“And I was, until a few months ago, sir,” continued Jack; “at present I am captain and owner of this vessel—but here are the papers. You will have no obstruction from us in the execution of your duty—at the same time, I call upon the two young gentlemen by your side, and your own men, to bear witness to what takes place.”
“Oh, very well, sir—just as you please. Your papers I perceive are all right. Now you will oblige me by mustering your men.”
“Certainly, sir,” replied Jack; “send all the men aft to muster, Mr Oxbelly.”
The men came aft to the mainmast, with Mesty at their head, and answered to their names. As the men passed over, the lieutenant made a pencil-mark against ten of them, who appeared the finest seamen; and, when the roll had been called, he ordered those men to get their bags and go into the boat.
“Sir, as you must observe, I am short-handed, with my men away in prizes; and I, as commander of this vessel, protest against this proceeding: if you insist upon taking them, of course I can do nothing,” observed Jack.
“I do insist, sir; I’m not going on board empty-handed, at all events.”
“Well, sir, I can say no more,” said Jack, walking aft to the taffrail, to which Oxbelly and Gascoigne had retreated.
“Come, 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.”