in, and when the mutineers appeared they found themselves caught. In
tones of thunder, Phips bade them not to stir or he would mow them down
with his batteries; nor did they dare to disobey. The bridge was again
laid down, and the eight loyal men brought back the stores to the ship.
When all was safely on board again, the mutineers were told that they
were to be left to the fate they had intended for their commander. In
despair at so terrible a prospect, the miserable men threw down their
arms, and protested their willingness to submit if Phips would but
relent and not sail away without them. After a long parley, he agreed
to let them come on board, they having first given up their arms. Bu