ome, my lads, get those men in the boat," said the lieutenant.

But the men had all retreated forward in a body, with Mesty at their
head, and had armed themselves. Some of the seamen of the frigate had
gone forward, in obedience to their officer, to lead the men selected
into the boat; but they were immediately desired to keep back. The
scuffle forward attracted the notice of the lieutenant, who immediately
summoned all his men out of the boats.

"Mutiny, by heavens! Come up, all of you, my lads."

Mesty then came forward, with a sabre in one hand and a pistol in the
other, and thus addressed the seamen of the frigate:

"I tell you dis, my lads--you not so strong as we--you not got better
arms--we not under gun of frigate now, and we ab determination not to go
board. 'Pose you want us, come take us--'pose you can. By all de
power, but we make mince-meat of you, anyhow."

The seamen paused--they were ready to fight for their country, but not
to be killed by or kill those who were their own countrymen, and who
were doing exactly what they would have done themselves. The lieutenant
thought otherwise; he was exasperated at this sensation.

"You black scoundrel, I left you out because I thought you not worth
having, but now I'll add you to the number."

"Stop a little," replied Mesty.

The lieutenant would not take the Ashantee's very prudent advice; he
flew forward to seize Mesty, who striking him a blow with the flat of
his sabre, almost levelled him to the deck. At this the men and other
officers of the frigate darted forward; but after a short scuffle, in
which a few wounds were received, were beaten back into the boats. The
lieutenant was thrown in after them, by the nervous arm of Mesty--and,
assailed by cold shot and other missiles, they sheered off with
precipitation, and pulled back in the direction of the frigate.

"There will be a row about this," said Oxbelly, "as soon as they come
clear of the vessel. If the frigate gets hold of us she will show us no
mercy. There is a breeze coming from the north-west. How fortunate! we
shall be three leagues to windward, and may escape."

"I doubt if she could catch us at any point of sailing: they may come up
with the prizes, but can do nothing with them."

"No, the boats which boarded them are already returned to the frigate;
she must wait for them, and that will give us a start and it will be
night before they can even make sail."

"Fire a gun for t