“You ain’t treating these boys right, Captain; that’s what I mean,” said Jack, steadily. “Don’t strike them again.”
“Stand aside!”
“I won’t do it, Captain. You ain’t yourself, or you wouldn’t act this way.”
The Captain struggled to get his hands free, but Jack held him firmly.
“Mutiny!” he roared. “Here,” to the crew, “seize this man and lock him up below.”
Not a sailor stirred to interfere or relieve the Captain from his dilemma.
“Do you hear me?” raved Morris, finally wrenching his hands free. “Well, then, I’ll trounce the whole of you, beginning with you, my mutinous boatswain!”
He struck at Jack Marcy. The blow was not repeated.
Without an indication of anger on his bronzed face, but with a quick step forward, the boatswain lifted his fist and deliberately knocked the Captain down.
Captain Morris arose to his feet with blood in his eye.