The conclusion of the seamen was, that they had done what was right, both in law and conscience.  They had thrown Blogg overboard to prevent him from murdering the cook, and also for their own safety.  After they had done their duty by seizing him, he would have killed them if he could.  He was a drunken sweep.  He was an outlaw, and the law would not protect him.  Anybody could kill an outlaw without fear of consequences, so they had heard.  But still there was some doubt about it, and there was nobody there to put the case for the captain.  The law was, at that time, a terrible thing, especially in Van Diemen’s Land, under Colonel Arthur.  He governed by the gallows, to make everything orderly and peaceable, and men were peaceable enough after they were hanged.

So Secker and his mates decided that, although they had done nothing but what was right in throwing Blogg over the side, it would be extremely imprudent to trust their innocence to the uncertainty of the law and to the impartiality of Colonel Arthur.

Their first idea was to take the vessel to South America, but after some further discussion, they decided to continue the voyage to Hokianga, and to settle among the Maoris.  Nobody had actually seen them throw Blogg overboard except the cook, and him they looked upon as a friend, because they had saved him from being flogged to death.  They had some doubts about the best course to take with the mate, but as he was the only man on board who was able to take the schooner to port, they were obliged to make use of his services for the present, and at the end of the voyage they could deal with him in any way prudence might require, and they did not mean to run any unnecessary risks.

They went to the house on deck, and Secker called the mate, informing him that the captain had lost his balance, and had fallen overboard, and that it was his duty to take charge of the ‘Industry’, and navigate her to Hokianga.  But the mate had been thoroughly frightened, and was loth to leave his entrenchment.  He could not tell what might happen if he opened his cabin door:  he might find himself in the sea in another minute.  The men who had thrown the master overboard would not have much scruple about sending an inferior officer after him.  If the mate resolved to show fight, it would be necessary for him to kill every man on board, even the cook, before he could feel safe; and then he would be left alone in mid-ocean with nobody to help him to navigate the vessel—­a master and crew under one hat, at the mercy of the winds and the waves, with six murdered men on his conscience; and he had a conscience, too, as was soon to be proved.