n casting wistful glances at the land.

"If once I set my foot ashore, it will take a dozen red coats to carry
me aboard again!" exclaimed a seaman near him.

"Ay, Bill, it's a dog's life we lead; but there's a way to free
ourselves if we were men enough to use it," said another.

"It's not the first time that has been thought of," observed a third.
"But hush, mates, that boy may hear; he looks like a sharp one."

The men were silent till Paul walked farther aft, where he saw them
still earnestly engaged in talking together. He considered what he
ought to do. Should he tell Devereux what he had heard? Perhaps, after
all, it meant nothing. He could trust Reuben; that is to say, Reuben
would not betray him; but he might take part with the men. He would
consult Croxton. He found old Jim after some time, but had no
opportunity of speaking to him alone. There was an ominous scowl on the
countenances of all the men, which confirmed his suspicions that
something was wrong. Below they gathered together more in knots than
usual, speaking in subdued voices. Whenever an officer approached, they
were silent, and generally dispersed with an appearance of indifference.
Thus two or three more days passed, and Paul felt as well able as ever
to do his duty. It was the forenoon watch; the men were summoned to
divisions. It was perfectly calm; no land was in sight; the sun struck
down fiercely on their heads.

"There's work in hand for us to-day," exclaimed a topman, as he sprang
on deck.

In a little time the order to furl sails was given. The men flew aloft.

"Reef topsails," cried the first-lieutenant.

The men appeared to do the work slowly. Oaths and curses were hurled at
them by the officers on duty. Paul took the opportunity of going down
to see Devereux, who, with O'Grady and Alphonse, was still too weak to
go on deck. He told him that he was afraid something was wrong.
Devereux answered--

"I fear that the men are dissatisfied, but they dare do nothing. I pity
them, though, poor fellows."

The words were overheard by some of the idlers, as they are called
below. While Paul was speaking to Devereux, Croxton came in. He also
heard what had been said.

"Man is born to suffer," he remarked. "He must submit, and leave the
righting in the hands of Providence. He cannot right himself."

His remarks were scarcely understood by those who heard him, even by
Devereux, who, however, remembered them. After a