Captain Thorne, who was accompanied by the interpreter, faced them manfully, and endeavoured to point out how he himself, and all his crew, were greatly distressed by the unexpected delays. At the same time he gave orders for the watch on deck to assemble behind the stockade.
'Tell them,' he observed to the interpreter, 'that we cannot return to China. There is no cause for anxiety.'
'You no allee same one face,' the leader of the emigrants sang out. 'One day you talkee ploper, nex' day you cheatee Chinaman, we allee same starve. Cookee man him no good. We cookee chop-chop allee same China dom b'low. Savvee?'
'And set my ship on fire, eh?' the old man sharply replied.
'No, no, me no fool. S'pose you go Hong Kong we likee plenty.'
At that point of the argument the interpreter endeavoured to make matters still clearer to his countrymen; but, in spite of all explanation and good temper, the men could not be induced to return below.
Then suddenly the real meaning of the disturbance was made plain. A horrible screaming, and piteous cries for assistance, came aft from the forecastle, where some of the mutineers were evidently murdering the watch below.
Mr. Sennit shouted on his men to come aft, but to that order there was no reply. He then attempted to open one of the stockade gates, and with assistance rescue the surprised hands, but Captain Thorne peremptorily refused to allow such a step to be taken.
That action probably saved the lives of those behind the barrier. The Chinamen made a rush at the galley, where the cook had already secured himself, and with loaded revolver sold his life as dearly as he could. The gallant interpreter, ignoring all danger, begged the captain to pass him through one of the gates, and that being done he strove to pacify the infuriated mob.
The appeal failed. The galley was surrounded and torn down, the brave cook was killed, but not before six assailants had been shot down, and his body was thrown overboard. The affair passed so rapidly that there was scarcely time for consideration. The moment the cook had disappeared the Chinamen suddenly turned on their interpreter, and served him in similar manner.