The mutineers, apparently infuriated by the delay, tugged and wrenched at the iron bars till everything shook again, but as nothing gave way they began to discharge their weapons.
Only one of the sailors, a man named Clark, was slightly wounded in the shoulder. He was advised to retire to the cabin, yet, despite such persuasion, the brave fellow refused to leave his post, and tying a cloth about the injury went on with his duty as though nothing had happened. And there he remained throughout the whole of the desperate encounter which followed the firing of the first bullets at those abaft the stockade.
CHAPTER XIV
THE YELLOW PERIL
In spite of all their efforts not much injury was done to the stockade; but in loud tones the leader of the mutiny urged on his followers to yet another attempt to destroy the barrier. Scores of strong hands seized and wrenched at it, until the structure seemed on the point of parting from its stout bolts, and a fiendish cry of satisfaction arose. Several shots were also fired at the crew, but no one was hurt. Mr. Sennit became alarmed, yet, although the protection seemed about to collapse, Captain Thorne would not permit a shot to be discharged.
'We must wait a little longer,' he said. 'I think there is some sign of exhaustion, and they may become weary of the foolish struggle.'
'They'll have the bars about our ears directly,' the mate replied. 'You are too lenient.'
'Perhaps. I do not wish to give an order that will prove disastrous to them,' was the calm reply.
It was not long before even his cool judgment was compelled to acknowledge that further forbearance be taken by the foe as a sign of weakness, or, perhaps, cowardice, and they were becoming bolder.
At last the order to fire was given.