masthead shouted, "A dead whale
away to the southward!"

"We must not lose it, sir," said the first mate. "Lads!" he cried,
turning to the seamen, "we'll settle this matter afterwards. Brace up
the yards."

The men obeyed with alacrity, having stowed their weapons forward, while
the captain placed his on the companion hatch. We were soon convinced
that the object seen was a dead whale. Innumerable birds hovered above
it, while the splashing in the water near it showed that also teemed
with living creatures. The monster was worth a thousand pounds if we
could secure its blubber, but as we got nearer the horrible odour which
reached us even to windward put an end to our hopes. To have taken it
alongside would have poisoned the whole crew. The captain, however,
insisted on regaining his harpoon, and the ship being hove-to he went
away in a boat with a black crew. He did succeed in getting the
harpoon, but the line was so completely coiled round and round the
monster's body, into which it had cut deeply, that it could not be
brought off. The captain looked very pale when he returned, and at once
retired to his cabin. The blacks, though at first very sick from this
horrible task, quickly recovered. The first mate, who had followed the
captain below, soon coming again on deck told the men that he was
ordered to shape a course for Tumbez, where the ship would remain for a
fortnight, and all hands have leave to go on shore. A hearty cheer
greeted this announcement, and the mutiny, which threatened not to end
without bloodshed, was peaceably brought to a conclusion.

CHAPTER FIVE.

The recollection of the suspicious schooner was continually haunting me.
Being unable also to account for our not having fallen in with the
"Lady Alice" made me feel far from happy. Medley tried to cheer me up
by suggesting that she had probably sailed for the westward, and that we
should find her by-and-by in that direction. At last we reached the Bay
of Tumbez, and came to an anchor off the mouth of the river. I looked
eagerly out, half expecting to see the "Lady Alice" there, but no other
English ship was in the roads besides ours. As soon as we had got off a
supply of wood and water on rafts through the surf as before, the
captain said, "Now, lads, I will fulfil my promise and allow you all a
run on shore for three days, a watch at a time; I'll pay for your
lodging, but you must be back at the hour I fix."

The men expre