my secretary; but do not, on that account, believe I shall be less
strict to enforce discipline upon you equally with all under my
command. At the great distance we are from home it behoves some one to
be in authority, if we are ever to see the Netherlands again. Promise
me then to set a curb upon your temper, and when Van Luck is able to
resume his duties after the drubbing you have given him, let there be
no bad blood between you."

I gave my promise willingly, and I can honestly say that, on, my part,
I bore no grudge against Van Luck, nor against any man of the ship's
company, though I could see that Van Luck would never forgive me for
having bested him, nor could I disguise from myself the fact that there
were some among the crew who sided with him.



CHAPTER VII

THE SPIRIT OF DISCORD


The days which followed my fight with Van Luck were full of anxiety for
those who were responsible for the safety of the ship. It was evident
that a spirit of discord had begun to show itself among the crew, which
threatened a mutiny. Janstins, the pilot, whom we knew to be
trustworthy, did not attempt to hide the peril that was brewing in the
forecastle.

"Those lubbers for'ard," he said when Hartog, he, and I sat together
one evening in the cabin, "will make trouble if they can. They are a