Mr. Trunnell

 Mate of the Ship "Pirate"

 By T. Jenkins Hains

 Author of "The Wind-jammers, " "The Wreck of the Conemaugh, " etc. 

 1900

To _All Hands under the lee of the weather cloth this is inscribed_

MR. TRUNNELL

I

By some means, needless to record here, I found myself, not so many yearsago, "on the beach" at Melbourne, in Australia. 

To be on the beach is not an uncommon occurrence for a sailor in any partof the world; but, since the question is suggested, I will say that I wasnot a very dissipated young fellow of twenty-five, for up to that time Ihad never even tasted rum in any form, although I had followed the seafor seven years. 

I had held a mate's berth, and as I did not care to ship before the maston the first vessel bound out, I had remained ashore until a threateninglandlord made it necessary for me to become less particular as tooccupation. 

It was a time when mates were plenty and men were few, so I made therounds of the shipping houses with little hope of getting a chance toshow my papers. These, together with an old quadrant, a nautical almanac, a thick pea coat, and a pipe, were all I possessed of this world's goods, and I carried the quadrant with me in case I should not succeed insigning on. I could "spout it, " if need be, at some broker's, and thusraise a few dollars. 

As I made my way along the water front, I noticed a fine clipper ship ofnearly two thousand tons lying at a wharf. She was in the hands of a fewriggers, who were sending aloft her canvas, which, being of a snowywhiteness, proclaimed her nationality even before I could see her hull. On reaching the wharf where she lay, I stopped and noticed that she wasloaded deep, for her long black sides were under to within four feet ofher main deck in the waist. 

Her high bulwarks shut off my view of her deck; but, from the sounds thatcame down from there, I could tell that she was getting in the last ofher cargo. 

I walked to her stern and read her name in gilt letters: "Pirate, ofPhiladelphia. " Then I remembered her. She was a Yankee ship of evilreputation, and although I wanted to get back to my home in New York, Iturned away thankful that I was not homeward bound in that craft. She hadcome into port a month before and had reported three men missing from herpapers. There were no witnesses; but the sight of the rest of the crewtold the story of the disappearance of their shipmates, and the skipperhad been clapped into jail. I had heard of the ruffian's sinister recordbefore, and inwardly hoped he would get his deserts for his brutality, although I knew there was little chance for it. He belonged to the classof captains that was giving American packets the hard name they weregetting, so I heartily wished him evil. 

As I turned, looking up at the beautiful fabric with her long, tapering, t'gallant masts, topped with skysail yards fore and aft, and hertremendous lower yards nearly ninety feet across, I thought what asplendid ship she was. It made me angry to think of what a place she mustbe for the poor devils who would unwittingly ship aboard her. Only asailor knows how much of suffering in blows and curses it cost toaccomplish all that clean paint and scraped spar. 

"Kind o' good hooker, hey?" said a voice close aboard me, and lookingquickly aft I saw a man leaning over the taffrail. He was astrange-looking fellow, with a great hairy face and bushy head set uponthe broadest of shoulders. As for his legs, he appeared not to have anyat all, for the rail was but three feet high and his shoulders justreached above it; his enormously long arms were spread along the rail, elbows outward, and his huge hands folded over the bowl of a pipe whichhe sucked complacently. 

"Not so bad to look at, " I answered, meaningly. 

"She _is_ a brute in a seaway, but she keeps dry at both ends, " assentedthe fellow, utterly ignoring my meaning. "It's always so with everyhooker if she's deep. Some takes it forrad and aft, and some takes itamidships. It's all one s'long as she keeps a dry bilge. Come aboard. "

I hesitated, and then climbed up the mizzen channels, which were levelwith the wharf. 

"Short handed?" I suggested, reaching the deck. 

"Naw, there's nobody but me an' the doctor in the after guard; we'll geta crew aboard early in the morning, though; skipper, too, if what theysay is kerrect. "

"Where's the captain?" I asked. 

He looked queerly at me for a moment; then he spread his short legswide apart, and thrust his great hands into his trousers pocketsbefore speaking. 

"Ain't ye never heard? Limbo, man, and a bad job, too. " Here he made amotion with his hand around his neck which I understood. 

"Murder?"

He nodded. 

I hesitated about staying any longer, and he spoke up. 

"Got a hog-yoke, I see, " he said, "Be ye a mate?"

I told him I had been. 

"Well, sink me, my boy, that's just what I am aboard here, and they'll belooking for another to match me. I saw what ye were when I first raisedye coming along the dock, and sez I, ye're just my size, my bully. "

As he could have walked under my arm when extended horizontally, Isaw he had no poor opinion of himself. However, his words conveyed aray of hope. 

"Is the mate with the skipper?" I asked. 

"The second mate is, yep; but he won't raise bail. The old man mightthough, _quien sabe_? The agents will hail us to-night and settlematters, for we're on the load line and nigh steved. We can't wait. "

I reflected a moment. Here was a possible chance for a mate's berth, andperhaps the skipper would not get bail, after all. In that case I thoughtI could hardly manage better, for my fear of the little mate was notoverpowering. I was not exactly of a timid nature, --a man seldom rises tobe mate of a deep-water ship who is, --but I always dreaded a brutalskipper on account of his absolute authority at sea, where there is noredress. I had once been mixed up in an affair concerning thedisappearance of one, on a China trader--but no matter. The affair inhand was tempting and I waited developments. 

The little mate saw my course and laid his accordingly. 

