o atone for their misconduct,
and to show themselves true and worthy soldiers of the queen. If this
was the case, no further notice would be taken of the error; but at the
same time he warned them that he had by him a long list of men who had
taken a prominent part in the affair, and that the first time any of
these misconducted themselves they might be well assured that no mercy
would be shown to them.

The naval court martial showed no greater severity than that
administered by the military officers. The vessel was short handed, and
moreover the officers did not wish the stigma to attach to the ship of
a serious mutiny among the crew. Had any of these been hung, the matter
must have been reported; but as none of the crew had absolutely taken
part in the rising, however evident it was that they intended to do
so, no sentences of death were passed. But a number of the men were
sentenced to be flogged more or less severely, those who had but lately
been pressed getting off with comparatively light punishments, while
the heaviest sentences were passed on the older hands concerned in the
affair.

The arms of the troops continued to be kept under a strong guard until,
ten days later, the rest of the fleet were seen, just as the northern
point of Portugal was made out. A few hours later the fleet was united;
and the next day, the wind dying entirely away, Colonel Clifford
proceeded in a boat to the flagship to report to the Earl of
Peterborough the mutiny which had taken place in his regiment, and its
successful suppression.

Immediately the mutiny had been put down Jack Stilwell had stolen away
and rejoined the soldiers forward; and although there was much wonder
among the men as to how the affair had been discovered, none suspected
him of having betrayed them, and believed that the officers must have
been warned by some word incautiously let drop in their hearing. Only to
Sergeant Edwards did Jack reveal what had taken place.

"Do you know, lad, I guessed as you had had a hand in the business
somehow. When I was standing tied up against the mast I had to keep my
mouth shut; but I had the use of my eyes, and I could not make you out
among them. I might have missed you, of course; but your company was
formed up close to where I was standing, and I thought I should have
seen you if you had been there. I could not think what had become of
you; but when the men came pouring down again without their arms, and I
heard them c