The South Sea Whaler | Page 8

he
should attack the first enemy's merchantman they could fall in with.
`And the captain will tell you to mind your own business, and that he
intends to act as he considers is most for his own interest and that of the
owners,' said Hulk, with an oath. `I tell you, the only thing we can do is
to make him and his young fry, and the old mate and some of the rest
of them, prisoners; or, better still, knock them on the head and heave
them overboard, and then we will make the boatswain captain, and live
a life of independence, just taking as many prizes as we want, and
never troubling ourselves to give an account of them to the owners.'
Some agreed to this, and some didn't seem to like the thought of it; but
they were talked over by the boatswain and Hulk, and agreed to what
they proposed. I cannot say, however, when they intend to carry out
their plan. They talked on for some time longer, and then they all
turned into their hammocks. I lay as quiet as a mouse in a cheese, and
when I thought they were all asleep slipped up on deck to tell you or
the mate, if I could manage to speak to either of you unobserved, that
you might let the captain know of their intentions towards him."
Walter, though considerably agitated at this information, acted with
much discretion, telling Tidy to keep the matter to himself, and to
behave towards the intended mutineers as he had always done, without

letting them have a shade of suspicion that he had discovered their plot.
Having no fear, from what Tidy said, that they intended carrying it out
immediately, he waited till his watch was over to inform his father and
the chief mate. Bidding Tidy go below and turn in again, he resumed
his walk on deck.
They would probably, he thought, wait for a change of weather and a
dark night to execute their project which, it was evident, was not as yet
fully matured.
The second mate had charge of the watch, but Walter was unwilling to
communicate the information to him; for, though an honest man, he
somewhat doubted his discretion. It was an anxious time for the young
boy, but his courage did not quail, as he felt sure that his father and Mr
Shobbrok, aided by the other officers and the better-disposed part of the
crew, would be able to counteract the designs of the mutineers.
CHAPTER TWO.
PRECAUTIONS--A MUTINY--MUTINEERS
DEFEATED--ATTEMPT TO ROUND CAPE HORN-- DRIVEN
BACK--A FEARFUL GALE--AMIDST ICEBERGS--A
MAGNIFICENT SIGHT--MAN OVERBOARD--MUTINEER
KILLED BY AN ALBATROSS.
Walter was thankful to hear eight bells strike, when Mr Shobbrok
coming on deck, sent the second mate below.
"Why don't you turn in, Walter?" asked the first mate, on seeing him
still lingering on deck.
"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."
The captain's appearance would not excite suspicion, as it is customary
for a commander to go on deck at all