Instead of violent
measures, or, at least, an outbreak of quarter-deck bravado,
threats, and abuse, which they had every reason to expect, a sense
of common danger and common suffering seemed to have tamed his spirit,
and begotten something like a humane fellow feeling; for he received
the crew in a manner quiet, and even almost kind. He told them what he
had heard, and said that he did not believe that they would try to
do any such thing as was intimated; that they had always been good
men,- obedient, and knew their duty, and he had no fault to find with
them; and asked them what they had to complain of- said that no one
could say that he was slow to carry sail, (which was true enough;) and
that, as soon as he thought it was safe and proper, he should make
sail. He added a few words about their duty in their present
situation, and sent them forward, saying that he should take no
further notice of the matter; but, at the same time, told the
carpenter to recollect whose power he was in, and that if he heard
another word from him he would have cause to remember him to the day
of his death.
This language of the captain had a very good effect upon the crew,
and they returned quietly to their duty.
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