Until Mr. Turner could make an arrangement, the crew
nominated Burns, one of themselves, as mate, and asked me to assume
command. I protested that I knew nothing of navigation, but agreed
on its being represented that, as I was not one of them, there could
be ill feeling.
The ship was searched, on the possibility of finding a stowaway in
the hold. But nothing was found. I divided the men into two
watches, Burns taking one and I the other. We nailed up the after
companionway, and forbade any member of the crew to enter the after
house. The forecastle was also locked, the men bringing their
belongings on deck. The stewardess recovered and told her story,
which, in her own writing, will be added to this record.
The bodies of the dead were brought on deck and sewed into canvas,
and later, with appropriate services, placed in the jolly-boat, it
being the intention, later on, to tow the boat behind us. Mr. Turner
insisted that the bodies be buried at sea, and, on the crew opposing
this, retired to his cabin, announcing that he considered the
position of the men a mutiny.
Some feeling having arisen among the women of the party that I might
know more of the crimes than was generally supposed, having been in
the after house at the time they were committed, and having no
references, I this afternoon voluntarily surrendered myself to Burns,
acting first mate.
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