' to die; he's bleedin'--they're all
bleedin', like stuck pigs. Sorry Welch and Turkey Twain ha' got broken
arms, and Jump Black and Ghost O'Brien got it in the legs and can't
stand up. What kind o' work is this, anyhow?"

"That's perfectly right. You were shot for assaulting my officers. Do
you call yourselves able seamen, and say you know nothing about
square-rigged craft?"

"We're able seamen on the Lakes. We can get along in schooners. That's
what we came down for."

Captain Benson's lips puckered, and he whistled softly. "The Lakes," he
said--"lake sailors. What part of the Lakes?"

"Oswego. We're all union men."

The captain took a turn or two along the deck, then faced them, and
said: "Men, I've been fooled as well as you. I would not have an Oswego
sailor aboard my ship--much less a whole crew of them. You may know
your work up there, but are almost useless here until you learn.
Although I paid five dollars a man for you, I'd put you ashore and ship
a new crew were it not for the fact that five wounded men going out of
this ship requires explanations, which would delay my sailing and incur
expense to my owners. However, I give you the choice--to go to sea, and
learn your work under the mates, or go to jail as mutineers; for to
protect my officers I must prosecute you all."

"S'pose we do neither?"

"You will probably be shot--to the last resisting man--either by us or
the harbor police. You are up against the law."

They looked at each other with varying expressions on their faces; then
one asked: "What about the bunks in the forecastle? There's no
bedding."

"If you failed to bring your own, you will sleep on the bunk-boards
without it."

"And that swill the Chinaman cooked at dinner-time--what about that?"

"You will get the allowance of provisions provided by law--no more. And
you will eat it in the forecastle. Also, if you have neglected to bring
pots, pans, and spoons, you will very likely eat it with your fingers.
This is not a lake vessel, where sailors eat at the cabin table, with
knives and forks. Decide this matter quickly."

The captain began pacing the deck, and the listening pilot stepped
forward, and said kindly: "Take my advice, boys, and go along. You're
in for it if you don't."

They thanked him with their eyes for the sympathy, conferred together
for a few moments, then their spokesman called out: "We'll leave it to
the fellers forrard, captain"; and forward they trooped. In fi