In less than
two hours the mutineers would be marching on the ship. Not an instant
was to be lost. Immediately the guns were loaded and trained to command
the shore and all the approaches to the stores; the bridge was taken
in, and when the mutineers appeared they found themselves caught. In
tones of thunder, Phips bade them not to stir or he would mow them down
with his batteries; nor did they dare to disobey. The bridge was again
laid down, and the eight loyal men brought back the stores to the ship.
When all was safely on board again, the mutineers were told that they
were to be left to the fate they had intended for their commander. In
despair at so terrible a prospect, the miserable men threw down their
arms, and protested their willingness to submit if Phips would but
relent and not sail away without them. After a long parley, he agreed
to let them come on board, they having first given up their arms. But,
with such a crew, further search after the treasure was useless. Phips,
therefore, sailed for Jamaica, changed the crew, and again weighed
anchor for Hispaniola. There he was lucky enough to find an old
Spaniard who told him that the wreck was somewhere about a reef a few
leagues north of Puerto de la Plata.
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