human
I wouldn't give way to that fellow, exclaimed the latter.
gpt
He'll be wanting us to take the ship round Cape Horn to Boston, and then get the credit of bringing her home himself. The best thing we can do is to clap him in irons and take command ourselves. The doctor would side with us, and so would two or three of the ship's company, if not all of them; for, depend upon it, they must be aware that he is no navigator, and would not wish to trust the craft to him.
human
It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship. Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes.
gpt
I would risk that, said Desmond.
human
The doctor's word would be taken before that of the boatswain, and any American officer would at once see that our statement was the true one.
gpt
Suppose we were to fail in our attempt to seize the boatswain, he would murder us all, or at all events clap us in irons, and accuse us of mutiny and an attempt to seize the ship.
human
Arrah! now, what's come over you, Tom? exclaimed Desmond.
gpt
You'll not persuade me that you're afraid of carrying out my plan.
human
No, answered Tom, smiling.
gpt
I only want to look at both sides of the case, as Archie Gordon would have done if he were with us. I fully agree with you, that if the fellow refuses to go to Hong-kong we must compel him by some means or other; but, it would be wrong in us to seize the ship unless we are assured of the incapacity of the boatswain, by which her safety and the lives of all on board would be imperilled. In that case we should be justified in acting as you propose.
human
And isn't he incompetent? exclaimed Desmond.
gpt
The doctor says so. If he had been a good navigator he would not have been serving as boatswain.
human
If he will agree to go to Hong-kong or Sydney, or even to the Sandwich Islands, and let us assist him in navigating the ship, well and good, as we can leave her at any of those places, and he can obtain a fresh crew.