Great Britain -- History -- George III, 1760-1820 -- Juvenile fiction; Great Britain. Royal Navy -- Juvenile fiction
On one occasion, when he was on shore with Parker, after the delegates,
as usual, had paraded the streets, they entered the dockyard, where Lord
Keith, Sir Charles Grey, Admiral Buckner, and several other naval
officers, who had just come down from London, were assembled.
The seamen were proceeding in their usual swaggering style across the
dockyard, when they came face to face with the venerable Admiral. He
fixed his stern gaze on them, asking them how mutineers and enemies of
their king and country thus dared to enter one of the royal dockyards?
Even Parker, bold and daring as he was, for an instant was staggered,
and found no words to reply. Just then, drums and fifes were heard, and
an infantry militia regiment marched into the dockyard. The delegates,
nothing daunted, drew up, facing them.
Parker had taken the precaution to leave orders on board the ships that
should he and his companions be seized, two officers on board every ship
should instantly be taken hold of, and ropes rove at the end of the
foreyard-arm be made fast round their necks.
Harry, who was among the delegates, found himself placed near several of
the officers of the militia regiment. Among them he saw a face he knew.
It was that of young Gilby, he was certain. The recognition appeared
mutual. Gilby nodded to him.
"I heard that you were at sea, old fellow, but didn't quite expect to
find you in such company," he cried out.
Harry made no answer, and endeavoured to avoid his gaze. Never had he
felt so humbled and annoyed.
Among the group of naval officers were the captains of some of the ships
who had come on shore. One of them was the captain of the "Saint
Fiorenzo." A young midshipman of the same ship, standing near Lord
Keith, on seeing all the principal leaders of the mutineers together,
exclaimed--
"Why not make one bold cast, and catch them all in the same net? It
would quickly put a stop to the mutiny."
The admiral turned round as he heard the voice:
"You don't know what you are talking about youngster," he observed,
recollecting that the mutineers had their officers in their power on the
ships.
In consequence of this they behaved with the greatest boldness and
audacity in the presence of the Lords of the Admiralty, and in spite of
the troops arrayed against them. A board was held by their lordships at
the Commissioner's house, when the delegates were invited to attend.
All expostulations, however, proved ineffectual. The mutineers
increased their demands, and grew more insolent in their behaviour. At
length their lordships, signifying to the seamen that no further
concessions would be granted, returned to town.
On this, further meetings were held on board the ships, at which Harry
was compelled by Parker to attend as his secretary. One day, in the
presence of Tuttle and several other seamen, Harry expostulated, telling
Parker that he did not approve of holding out after so many concessions
had been made.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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