found plenty of gold we
don't want to go no farther up this here river."

"Oh! have you?" cried the captain sarcastically; "_we_ have? You mean
you have, my lad. Well, it was very kind of you, but you see these
gentlemen say that though we've found plenty of gold they would like to
go a bit farther, so tumble into the boat at once, and don't you ever
speak to me again like that, or maybe you'll be saying more and getting
yourself into trouble."

"That's all very well, captain," said the man, after a desperate glance
at his messmates; "but we think, all of us, that it won't do to leave
all this gold. There's a fortune apiece for us, you and all, so we're
going to--"

"Lighten that boat, I say!" roared the captain, making a rush at the
man, who was, however, too quick, for he darted aside and ran back
behind his fellow-mutineers.

"Bring that fellow here," shouted the captain, to the two mates, and
Dellow and Lynton stepped forward at once, as if to seize the sailor and
drag him to the captain's feet.

But the men stood firm, closing in round their chosen leader, backing
away the while, and suddenly making a dash for the bushes close to the
boats. The evolution was well performed and showed that it had been
carefully thought out, for the next minute six of the men disappeared,
and after stooping down came again to the front, each carrying a gun or
rifle, while the other six darted behind them to arm themselves with
boathooks and bamboos.

"Just you keep off, Mr Dellow, and you too, Mr Lynton, and you won't
be hurt," cried Jem fiercely. "If you do come on, mind, it's your own
fault if you get a charge of shot through you."

At this moment Brace made for his gun, but the captain shouted at him.

"No, no!" he roared; "we don't want anything of that kind, sir. I can
bring my lads to reason without guns. Here, you sirs, throw down those
tools, or it will be the worse for you. Do you hear?"

"Yes, and it'll be the worse for you, captain, it you don't keep back.
Stand fast, lads. It's to make us rich men for life."

"It's to make you convicts, you dogs," roared the captain. "Now, my
lads, let 'em have it."

"They're four to one, Brace," cried Sir Humphrey, through his clenched
teeth. "I can't stand this. Come on."

"You might ask me to chip in," said Briscoe fiercely; "I'm coming all
the same."

And the three lookers-on turned themselves into combatants and rushed to
the support of the captain and hi