"S'pose you come around about knock-off time. The agents will bealong about then--Sauers and Co. ; you know them; and I'll fix thething for you. "

"All right, " I said, and after a little conversation relating to themerits of various ships, the _Pirate_ in particular, I left and made myway back to my lodgings. 

I notified my landlord of my proposed voyage, and he was as gracious ascould be expected, at the same time expressing some wonderment at thesuddenness of my good fortune. 

The more I thought of the matter, the more I felt like trying elsewherefor a berth; but the time flew so rapidly that I found myself on the wayto the ship before my misgivings took too strong hold of me. 

As I turned down the principal thoroughfare, feeling in a more humorousframe of mind at the many possibilities open to me, I heard a shout. Thesound came from a side street, and I looked to see what it meant. Through the door of a saloon a man shot head-long as if fired from agun. He struck in the gutter and staggered to his feet, where he wasimmediately surrounded by the crowd of men that had followed him. Thispromised much in the way of diversion, and I stopped to see what hiddenforce lurked behind the door of the saloon. As I did so, a short fellowwith a great bushy head emerged, struggling with half a dozen men whobore down upon him and tried to surround and seize him. The little man'sface was red from exertion and liquor, but when I caught a glimpse ofhis great squat nose and huge mouth I had no difficulty in recognizingmy acquaintance on the _Pirate_. He backed rapidly away from hisantagonists, swinging a pair of arms each of which seemed to be fullyhalf a fathom long while every instant he let out a yell that soundedlike the bellow of a mad bull. Suddenly he turned and made off down thestreet at an astonishing pace for one with such short legs, stillletting out a yell at every jump. 

The men who had set upon him hesitated an instant before they realized hewas getting away; then they started after him, shouting and swearing at agreat rate. He was up to me in an instant, and as he dashed by I narrowlymissed a clip from his hand, which he swung viciously at me as he passed. I saw in a moment he couldn't escape at the rate he was moving, in spiteof his tremendous exertions, so I stepped aside to watch him as the crowdrushed past in pursuit. 

The little mate's legs were working like the flying pistons of alocomotive, and his bush hair and beard were streaming aft in the breezeas he neared the corner. Suddenly he stopped, turned about, and dashedright into the foremost of the crowd, letting out a screech and swinginghis long arms. 

"Git out th' way! Th' devil's broke loose an's comin' for ye, " hehowled as he sent the foremost man to the pavement. "Don't stop me. Iain't got no time to stop. Don't stop a little bumpkin buster what'sgot business in both hands. Stand away, or I'll run ye down and sinkye, " and he tore through the men, who grabbed him and grappled to gethim down. In a second he was going up the street again in exactly theopposite direction, having hurled over or dashed aside the fellows whohad seized him. 

"Soo--oo--a-y!" he bellowed as he passed. Then he rushed to a doorwaywhere stood a boy's bicycle. He jumped upon the saddle with another yellas he pushed the machine before him, and the next instant was whirlingdown the thoroughfare with the rapidity of an express train, bawling forpeople to "Stand clear!" In another moment he was out of sight, in acloud of dust, and his yells fell to a drone in the distance. 

I was in no hurry to get down to the dock, so I strolled around thestreets for some time. Then, thinking that the little mate had about runhimself out, I made my way to the wharf where the _Pirate_ lay. 

As I drew near the ship, I was aware of a bushy head above her portquarter-rail, and in a moment the little mate, Trunnell, looked over andhailed me. He was smoking so composedly and appeared so cool andsatisfied that I could hardly believe it was the same man I had seenrunning amuck but an hour before. 

"Have a good ride?" I asked. 

"So, so; 'twas a bit of a thing to do, though I ain't never rid one ofthem things afore. They wanted me to cough up stuff for the whole crowd. But nary a cough. One or two drinks is about all I can stand; so when Ifeels good ye don't want to persuade me over much. Come aboard. "

He led me below, where we were joined by the "doctor, " a good-lookingnegro, who, having washed up his few dishes and put out the fire in hisgalley, came aft and assumed an importance in keeping with a cook of anAmerican clipper ship. 

We sat in the forward cabin and chatted for a few minutes, becomingbetter acquainted, and I must say they both acquitted themselves verycreditably for members of the after guard of that notorious vessel. But Ihad learned long ago that there were good men on all ships, and I was notmore than ordinarily surprised at my reception. 

The forward cabin was arranged as on all American ships of largetonnage, --that is, with the house built upon the main deck, the forwardend of which was a passage athwartships to enable one to get out fromeither side when the vessel was heeled over at a sharp angle. Next camethe mates' rooms on either side of two alleyways leading into the forwardsaloon, and between the alleyways were closets and lockers. The saloonwas quite large and had a table fastened to the floor in the centre, where we now sat and awaited the appearance of the agents. Aft of thissaloon, and separated from it by a bulkhead, was the captain's cabin andthe staterooms for whatever passengers the ship might carry. 

While we were talking I heard a hail. Mr. Trunnell, the mate, instantlyjumped to his feet and sprang up the companionway aft, his short, stoutlegs curving well outward, and giving him the rolling motion oftennoticed in short sailors. In a moment there were sounds of footsteps ondeck, and several men started down the companionway. 

The first that reached the cabin deck was a large man with a flowingbeard and sharp eyes which took in every object in the cabin at aglance. He came into the forward saloon, and the "doctor" stood up toreceive him. He took no notice of the cook, however, but looked sharplyat me. Then the mate came in with two other men who showed in a hundredways that they were captains of sailing ships. The large man addressedone of these. He was a short, stout man with sandy hair; he wore thingold earrings, and his sun-bronzed face showed that he had but recentlycome ashore. 

