He smiled broadly; he liked this mutineer and ex-convict.
"Captain Calhoun, eh!" he remarked mockingly, and bowed satirically.
"Well, you've played a strong game, and you've plunged us into great difficulty." Dyck did not lose his opportunity.

"Happily, I've done what I planned to do when we left the Thames, admiral," he said.

"We came to get the chance of doing what, by favour of fate, we have accomplished.

Now, sir, as I'm under arrest, and the ship which I controlled has done good service, may I beg that the Ariadne's personnel shall have amnesty, and that I alone be made to pay--if that must be--for the mutiny at the Nore." The admiral nodded.

"We know of your breaking away from the mutinous fleet, and of their firing on you as you passed, and that is in your favour.