Gentlemen all, there was mutiny aboard that ship
which so providentially sank before your very eyes. For why? The
crew, who were pirates, and the captain, who was yonder
gentleman, did not agree. The one wished to attack you, board you,
rummage you, and slay, after recondite fashions, every mother's
son of you; the other demurred, - so strongly, in fact, that his life
ceased to be worth a pin's purchase. Indeed, I believe he resigned
his captaincy then and there, and, declining to lift a finger against
an English ship, defied them to do their worst. He had no hand in
the firing of those culverins; the mutineers touched them off
without so much as a 'by your leave.' His attention was otherwise
occupied. Good sirs, there was not the slightest reason in nature
why the ship should have struck upon that sunken reef, to the
damnation of her people and the salvation of yours. Why do you
suppose she diverged from the path of safety to split into slivers
against that fortunate ledge?"
The men around drew in their breath, and one or two sprang to
their feet. My lord laughed again. "Have you seen the pious man
who left Jamestown and went aboard the pirate ship as this
gentleman's lieutenant? He hath the strength of a bull. Captain
Percy here had but to nod his head, and hey, presto! the helmsman
was bowled over, and the minister had the helm.
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