Captain Trigger and Mr. Mott joined Percival. In an undertone he told them what he had said to the mob.
“And now, gentlemen,” he whispered in conclusion, “it's up to you to intercede in their behalf. They're as tame as rabbits now. They know the ship's all right, and they believe I intend to blow 'em to pieces if they once put off in the boats. Start in now, Captain, and argue with me. Plead for them. They know who I am. They know I come from the hills and they think I'm a bloodthirsty devil. They're like a lot of cattle. Most of them are simple, honest, God-fearing people,—and if we handle them properly now we'll not have much trouble with them in the future. And only the Good Lord knows what the future is going to bring.”
So the three of them argued, two against one. Finally Percival threw up his hands in a gesture of complete surrender.
“All right, Captain. I give in. Perhaps you are right. I suppose it would be butchery.”
There were a few in the crowd who understood English. These edged forward eagerly, hopefully. They called out protestations against the “slaughter.”
“Tell them you have reconsidered, Mr. Percival,” said the Captain. “They are to remain on board.”
Excited shouts went up from the few who understood, and then the word went among the others that they were to be spared. There were cries of relief, joy, gratitude, and not a few fell upon their knees!
Percival stood forth once more. Silence fell upon the throng.
“The Captain has put in a plea for you, and I have decided to grant it. You may remain on board. Now, listen to me! No one is to leave this ship until tomorrow morning. We are safe here. We are stuck fast on the bottom, and nothing can happen to us at present. Tomorrow we will see what is best to be done. Every man and woman here is to return to the task he was given by Mr. Mott at the beginning of our troubles. We've got to eat, and sleep, and—Wait a minute! Well, all right,—beat it, if you feel that way about it.”
He stood watching them as they excitedly withdrew toward the bow of the ship, breaking up into clattering groups, all of them talking at once.