In spite of all we could do, some of them again became mostrefractory, breathing nothing but downright mutiny. When we wentbelow to dinner these fellows stirred up such a prodigious tumultthat the old hull fairly echoed. Many, and fierce too, were thespeeches delivered, and uproarious the comments of the sailors. Amongothers Long Jim, or--as the doctor afterwards called him--LacedaemonianJim, rose in his place, and addressed the forecastle parliament in thefollowing strain:
"Look ye, Britons! if after what's happened, this here craft goes tosea with us, we are no men; and that's the way to say it. Speak theword, my livelies, and I'll pilot her in. I've been to Tahiti beforeand I can do it." Whereupon, he sat down amid a universal pounding ofchest-lids, and cymbaling of tin pans; the few invalids, who, as yet,had not been actively engaged with the rest, now taking part in theapplause, creaking their bunk-boards and swinging their hammocks.Cries also were heard, of "Handspikes and a shindy!" "Outstun-sails!" "Hurrah!"
Several now ran on deck, and, for the moment, I thought it was allover with us; but we finally succeeded in restoring some degree ofquiet.
At last, by way of diverting their thoughts, I proposed that a "RoundRobin" should be prepared and sent ashore to the consul by Baltimore,the cook. The idea took mightily, and I was told to set about it atonce. On turning to the doctor for the requisite materials, he toldme he had none; there was not a fly-leaf, even in any of his books.So, after great search, a damp, musty volume, entitled "A History ofthe most Atrocious and Bloody Piracies," was produced, and its tworemaining blank leaves being torn out, were by help of a little pitchlengthened into one sheet. For ink, some of the soot over the lampwas then mixed with water, by a fellow of a literary turn; and animmense quill, plucked from a distended albatross' wing, which,nailed against the bowsprit bitts, had long formed an ornament of theforecastle, supplied a pen.
Making use of the stationery thus provided, I indited, upon achest-lid, a concise statement of our grievances; concluding with theearnest hope that the consul would at once come off, and see howmatters stood for himself. Eight beneath the note was described thecircle about which the names were to be written; the great object ofa Round Robin being to arrange the signatures in such a way that,although they are all found in a ring, no man can be picked out asthe leader of it.
Few among them had any regular names; many answering to some familiartitle, expressive of a personal trait; or oftener still, to the nameof the place from which they hailed; and in one or two cases wereknown by a handy syllable or two, significant of nothing inparticular but the men who bore them. Some, to be sure, had, for thesake of formality, shipped under a feigned cognomen, or "Purser'sname"; these, however, were almost forgotten by themselves; and so,to give the document an air of genuineness, it was decided that everyman's name should be put down as it went among the crew.
It is due to the doctor to say that the circumscribed device was his.
Folded, and sealed with a drop of tar, the Round Robin was directed to"The English Consul, Tahiti"; and, handed to the cook, was by himdelivered into that gentleman's hands as soon as the mate wentashore.
On the return of the boat, sometime after dark, we learned a good dealfrom old Baltimore, who, having been allowed to run about as much ashe pleased, had spent his time gossiping.
Owing to the proceedings of the French, everything in Tahiti was in anuproar. Pritchard, the missionary consul, was absent in England; buthis place was temporarily filled by one Wilson, an educated whiteman, born on the island, and the son of an old missionary of thatname still living.
With natives and foreigners alike, Wilson the younger was exceedinglyunpopular, being held an unprincipled and dissipated man, a characterverified by his subsequent conduct. Pritchard's selecting a man likethis to attend to the duties of his office, had occasioned generaldissatisfaction ashore.
Though never in Europe or America, the acting consul had been severalvoyages to Sydney in a schooner belonging to the mission; andtherefore our surprise was lessened, when Baltimore told us, that heand Captain Guy were as sociable as could be--old acquaintances, infact; and that the latter had taken up his quarters at Wilson'shouse. For us this boded ill.
The mate was now assailed by a hundred questions as to what was goingto be done with us. His only reply was, that in the morning theconsul would pay us a visit, and settle everything.