"If you don't want to take her out, Cole, " said the large man, roughly, "say so and be done with it. I can get Thompson. "

"There's nothing in it without the freight money. Halve it andit's a go. "

"Andrews has the whole of it according to contract. "

"But he's jugged. "

"He'll need it all the more, " put in the other captain, who was one ofthe agents. "Colonel Fermoy has put the rate as high as he can. "

"I'm sorry, colonel, " said the stout skipper, turning to the large man. "Halve or nothing. "

"All right, then, nothing. Mr. Trunnell, " he continued, turning to themate, "Captain Cole will not take you out in the morning as he promised. I'll send Captain Thompson along this evening, or the first thing in themorning. I suppose you know him, so it won't be necessary for me to comedown again. Is this your mate?" And he looked at me. 

"Yessir, that's him, " said Mr. Trunnell. 

"Got your papers with you?" asked the colonel. 

I pulled them out of my pocket and laid them upon the table. He glancedat them a moment and then returned them. 

"All right; get your dunnage aboard this evening and report at the officeat nine o'clock to-night. Eight pounds, hey?"

I almost gasped. Eight pounds for second mate! Five was the rule. 

"Aye, aye, sir, " I answered. 

"Done. Bear a hand, Mr. Trunnell. Jenkinson will have a crew at five inthe morning. Good night. " And he turned and left, followed by all exceptthe "doctor, " who remained with me until they were ashore. Mr. Trunnellcame aboard again in a few minutes, and after thanking him for getting methe job I left the ship and went to attend to my affairs before clearing. 

I had my "dunnage" sent aboard and then stopped at the office and signedon. After that, the night being young, I strolled along the morefrequented streets and said farewell to my few acquaintances. 

I arrived at the ship before midnight and found the only man there to bethe watchman. Trunnell and the "doctor" had gone uptown, he said, for alast look around. I turned in at the bottom of an empty berth in one ofthe staterooms and waited for the after guard to turn to. 

The mate came aboard about three in the morning, and as there was much todo, he stuck his head into a bucket of water and tried to get clear ofthe effects of the bad liquor he had taken. The "doctor" followed alittle later, and fell asleep on the cabin floor. 

"Has the old man turned up?" asked the mate, bawling into my restingplace and rousing me. 

"Haven't seen any one come aboard, " I answered. 

"Well, I reckon he'll be alongside in a few minutes; so you better standby for a call. "

While he spoke, the watchman on deck hailed some one, and a moment latera steady tramp sounded along the main deck, and a man came through theport door and into the alleyway. 

He hesitated for an instant, while a young man with rosy cheeks andlight curly hair followed through the door and halted alongside thefirst comer. 

The stranger was tall and slender, with a long face, and high, sharpfeatures, his nose curving like a parrot's beak over a heavy darkmustache. His face was pale and his skin had the clear look of a man whonever is exposed to the sun. But his eyes were the objects that attractedmy gaze. They were bright as steel points and looked out from underheavy, straight brows with a quick, restless motion I had observed tobelong to men used to sudden and desperate resolves. He advanced into thecabin and scrutinized the surroundings carefully before speaking. 

"I suppose you are Mr. Trunnell, " he said to me, for I had now arisen andstood in the doorway of the stateroom. His voice was low and distinct, and I noticed it was not unpleasant. 

"I have that honor, " said the little mate, with drunken gravity, soberingquickly, however, under the stranger's look. 

"There are no passengers?" asked the man, as the younger companion openedthe door leading into the captain's cabin and gazed within. 

"Not a bleeding one, and I'm not sorry for that, " said Trunnell; "the oldman wasn't built exactly on passenger lines. "

"You wouldn't take a couple, then, say for a good snug sum?"

"Well, that's the old man's lay, and I can't say as to the why andwherefore. He'll probably be along in an hour or two at best, for the tugwill be alongside in a few minutes. We're cleared, and we'll get to seaas soon as the bloody crimp gets the bleeding windjammers aboard. Theyought to be along presently. "

"Em-m-m, " said the man, and stroked his chin thoughtfully. "He'll bealong shortly, will he, --and you are all ready. I think I can hear thetug coming now, hey? Isn't that it?"

"S'pose so, " answered the mate. 

"Well, just let me insinuate to you politely, my boy, that the sooner youclear, the better;" his voice was low and full of meaning, and he leanedtoward the mate in a menacing manner; "and if I have to speak to you morethan once, my little friend, you will find out the kind of man CaptainThompson is. Can you rise to that?"

Trunnell shrank from the stranger's look, for he stuck his face rightinto the mate's, and as he finished he raised his voice to its fullvolume. The liquor was still in the stout little fellow's head, and hedrew back one of his long arms as if about to strike; then quicklyrecovering himself, he scratched his head and stepped back a pace. 

"How the bleeding thunder could I tell you were Captain Thompson, whenyou come aboard here and ask for a passage?" he demanded. "I meant nodisrespect. Not a bit. No, sir, not a bloody bit. I'm here for furtherorders. Yessir, I'm here for further orders and nothin' else. Sing outand I go. "

It was plain that the little bushy-headed fellow was not afraid, for hesquared his broad shoulders and stood at attention like a man who hasdealt with desperate men and knew how to get along with them. At the sametime he knew his position and was careful not to go too far. He wasevidently disturbed, however, for the little thin silver rings in hisears shook from either nervousness or the effects of liquor. 

The tall man looked keenly at him, and appeared to think. Then hesmiled broadly. 

