Isles of the Sea by Oliver Optic

Mr. Frisbone and his wife and Miss Rodwood were none the worse for the benevolent service they had rendered on board of the Castle William. The small-pox patients, as stated before, had been separated by the mate from the rest of the people in the forward part of the vessel. The sanitary measures devised by Mrs. Frisbone, and carried out by her husband, had wrought a wonderful change on board; and, when the vessel arrived at Portsmouth, the condition of the sick had greatly improved. The quarantine regulations were relaxed as much as possible in favor of the devoted nurses; but the ladies, who had been more exposed than the Prince, were not permitted to leave the limits of the hospital for a few days.

As soon as the Ville d'Angers anchored in the harbor of Portsmouth, Gregory sent a message by the steward, that he wished to see the captain. As soon as O'Hara had leisure to attend to the matter, he requested Shakings to bring his prisoners into the cabin, hoping they had repented of the folly which had induced them to "stand out," as they expressed it. The boatswain promptly produced the mutineers, and, touching his cap, was about to retire; but O'Hara desired him to remain.

Gregory appeared, looking more defiant, if possible, than when he was committed. For nearly a week he had been kept in his state-room. The captain had offered to allow him and Clinch to take an airing on the poop-deck every day for a couple of hours, under the eye of the boatswain, who was not to permit them to speak to any of the ship's company; but both of them indignantly declined the proposition, -- they would not go on deck as prisoners.

"As I seem to be subject to your will and pleasure, O'Hara, I wish to say that you have carried this thing about far enough," said the ex-first officer, when he came into the presence of the captain.

"That's just my idea," added Clinch, turning up his nose to express his contempt for the young commander of the steamer.

"If you wish to see me in order to intimidate me, I have nothing to say," replied the captain, with dignity; but he was greatly disappointed at the tone and manner of the mutineers.

"I think we were clearly in the right in refusing to do duty when you were running away with the vessel," continued Gregory.

"I do not care to argue the matter," added O'Hara.

"I want to know who is right."

"The principal will decide that in due time."

"The principal is not here to decide any thing."

"We can only wait till we see him."

"I don't intend to wait! " said Gregory angrily. "I shall go on shore."

"At present the steamer is quarantined; and no one is allowed to leave her," answered O'Hara.

"That's another scrape you've got us into! " blustered the rebel.

The captain made no reply to this taunt.

"There has been no show for the officers from the Josephine in this steamer," continued Gregory. "Mr. Shakings, I think you ought to see fair play, at least, when an officer of your own ship is treated in this way."

"All the boatswain has to do is to obey the captain's orders," replied Shakings; but he looked as though he had something else to say if the occasion should require it.

"Come, Clinch, let's go on shore," said Gregory, beginning to move towards the door.

"Mr. Shakings, these officers are still in your keeping," added the captain.