Soon after they had sailed, the crew came aft, armed, and determined to force Phips to yield to their wishes, which probably were that they should all turn pirates.  Without giving them time to deliberate, Phips flew at their leader, hurled him to the deck and dispatched him on the spot—­a deed so prompt and daring that it awed the mutineers into submission for the time.  One who has never seen a mutiny at sea can form but little idea of its desperate character, and the rapidity of action and unflinching nerve required where men are shut up alone on the wide ocean with a quarrel so deadly in its nature that no compromise can be thought of for a moment, and no quarter can be allowed with safety to him who gives it.

But the next plot to seize the ship was even more dangerous.  The “Rose Algier,” being in need of repairs, was taken to a cove in a small uninhabited island, and careened on one side in order to reach the damaged place.  Most of the stores were moved on shore, the ship was hove down, and a bridge was laid between the deck and the land.  Under the pretense of pastime, most of the crew now betook themselves to the woods, and there plotted to return at seven in the evening, seize the ship, force Phips and eight faithful men on shore, leave them there to perish, and themselves sail away on a piratical cruise.  But the carpenter was one of the few who stood by the captain, and yet they could not risk putting to sea without him.  They sent for him, therefore, on some pretext, and, having him in their power, offered him the choice of instant death or of joining his fortunes with theirs.  He begged for half an hour to think about it, and said that at any rate he should have to return on board for his tool-chest.  They granted his request, and sent two men with him to watch his movements.  Soon afterward, he was suddenly taken with a pretended cramp or colic, and in great seeming agony rushed into the cabin for medicine; there he found Phips, and in a few rapid words revealed the plot.  In less than two hours the mutineers would be marching on the ship.  Not an instant was to be lost.  Immediately the guns were loaded and trained to command the shore and all the approaches to the stores; the bridge was taken in, and when the mutineers appeared they found themselves caught.  In tones of thunder, Phips bade them not to stir or he would mow them down with his batteries; nor did they dare to disobey.  The bridge was again laid down, and the eight loyal men brought back the stores to the ship.  When all was safely on board again, the mutineers were told that they were to be left to the fate they had intended for their commander.  In despair at so terrible a prospect, the miserable men threw down their arms, and protested their willingness to submit if Phips would but relent and not sail away without them.  After a long parley, he agreed to let them come on board, they having first given up their arms.  But, with such a crew, further search after the treasure