 be ascertained, the mutiny had not been
brought about altogether for the sake of booty; a private pique of the chief
mate's against Captain Barnard having been the main instigation. There now
seemed to be two principal factions among the crew - one headed by the mate, the
other by the cook. The former party were for seizing the first suitable vessel
which should present itself, and equipping it at some of the West India Islands
for a piratical cruise. The latter division, however, which was the stronger,
and included Dirk Peters among its partisans, were bent upon pursuing the course
originally laid out for the brig into the South Pacific; there either to take
whale, or act otherwise, as circumstances should suggest. The representations of
Peters, who had frequently visited these regions, had great weight, apparently,
with the mutineers, wavering, as they were, between half-engendered notions of
profit and pleasure. He dwelt on the world of novelty and amusement to be found
among the innumerable islands of the Pacific, on the perfect security and
freedom from all restraint to be enjoyed, but, more particularly, on the
deliciousness of the climate, on the abundant means of good living, and on the
voluptuous beauty of the women. As yet, nothing had been absolutely determined
upon; but the pictures of the hybrid line-manager were taking strong hold upon
the ardent imaginations of the seamen, and there was every probability that his
intentions would be finally carried into effect.
    The three men went away in about an hour, and no one else entered the
forecastle all day. Augustus lay quiet until nearly night. He then freed himself
from the rope and irons, and prepared for his attempt. A bottle was found in one
of the berths, and this he filled with water from the pitcher left by Peters,
storing his pockets at the same time with cold potatoes. To his great joy he
also came across a lantern, with a small piece of tallow candle in it. This he
could light at any moment, as he had in his possession a box of phosphorus
matches. When it was quite dark, he got through the hole in the bulkhead, having
taken the precaution to arrange the bedclothes in the berth so as to convey the
idea of a person covered up. When through, he hung up the pea-jacket on his
knife, as before, to conceal the aperture - this manoeuvre being easily
effected, as he did not readjust the piece of plank taken out until afterward.
He was now on the main orlop deck, and proceeded to make his way,
