Not a sailor stirred. There was not one that did not admire Harry's
promptness, which had saved Jack's life, and prevented the captain
from becoming a murderer.
"Here, you two men, seize the boy, and carry him below!" exclaimed the
captain, addressing Brown and Higgins, the two sailors nearest.
The two men looked at each other, moved a step forward, and then
stopped.
"Is this mutiny?" roared the captain, with a bloodcurdling oath. "Am I
master in my own ship or not?"
What might have been the issue is hard to tell, had not the Yankee
passenger already referred to, Jonathan Stubbs, come forward and taken
up the gauntlet.
"Look here, cap'n," he commenced, in a drawling tone, "what's all this
fuss you're kickin' up? You're kinder riled, ain't you?"
"Who are you that dare to bandy words with me? Men, do you hear me?
Put that boy in irons, or must I do it myself?"
"Look here, cap'n, let's argy that matter a little," said Stubbs.
"What's the boy to be put in irons for?"
"For grossly insulting me, and defying my authority."
"He has prevented your committing murder, if that's what you mean. You
ought to thank him."
"Take care, sir!" thundered the captain, "or I may put you in irons,
also."
"I reckon you might find a little opposition," said the Yankee,
quietly.
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