"Well, you are a clever little chap, Trunnell, " he said; "but fordiscernment I don't think you'd lay a very straight course, hey? isn'tthat it? Not a very straight course. But with my help I reckon we'llnavigate this ship all right. Who's this?" and he turned toward me. 

"That's Mr. Rolling, the second mate. Didn't you meet him at the office?He was there only a couple of hours ago. Just signed on this evening. "

"Ah, yes, I see. A new hand, hey? Well, Mr. Rolling, I suppose you knowwhat's expected of you. I don't interfere with my mates after I get tosea. Can you locate the ship and reckon her course?"

I told him I could; and although I did not like the unnautical way thisstranger had about him, I was glad to hear that he did not interfere withhis mates. If he were some hard skipper the agents had taken at a pinch, it was just as well for him to keep to himself aft, and let his matesstand watch as they should on every high-class ship. The young man, orrather boy, who had come aboard with him, looked at me curiously with apair of bright blue eyes, while the captain spoke, and appeared to enjoythe interrogation, for he smiled pleasantly. 

"Everything is all ready, as I see, " the captain continued. "So I'll goto bed awhile until my things come aboard. This young man will be thirdmate, Mr. Trunnell, and I'll put him under your care. He will go ashorenow and see to the trunks. But let me know the minute the crew come down, for I won't wait for anything after that. You can let the tug take theline and be ready to pull us out. "

Then the skipper went into the captain's cabin, and we saw him no morefor several hours. The young man went back up town, and half an hourlater returned with a cab containing a trunk, which was put in theafter-cabin. The skipper heard the noise and bade them not reawaken himunder any circumstances until the ship was well out at sea. 

"If I have to get up and see to our leaving, some one will be sorry forit, " he said, in his menacing voice, and Mr. Trunnell was quite contentto leave him alone. 

At five in the morning the boarding master brought down the men, and asorry lot of sailors they were. They counted nineteen all told, and halfof them could not speak English. I went among them and searched theirdunnage for liquor and weapons, and after finding plenty of both, Ibundled the entire outfit into the forecastle and let them sort it thebest they could, with the result that they all struck a fair average inthe way of clothes. Those who were too drunk to be of any use I letalone, and they made a dirty mess of the clean forecastle. The rest Iturned to with some energy and soon had our towing gear overhauled. 

There was now a considerable crowd collecting on the dock to watch theship clear, and as it was still too dark to see objects distinctly, Icouldn't tell what was taking place in the waist, for I had to attendsharply to the work on the topgallant forecastle. Mr. Trunnell bawled forthe tug to pull away, and the ship started to leave the dock. 

At that instant a man rushed through the crowd and sprang upon the railamidships, where, seizing some of the running rigging, he let himselfdown to the main deck. He looked aft at Mr. Trunnell, and then seeingthat the mate had command of the ship, he looked into the forward cabinand came to where I stood bawling out orders to the men who were passingthe tow-line outside the rigging. I called to him and asked who he wasand what he wanted, and he told me quickly that he was the twentieth manof the crew and had almost got left. 

"What?" I asked; "after getting your advance money?" And I smiled as Ithought of his chance of getting away without being caught. 

"I never welsh, sir, " he replied, "and as I signed on, so will I work. Inever skinned a ship yet out of sixpence. "

"Most remarkable, " I sneered; but the fellow had such a frank, open facethat I felt sorry afterward. He was a young man and had probably notlearned enough about ships to have such delicate scruples. He had asmooth face and looked intelligent, although it was evident that he wasnot much of a sailor. 

"Well, don't stand gaping. Get to work and show what you are made of. Stow those slops of yours and get into a jumper quick. Where's your bag?"I continued. 

"I haven't any. "

"Well, lay up there and help loose the maintopsail. Don't stand here. "

He looked bewildered for a moment and then started up the fore rigging. 

"Here, you blazing idiot, " I bawled. "What are you about? Don't you knowone end of a ship from another?"

The fellow came to me and spoke in a low voice. 

"I have never shipped before the mast--only as cook, or steward, " hesaid. 

"Well, you infernal beggar, do you mean to say that you've passedyourself off as a seaman or sailor here?" I cried. 

He nodded. 

"Then, blast you, if I don't make a sailor of you before you get clear ofthe ship, " I said with some emphasis; for the idea of all hands beingincapable made me angry, as the ship would be dependent entirely upon thesailors aboard, until we had taught the landsmen something. The wholeoutfit was such a scurvy lot it made me sick to think of what wouldhappen if it should come on to blow suddenly and we had to shorten downto reefed topsails. The _Pirate_ had double topsail yards fore and aftand all the modern improvements for handling canvas; but her yards weretremendous, and to lift either of her courses on the yards would take notless than half a dozen men even in good weather. 

The fellow hung about while I dressed him down and told him about what aworthless specimen of humanity he was. Finally I sent him aft to helpwhere he could, and he lent a hand at the braces in the waist under thedirection of Mr. Trunnell, who stood on the break of the poop, with theyoung third mate beside him, and gave his orders utterly oblivious to theboy's presence. 

In a short time we made an offing, and as the pilot was on the tug, wehad only to let go the line and stand away on our course. The t'gallantyards were sent up, then the royals sheeted home, and by dint of greateffort and plenty of bawling we got the canvas on her fore and aft andtrimmed the yards so as to make each one look as if at odds with itsfellows, but yet enough to make a fair wind of the gentle southerlybreeze. Then we let go the tow-line and stood to the westward, while thelittle tug gave a parting whistle and went heading away into the risingsun astern. 

