Davis, you are no longer second mate of the _Josephine_! I disrate you on account of your unfitness for the post, and you will now return to your former rating, as I have restored your name to the list of the crew.

You will be in Mr Marline's watch, and I hope you'll do your duty as well as you used before I brought you aft." He did not say any more; and Davis, without answering a single word, slunk forwards towards the forecastle, anxious, apparently, to hide himself from observation.

Although he had tried to brave it out when the captain first began to speak to him, even his hardened nature had to succumb before the contemptuous looks of the men he had so long bullied, the more especially as they now openly displayed their joy at his abasement.
Thus ended the first act of the little drama; and I then noticed that Captain Miles turned to Mr Marline, with whom he exchanged a short whispered conversation.

After this he advanced again to the break of the poop, and hailed for a second time the lower deck.
"Jackson!" he called out.
"Aye, aye, sir!" instantly responded the stalwart young Cornishman, coming out from amidst the others who had gathered in a cluster in the waist to watch the progress of the row between the captain and Davis.
Jackson quite overtopped the rest of the crew by a foot; and, as he walked up to the foot of the poop-ladder, with his fine head thrown well back on his broad shoulders, he seemed afraid of looking no man in the face--presenting a marked contrast to his late antagonist, whom he passed on his way aft.
"I have summoned you, Jackson," began Captain Miles--speaking out distinctly as before, so that all hands could hear--"to inform you that Mr Marline and myself think you are the best man on board to fill the vacant post of second mate just vacated by Davis.

I have been told of your recent altercation with that person when he was in authority over you; but, taking into consideration your previous good conduct and prompt obedience to the orders of myself and Mr Marline on all occasions, as well as your general proficiency as an able seaman, we have not allowed this little matter to affect our decision, and I have no doubt you will in future discharge your duty as ably as an officer of the ship as you have hitherto done as a foremast hand.