It was an odd request at such a time, but Jones was immediately admitted. His face was very serious indeed. He glanced uneasily at the servants, and interpreting the look to mean that he wished privacy, Captain Mackenzie ordered them to retire. If Jones was serious, Jack was much more so when he made his statement, which he did in straightforward British sailor's English. CHAPTER XVI. JACK AND THE MUTINEERS. "Obedience every work combines, Diffuses to each part That ardour which the mind refines, Expands and mends the heart." DIBDIN. "It's been a-going on for some little len'th o' time, your honour," said Jones. "Me and my messmates took little heed o't for a time, thinkin' it were only Scrivings' bombast, 'cause ye see, sir, he's only a blessed mouth of a fellow arter all." "Ha!" interrupted M'Hearty, "that fellow is one of your pressed men, isn't he?" "Yes," said Jack; "the ringleader of the smugglers, and a bold, bad man." "That's he to a T," said Jones. "Well, they're all in it, the twenty o' them. I'm no sneak, and I'm no spy, but I thought it was my duty to tell your honour. They're preaching mutiny, and they're spreading sedition, and--and"--here Jones lost his temper, and forgot himself so far as to bring his fist down on the table with a force that made all the glasses rattle--"I'd hang the blessed lot." Jones was thanked, told to keep dark, and, after a stiff glass of the captain's rum, retired. This man had done his duty. Early next morning, Admiral Sir John was surprised to receive a visit from Captain Mackenzie. The latter soon opened fire in true sailor fashion. "Admiral," he said, "I've come to make an exchange. I want two of your best men for two of my very bad hats." The admiral laughingly requested an explanation. "For," he added, "you certainly seem to me to wish the better half of the bargain." Jack explained in a very few words. He desired, instead of bringing the would-be mutineers to trial, to send one or two of them to every ship in the fleet. "'Pon honour," said Jervis, "the plan does you credit. I'd have hanged one or two of them. But this is better--indeed it is. Well, I'll take your two blackest hats; and I shan't forget to mention your cleverness when I send home a despatch. Come down to breakfast." That very day the smugglers were scattered all over the fleet, and peace once more reigned in the _Tonneraire_. * * * * * In a few weeks' time the wounded on board Jack's ship were nearly all well; and he was not sorry when one day he was sent for by the admiral, and told that he was to proceed to sea. There were many ships, both Spanish and French, sailing to and fro on the coast carrying despatches of great importance, because they were intended to enable the enemy to complete their plans. These he was to chase, and either capture or destroy as suited him best.