“Since you ask I’ll tell you.  You have.  And as you let the water run out you can see to getting more to put in.  Under no circumstances will I do it.”

“Well, Captain, what do you think of the fellow’s impudence?  I say he belongs in chains,” cried Redfox in a rage.

“Quite right.  Insubordination on shipboard cannot be tolerated.  Either you take a small boat and go for water to fill the cask or I’ll put you in irons.  A dozen Chinamen and the small interpreter are to accompany you.”

“Just as I thought.  And your nephew is to go, too, and when we are on shore the ‘St. George’ is to take advantage of favoring breezes, and we are to be left for the cannibals.  You’ll have to murder the boy and me right here; we’ll not run our heads into any such trap.  Heda! my little Chinaman, now is the time for your countrymen to defend themselves.  The responsibility is mine,” and with these words he threw himself upon Redfox who drew out his knife with a curse.  Green struck him a blow that knocked him senseless, and then turned on the Captain, who called loudly for help.  The sailors to a man rushed to his aid, while the Chinamen refused to mix in the white men’s quarrel.  Green was quickly overpowered and was thrown into chains in the steerage.  There the Captain also put the boys who had openly taken the helmsman’s part.

CHAPTER X.

The Hurricane.

In utmost astonishment the sailors looked after the helmsman and the two boys as they were led away.  All honored and trusted Green as a man true to his duty and a brave comrade; the Captain’s nephew was the favorite of the crew, and everybody liked faithful little Peppo.  What did it all mean?  Now before their very eyes the helmsman had attacked the first officer and the Captain, and even commanded the Chinamen to be insubordinate, and the boys openly had taken sides with the helmsman.

“Green has lost his mind,” cried an old sailor.

“It must be so,” answered his companion.  “Perhaps he is moonstruck; more than one good fellow has gone moonstruck in the tropics.”

“He must be out of his mind,” put in the Captain, “but that’s a matter for the judge to find out.  You can testify as to what he said and did, and if the judge sends him to the mad-house instead of the gallows, I shall be glad.  Redfox has fortunately recovered himself after the murderous attack and is going into my cabin.”  The Captain started across the deck.  “But hello, here!—­What’s the matter?  The wind has changed all of a sudden, or rather the breeze has ceased.  The sails are flapping against the mast, and the pennons are not moving.  Every man to his post,” he shouted.  “I fear the wind will veer suddenly before we have time to turn round, and blow harder than will be pleasant for us.  Gray, go to the wheel.  The rest of you mount the rigging, furl the sails, all, even the great topsail.  Oh, here, you Chinamen, get down stairs.”