AFRICA. 91 
ble of exerting the neceflary firmnefs, they 
feemed, upon our arrival, to be in a dreadful 
confternation, as if expeding fome fatal ex- 
plofion, that would deftroy at once both the 
fliip and its inhabitants. 
As it was impoffible to withdraw from the 
danger that threatened us, we had no relource 
but to affume a tranquil countenance, and wait 
the event. This rcfolution gave us fortitude. 
Percheron, little dlfmayed by the threats of the 
violent, fald, in a tone of authority, that he 
wifhed to be informed of the caufe of this mu- 
tiny ; and that the crew might depend upon re- 
drefs, if their complaints were juft, and upon 
being treated with lenity if they had unfortu- 
nately overftepped, through miftake, the neceC- 
fary bounds of obedience : and turning to thofe 
who feemed defirous of giving him the par- 
ticulars of the affair, he appeared not to notice 
the animated geftures and murmurings of the 
reft. His tranquillity by degrees fo far ap- 
peafed their anger, that we were able, at laft, 
under pretence of doing juftice to every party, 
to adjourn the farther liearing of the bufmels 
to the next morning. Percheron had hoped 
that fleep would ia the mean time calm their 
irri- 
