Mr. Shakings takes Charge of the First Officer. Page [249].
“Here, Winchell!” shouted Gregory to one of his own watch. “Don’t go! We are going to stand out. O’Hara is running away with the steamer, and we need not obey orders.”
“Mr. Shakings, you will take charge of the first officer,” said the young captain. “Lock him into his state-room, and keep him there.”
Clinch followed the lead of his crony, and Mr. Rimmer was directed to serve him in the same way. Both of them were disposed to show fight; but the stout boatswain and carpenter made quick work with them. Stokes concluded, at this particular moment, not to “stand out,” and went to his station at the wheel.
No doubt Gregory was astonished to find himself and his conspiracy so easily overcome. He was a prisoner by himself, and likely to remain so for a considerable time.
As soon as the mutineers were disposed of, O’Hara called the ship’s company together. He did not allude to the event which had just transpired, except to state the fact that there were two vacancies in the officers’ cabin; and it was necessary that they should be immediately filled, for two quarter-watches were without officers. After consulting with Speers and Raymond, both of whom insisted that the vacant places should be filled without promoting either of them, the captain appointed Lawring first officer in place of Gregory, and Taylor in place of Clinch; both of them from the Josephine.
The firemen made a new demand for wine; but they obtained none, and they did not deem it prudent to “strike” again. In five days more the Ville d’Angers arrived at Portsmouth, with the Castle William in tow.
CHAPTER XVIII.
A TRIP TO THE CANARY ISLANDS.
“ARRIVED at Portsmouth, steamer Ville d’Angers, having in tow the hulk of the ship Castle William, dismasted in the violent gale of April 8,” read Mr. Pelham, from a newspaper which had just been received by the African steamer.