Читать книгу Men Against the Sea – Book Set. The Greatest Maritime Adventure Novels: The Bounty Trilogy, Lost Island, The Hurricane, Botany Bay, The Far Lands, Tales of the South Seas… онлайн

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“Very well, then. Those who favour choosing Pitcairn’s Island as our home, show hands.”

Five hands were lifted at once. McCoy, after a moment of hesitation, joined the affirmative vote. Martin followed.

“Well, Mills?” said Christian, sharply.

The old seaman raised his hand with an effort. “I can see it’s best, Mr. Christian, but I deem it hard to be cut off for life on a rock the like o’ this.”

“You would find it harder still to be cut off at a rope’s end,” Christian replied, grimly.

“What’s to be done with the ship, sir?” Martin asked.

“Burn her, I say.” It was Smith who spoke.

“Aye, burn and scuttle her, Mr. Christian,” said Williams. “There’s no other way.”

There was immediate dissent to this proposal on the part of both Martin and Mills, and for a moment all the seamen were shouting at once. Christian waited, then gave an order for silence.

“Not a man of you but is seaman enough to know that we can’t keep the ship here,” he said, quietly. “She must be dismantled and burned. What else could we do with her?”