236 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

promise anything more than that. When we arrive in
port, if you have done your duty, it will count in your
favour. Now, Bob, take off these ropes, and all hands of
you set about putting the brig to rights again, for it looks
as if a mutinous crew had. had control of her a week,
instead of only twelve hours.”

The old sailor was not at all careful regarding the man-
ner in which he handled the prisoners, and they received
many a thump before it was possible for them to rise to
their feet once more.

Ben had quelled the mutiny, and was forced now to
face the situation, which was far from pleasant.

The brig was less than half manned, unofficered save
for the captain, and short of water, while yet at least fifty
days from port, even under the most favourable circum-
stances.

The chance of getting men at Ascension was very
slight, as was also that of his being able to borrow hands
from passing ships, and Ben realised to the utmost the
magnitude of the task before him.

“Tt looks as if I was starting on my first voyage pretty
well, so far as experience is concerned,” the young cap-
tain said, grimly, to himself. “I have prevented the brig
from being captured by the pirates, had her dismasted by
a typhoon, run short of water, quelled a mutiny, and must
now take her into port with just about crew enough to
man the long-boat. There has been sufficient crowded
into this half a cruise to make up six ordinary ones, and
yet, if I fail now, with everything apparently against me,