The bark went along on her course for a couple of days longer, during which time the conspiracy was constantly under discussion. Those of us who had decided views on the subject did our best to convince the doubtful ones of the peril and wickedness of the enterprise. We brought five of them to say that they would join us in a remonstrance to the officers.
"That's the talk; we will go to work peaceably," said Jack Sanderson.
"Now's our time," added Dick Baxter. "All hands are on deck, and we may as well form a line, and state the case. Who shall speak for us?"
"Jack Sanderson," I suggested.
"I'm no lawyer," replied the old salt, modestly.
"We don't need any lawyer. You are the oldest man, and will do the job best," I insisted.
"Agreed!" added several.
Without giving the spokesman time to consider his speech, we collected our forces, comprising twelve men, and walked aft as far as the mainmast, with old Jack at the head of the procession. The captain, the mate, and the two passengers were smoking their cigars on the quarter-deck; but their attention was immediately arrested by the appearance of the twelve seamen.
"What's the matter now?" demanded Waterford, stepping forward to the mainmast, where we had halted. "Do you want plum duff every day in the week?"
"No, sir; we don't find any fault with our grub," answered Jack, taking off his hat; and the rest of us followed his example, so as to be entirely respectful.