Joshua did so; and as Scadbolt, in a voice thick with passion, was desiring the men not to obey it, Captain Liddle very promptly knocked him down. Calling two of the sailors by name, Captain Liddle ordered them to put the second mate in irons. After the confusion which followed the execution of this order had partially subsided, Captain Liddle cried out,-- "Now, then, what have you to complain of? Speak out like men." At this one of the sailors stepped forward, and said respectfully,-- "Well, your honor, some of us think it would have been better if we had stopped in port another day." "That's a matter of opinion," said the captain. "You have a right to yours, but I have a right to mine also; and I am master of this ship. Now I ask you as sensible men and good sailors, is it right that you should forget your duty because we don't agree upon a certain point? Do you know what this means my men?" pointing to Scadbolt. "It means mutiny. What would any one of you do if you were skipper in my place You would put a stop to it at once, as I have done, and as I intend to do. I'll do it by reason, if you'll let me, and I'll say nothing of any other means, for I don't want to use them. I speak you fair, men, and I mean you fair. What do you say, now, to treating me as I treat you?" Acquiescent murmurs ran round the crew, most of whom had gathered together during the scene. "And at such a time as this too," continued Captain Liddle, "though it would be all the same in fair weather or foul. I'll tell you something that many of you, as good mariners, suspect already. We are near a dangerous coast--how near I do not know, for I have not been able to take a sight for two days. And it's at such a time as this that this bad sailor--I found out before we got into the Bay of Biscay that he wasn't as good as he ought to be--it's at such a time as this that he tries to get you into trouble. Come, now, have I spoke you fair?" "Yes, you have; spoke like a man!" a dozen voices said. "That's well said. Whoever is on my side step over to me." Every man--even the Lascar, too much of a coward to stand aloof--stepped to the captain's side and saluted him. "I'm proud of my crew," was the captain's simple remark after this. "Now go to your duty." As the captain walked on to the poop, Rough-and-Ready said, "That was well done, skipper; but there are two or three black sheep among 'em, for all that." "I know it," replied Captain Liddle, with a significant look. "I shall keep a sharp look-out on them. I've got a man on board that's a match for a dozen black sheep, or I'm very much mistaken." Rough-and-Ready laughed and turned on his heel, and Captain Liddle went down to say an encouraging word to his wife.