"We have a right to know whether this is a lawful voyage or not," said Baxter.
"You will obey your officers, whether the voyage is lawful or not," added the captain.
"I'm not going to parley with mutineers," said Waterford, sternly, as he moved forward towards us.
The two passengers cocked their pistols, and the five sailors who were in the plot closed in before us. We were unprepared for a fight, and we retreated in a body to the forecastle.
CHAPTER XIV.
IN WHICH PHIL SPEAKS FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE, AND A SAIL IS DISCOVERED.
We had not gone aft to fight, only to talk; and we were not prepared for the violent demonstration which was made against us. We intended, after the fashion of sailors, to present our grievances, and have an understanding in regard to the future. The seamen of our party had refused to accept any liquor simply because it was offered to them as the price of yielding to the wicked scheme of the officers. This marvellous piece of self-denial on their part assured me that we should be successful in the end. I had more respect for the virtue of sailors than ever before; certainly more than when I first came on board of the bark, and saw every man of the present crew drunk and quarrelsome.
We were driven forward by the onslaught of the mate and his supporters, and we halted forward of the windlass only when we could go no farther. There was a plentiful supply of handspikes on the forecastle; but, as the mate halted before we were compelled to defend ourselves, no battle ensued.
"Now, my lads, I have you where I want you," said Waterford, casting a triumphant glance over our party.