Chapter 3 Summary

On Sunday the 740 men aboard Renown are drawn into ranks for inspection. Sawyer reads the articles of war, placing particular emphasis on charges of mutiny and sedition. After he finished reading, Sawyer takes the unprecedented action of declaring to the crew that the articles of war also apply to the officers of the ship, inferring that some amongst them are perhaps mutinous. Bush is astounded and realizes that it will be nearly impossible to retain order among the hands. Sawyer then orders that no work will be done for the remainder of the day and further orders a double issue of rum. Sawyer goes below and Buckland, Roberts, and Bush enter conversation. Bush says nothing but hears Buckland report that an appeal to Dr. Clive has been rejected—Buckland has asked the ship's surgeon to declare Sawyer unfit for command. They are...