"This is rank mut'ny," said the skipper, "and you could be 'ung for refusin' duty. But under the painful nash'nal circumstances you can retire to your cabin and be your own bloomin' policeman till peace is restored, when I'll try you and sentence you, you run and scuttle swine you." "Oh, that's all right," said the mate contemptuously. "Now, men," said the skipper thickly, "what I wants is 'earty support. Who'll volunteer for to be hambassador?" The crew looked at each other and shook their heads. They scuffled with uneasy feet on the lopsided deck. "They're standin' upon the 'ill as thick as pea-sticks," said one of the boys. "Speak hup," roared the skipper. The crew shoved old Mac in front. "We've revolved the notion up and over," said Mac, "and we've come to the conclusion, sir, there ain't nothin' to be got by sendin' ignorant men like we on such errands." The skipper hiccupped angrily. "Who asted you to think? But I ain't the man to press unwilling lubbers into goin' aloft, _I_ can lead the way. Go into the fo'castle, you dogs, and consider yourselves under arrest. Go!" "Blimy," said the crowd, "but we're all in our own custody, so we are. Now what's the old man goin' to do?" They watched him from the fo'castle as he staggered into his own part of the ship. "I'll be my own hambassador," said Jones. "I'll show 'em 'ow to work things with dignity; I'll show that ass Lampert what's o'clock. What you wants in such cases made and provided is tact, and go, and innerds. Innerds is the chief need. Why fight if palaver'll do? Where I was wrong was to send a galoot like Simcox. But what could I do but work the best with the tools I 'ad? If I'd gone myself, we'd 'ave made peace afore there was a row." He came staggering out of the cabin with a case of brandy and laid it on the after capstan. "I guess I'll have a boy," said Jones. "'Ere, you scum, send me Billy." And Billy came aft. "I releases you temp'ry without bail," said the skipper fiercely, "so puckalow that case and foller me. No, you wait till I gets a tablecloth as a signal I'm willin' to 'ave peace." When he came out with a cloth he went ashore and stumbled up the hill, followed by the boy Billy, bearing the case of brandy. He found the crew of the Frenchmen lining the crest, and heard them talk. "Say, Johnny French," said old Jones, "if you wants war, prepare for peace. Who's the captain?" "Sapristi!" said the French captain. Jones nodded. "Give it up, old son. It warn't my fault, if relyin' on the discretion of ambassadors ain't a fault: and maybe you can swaller the hultimatum with some real good brandy throwed in. And is your name Sapristi?" "Nom de Dieu----" began the Frenchman, but Jones waved his hand with dignity. "Call yourself what you like, but 'ave you got anythin' in the way of a marlinspike or a splice bar as'll open this yer case?"