This discourse was delivered so well, was in itself so reasonable, was
managed with so much temper, yet so boldly concluded with a negative, that
the greatest part of the men were satisfied for the present. However, as it
put the men into juntos and cabals, they were not composed for some hours;
the wind also slackening towards night, the captain ordered not to weigh
till next morning.

The same night twenty-three of the men, among whom was the gunner's mate,
the surgeon's assistant, and two carpenters, applying to the chief mate
told him, that as the captain had given them leave to go on shore to their
comrades, they begged that he would speak to the captain not to take it ill
that they were desirous to go and die with their companions; and that they
thought they could do no less in such an extremity than go to them;
because, if there was any way to save their lives, it was by adding to
their numbers, and making them strong enough to assist one another in
defending themselves against the savages, till perhaps they might one time
or other find means to make their escape, and get to their own country
again.

The mate told them, in so many words, that he durst not speak to the
captain upon any such design, and was very sorry they had no more respect
for him than to desire him to go upon such an errand; but, if they were
resolved upon such an enterprise, he would advise them to take the
long-boat in the morning betimes, and go off, seeing the captain had given
them leave, and leave a civil letter behind them to the captain, and to
desire him to send his men on shore for the boat, which should be delivered
very honestly, and he promised to keep their counsel so long.

Accordingly, an hour before day, those twenty-three men, with every man a