nding on under all sail.

Breakfast was over, and the captain and mate, with Walter, were standing
with their sextants in hand taking an observation to ascertain the
ship's latitude. Mr Lawrie having been in his surgery mixing some
medicines for two men who were on the sick-list, was going forward when
he observed a number of the crew with capstan-bars, boat-stretchers, and
other weapons in their hands, the boatswain and Tom Hulk being among
them. He at once hurried to the captain and told him what he had seen.

"Call aft the men whom we selected as a guard, Mr Shobbrok," whispered
the captain--"Let the officers arm themselves, but keep out of sight in
the cabin, ready to act if necessary."

The mate had agreed on a private signal with the trustworthy men. He
was to let fly the mizzen-royal, when they were to come aft on the
pretence of hauling in the sheet. This would give them the start of the
mutineers, and allow them time to obtain arms,--though of course the
object of the device would quickly be perceived.

The captain and Walter went on taking their observation full in sight of
the crew forward, as if there were nothing to trouble them. The mate
made the signal agreed on. As the sail fluttered in the wind, Dan Tidy
and eight others came running aft, and immediately the muskets, which
had already been loaded, were handed up from below and placed in their
hands. So quick had been their movements that the mutineers, who had
been looking at the captain, had not observed them; and, confiding in
their numbers, and not knowing that the officers were armed or prepared
for them, came rushing aft, led by the boatswain, uttering loud shouts,
to intimidate their opponents. The captain stood perfectly calm, with
Walter by his side.

"What does this strange conduct mean, my men?" he asked, turning round.

"We will show you, captain," answered the boatswain. "We want a captain
who understands his own interest and ours, and won't let the prizes we
might have got hold of slip through our fingers as you have done."

"You are under a mistake, my friends, in more ways than one," answered
the captain. "I call on all true men on board to stand by me."

As he spoke, Tidy and the men who had come aft showed themselves with
muskets in their hands; and at the same moment the officers sprang on
deck, fully armed.

"Now I will speak to you," said the captain, handing his sextant to
Walter, and drawing his pistols. "The fi