"We haven't tried to make any trouble, and we were respectful," replied Sanderson.
"I want you to understand that I call this mutiny, and I shall treat it as such!" cried the mate, savagely. "I ordered you forward, and you didn't go, till you were driven."
"When the ship is not on a lawful voyage, there's no such thing as mutiny," said Baxter, boldly.
"I'll show you that there is," answered Waterford, shaking his weapon at the discontented ones. "If you want to have trouble, we'll give you enough of it."
"We don't want any trouble," added the more prudent Sanderson.
"All right, then; return to your duty. Obey your orders, and do your work, and there will be no trouble. If you don't do it, I'll skin you alive, every one of you!"
"We shipped for Palermo, sir; and, if we are not going there, we think we have a right to know where we are going."
"You shipped for any port to which the vessel might go," added the mate, doggedly.
"Will you tell us where we are bound, sir?"
"No; I will not be driven to tell you anything. In due time, if you behave yourselves, I'll tell you all about it."