II

I will say now that when I look back on that morning it is evident therewas a lack of discipline or command on board the _Pirate_; but at thetime it did not appear to me to be the fact, because the lack ofdiscipline was not apparent in my watch. Trunnell and I divided up themen between us, and I believe I laid down the law pretty plain to theDagos and Swedes who fell to my lot. They couldn't understand much ofwhat I said, but they could tell something of my meaning when I held up arope's-end and belaying-pin before their eyes and made certainsignificant gestures in regard to their manipulation. This may strike thelandsman as unnecessary and somewhat brutal; but, before he passesjudgment, he should try to take care of a lot of men who are, for a part, a little lower than beasts. 

If a man can understand the language you use, he can sometimes be made topay attention if he has the right kind of men over him, but when hecannot understand and goes to sea with the certain knowledge he is on ahard ship and will probably come to blows in a few minutes, he must havesome ocular demonstration of what is coming if he doesn't jump when amate sings out to him. Often the safety of the entire ship depends uponthe quickness with which an order can be carried out, and a man must nothang back when the danger is deadly. He must do as he is told, instantlyand without question; if he gets killed--why, there is no great loss, forany owner or skipper can get a crew aboard at any of the large ports oftrade. Of course, if he takes a different point of view, the only thingfor him to do is to stay on the beach. He must not ship on a sailingpacket that is carrying twenty percent more freight than the law allowsand is getting from three to four dollars a ton for carrying it some tenor fifteen thousand miles over every kind of ocean between the frigidzones. My men were surly enough, perhaps because they had heard what kindof treatment they should expect; so after I had told them what they mustdo, I bade them go below and straighten out their dunnage. 

Mr. Trunnell, after separating his men from mine, cursed themindividually and collectively as everything he could think of, and onlystopped to scratch his big bushy head to figure out some newcondemnations. While doing this he saw me coming from the port side, andforthwith he told me to take charge of the ship, as he was dead beat outand would have to soak his head again before coming on watch. He smelledhorribly of stale liquor, and his eyes were bloodshot. I thought he wouldbe just as well off below, so I made no protest against taking command. 

"Ye see, I never am used to it, " he said, with a grin. "I can't drinknothin'. Stave me, Rollins, but the first thing I'll be running foul ofsome of these Dagos, and I don't want a fracas until I see the lay of theold man. He's a queer one for sure, hey? Did you ever see a skipper withsuch a look? Sech bleeding eyes--an' nose, hey? Like the beak of an oldalbatross. He hasn't come out to lay the course yet, but let her go. She'll head within half a point of what she's doin' now. Sink me, but Idon't believe there's three bloomin' beggars in my watch as can steer thecraft, and she's got a new wheel gear on her too. Call me if the old mancomes on deck. " As he finished he staggered into the door of the forwardcabin and made for his room, leaving me in command. 

I went aft and saw the lubber's mark holding on west by south, and afterbeing satisfied that the man steering could tell port from starboard, Iclimbed the steps to the poop and took a good look around. It was abeautiful morning and the sun shone brightly over our quarter-rail. Theland behind us stood boldly outlined against the sky, and the lumpyclouds above were rosy with sunlight. 

The air was cool, but not too sharp for comfort; the breeze from thesouthward blew steadily and just sent the tops of the waves to foam, hereand there, like white stars appearing and disappearing on the expanse towindward. The _Pirate_ lay along on the port tack, and with her skysailsto her trucks she made a beautiful sight. Her canvas was snowy white, showing that no money had been spared on her sails. Her spars were allpainted or scraped and her standing rigging tarred down to a beautifulblackness. Only on deck and among the ropes of her running gear was shownthat sign of untidiness which distinguishes the merchant vessel from theman-of-war. 

I managed to get some hands to work on the braces, and finally got theyards trimmed shipshape and in the American fashion. That was, with thelower yards sharp on the back-stays, the topsails a little further aft, the t'gallant a little further still, until the main-skysail was almosttouching with its weather leach cutting into the breeze a point or moreforward of the weather beam. The fore and aft canvas was trimmed well, and the outer jibs lifted the ship along at a slapping rate. She wasevidently fast in spite of her load, and I looked over the side at thefoam that was seething past the lee channels in swirls and eddies whichgave forth a cheerful hissing sound as they slipped aft at the rate ofsix knots an hour. The man at the wheel held her easily, and that was ablessing; for nothing is much worse for a mate's discomfort than a wildship sheering from side to side leaving a wake like the path of somemonstrous snake. 

When I looked again on the main deck I saw the figure of a man whom Ifailed to recognize as a member of the ship's company. He was standingnear the opening of the after-hatchway, which had not yet been batteneddown, and his gaze was fixed upon me. He was a broad-shouldered fellow, about the average height, and was dressed in a tight-fitting black coatwhich reached to his knees. On his head was a skull cap with a longtassel hanging down from its top, and in his mouth was a handsomemeerschaum pipe, which hung down by its stem to the middle of his breast. His beard was long and just turning gray, and his eyebrows were heavy andprominent. 

I stood staring at the figure, and I must say I never saw a morebrutal expression upon a man's face. His large mouth and thick lipsappeared to wear a sneering smile, while his eyes twinkled withundisguised amusement. His nose was large and flat like a Hottentot's, and while I gazed at him in astonishment, he raised it in the air andgave forth a snort which apparently meant that he was well satisfiedwith the way affairs were being carried on aboard the ship and he wasconsequently amused. 

