"It isn't right to force us because we are lads!" I cried. "We've done our duty so far as we knew, and our age shouldn't give license for injustice!"
"See here, my lads, you're not looking at this matter in the proper light. We shall soon be turning and twisting to get out of a British frigate's way, and many of us will lose the number of his mess before the Essex doubles Cape Horn again. You can go now without being called a coward, and it's far better to get out of the scrape while affairs are flourishing as they are at present."
"Are you going in the Georgiana, Cousin Stephen?" I asked.
"What? Me? Never, unless the captain gives a positive order to that effect."
"If you are allowed to remain, why should we be forced to go?"
He turned from me quickly, and, without making any attempt to restore order, went on deck.
The men jawed and argued more violently than ever after my cousin disappeared, and very soon the master-at-arms came below with an order for every man jack of us to show himself abaft the mainmast.
We found the captain waiting for us as before; and although there was very good reason why he should read the riot act because of the uproar, I understood by the expression on his face that he was well pleased the men had not shown a willingness to leave the frigate.
When all hands had quieted down once more he made a little speech in which he thanked us for being so eager to stay by the Essex, and declared that he felt proud of every old barnacle there; but at the same time it was absolutely necessary a crew be sent on board the Georgiana.
"Those men who have families must go," he said finally, after declaring that it had become necessary for him to settle the matter, since the crew themselves could not. "A list shall be made out of such as have others depending upon them, and it will then be posted on the gun-deck. Abide by my decision as you ever have, and I will make it my solemn duty to let the people of the United States know that those who returned in the Georgiana did not do so of their own free will."