“The fellow will be running us on shore, or we shall be falling in with some Sallee rovers, for we cannot be far off their coast by this time,” said Stephen. “I think we had better have a talk with Sam Stokes, and hear his opinion.”
Sam, although no navigator, was perfectly inclined to agree with them.
“If the Captain was himself, we might get orders to put you under arrest, for it might be a serious affair if we did so and fell in with a man-of-war; we should be accused of mutiny and intending to turn pirates,” observed Sam.
Roger, however, was strongly of opinion that they ought to make the mate again tack to the northward. They again spoke to him on the subject, and warned him of the danger he was running. He laughed scornfully, and again told them to mind their own business, asserting that they had nothing whatever to do with the navigation of the ship. On this they applied to the second mate and boatswain, and did their best to alarm them. They were still speaking on the subject, and had some hope of success, when the first mate came up and inquired what they were talking about.
“This is mutiny, downright mutiny!” he exclaimed, and without more ado he ordered the second mate and boatswain to lash their arms behind them and carry them into the cabin.
“I do not wish to be hard with you, but I will not have my authority disputed, and you youngsters will remain there till I can prove to you that I am right and you are wrong.”
Though they protested loudly at this treatment, the mate would not listen to them; they had therefore to submit. In the evening Jumbo brought supper to them, but he said that he was ordered not to hold any conversation, but to come away again as soon as he had placed the supper before them.
“But how is the ship going; what course is she steering?” asked Stephen.
“Bery well as far as me make out,” answered Jumbo. “Sometimes steer east-south-east, sometimes south-east.”
“Well, tell the men that that course will carry us on shore before daylight to-morrow morning,” said Stephen.