A third , with the true instinct of the coward , raised that inevitable report on all retreats : `` We are betrayed ! '' And in a moment the whole mass of men went surging and jostling backward down the pier , turning their defenceless backs on their pursuers and piercing the night with craven outcry . One coward thrust off the ship 's stern , while another still held her by the bows . The fugitives leaped , screaming , and were hauled on board , or fell back and perished in the sea . Some were cut down upon the pier by the pursuers . Many were injured on the ship 's deck in the blind haste and terror of the moment , one man leaping upon another , and a third on both . At last , and whether by design or accident , the bows of the Good Hope were liberated ; and the ever-ready Lawless , who had maintained his place at the helm through all the hurly-burly by sheer strength of body and a liberal use of the cold steel , instantly clapped her on the proper tack . The ship began to move once more forward on the stormy sea , its scuppers running blood , its deck heaped with fallen men , sprawling and struggling in the dark . Thereupon , Lawless sheathed his dagger , and turning to his next neighbour , `` I have left my mark on them , gossip , '' said he , `` the yelping , coward hounds . '' Now , while they were all leaping and struggling for their lives , the men had not appeared to observe the rough shoves and cutting stabs with which Lawless had held his post in the confusion . But perhaps they had already begun to understand somewhat more clearly , or perhaps another ear had overheard , the helmsman 's speech . Panic-stricken troops recover slowly , and men who have just disgraced themselves by cowardice , as if to wipe out the memory of their fault , will sometimes run straight into the opposite extreme of insubordination . So it was now ; and the same men who had thrown away their weapons and been hauled , feet foremost , into the Good Hope , began to cry out upon their leaders , and demand that someone should be punished . This growing ill-feeling turned upon Lawless . In order to get a proper offing , the old outlaw had put the head of the Good Hope to seaward . `` What ! '' bawled one of the grumblers , `` he carrieth us to seaward ! '' '' 'T is sooth , '' cried another . `` Nay , we are betrayed for sure . '' And they all began to cry out in chorus that they were betrayed , and in shrill tones and with abominable oaths bade Lawless go about-ship and bring them speedily ashore .
XXXXX , grinding his teeth , continued in silence to steer the true course , guiding the Good Hope among the formidable billows .
Lawless about-ship dagger grumblers ill-feeling liberal neighbour night scuppers third