shorten sail. Captain Tredeagle did not
interfere, but allowing the mate to give the necessary orders, waited
till the topgallant-sails were furled and two reefs taken in the
topsails. He then went across to where Mr Shobbrok was standing.

"Walter has told me what the men intend doing," he said in a low voice.
"Do you try and find out who are likely to prove stanch to us."

"I think we may trust nearly half the crew," answered the mate; "and I
will try and speak to those on whom we can most certainly rely. Tidy
will be able to point them out."

"In case they should attempt anything immediately, here are the means of
defending yourself," said the captain; and finding that none of the men
were observing him, he put a brace of pistols into the mate's hands.

"Who is at the helm?" he asked.

"Tom Hulk," answered the mate.

"He is among the ringleaders," said the captain; "he will be suspicious
if he sees us talking together. I'll warn Beak, that he may be on the
alert, and will send him to speak with you."

The captain crossed the deck to where Mr Beak, the fourth mate, was
standing. Telling him of the conspiracy which had been discovered, he
put a pistol into his hand, and desired him to go over and speak with
the first mate, who would direct him what to do. On returning below, he
found that Walter and Nub had carried out his orders, and that Mr
Lawrie had awakened the other two mates, who soon made their appearance
in the cabin. Two midshipmen, or rather apprentices, who slept further
forward, had now to be warned. Nub undertook to do this without
exciting the suspicion of the mutineers. The captain in the meantime
gave the officers the information he had received, and told them the
plan he proposed following,--assuring them that they had only to be on
the alert and to remain firm, and that he had no doubt, should the
mutineers proceed to extremities, they would soon be put down; no one,
however, felt inclined to turn in again, not knowing at what moment the
mutiny might break out. Had the boatswain and his companions guessed
that Tidy had overheard their conversation, they would have lost no time
in carrying out their plan, and would probably have caught the captain
unprepared.

The night passed quietly away, and when morning came the mutineers went
about their duty as usual. Notwithstanding the threatenings of a gale
on the previous evening, the wind continued fair and moderate, and the
ship was sta