`` 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 . Lawless , grinding his teeth , continued in silence to steer the true course , guiding the Good Hope among the formidable billows . To their empty terrors , as to their dishonourable threats , between drink and dignity he scorned to make reply . The malcontents drew together a little abaft the mast , and it was plain they were like barnyard cocks , `` crowing for courage . '' Presently they would be fit for any extremity of injustice or ingratitude . Dick began to mount by the ladder , eager to interpose ; but one of the outlaws , who was also something of a seaman , got beforehand . `` Lads , '' he began , `` y ' are right wooden heads , I think . For to get back , by the mass , we must have an offing , must we not ? And this old Lawless -- '' Someone struck the speaker on the mouth , and the next moment , as a fire springs among dry straw , he was felled upon the deck , trampled under the feet , and despatched by the daggers of his cowardly companions . At this the wrath of Lawless rose and broke . `` Steer yourselves , '' he bellowed , with a curse ; and , careless of the result , he left the helm . The Good Hope was , at that moment , trembling on the summit of a swell . She subsided , with sickening velocity , upon the farther side . A wave , like a great black bulwark , hove immediately in front of her ; and , with a staggering blow , she plunged headforemost through that liquid hill . The green water passed right over her from stem to stern , as high as a man 's knees ; the sprays ran higher than the mast ; and she rose again upon the other side , with an appalling , tremulous indecision , like a beast that has been deadly wounded . Six or seven of the malcontents had been carried bodily overboard ; and as for the remainder , when they found their tongues again , it was to bellow to the saints and wail upon Lawless to come back and take the tiller . Nor did Lawless wait to be twice bidden . The terrible result of his fling of just resentment sobered him completely . He knew , better than any one on board , how nearly the Good Hope had gone bodily down below their feet ; and he could tell , by the laziness with which she met the sea , that the peril was by no means over .
XXXXX , who had been thrown down by the concussion and half drowned , rose wading to his knees in the swamped well of the stern , and crept to the old helmsman 's side .
Dick abaft about-ship cocks daggers headforemost left malcontents right springs