aid,
rushed forward, and seizing him dragged him aft.

This being done, the captain shouted--

"The squall will not strike us, lads; let fall the canvas and haul aft
the sheets."

The crew, ignorant of what had occurred, obeyed, and were then ordered
on deck. There they stood waiting for the signal the boatswain was to
give them to set on us. There were three other ringleaders. The
captain called two of them aft by name to take the helm. They came
without hesitation, supposing that it would afford them a better
opportunity for carrying out their plan. Instantly they were seized and
placed in irons, the darkness greatly favouring our proceedings, as the
rest of the crew could not see what was taking place. The third man,
fortunately for us, coming aft was recognised by Martin, who, seizing
him, we had him in limbo before he could be rescued.

The crew not finding the signal they expected given, crowded together,
calling to their ringleaders and to each other.

Some among them now suspecting what had occurred, cried out that they
were betrayed, and summoning the rest to the rescue, they advanced
towards the place where their companions were confined.

On they came, armed with handspikes, belaying pins, boat stretchers,
knives and axes, the only weapons they could procure, with threatening
gestures, well able, it seemed, to overwhelm us.

"Stay where you are," shouted Lancelot; "the guns are loaded. If you
advance a step further we fire. You know the consequences."

The mutineers, well aware that the guns would sweep the decks and hurl
them in a moment into eternity, stopped short. Not one of them ventured
to utter a word.

"My lads," continued their young captain, "you have been deceived by
artful men, who would have led you to your destruction. I have no
desire to injure one of you, and will overlook your conduct if you
return to your duty. You engaged with me and my friends for a worthy
cause, to search for some helpless ladies and an old man who are
perchance held in bondage by the enemies of our country. We trusted to
you as honest Englishmen to fulfil your engagements. Let it not be said
that you turned renegades to a noble cause. Some of you have sisters
and parents for whom you would be ready to fight. Are you then acting
like brave men by turning against your officers? I will not believe
that you are so base and worthless. Now, lads, let me see who will
stand by us. Those who would kee