“Could you tell us about where we are, sir?”

“Only as a guess,” I answered frankly, my eyes traveling over the sea vista, “but will do the best I can.  I have had no observation since we left the Capes, but Estada had his chart pricked up to the time he was killed, showing the course of the Namur.  We were then about a hundred miles off shore and the same distance south.  We have been sailing to the north of west since taking to the boat.  That is the best course possible with this wind.”

“Then a couple days should bring land, sir?”

“Ay, if figures are correct and this wind holds.  But these are stormy waters, and we go by dead reckoning.”

“That’s near enough,” he said stubbornly.  “Even if you was astray fifty miles would make little difference.  There’s land to west of us, and plenty ter eat aboard till we get there—­so why not eat it?”

I glanced about into the faces of the others forward, but received little encouragement—­evidently the fellow was spokesman for his mates.  The time had arrived for me to exhibit my authority, but before I could choose words, Watkins gave indignant utterance to a reply.

“Yer hed yer fair share with the rest ov us, didn’t yer, Simms?” “O’ course I did; but damn it, I’m hungrier then I wus afore—­whut the hell’s the use?”

“Let me tell you,” I broke in, determined on my course.  “It is not just the boat trip to be considered, although that may prove serious enough before we get ashore.  If I am any judge we are going to have some weather in the next twenty-four hours, and may have to run before it to keep afloat.  That’s one point to think over.  Another is that coast line west of us doesn’t contain a dozen white settlements between the Capes and Florida, and you are just as liable to be hungry on land as sea.  You’ve eaten as much as I have.”

“Maybe I have, but by God, there is food enough there to last us a month.”

“And it may have to do so.  Now Simms, listen to what I say, and you others also.  I am not going to repeat this.  We’re the same as ship-wrecked men, and I am in command of this boat.  Whatever I say goes, and I’ve handled worse fellows than you are many a time.  Grumble all you please; I don’t mind that, but if you try mutiny, or fail to jump at my orders, I’ll show you some sea discipline you will not forget very soon.  You are with me, Watkins?”

“You bet I am, sir,” heartily.

The Dutchman already half asleep, lifted his head.

“Mine Gott, I cud eat a whale,” he growled rather discontentedly, “but what der difference say I do—­dat wus best, ach.”

Simms made no answer, sitting sullenly at the foot of the mast.  I waited, thinking some other might venture a word, but evidently they had enough, and I was willing to let the affair rest.  They had been shown that I meant to enforce discipline, and nothing remained but for me to carry out my threat if occasion arose.  Meanwhile the least friction aboard, the better.