“I should like to speak a word to you,” said Walter.
“If it’s a short one, my lad, say it, but I don’t wish to keep you out of your berth.”
As several of the mutineers were on deck, Walter thought he might be observed, and therefore merely whispered to the mate, “Be on your guard. I have information that the boatswain is at the head of a conspiracy to take possession of the ship. I will go below and tell my father how matters stand. Be careful not to be taken at a disadvantage, and let none of the men come near you.”
“I am not surprised. I will be on my guard,” answered the mate in a low tone; adding in a higher one—
“Now go below, youngster, and turn in.”
Walter, hurrying to the cabin, found his father asleep. A touch on the arm awoke him.
“I want to speak to you about something important,” he said; and then told him all he had heard from Dan Tidy.
“It does not surprise me,” he observed, repeating almost the words of the mate. “We of course must take precautions to counteract the designs of the misguided men without letting them suspect that we are aware of their intentions. Call Mr Lawrie, that I may tell him what to do; and then I will go on deck and speak to the first mate.”
“I have told him already. I thought it better to put him on his guard,” said Walter.
“You did right,” said the captain. “We must let the other officers know. Bring me two brace of pistols from the rack.” The captain quickly loaded the firearms. “Now, Walter, do you go and wake up Nub; then bring all the muskets into my cabin while I am on deck.”