He had to do the same with the store-rooms, and managed so well
that he succeeded in laying in provisions enough for two years.
There was abundance of money at his command, and enough remained to buy
a cannon, on a pivot carriage, which he mounted on the forecastle.
There was no knowing what might happen, and it is always well to be
able to send a good round bullet flying four miles off.

John Mangles understood his business. Though he was only
the captain of a pleasure yacht, he was one of the best skippers
in Glasgow. He was thirty years of age, and his countenance expressed
both courage and goodness, if the features were somewhat coarse.
He had been brought up at the castle by the Glenarvan family,
and had turned out a capital sailor, having already given proof,
in some of his long voyages, of his skill and energy and _sang-froid_.
When Lord Glenarvan offered him the command of the DUNCAN, he accepted
it with right good will, for he loved the master of Malcolm Castle,
like a brother, and had hitherto vainly sought some opportunity
of showing his devotion.

Tom Austin, the mate, was an old sailor, worthy of all confidence.
The crew, consisting of twenty-five men, including the captain
and chief officer, were all from Dumbartonshire, experienced sailors,
and all belonging to the Glenarvan estate; in fact, it was a regular clan,
and they did not forget to carry with them the traditional bagpipes.
Lord Glenarvan had in them a band of trusty fellows, skilled in their
calling, devoted to himself, full of courage, and as practiced in handling
fire-arms as in the maneuvering of a ship; a valiant little troop,
ready to follow him any where, even in the most dangerous expeditions.
When the crew heard whither they were bound, they could not restrain
their enthusiasm, and the rocks of Dumbarton rang again with their joyous