"Here! you man; what the deuce are you doing aboard here?" I asked as Iadvanced to the break of the poop and stared down at him. He gave anothersnort, and looked at me with undisguised contempt, but disdained toanswer and turned away, going to the lee rail and expectorating over theside. Then he came slowly back across the main deck, while my spleen roseat his superior indifference. I have always been a man of the people, andhave fought my way along to whatever position I have held on thecomprehensive rule of give and take. Nothing is so offensive to me as theassumption of superiority when backed solely by a man's own conception ofhis value. Therefore it was in no pleasant tone that I addressed thestranger on his return to the deck beneath me. 

"My fine cock, " said I, "if you haven't a tongue, you probably have ears, and if you don't want them to feel like the grate-bars of the galleystove, you'll do well to sing out when I speak. Can you rise to that?"

The man looked me squarely in the eyes, and I never saw such a fiendishexpression come into a human face as that which gathered in his. "Youinfernal, impudent--" he began; and here for a moment followed a stringof foul oaths from the man's lips, while he passed his hand behind hisback and drew forth a long knife. Then without a moment's furtherhesitation he sprang up the steps to the poop. 

The fiendishness of the attack took me off my guard, for I was notprepared for such a serious fracas during the first half hour in commandof the deck; but I saw there was little time to lose. There were nobelaying-pins handy, so the thing for me was to get in as close aspossible and get the fellow's knife. 

As he came up the steps, I rushed for him and kicked out with all mystrength, when his face was level with my knees. The toe of my heavy shoecaught him solidly in the neck, and he went over backward almost in acomplete somersault, landing with a crash upon the main deck just outsidethe window of Mr. Trunnell's room. He was stunned by the fall, and Ihastened down to seize him before he could recover. Just as I gained themain deck, however, he gave a snort and started to his feet. Then he letout a yell like a madman and closed with me, my right hand luckilyreaching his wrist below the knife. 

It was up and down, and all over the deck for a time, the men crowdingaft around us, but fearing to take a hand. The fellow had enormousstrength, and the way he made that knife hand jump and twist gave me allI could do to keep fast to it. Soon I found I was losing ground, and henoted the fact, exerting himself more and more as he found me failing. Then it dawned upon me that I was in a bad fix, and I tried to thinkquickly for some means to save myself. In another mad struggle he wouldwrench himself clear, and his ugly look told me plainly how much mercy Icould expect. I gave one last despairing grip on his wrist as he torewildly about, and then I felt his arm slip clear of my fingers, and Iwaited for the stroke with my left arm drawn up to stop its force as faras possible. I could almost feel the sting of the steel in my tensenerves, when something suddenly caught me around the middle and pressedme with great force against my enemy. His face was almost against mine, but his arms were pinioned to his sides, powerless, and then I was awarethat we both were encircled by the ape-like arms of the mate, Mr. Trunnell. How the little fellow held on was a marvel. He braced his shortlegs wide apart, and giving a hug that almost took the breath out of me, bawled lustily for some man to pass a lashing. 

Suddenly a man rushed aft and passed a line around the stranger, and Isaw that the young landlubber to whom, earlier in the morning, I had beenso harsh was a man to be depended on. The young fellow tied my enemy upin short order, although the knots he used would not have done any creditto a sailor. But I was more than thankful when I had a chance to wringthe long knife out of the murderous stranger's hand, and I spoke out tothe smooth-faced fellow. "You'll do, my boy, even if you don't know ayard from a main-brace bumpkin. Pass a line around his legs and stuff aswab into his mouth if he don't stop swearing. "

"Steady, " said Trunnell, "none of that, " as the swab was being broughtup. "But, Captain Andrews, if you don't belay your tongue we'll have todo something. " And the little mate squared his shoulders, and gazedcalmly down upon the prostrate stranger who foamed at the mouth withimpotent fury. 

"So, " I said, "this is the ruffian who jumped his bail and is aboard hereon the sneak? I reckon we'll tack ship and stand back again to put himwhere he belongs. "

I was breathing heavily from the fight, and stood leaning against thecabin to recover, while Mr. Trunnell and the fellow Jim, who had helpedtie the skipper up, appeared to be in doubt how to proceed. The noise ofthe scuffle and our conversation had aroused the captain in the cabin, and as I finished speaking he came to the break of the poop and lookeddown on the main deck. I was aware of his hooked nose and strange, glinting eyes almost before I turned, as he spoke. He placed his footupon the rail and gave a dry cough. 

"I reckon there ain't any call to tack ship, " he said slowly; "a pair ofirons'll do the rest. Jest clap them on him, hand and foot, Mr. Rolling, and then rivet him to the deck away up forrads. If he don't stow thatbazoo of his, you might ram the end of a handspike in his mouth and seeif he'll bite. "

"Who are you, you molly-hawk, to give orders aboard here?" roaredAndrews, from where he lay on deck. "What's happened, Trunnell, when aswivel-eyed idiot with a beak like an albatross stands on the poop andtalks to me like this?"

"He's Captain Thompson, in command, owing to the little--the littlefracas you was mixed into last v'yage. We didn't exactly expect to haveye this trip, sir, " said the mate. 

"Well, I'm here, ain't I? Sing out, can't you see me? Has your hairstruck in and tickled your brain so you don't know who's boss aboardhere? Who's this galoot you've just kept from being ripped to ribbons?I'll settle matters with you later on for meddling in this affair, youkelp-haired sea-pig. Sink you, Trunnell; I never expected you to turnrusty like the miserable swab you are. "

"Don't you think it would be best to stand away for port again, sir?"said the fellow Jim, looking sharply at the skipper on the poop as hespoke, and then to myself and Trunnell. 

