They had been beaten out with the
exposure and hardship, and impatient to get out of it, and this
unaccountable delay was more than they could bear in quietness, in
their excited and restless state. Some said that the captain was
frightened,- completely cowed, by the dangers and difficulties that
surrounded us, and was afraid to make sail; while others said that
in his anxiety and suspense he had made a free use of brandy and
opium, and was unfit for his duty. The carpenter, who was an
intelligent man, and a thorough seaman, and had great influence with
the crew, came down into the forecastle, and tried to induce the
crew to go aft and ask the captain why he did not run, or request him,
in the name of all hands, to make sail. This appeared to be a very
reasonable request, and the crew agreed that if he did not make sail
before noon, they would go aft. Noon came, and no sail was made. A
consultation was held again, and it was proposed to take the ship from
the captain and give the command of her to the mate, who had been
heard to say that, if he could have his way, the ship would have
been half the distance to the Cape before nights,- ice or no ice.
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