his old position of commander.

But it must not be supposed that all the party acquiesced in this
arrangement. There were men among that crew--such as Swinton, Blazer,
Garnet, and others--who, either from false training, bad example, or
warped spirits, had come to the condition of believing that the world
was made for their special behoof; that they possessed that "divine
right" to rule which is sometimes claimed by kings, and that whoever
chanced to differ from them was guilty of arrogance, and required to be
put down! These men were not only bad, like most of the others, but
revengeful and resolute. They submitted, in the meantime, to the
"might" of Paul Burns, backed as he was by numbers, but they nursed
their wrath to keep it warm, and, under the leadership of Big Swinton,
plotted the downfall of their rivals.

Meanwhile, being unquestionably "in power," Master Trench, Paul, Oliver,
Grummidge, Stubbs, and several of the well-affected, took possession of
the boat when ready, and, inviting Swinton to join them--as a stroke of
policy--pushed off, with hooks and lines, to make the first essay in the
way of fishing on the now famous Banks of Newfoundland.

Anchoring the boat in what they deemed a suitable spot, they went to
work.

"I wonder if they'll take to pork," remarked Stubbs, as he baited a
large hook.

"If they take to it as you do, we shall soon run short o' that article,"
said Swinton, dropping his hook into the water.

"I have brought off some shellfish," remarked Master Trench. "They may
prefer that."

"So have I, father," said Oliver, whose bait was already at the bottom,
"and if--hallo! hold on! hi! Oh! I say!"

While the boy was thus ejaculating, in a state of blazing excitement,
his arms, and indeed his body, to say nothing of his spirit, were being
jerked violently by his line in a way that suggested something awful at
the other end!

"Have a care, Olly!" "Gently, lad!" "Hold on, boy!" "Let 'im run!"
were among the contradictory pieces of advice given in various tones of
warning, remonstrance, or simple recommendation; but Oliver heeded them
not. Acting on his own judgment he drew his fish, or whatever it might
be, gradually and carefully from the deep.

"A mermaid it must be, to tug so hard," muttered Stubbs, as he and the
others looked on with eager interest.

"A mer_man_ if it's anything," said Squill; "sure there was never a maid
in the say, or out of it, as would tug like t