Chapter 22—The First Signs of Mutiny
At this unexpected command, the surprise on board of the Forward was very great.
“Light the fires!” said some.
“With what?” said others.
“When we have only two months’ supply in the hold!” cried Pen.
“And how are we to keep warm in the winter?” asked Clifton.
“We shall have to burn the ship down to the water-line, I suppose,” said Gripper.
“And cram all the masts into the stove,” answered Warren, “from the foretopmast to the jib-boom.”
Shandon gazed intently at Wall. The surprised engineers hesitated to go down into the engine-room.
“Did you hear what I said?” shouted the captain, angrily.
Brunton walked toward the hatchway; but he stopped before going down.
“Don’t go, Brunton,” some one said.
“Who spoke then?” shouted Hatteras.
“I did,” sa
