They had not time to explain, for came streaming upon deck a crowd of mutineers.

Phips did not hesitate an instant; he had no fear--he was swelling with anger.
"Why now, you damned dogs," he blurted out, "what mean you by this?
What's all this show of cutlasses ?" The ringleader stepped forwards.

"We're sick of doing nothing," he answered.

"We've come on a wild goose chase.

There's no treasure here.
We mean you no harm; we want not the ship out of your hands." "Then," cried Phips, "in the name of all the devils, what want you ?" "Here's as we think: there's nothing to be got out of this hunt, but there's treasure on the high seas all the same.