unter's best clothes, was rowed ashore by two of his fellow-mutineers
to see what the place was like. To their intense surprise they found
awaiting them the Alcalde of San Luis, and a lieutenant and guard of
Spanish soldiers.

The Alcalde questioned them closely as to who they were, and what had
brought them to Guam. Their replies did not satisfy the official, who,
placing Mancillo in custody and taking half a dozen soldiers with him,
made the two Chilenos row him off to the ship.

On seeing the soldiers approach, the remaining mutineers, cowards as
they were, concluded that their shipmates had betrayed them, and ran
below to hide themselves, leaving Mr. Loftgreen on deck to receive the
Alcalde, who was soon in possession of the whole story. Unlike most
Spanish officials, he did not want a bribe to ensure his performance of
his duty. He promptly seized the _Indefatigable_, and the Chilenos were
taken ashore and marched to the fort under guard. Then the Alcalde
and Governor, with much formality, held a court, and took the mate's
evidence; the result of which was the mutineers were placed in heavy
irons, and the almost heart-broken Loftgreen was received in the
Governor's house as an honoured guest and supplied with every comfort.

Soon afterwards the _Rainbow_, a British frigate commanded by Captain
Rous, put into San Luis d'Apra. The _Rainbow_ had made many important
discoveries in Australian waters, more particularly on the northern
coast, but the name of her gallant commander will probably be longer
remembered as Admiral Rous, the famous turf patron, than as Captain Rous
the explorer and navigator.

Mr. Loftgreen was received on board the _Rainbow_ as English naval
officers always receive a brave and distressed merchant seaman. The
mutineers were handed over to the British captain for conveyance to
Manila for trial. The frigate arrived at Manila on January 19th, and
there the Chilenos had short shrift, for within three days they were
brought to trial and duly garrotted.

Mr. Loftgreen, who made many friends in Manila, was afforded a passage
to Sydney, and the _Indefatigable_ was condemned as a prize to the
Spanish Government She was afterwards lost in a typhoon in the China
Sea.

Such is one of the many incidents of the sea story of Australia.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The South Seaman, by Louis Becke

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SOUTH SEAMAN ***

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