After holding our ground off the harbour during the night, in themorning a shore boat, manned by natives, was seen coming off. In itwere Wilson and another white man, who proved to be a Doctor Johnson,an Englishman, and a resident physician of Papeetee.
Stopping our headway as they approached, Jermin advanced to thegangway to receive them. No sooner did the consul touch the deck,than he gave us a specimen of what he was.
"Mr. Jermin," he cried loftily, and not deigning to notice therespectful salutation of the person addressed, "Mr. Jermin, tackship, and stand off from the land."
Upon this, the men looked hard at him, anxious to see what sort of alooking "cove" he was. Upon inspection, he turned out to be anexceedingly minute "cove," with a viciously pugged nose, and adecidedly thin pair of legs. There was nothing else noticeable abouthim. Jermin, with ill-assumed suavity, at once obeyed the order, andthe ship's head soon pointed out to sea.
Now, contempt is as frequently produced at first sight as love; andthus was it with respect to Wilson. No one could look at him withoutconceiving a strong dislike, or a cordial desire to entertain such afeeling the first favourable opportunity. There was such anintolerable air of conceit about this man that it was almost as muchas one could do to refrain from running up and affronting him.
"So the counsellor is come," exclaimed Navy Bob, who, like all therest, invariably styled him thus, much to mine and the doctor'sdiversion. "Ay," said another, "and for no good, I'll be bound."
Such were some of the observations made, as Wilson and the mate wentbelow conversing.
But no one exceeded the cooper in the violence with which he inveighedagainst the ship and everything connected with her. Swearing like atrooper, he called the main-mast to witness that, if he (Bungs) everagain went out of sight of land in the Julia, he prayed Heaven that afate might be his--altogether too remarkable to be here related.
Much had he to say also concerning the vileness of what we had toeat--not fit for a dog; besides enlarging upon the imprudence ofintrusting the vessel longer to a man of the mate's intemperatehabits. With so many sick, too, what could we expect to do in thefishery? It was no use talking; come what come might, the ship mustlet go her anchor.
Now, as Bungs, besides being an able seaman, a "Cod" in theforecastle, and about the oldest man in it, was, moreover, thusdeeply imbued with feelings so warmly responded to by the rest, hewas all at once selected to officiate as spokesman, as soon as theconsul should see fit to address us. The selection was made contraryto mine and the doctor's advice; however, all assured us they wouldkeep quiet, and hear everything Wilson had to say, before doinganything decisive.
We were not kept long in suspense; for very soon he was seen standingin the cabin gangway, with the tarnished tin case containing theship's papers; and Jennin at once sung out for the ship's company tomuster on the quarter-deck.
CHAPTER XXI.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONSUL
THE order was instantly obeyed, and the sailors ranged themselves,facing the consul.
They were a wild company; men of many climes--not at all precise intheir toilet arrangements, but picturesque in their very tatters. Myfriend, the Long Doctor, was there too; and with a view, perhaps, ofenlisting the sympathies of the consul for a gentleman in distress,had taken more than ordinary pains with his appearance. But among thesailors, he looked like a land-crane blown off to sea, and consortingwith petrels.
The forlorn Rope Yarn, however, was by far the most remarkable figure.Land-lubber that he was, his outfit of sea-clothing had long sincebeen confiscated; and he was now fain to go about in whatever hecould pick up. His upper garment--an uns
ailor-like article of dresswhich he persisted in wearing, though torn from his back twenty timesin the day--was an old "claw-hammer jacket," or swallow-tail coat,formerly belonging to Captain Guy, and which had formed one of hisperquisites when steward.
By the side of Wilson was the mate, bareheaded, his gray locks lyingin rings upon his bronzed brow, and his keen eye scanning the crowdas if he knew their every thought. His frock hung loosely, exposinghis round throat, mossy chest, and short and nervous arm embossedwith pugilistic bruises, and quaint with many a device in India ink.
In the midst of a portentous silence, the consul unrolled his papers,evidently intending to produce an effect by the exceeding bigness ofhis looks.
"Mr. Jermin, call off their names;" and he handed him a list of theship's company.
