OCTOBER 15 to October 18.—The wind is still in the northeast. There is no change in the Chancellor's course, and to an unprejudiced eye all would appear to be going on as usual. But I have an uneasy consciousness that something is not quite right. Why should the hatchways be so hermetically closed as though a mutinous¹ crew was imprisoned² between decks? I can not help thinking too that there is something in the sailors so constantly standing³ in groups and breaking off their talk so suddenly whenever we approach; and several times I have caught the word "hatches" which arrested M. Letourneur's attention on the night of the disturbance⁴.  
On the 15th, while I was walking on the forecastle, I overheard one of the sailors, a man named Owen, say to his mates:
 
"Now I just give you all warning that I am not going to wait until the last minute. Everyone for himself, say I."
 
"Why, what do you mean to do?" asked Jynxstrop, the cook.
 
"Pshaw!" said Owen, "do you suppose that longboats were only made for porpoises⁵?"
 
Something at that moment occurred to interrupt the conversation, and I heard no more. It occurred to me whether there was not some conspiracy⁶ among the crew, of which probably Curtis had already detected the symptoms. I am quite aware that some sailors are most rebelliously⁷ disposed, and required to be ruled with a rod of iron.
 
Yesterday and to-day I have observed Curtis remonstrating⁸ somewhat vehemently⁹ with Captain Huntly, but there is no obvious result arising from their interviews; the captain apparently¹⁰ being bent¹¹ upon some purpose, of which it is only too manifest that the mate decidedly disapproves¹².
 
Captain Huntly is undoubtedly¹³ laboring¹⁴ under strong nervous excitement; and M. Letourneur has more than once remarked how silent he has become at meal-times; for although Curtis continually endeavors to start some subject of general interest, yet neither Mr. Falsten, Mr. Kear, nor Mr. Ruby¹⁵ are the men to take it up, and consequently the conversation flags hopelessly, and soon drops. The passengers too are now, with good cause, beginning to murmur¹⁶ at the length of the voyage, and Mr. Kear, who considers that the very elements ought to yield to his convenience, lets the c............