Hatteras paled with rage, and said:
"Where may that be?"
"On deck," was the insolent reply.
"On deck!" repeated the captain, clenching his fist, his eyes sparkling with indignation.
"Certainly," returned Pen; "when the ship can't sail, burn her."
Hatteras lifted a hatchet when Pen began to speak, and swinging it over his head, would have killed him on the spot, had not the Doctor rushed forward and pulled him aside by main force. The hatchet fell on the ground, sticking fast in the planks.
Johnson, Bell, and Simpson gathered round Hatteras, determined to support his authority, but plaintive moans rose from the sick-beds, and feeble voices were heard imploring fire.
Hatteras had a struggle to command himself sufficiently to speak, but after a few minutes' silence, he said, in a calm tone:
"If we destroyed the ship, how could we get back to England?"
"Perhaps, sir, we might burn those parts that are not absolutely necessary, such as the gunwale," suggested Johnson. "We should always have the boats to fall back upon," said Shandon; "and, moreover, what is there to hinder us from building a smaller ship out of the remains of the old one?"
"Never!" replied Hatteras.
"But, sir———" began several voices at once.
"We have a great quantity of spirits of wine on board," said Hatteras. "Burn it all to the last drop."
"Well, go and fetch the spirits of wine, my men," said Johnson.
By steeping large wicks in this inflammable liquid a pale flame was soon visible in the stove, and the temperature of the room was raised a little.
During the next few days the wind was south, and the thermometer rose a few degree. Some of the sailors ventured out again for a few hours, but ophthalmia and scurvy kept the greater part on board still close prisoners.
But the respite was of short duration, and on the 25th the mercury was again frozen in the tube.