All answered but the deserters and the two mariners at the bottom ofthe sea.
It was now supposed that the Round Robin would be produced, andsomething said about it. But not so. Among the consul's papers thatunique document was thought to be perceived; but, if there, it wastoo much despised to be made a subject of comment. Some present, veryjustly regarding it as an uncommon literary production, had beenanticipating all sorts of miracles therefrom; and were, therefore,much touched at this neglect.
"Well, men," began Wilson again after a short pause, "although you alllook hearty enough, I'm told there are some sick among you. Now then,Mr. Jermin, call off the names on that sick-list of yours, and letthem go over to the other side of the deck--I should like to see whothey are."
"So, then," said he, after we had all passed over, "you are the sickfellows, are you? Very good: I shall have you seen to. You will godown into the cabin one by one, to Doctor Johnson, who will reportyour respective cases to me. Such as he pronounces in a dying state Ishall have sent ashore; the rest will be provided with everythingneedful, and remain aboard."
At this announcement, we gazed strangely at each other, anxious to seewho it was that looked like dying, and pretty nearly deciding to stayaboard and get well, rather than go ashore and be buried. There weresome, nevertheless, who saw very plainly what Wilson was at, and theyacted accordingly. For my own part, I resolved to assume as dying anexpression as possible; hoping that, on the strength of it, I mightbe sent ashore, and so get rid of the ship without any furthertrouble.
With this intention, I determined to take no part in anything thatmight happen until my case was decided upon. As for the doctor, hehad all along pretended to be more or less unwell; and by asignificant look now given me, it was plain that he was becomingdecidedly worse.
The invalids disposed of for the present, and one of them having gonebelow to be examined, the consul turned round to the rest, andaddressed them as follows:--
"Men, I'm going to ask you two or three questions--let one of youanswer yes or no, and the rest keep silent. Now then: Have youanything to say against your mate, Mr. Jermin?" And he lookedsharply among the sailors, and, at last, right into the eye of thecooper, whom everybody was eyeing.
"Well, sir," faltered Bungs, "we can't say anything against Mr.Jermin's seamanship, but--"
"I want no buts," cried the consul, breaking in: "answer me yes orno--have you anything to say against Mr. Jermin?"
"I was going on to say, sir; Mr. Jermin's a very good man; but then--"Here the mate looked marlinespikes at Bungs; and Bungs, afterstammering out something, looked straight down to a seam in the deck,and stopped short.
A rather assuming fellow heretofore, the cooper had sported manyfeathers in his cap; he was now showing the white one.
"So much then for that part of the business," exclaimed Wilson,smartly; "you have nothing to say against him, I see."
Upon this, several seemed to be on the point of saying a good deal;but disconcerted by the cooper's conduct, checked themselves, and theconsul proceeded.
"Have you enough to eat, aboard? answer me, you man who spokebefore."
"Well, I don't know as to that," said the cooper, looking excessivelyuneasy, and trying to edge back, but pushed forward again. "Some ofthat salt horse ain't as sweet as it might be."
"That's not what I asked you," shouted the consul, growing brave quitefast; "answer my questions as I put them, or I'll find a way to makeyou."
This was going a little too far. The ferment, into which the cooper'spoltroonery had thrown the sailors, now brooked no restraint; and oneof them--a young American who went by the name of Salem--dashed outfrom among the rest, and fetching the cooper a blow that sent himhumming over toward the consul, flourished a naked sheath-knife inthe air, and burst forth with "I'm the little fellow that can answeryour questions; just put them to me once, counsellor." But the"counsellor" had no more questions to ask just then; for at thealarming apparition of Salem's knife, and the extraordinary effectproduced upon Bungs, he had popped his head down the companion-way,and was holding it there.
Upon the mate's assuring him, however, that it was all over, he lookedup, quite flustered, if not frightened, but evidently determined toput as fierce a face on the matter as practicable. Speaking sharply,he warned all present to "look out"; and then repeated the question,whether there was enough to eat aboard. Everyone now turnedspokesman; and he was assailed by a perfect hurricane of yells, inwhich the oaths fell like hailstones.
