Here, in a corner which was sheltered by one of the gun-carriages, we contrived to carry on a fragmentary conversation, during which it was agreed that the crew should not be told of what we had discovered regarding the prisoners until we could gain speech with the captain.
While the ship was labouring so violently, there was little danger that those in the brig would attempt any mischief, however favourable an opportunity presented itself, and we would be warranted in holding our peace, so long as both of us remained on the alert.
As a matter of course, under ordinary circumstances, we would not have hesitated to inform the men that one of the Britishers had escaped, and this would have been clearly our duty; but now, while they were in a state of mutiny, so to speak, it seemed advisable that we keep secret what had been learned.
It was impossible to pay a visit to the cook’s quarters for the purpose of getting food, and we knew beyond a peradventure that all hands must content themselves with bread and water until the gale had so far abated as to render work in the kitchen possible.
Although such a task was in the highest degree distasteful, we lads descended into the hold after having held this brief consultation, and there remained, much to the surprise of those sailors who were on guard.
Here the tumult, save as shown by the plunging and rolling of the ship, was comparatively slight, and we might have indulged in conversation without great exertion; but neither of us felt inclined for words at such a time.
I fancied Simon Ropes was much in the same frame of mind as myself. It seemed as if death was close upon us, and that the next instant might seal our doom.
The Britishers were naturally eager to learn what was being done, and, thinking they would be more disposed to defer any plans of escape which might have been made, if the truth were known, I readily explained to them the situation as it had been presented to me.
After this was done, Simon and I, each holding a loaded musket, and on the alert for any noise which might proclaim the whereabouts of that man who had succeeded in getting out of the brig, sat with our backs against the bulkhead, having in such position a full view of those who should be closely guarded.
Even now, as memory goes back, I am surprised that we lads were not wholly overcome by terror.