"We don't keer for your suggestions, young feller, " said the skipper, leaning over the rail above us. "When there's any orders to be given, I'll attend to matters myself. " He spoke in a low, even tone, and hiseyes seemed to focus to two sharp, bright points at the sailor, makinghis great beak-like nose more prominent. 

"Cast me adrift, Trunnell, " commanded the ruffian Andrews, with an oath. "I'm a-going to kill that lubber you've got for mate anyhow, and it mightas well be done at once as any other time. We'll settle the matter aboutwho's skipper afterward. "

"I hears ye well enough, Cap'n Andrews, " said Trunnell; "but I ain'teggzactly clear in my mind as to how ye have authority aboard. If I was, I'd cast ye adrift in spite o' the whole crowd, an' ye could rip an' cutto your bloody heart's content. Ye know I'd back ye if 'twas all rightand proper; but I never disobeyed an order yet, and stave me, I neverwill. I don't care who gives it so long as he has the right. "

"Spoken like a man an' a sailor, " came the sudden sharp tones of theskipper on the poop; and as I looked, the skipper drew forth a watch inone hand and a long revolver in the other, which clicked to readiness asit came in a line between his eye and the body of Andrews. "You have justa few seconds less than a minute to get that fellow forrads and out ofthe way, " he said slowly, as if counting his words, I made no movement todrag the ruffian away, for at that minute I would have offered noobjection whatever to seeing the skipper make a target of him; butTrunnell and the sailor Jim instantly seized Andrews, while he cursed thecaptain and dared him shoot. He struggled vainly to get free of hislashings, but the little bushy-headed mate tucked him under his arm, while Jim took his feet, and the crowd of gaping men broke away as theywent forward. 

III

After I had recovered from my somewhat violent exertions, and bound upthe slight cut that Andrews had made in my hand with his knife, eightbells had struck, and the steward brought aft the cabin hash. The skipperwent below, and Trunnell and I followed. 

Captain Thompson seated himself at the head of the table and signed forus to take our places; then it suddenly occurred to me that I was onlysecond mate, and consequently did not rate the captain's table. Trunnellnoticed my hesitation, but said nothing, and the skipper fell to withsuch a hearty good will that he appeared to entirely forget my presence. I hastily made some excuse to get back on deck, and the little, bushy-headed mate smiled and nodded approvingly at me as I went up thealleyway forward. I was much pleased at this delicate hint on his part, for many mates would have made uncalled-for remarks at such a blunder. Itshowed me that the little giant who could keep me from being carved torat-line stuff could be civil also. 

I was much taken with him owing to what had happened, and I looked downat him as he ate, for I could see him very well as I stood near themizzen on the port side of the cabin skylight. The glass of the hatch wasraised to let the cabin air, and I watched the bushy head beneath, withits aggressive beard bending over the dirty table-cloth. The large squatnose seemed to sniff the good grub as the steward served the fresh beef, and Trunnell made ready with his knife. 

He laid the blade on his plate and heaped several large chunks of themeat and potatoes upon it. Then he dropped his chin and seemed to shuthis eyes as he carefully conveyed the load to his mouth, drawing thesteel quickly through his thick lips without spilling more than acommensurate amount of the stuff upon his beard, and injuring himself inno way whatever. The quick jerk with which he slipped the steel clear soas to have it ready for another load made me a trifle nervous; but it wasevident that he was not a novice at eating. Indeed, the skipper appearedto admire his dexterity, for I saw his small, glinting eyes look sharplyfrom the little fellow to the boyish third officer who sat to starboard. 

"Never had no call for a fork, eh?" said he, after watching the mateapparently come within an inch of cutting his head in two. 

"Nope, " said Trunnell. 

They ate in silence for some minutes. 

"I like to see a fellow what can make out with the fewest tools. Toolsare good enough for mechanics; a bit an' a bar'll do for a man. Ever beento New York?"

"Nope, " said Trunnell. 

There was a moment's silence. 

"I might 'a' knowed that, " said the skipper, as if to himself. 

Trunnell appeared to sniff sarcasm. 

"Oh, I've been to one or two places in my time, " said he. "There ain'tnothin' remarkable about New York except the animals, and I don't keerfer those. "

"Whatchermean?"

"Oh, I was closte into the beach off Sandy Hook onct when we was tryin'to get to the south'ard, an' I see an eliphint about a hundred feet highon the island acrost the bay. There was a feller aboard as said they hadcows there just as big what give milk. I wouldn't have believed him, butfer the fact that there ware the eliphint before my eyes. "

"Stuffed, man, --he was stuffed, " explained the captain. 

"Stuffed or no; there he ware, " persisted Trunnell. "He would 'a' been nobigger stuffed than alive. 'Tain't likely they could 'a' stretched hishide more'n a foot. "

The skipper gave the third mate a sly look, and his nose worked busilylike a parrot's beak for a few minutes. 

"You believe lots o' things, eh?" said he, while his nose worked andwrinkled in amusement. 

"I believe in pretty much all I sees an' some little I hears, " saidTrunnell, dryly. 

"'Specially in eliphints, eh?--a hundred feet high?"

"But not in argufying over facts, " retorted Trunnell. "No, sink me, whenI finds I'm argufying agin the world, --agin facts, --I tries to give insome and let the world get the best o' the argument. I've opinions thesame as you have, but when they don't agree with the rest o' the world, do I go snortin' around a-tryin' to show how the world is wrong an' I amright? Sink me if I do. No, I tries to let the other fellow have a show. I may be right, but if I sees the world is agin me, I--"

"Right ye are, Trunnell. Spoken O. K. " said the skipper. "I like to see aman what believes in a few things--even if they's eliphints. What do youthink of the fellow forrads? Do you believe in him to any extent?"

