MUTINY


A month after leaving Pearl Island, when it became known to the crew of
the "Endraght" that a course had been set for home without having
obtained the treasure which had been the object of the voyage, the
spirit of discontent in the forecastle which had previously shown
itself, became so marked as to threaten a mutiny. Had it not been that
we held all the arms and ammunition aft, there would have been little
doubt of the seamen refusing duty. As it was, they went about their
work in so surly a manner, that if Hartog had not kept a check upon his
temper, a serious outbreak on more than one occasion would have
occurred.

"I cannot think what evil influence is at work among the men," said
Hartog to me one evening, when we sat together alone in the cabin, for
Van Luck, except at meals, seldom joined us. "As sailors, they ought to
know that treasure hunts often prove disappointing, and they will each
receive a good round sum in back pay when the crew is disbanded after
the voyage. What, then, would they gain by mutiny? Without a navigator
they would either lose the ship, or, if they succeeded in making a
port, they would become food for the gallows. Knowing sailors as I do,
I cannot understand, in present circumstances, what it is that fosters
rebellion, unless some influence is at work that we wot not of."

It was then that I thought it my duty to tell the captain of my
suspicions regarding Van Luck, and of how I had seen him looking down
upon us through the skylight at the counting of the pearls.

Hartog was amazed at such treachery on the part of his first officer.