Among the crew of the Albatross the intelligence of the events which had occurred in Columbia created an extraordinary sensation; and as soon as it was known that Oriel Porphyry designed attempting his father’s rescue, every man in the ship volunteered to assist in the enterprise. Never was such a general indignation produced as that which burst from them when they learned the fate to which the government had doomed Master Porphyry. A land fight was something new to them, but they did not prepare themselves for it with less alacrity, nor were their tongues less active than their limbs. Various opinions prevailed as to the best method of bringing about a revolution; and as to the best form of government which should replace the old one, there were as many different notions as tongues to utter them. A group had gathered together in the forecastle, where they had been engaged for some time over an extra allowance of grog, discussing different political subjects, when Boggle, who, notwithstanding his promotion, was amazingly fond of associating with his old messmates, joined the disputants.
“I’ll tell you what it is, my mates,” said he, “government’s tryin to come their handy-dandy sugar-candy over us, and we arn’t a goin to stand nuffin o’ the sort. Are we to be slaves?”
“Never,” shouted a dozen voices simultaneously.
“Nebber,” echoed Roly Poly, with equal energy, as he was gulping down the contents of a huge black-jack of hot grog.
“Now I likes to have particular notions o’ things in general as every man as is a man, and thinks like a man, should,” continued Boggle. “And I must say as how it’s my notion that there’s never no occasion for no government whatsomdever.”
“Of course,” remarked the boatswain, who would have thought it high treason to have disagreed with his officer.
“Ob coorse,” repeated Roly Poly, still pulling away at the black-jack.
“We don’t want no rulers—there arn’t no ’cessity for ’em;” said the second lieutenant. “But if we must have kings—let every man be his own king.”
“Let every man be his own king,” was echoed from one to another throughout the circle.