‘I have stipulated for Will. They’ll not hurt him.’
‘How will they be able to do it?’
‘Some of the crew are with them. For three weeks this has been secretly working out. I’m the only navigator among the convicts, and they depend on me.’ He added, after a pause, during which my breath came and went hysterically: ‘If you fear for yourself or for Will; if you think this thing should not be done—for it will be attempted, and if it is attempted it will be done—go to the captain of the ship, tell him that the convicts, backed by a portion of his crew, have planned to seize the vessel, and that to save her the sentries must be doubled throughout, no convicts allowed on deck, no messmen to pass the main-hatch sentry, the prison victuals to be passed through the door of the steerage bulkhead by the soldiers, mates, and trustworthy petty officers of the ship.’
‘Why should I tell him this?’
He was silent.
‘Sooner than speak, I would fling myself into the sea.’
‘It will be a bloody business.’
‘But if it gives you your liberty!’
‘They have driven me to it!’ he cried, raising his voice; and he stamped on the deck in the passion of the minute.
‘Gangway there!’ shouted the forecastle sentry. ‘What are you doing at that barricade? Come out of it!’