The Savage Home

           Nordidtheyhavelongtowait,forthenextmorningasClaytonwasemergingondeckforhisaccustomedwalkbeforebreakfast,ashotrangout,andthenanother,andanother.

           Thesightwhichmethiseyesconfirmedhisworstfears.FacingthelittleknotofofficerswastheentiremotleycrewoftheFuwalda,andattheirheadstoodBlackMichael.

           Atthefirstvolleyfromtheofficersthemenranforshelter,andfrompointsofvantagebehindmasts,wheel-houseandcabintheyreturnedthefireofthefivemenwhorepresentedthehatedauthorityoftheship.

           Twooftheirnumberhadgonedownbeforethecaptain’srevolver.Theylaywheretheyhadfallenbetweenthecombatants.Butthenthefirstmatelungedforwarduponhisface,andatacryofcommandfromBlackMichaelthemutineerschargedtheremainingfour.Thecrewhadbeenabletomusterbutsixfirearms,somostofthemwerearmedwithboathooks,axes,hatchetsandcrowbars.

           Thecaptainhademptiedhisrevolverandwasreloadingasthechargewasmade.Thesecondmate’sgunhadjammed,andsotherewerebuttwoweaponsopposedtothemutineersastheyboredownupontheofficers,whonowstartedtogivebackbeforetheinfuriatedrushoftheirmen.

           Bothsideswerecursingandswearinginafrightfulmanner,which,togetherwiththereportsofthefirearmsandthescreamsandgroansofthewounded,turnedthedeckoftheFuwaldatothelikenessofamadhouse.