nant."

"There's precious good hope of a rope's end," retorted the enraged
lieutenant hotly.--"Mr Gallagher, see that the fool is put in irons at
once, and any one else that joins with him. We'll soon put an end to
this, even should a man dangle at every yard-arm for it!"

The only reply to this was a cheer from the men, and, what was quite
unexpected, a sudden click of pistols as they drew up in two lines
across the deck.

"Look'ee here, Mr Adrian," said Callan, "we're not the fools you take
us for. While you have been drinking, we have not been idle. The
powder-magazine is ours, and the forward guns are loaded and primed and
turned this way.--Stand aside, lads, and let them see for themselves."

The ranks opened, and sure enough in the forecastle we could see the
muzzles of two twenty-four pounders pointed at the quarter-deck, and
manned by some of the very men of whose loyalty until yesterday there
had been least question.

Lieutenant Adrian, although a bully and a brute, was not lacking in
animal courage, and betrayed no sign of dismay at this discovery.

"If you think we are to be frightened, hang you," said he, "you are much
mistaken. What is it you want?"

A coarse laugh greeted this tame ending to his speech. One old tar put
himself forward before Callan could reply.

"It's like this," said he, with a salute. "We mean no disrespect to the
captain or the service, but--"

"Hold your tongue," said Callan, pushing him aside.--"What do we want?
That's easy told."

And he took a paper from his pocket and read:--

"_First_. The first lieutenant, the third lieutenant, the master, the
master's mate, the boatswain, and Midshipmen Gamble and Brock, to leave
the ship and be put ashore.

"_Second_. The ship to be taken to the Nore, and placed under the
orders of Admiral Parker.

"_Third_. The remaining officers either to take the oath or be placed
under arrest.

"_Fourth_. Two delegates, chosen by the men, to attend the admiral's
council, and act and vote on behalf of the ship."

Lieutenant Adrian listened with an ill-concealed smile, in which, I
confess, he was by no means alone.

"And what if we reject your precious first, second, third, and fourth
piece of infernal impudence?"

"Then we shall take what we want without asking," replied Callan with
cool effrontery. "You may take an hour to decide.--Come, boys."

The men gave another cheer, and retired singing "Rule, Britannia." They
left,