Happy Jack, and Other Tales of the SeaKingston, William Henry Giles
General
Happy Jack, and Other Tales of the Sea
Kingston, William Henry Giles
Sea stories
Meantime, the delegates of the _San Fiorenzo_ attended the meetings of
the mutineers, and, though at the imminent risk of their lives,
regularly brought Sir Harry information of all that occurred. He
transmitted it to the Admiralty, and it was chiefly through his
representations and advice that conciliatory measures were adopted by
the Government. Nearly all the just demands of the seamen having been
granted, they returned to their duty, and it was supposed that the
mutiny was at an end. Just before this, the Princess Royal had married
the Duke of Wirtemberg, and the _San Fiorenzo_ had been appointed to
carry Her Royal Highness over to Cuxhaven. We could not, however, move
without permission from the delegates. This was granted. Our
upper-deck guns were stowed below, and the larger portion of the
upper-deck fitted with cabins. In this condition, when arriving at
Sheerness, we found to our surprise that the red flag was still flying
on board the guardship, the _Sandwich_. Supposing that her crew had not
been informed of what had taken place at Spithead, Sir Harry sent our
delegates on board her, that they might explain the real state of
affairs. The disgust of our men was very great when they were informed
that fresh demands had been made by the crews of the North Sea fleet, of
so frivolous a nature that it was not probable they would be granted.
Our men, in spite of the character of delegates, which had been forced
on them, could not help showing their indignation, and expressing
themselves in no very courteous terms. This showed the mutineers that
they were not over-zealous in their cause, and our people were warned
that, should they prove treacherous, they and their ship would be sent
to the bottom.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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