Sackett left the table and went on deck at once. I heard him calling for Jenks, England, and the rest, and I started up the companion, thinking to take a hand with Chips and Jim and our men. As I did so, Andrews cursed me foully, and the third mate made a remark I failed to hear.
Meeting Chips and Johnson, I sent the latter for Jim and Hans. Phillippi stood near the wheel, and I beckoned to him. When the six of us were together, I told them in a few words that Sackett was going to tie Andrews up for mutiny. They would stand by me and give him help if necessary.
We waited near the edge of the poop while Sackett told his men what he wanted done with Andrews.
"Men," said he, "there's only one captain aboard here, and that is myself. If you disobey me, it is mutiny, and you know the penalty."
"It ain't that we're scared of him," said England, "but he's a tough one to take without no weapons."
"I don't ask you to run any risk," said Sackett. "I'll take him and give him to you to tie up and keep until we're safe in port. You must do this or you will be insubordinate."
"Sure," said Dog Daniels, "if you'll take the fellow, we'll guarantee to keep him fast enough. Hey, Jenks, ain't that so?"
I thought I saw a suspicion of a smile play over the old sailor's wrinkled face, and the seams of his leather-like jaws seemed to grow deeper.
"That's it," said Dalton. "You take him, and we'll take care of him until you say let him loose."
Journegan was at the wheel with one of the men who had left with the old sailor, Jenks. Sackett did not question him in regard to the matter of Andrews, as he evidently thought he had already showed signs of mutiny.