Being thwarted in this design by the man taking flight, she lost
her temper entirely, and bore down like a hurricane on the remaining
members of the crew who were just approaching.
They scattered at once, and ran up the rigging like cats, and for a few
moments the girl held the deck; then the mate crept up behind her, and
with the air of a man whose job exactly suited him, clasped her tightly
round the waist, while one of the seamen disarmed her.
"You must both go below till we've settled what to do with you," said
the mate, reluctantly releasing her.
With a wistful glance at the handspike, the girl walked to the cabin,
followed slowly by the skipper.
"This is a bad business," said the latter, shaking his head solemnly, as
the indignant Miss Rumbolt seated herself.
"Don't talk to me, you coward!" said the girl energetically.
The skipper started.
"_I_ made three of 'em run," said Miss Rumbolt, "and you did nothing.
You just stood still, and let them take the ship. I'm ashamed of you."
The skipper's defence was interrupted by a hoarse voice shouting to them
to come on deck, where they found the mutinous crew gathered aft round
the mate. The girl cast a look at the shore, which was now dim and
indistinct, and turned somewhat pale as the serious nature of her
position forced itself upon her.
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