The carpenter now got off the skylight. "I've told the steward to turn to and get the men's breakfast," said he. "Ourn's to be ready by eight; and I reckon I'll show that snivelling cockney what it is to be hungry. You don't call this a mutiny, do yer, Mr. Royle? Why, the men are like lambs." "Yes, so they are," I answered. "All the same, I shall be glad to feel dry land under me. The law always hangs the skipper of a mutiny, you know; and I'm skipper by your appointment. So the sooner we all get out of this mess the better, eh, Mr. Stevens?" "That's right enough," said he; "and we look to you to get us out of it." "I'll do what you ask me--I won't do more," I answered. "We don't want more. Enough's what we want. You'll let us see your reckonings every day--not because we doubt you--but it'll ease the minds of the men to know that we aren't like to foul the Bermudas." "The Bermudas are well to the nor'rard of our course," I answered promptly. "All right, Mr. Royle, we look to you," he said, with a face on him and in a tone that meant a good deal more than met the ear. "Now, mates," addressing the others, "cut for'ard and get your breakfasts, my lads. It's eight bells. Mr. Royle, I'll go below and call the boatswain; and shall him and me have our breakfast and you arterwards, or you fust? Say the word. I'm agreeable vichever way it goes." "I'll stop on deck till you've done," I replied, wishing to have the table to myself. Down he went, and I advanced to the poop-rail and leaned over it to watch the men come aft to receive their share of the cuddy stores. I will do them the justice to say they were quiet enough. Whether the perception that they no longer recognized any superiors would not presently prevail; whether quarrels, deeds of violence, and all the consequences which generally attend the rebellion of ignorant men would not follow, was another matter. They were decent enough in their behaviour now; congregating on the main-deck and entering the cuddy one by one to receive the stores which the steward was serving out.