eyeing the middy's dirk; "to pick my teeth?"

In the midst of a burst of laughter the boatswain marched the man up to
where Terry was, strutting and fuming about.

"Now, you scoundrel," he said; "what does this mean?"

"Beg pardon, sir; that's what we want to know."

"Then I'll tell you, sir; it's rank mutiny."

"There now, bo'sun; that's just what we thought," said Rogers, turning
to him. "I know'd it was, and that's why we wouldn't come."

"You scoundrel! You're playing with me," cried Terry.

"Nay, sir; not me. Wouldn't ketch me play with a orficer with a big
sword in his hand."

"Then tell me what you mean. You said it was mutiny, and so you would
not come."

"That's it, sir. Sworn to sarve the King; and when a young orficer,
which is you, sir, breaks out of arrest, and wants to lead a lot of poor
chaps wrong, 'tarn't me as 'll risk my neck."

Terry's jaw dropped at this unexpected reply, and Roylance burst into a
roar of laughter, in which he was joined by Syd, while Strake stood with
his face puckered up like a year-old pippin, and rubbed his starboard
ear.

"Mr Roylance!" cried Terry at last, "how is discipline to be preserved
while you encourage the men in this tomfoolery? I shall report it to
the captain, sir."

"Look here, Mr Terry," said Roylance, firmly; "the man is, in his way,
quite right."

"Ay, ay, sir," cried the others, who had closed in, following their
messmate.

"Quite right?"

"Yes; Mr Dallas put you under arrest."

"Mr Dallas is ill--dying, and unable to give orders, sir. I am your
senior."

"Oh, you're welcome to take command for me," cried Roylance. "I don't
want the responsibility."

"Once more, my lads, I warn you of the consequences. Will you go to
your work?"

There was no reply, and the men drew back, while Terry stood looking
along their faces with his pistol raised.

"Mind that there don't go off, please, sir," said Rogers, dryly. "You
might hit me."

There was a roar of laughter at this, and Terry stamped with rage.

"Shall I go and try and bring 'em to their senses, sir?" said the
boatswain.

"No--yes," cried Terry.

"Which on 'em, sir?" said the boatswain, dryly.

"Yes. Go and see, and tell them I'll shoot down the first man who
disobeys."

"Oh, Lor'!" groaned Rogers, with mock horror, and there was another
laugh, while Syd turned away unable to keep his countenance, and went to
where the lieutenant lay asleep.

"Look here, my lads," g