"How's this! what d'ye mean?" he cried, upon the first lull; "who toldyou all to speak at once? Here, you man with the knife, you'll beputting someone's eyes out yet; d'ye hear, you sir? You seem to havea good deal to say, who are you, pray; where did you ship?"
"I'm nothing more nor a bloody beach-comber," retorted Salem, steppingforward piratically and eyeing him; "and if you want to know, Ishipped at the Islands about four months ago."
"Only four months ago? And here you have more to say than men who havebeen aboard the whole voyage;" and the consul made a dash at lookingfurious, but failed. "Let me hear no more from you, sir. Where'sthat respectable, gray-headed man, the cooper? he's the one to answermy questions."
"There's no 'spectable, gray-headed men aboard," returned Salem;"we're all a parcel of mutineers and pirates!"
All this time, the mate was holding his peace; and Wilson, nowcompletely abashed, and at a loss what to do, took him by the arm,and walked across the deck. Returning to the cabin-scuttle, after aclose conversation, he abruptly addressed the sailors, without takingany further notice of what had just happened.
"For reasons you all know, men, this ship has been placed in my hands.As Captain Guy will remain ashore for the present, your mate, Mr.Jermin, will command until his recovery. According to my judgment,there is no reason why the voyage should not be at once resumed;especially, as I shall see that you have two more harpooners, andenough good men to man three boats. As for the sick, neither you nor Ihave anything to do with them; they will be attended to by DoctorJohnson; but I've explained that matter before. As soon as things canbe arranged--in a day or two, at farthest--you will go to sea for athree months' cruise, touching here, at the end of it, for yourcaptain. Let me hear a good report of you, now, when you come back.At present, you will continue lying off and on the harbour. I willsend you fresh provisions as soon as I can get them. There: I'venothing more to say; go forward to your stations."
And, without another word, he wheeled round to descend into the cabin.But hardly had he concluded before the incensed men were dancingabout him on every side, and calling upon him to lend an ear. Eachone for himself denied the legality of what he proposed to do;insisted upon the necessity for taking the ship in; and finally gavehim to understand, roughly and roundly, that go to sea in her theywould not.
In the midst of this mutinous uproar, the alarmed consul stood fast bythe scuttle. His tactics had been decided upon beforehand; indeed,they must have been concerted ashore, between him and the captain;for all he said, as he now hurried below, was, "Go forward, men; I'mthrough with you: you should have mentioned these matters before: myarrangements are concluded: go forward, I say; I've nothing more tosay to you." And, drawing over the slide
of the scuttle, hedisappeared. Upon the very point of following him down, the attentionof the exasperated seamen was called off to a party who had just thentaken the recreant Bungs in hand. Amid a shower of kicks and cuffs,the traitor was borne along to the forecastle, where--I forbear torelate what followed.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE CONSUL'S DEPARTURE
DURING THE scenes just described, Doctor Johnson was engaged inexamining the sick, of whom, as it turned out, all but two were toremain in the ship. He had evidently received his cue from Wilson.
One of the last called below into the cabin, just as the quarter-deckgathering dispersed, I came on deck quite incensed. My lameness,which, to tell the truth, was now much better, was put down as, in agreat measure, affected; and my name was on the list of those whowould be fit for any duty in a day or two. This was enough. As forDoctor Long Ghost, the shore physician, instead of extending to himany professional sympathy, had treated him very cavalierly. To acertain extent, therefore, we were now both bent on making commoncause with the sailors.
I must explain myself here. All we wanted was to have the ship snuglyanchored in Papeetee Bay; entertaining no doubt that, could this bedone, it would in some way or other peaceably lead to ouremancipation. Without a downright mutiny, there was but one way toaccomplish this: to induce the men to refuse all further duty, unlessit were to work the vessel in. The only difficulty lay in restrainingthem within proper bounds. Nor was it without certain misgivings,that I found myself so situated, that I must necessarily link myself,however guardedly, with such a desperate company; and in anenterprise, too, of which it was hard to conjecture what might be theresult. But anything like neutrality was out of the question; andunconditional submission was equally so.