The Bushman | Page 9

a few hours previously,
bringing the Bishop of some-where-or-other on a visitation to the island.
The attention of the officer of the watch had been previously attracted
towards us by the noise we had made, and the violent scuffle which he
had been observing through his glass. No sooner, therefore, was the
flag reversed, than a boat was lowered from the quarter-davits, filled
with marines, and pulled towards our vessel with the utmost rapidity.
The mutineers, whose attention was directed entirely to the
quarter-deck, did not perceive this manoeuvre, which, however, was

evident enough to us, who exerted ourselves to the utmost to prolong
the parley until our allies should arrive.
The carpenter now decided upon renewing the assault, having laid aside
his handspike and armed himself with an axe; but just at this moment
the man-of-war's boat ran alongside, and several files of marines, with
fixed bayonets, clambering on to the deck, effected a speedy change in
the aspect of affairs. Perceiving at once how matters stood, the officer
in command, without asking a single question, ordered a charge against
the astonished sailors, who, after a short resistance, and a few violent
blows given and received, were captured and disarmed.
There was a boy among the party called Shiny Bill, some fifteen years
of age, who managed to escape to the fore-shrouds, and giving the
marine who pursued him a violent kick in the face, succeeded in
reaching the fore-top, where he coiled himself up like a ball. Two or
three marines, exasperated by the scuffle, and by several smart raps on
the head which they had received, hastened up the shrouds after the
fugitive, who, however, ascended to the fore-top-mast cross-trees,
whither his enemies, after some hesitation, pursued. Finding this post
also untenable, he proceeded to swarm up the fore-top-gallant-mast
shrouds, and at last seated himself on the royal yard, where he calmly
awaited the approach of the enemy. These, however, feeling that the
position was too strong to be successfully assailed by marines,
deliberately commenced their retreat, and arrived on deck, whilst their
officer was hailing the immovable Bill in Portuguese, and swearing he
would shoot him unless he instantly descended.
Disdaining, however, to pay the least attention to these threats, Shiny
William continued to occupy his post with the greatest tranquillity; and
the officer, giving up the attempt in despair, proceeded to inquire from
us in Portuguese-French the history of this outbreak. The scene
concluded with the removal of the mutineers in one of the ship's boats
to the man-of-war, where, in a few moments, several dozen lashes were
administered to every man in detail, and the whole party were then sent
on shore, and committed to a dungeon darker and dirtier than the worst
among them had ever before been acquainted with. But before all this

was done, and when the boats had pulled about a hundred yards from
the vessel, Shiny Bill began to descend from his post. He slipped down
unobserved by any one, and the first notice we had of his intentions
was from perceiving him run across the deck to the starboard bow,
whence he threw himself, without hesitation, into the sea, and began to
swim lustily after his captive friends. Our shouts -- for, remembering
the abundance of sharks, we were very much alarmed for the poor
fellow -- attracted the attention of the officer in the boat, to whom we
pointed out the figure of Bill, who seemed as eager now to make a
voluntary surrender, and share the fate of his comrades, as he had
previously been opposed to a violent seizure. The swimmer was soon
picked up, and, to our regret, received in due season the same number
of stripes as fell to the lot of his friends captured in battle.
The prisoners remained several days in their dungeon, where they were
hospitably regaled with bread and water by the Portuguese Government;
and at the end of this period (so unworthy did they prove of the
handsome treatment they received) the British spirit was humbled
within them, and they entreated with tears to be allowed to return to
their duty. The mates, however, refused to sail in the same vessel with
the carpenter, and it was accordingly settled that he should remain in
custody until the arrival of a British man-of-war, and then be returned
to his country, passage free.

CHAPTER 4.
THE PRISON-ISLAND.
It was nearly the end of August when we approached the conclusion of
our voyage. The wind was fair, the sun shone brightly, and every heart
was gay with the hope of once more being upon land. We drew nigh to
the Island of Rottnest, about sixteen miles from the mouth of the river
Swan, and anchored to the north of it, waiting for