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 . 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 XXXXX rose and broke .
Lawless about-ship cocks dagger daggers grumblers ill-feeling malcontents neighbour seaward