s, we must either die in
battle, or die with the ropes round our necks. There is another way.
I'm not inclined to surrender, or to stand by men who have botched our
business for us. I'm for making for the sea, and, when I get there, I'm
for striking for the West Indies, where there's a British fleet fighting
Britain's enemies, and for joining in and fighting with them. I'm for
getting out of this river and away from England. It's a bold plan, but
it's a good one. I want to know if you're with me. Remember, there's
danger getting out, and there's danger when and if we get out. The other
ships may pursue us. The Portsmouth fleet may nab us. We may be caught,
and, if we are, we must take the dose prepared for us; but I'm for
making a strong rush, going without fear, and asking no favour. I won't
surrender here; it's too cowardly. I want to know, will you come to the
open sea with me?"

There were many shouts of assent from the crowd, though here and there
came a growl of dissent.

"Not all of you are willing to come with me," Dyck continued vigorously.
"Tell me, what is it you expect to get by staying here? You're famished
when you're not poisoned; you're badly clothed and badly fed; you're
kept together by flogging; you're treated worse than a convict in
jail or a victim in a plague hospital. You're not paid as well as your
grandfathers were, and you're punished worse. Here, on the Ariadne,
we're not skulkers. We don't fear our duty; we are loyal men. Many of
you, on past voyages, fighting the enemy, lived on burgoo and molasses
only, with rum and foul water to drink. On the other ships there
have been terrible cruelty and offence. Surgeons have neglected and
ill-treated sick men and embezzled provisions and drinks intended for
the invalids. Many a man has died because of the neglect of the ship's
surgeons; many have been kicked about the head and beaten, and haven't
dared to go on the sick list for fear of their officers. The Victualling
Board gets money to supply us with food and drink according to measure.
They get the money for a full pound and a full gallon, and we get
fourteen ounces of food and seven pints of liquor, or less. Well, what
do you say, friends, to being our own Victualling Board out in the open
sea, if we can get there?

"We may have to fight when we get out; but I'm for taking the Ariadne
into the great world battle when we can find it. This I want to
ask--isn't it worth while making a great fight