The Crew of the Water Wagtail | Page 3

was sayin', we must be a long way nearer to that land than to Norway,
an' it will be far easier to reach it. Moreover, the Cabots said that the
natives there are friendly and peaceable, so it's my opinion that we
should carry on as we go till we reach Newfoundland, an' see whether
we can't lead a jollier life there than we did in Old England."
"But it's my opinion," suggested Little Stubbs, "that the skipper's
opinion on that point will have to be found out first, Swinton, for it's of
more importance than yours. You ain't skipper yet, you know."
"That's so, Stubbs," said Squill, with a nod.
"Let your tongues lie still," retorted Swinton, in an undertoned growl.
"Of course I know I'm not skipper yet, but if you men have the courage
of rabbits I'll be skipper before another sun rises--or whoever you
choose to appoint."
A sudden silence ensued for a few moments, for, although there had
been mutinous whisperings before, no one had, up to that time,
ventured to make a distinct proposal that action should be taken.
"What! steal the ship?" exclaimed a huge black-bearded fellow named
Grummidge. "Nay--I'll have no hand in that."
"Of course not; we have no intention to steal the ship," retorted
Swinton, before any one else had time to express an opinion; "we are
all upright honourable men here. We only mean to take the loan of her.
After all we have suffered we are entitled surely to a pleasure-trip, and
when that's over we can return the ship to the owners--if so disposed.
You'll join us in that, Grummidge, won't you? And we'll make you
skipper--or first mate, if you're too modest to take command." This

sally was received with a subdued laugh, and with marks of such
decided approval, that Grummidge was carried with the current--at all
events, he held his tongue after that.
An earnest undertoned discussion followed, and it was finally arranged
that Big Swinton should sound Master Trench about the propriety of
running to Newfoundland instead of returning on their track to Norway.
The seaman was not slow to act. That afternoon, while at the helm, he
made the suggestion to the skipper, but met with a sharp rebuke and an
order to attend to his duty.
No word did Big Swinton reply, but that very night he entered the cabin
with a dozen men and seized the skipper, his son, and Paul Burns,
while they slept. Of course, being greatly outnumbered, they were
overcome and bound. The two officers of the vessel were also seized by
another party on deck, and all the five were imprisoned in the hold.
Next morning they were brought on deck, and made to stand in a row
before Big Swinton, who had, in the meantime, been appointed by the
mutineers to the command of the ship.
"Now, Master Trench," said Swinton, "we are no pirates. We have no
desire to kill you, so that whether you are killed or not will depend on
yourself. If you agree to navigate this ship to Newfoundland--good; if
not we will heave you overboard."
"Heave away then," growled the skipper, his nature being such that the
more he was defied the more defiant he became.
"Well, Master Trench, you shall have your way. Get the plank ready,
boys," said Swinton, turning to the men. "Now stand aside and let the
first mate choose."
The same question being put to the two mates, they returned similar
answers, and were ordered to prepare to walk the plank.
"You don't understand navigation, I fancy, Master Burns," said Swinton
to Paul, "but as you can set broken bones, and things of that sort, we

will spare you if you agree to serve us."
"Thank you," replied Paul, with quiet urbanity. "I prefer to accompany
Master Trench, if you have no objection."
There was a slight laugh at the coolness of this reply, which enraged
the new skipper.
"Say you so?" he exclaimed, jumping up. "Come, then, shove out the
plank, lads, and bring them on one at a time."
"Stop!" cried little Oliver, at this point. "You've forgot me."
"No, my little man, I haven't," returned Swinton, with a cynical smile.
"You shall accompany your amiable father; but first I'll give you a fair
chance," he added, in a bantering tone: "will you navigate the ship?"
"Yes, I will," answered Oliver promptly.
"Indeed!" exclaimed the new skipper, taken aback by the boy's
boldness, and at a loss for a reply.
"Yes, indeed," retorted Oliver, "only put me in command, with an
auger, and I'll navigate the ship to the bottom of the sea, with you and
all your cowardly crew on board of her!"
"Well said, little master," cried Grummidge, while a general laugh of