The men in both boats were astonished and confounded by the startling clash of authority between their officers. Such a thing had never been known before. They had been surprised when Mr. Pillgrim declared that the steamer was all right, for there was not one of them who was not perfectly satisfied that the vessel was running in to break the blockade. They were still more surprised when Mr. Somers dared to dispute the conclusions of his superior officer. Involuntarily they took sides with the fourth lieutenant, because his opinion that the Ben Nevis was not all right coincided with their own, and because the prize-money went with his view of the matter. But they were well disciplined men, and each crew, thus far, obeyed the orders of its own officer; and, so far as they were concerned, there was no conflict of command, though this was likely soon to be the case. "Mr. Somers, I warn you--beware!" said Pillgrim, with the most expressive emphasis. "I intend to do my duty," replied Somers. "Bully for the fourth luff!" shouted a seaman in the second cutter, who felt disposed to take a part in the dispute. "Silence!" interposed Somers, sternly, as he perceived that this bad example was likely to be followed by others, and he felt that the occasion was too serious and solemn to admit of anything like levity. "Mr. Somers, you know the consequences!" continued the second lieutenant. "I do." "Remember!" "I know what I am about," answered Somers, understanding to what Pillgrim alluded, though of course it was incomprehensible to others in the boats. "I shall board the steamer." "Do it at your peril!" "I shall do it." "This is mutiny!" stormed Pillgrim, with an oath, as he took a revolver from his belt. "I will abide the consequences," replied Somers, drawing his pistol. "For God's sake, Mr. Somers--" "Silence, boatswain!" "You will ruin yourself," whispered Tom, whose bronzed face was ghastly pale, and whose lips quivered with the anxiety he felt for his _protégé_. "I am perfectly cool, Tom; don't be alarmed about me," replied Somers, tenderly, as he glanced at the expression of suffering on the face of his faithful friend. "That man is a traitor!" he whispered. "Once more, Mr. Somers, will you obey me, or will you not?" shouted Mr. Pillgrim, angrily. "If you will capture this steamer, as you should do, I will obey you in all things," replied Somers. "I know she is about to run the blockade, and so do you." "I have examined her, and I declare that her papers are all right. My decision is final. Return to the ship, Mr. Somers, and there answer for your mutinous conduct." "I shall board this vessel," replied Somers, as he ordered the bowman to haul in towards the steamer. "This is mutiny, and I shall treat it as such. I _will_ be obeyed!"