Most mornings, when he and the other men returned from the ship’s bowels as black as coal, the sailors, who were in the process of washing the deck, would turn their hoses upon the men, cooling and cleaning them in one sweep. The equatorial heat dried them out soon enough. Afterward, Joseph would fall onto his bed and sleep for a few hours—so long as there weren’t any medical emergencies demanding his attention.

After taking his turn at keeping the ship running, he had greater empathy for the men who’d mutinied. Even so, they had no right to put everyone else at risk because of their grudges.

Mr. Scott spoke again while twisting at his high collar as though to loosen it so that he could swallow his food. “Perhaps the other Miss Scott might provide further entertainment this eve with her singing. She is quite accomplished at a number of hymns and can sing ‘God Save the Queen’ beautifully, can she not, my dear?” He turned to his wife, who sat on his other side.

“Quite right, Mr. Scott,” she said demurely. “Very beautifully indeed.”

Joseph had learned that the Scott women rarely spoke. He oft thought Mr. Scott had enough voice for them all. Even with the attention Mr. Scott attempted to draw to his women, his loquaciousness seemed only to push them further into his shadow.

At least the heavy labor afforded Joseph a reprieve from Mr. Scott’s invitations. Since he’d started shoveling and stoking coal a fortnight ago, he’d been able to excuse himself from the evening entertainment. Now it appeared Mr. Scott had set his designs upon Mr. Whymper.

The young man was cordial toward the reverend. Without any other diversions on the ship other than strolling the deck, Mr. Whymper appeared eager enough for the Scotts’ companionship. And that suited Joseph, as he had no desire for it himself.

With the increase in the wind, Captain Hellyer had put a stop to the steam engines and unfurled the sails, letting the wind drive the ship onward. The air power would conserve their coal supply, as well as allow the men a respite from the backbreaking work.

Though the steady rumble of the ship beneath Joseph’s boots was silent again, the ship hadn’t lost any progress. It was almost as if the mutiny had never occurred. Only by the grace of God . . .

The altercation could have turned bloody, especially if more sailors had joined in the insurrection. As it was, the ship’s officers had taken quick and decisive action, using their belaying pins to beat the mutineers into submission before dragging them away.