"By Judas, it's our leader, Richard Parker!" declared Ferens.

What Dyck now saw was good evidence of the progress of the agitation.
There were officers of the Ariadne to be seen, but they wisely took no
notice of the breaches of regulation which followed the arrival of the
Delegates. Dyck saw Ferens speak to Richard Parker after the men had
been in conference with Parker and the Delegates, and then turn towards
himself. Richard Parker came to him.

"We are fellow countrymen," he said genially. "I know your history.
We are out to make the navy better--to get the men their rights. I
understand you are with us?"

Dyck bowed. "I will do all possible to get reforms in wages and food put
through, sir."

"That's good," said Parker. "There are some petitions you can draft,
and some letters also to the Admiralty and to the Houses of Lords and
Commons."

"I am at your service," said Dyck.

He saw his chance to secure influence on the Ariadne, and also to do good
to the service. Besides, he felt he might be able to check the worst
excesses of the agitation, if he got power under Parker. He was free
from any wish for mutiny, but he was the friend of an agitation which
might end as successfully as the trouble at Spithead.