The third mate appeared much amused at the conversation, but did notspeak. He was a remarkably good-looking young fellow, and I noted thefact at the time. 

Trunnell did not answer the last remark, but held himself very straightin his chair. 

"Do you believe much in the fellow who was skipper, especially after histryin' to carve Mr. Rolling?"

"I believe him a good sailor, " said Trunnell, stiffening up. 

"Ye don't say?" said the skipper. 

"I never critisizez my officers, " said Trunnell; and after that theskipper let him alone. 

I was pleased with Trunnell. His philosophy was all right, and I believedfrom that time he was an honest man. Things began to look a littlebrighter, and in spite of an aversion to the skipper which had begun tocreep upon me, I now saw that he was an observing fellow, and was quickto know the value of men. I didn't like his allusion to a bit and bar fora man, but thought little about the matter. In a short time Trunnellrelieved me, and I went below with the carpenter and steward to our mess. 

The carpenter was a young Irishman, shipped for the first time. This wasthe first time I had been to sea with a ship carpenter who was not eithera Russian, a Finn, or a Swede. The steward was a little mulatto, whoannounced, as he sat down, after bringing in the hash, that he was bloodyglad he was an Englishman, and looked at me for approval. 

This was to show that he did not approve of the scene he had witnessed onthe main deck in the morning, and I accepted it as a token of friendship. 

"'Tis cold th' owld man thinks it is, whin he has th' skylight wideopen, " said Chips, looking up at the form of Trunnell, who stood on thepoop. There was a strange light in the young fellow's eye as he spoke, asif he wished to impart some information, and had not quite determinedupon the time and place. I took the hint and smiled knowingly, and thenglanced askance at the steward. 

"Faith, he's all right, " blurted out Chips; "his skin is a little off th'color av roses, but his heart is white. We're wid ye, see?"

"With me for what?" I asked. 

"Anything, " he replied. "To go back, to go ahead. There's a fellowforrads who says go back while ye may. "

"An' it's bloody good advice, " said the steward, in a low tone. 

"I'm not exactly in command aboard here, " I said. 

"D'ye know who is?" asked Chips. 

"His name is Thompson, I believe, " I answered coldly, for I did notapprove of this sudden criticism of the skipper, much as I dislikedhis style. 

"See here, mate, ye needn't think we're fer sayin' agin the old man, sohark ye, don't take it hard like. Did ye iver hear tell av a sailormana-callin' a line a 'rope' or a bloomin' hooker like this a 'boat'? No, sir, ye can lay to it he's niver had a ship before; an' so says JimPotts, the same as passed th' line fer ye this mornin'. Kin I pass ye thejunk? It's sort o' snifty fer new slush, but I don't complain. "

"What's the matter with the meat?" I asked, glad to change theconversation. 

"Jest sort o' snifty. "

"That's what, " corroborated the steward, looking at me. "Jest sort o'smelly like fer new junk. "

"What has Jim Potts got against the old man?" I asked. "You said hedidn't believe the skipper had been in a ship before. "

"Nothin' I knows of, 'cept he was hot fer turnin' back this mornin' an'tried to get th' men to back him in comin' aft. "

"Do you mean it's mutiny?"

"Lord, no; jest to blandander ye inter tackin' ship. He most persuadedMr. Trunnell, an' wid ye too, 'twould ha' been no mutiny to override thenew skipper, an' land th' other in th' caboose. "

Much as I would have liked to get ashore again, I knew there was noimmediate prospect of it. The skipper would not hear of any such thing. As for Trunnell acting against orders, I knew from what I had seen ofthis sturdy little fellow he would obey implicitly any directions givenhim, and at any cost. There was no help for it now. We would be out formonths with the ruffian skipper forward and the strange one aft. I saidnothing more to the carpenter or steward, for it was evident that therehad been some strong arguments used by Jim Potts against the regularityof the ship's company. The more I thought of this, the more I wasastonished, for the young landsman was not forced to come out in theship, and had almost been left, as it was. I went on deck in a troubledframe of mind, and determined to keep my eye on every one who approachedme, for the voyage had the worst possible beginning. 

There was much to be done about the main deck, so I busied myself theentire afternoon getting the running gear cleared up and coiled downshipshape. The skipper stood near the break of the poop much of the time, but gave no orders, and I noticed that Jim the sailor, or landsman, keptaway from his vicinity. Sometimes it seemed as though the captain wouldfollow his movements about the deck forward with his keen eyes. 

It was Trunnell's dog-watch that evening, and by the time the bellsstruck the vessel was running along to the westward under royals, withthe southerly breeze freshening on her beam. She was a handsome ship. Herlong, tapering spars rose towering into the semi-gloom overhead, and thegreat fabric of stretched canvas seemed like a huge cloud resting upon adark, floating object on the surface of the sea, which was carried alongrapidly with it, brushing the foam to either side with a roaring, rattling, seething, musical noise. At least, this is the picture shepresented from the forecastle head looking aft. Her great main yard swungfar over the water to leeward, and the huge bellying courses, settingtight as a drumhead with the pressure, sent the roaring of the bow-waveback in a deep booming echo, until the air was full of vibration from thetaut fabric. All around, the horizon was melted into haze, but the starswere glinting overhead in promise of a clear night. 

I left the forecastle head and came down on the main deck. Here thesix-foot bulwarks shut off the view to windward, but little of the coolevening breeze. The men on watch were grouped about the waist, sitting onthe combings of the after-hatch, or walking fore and aft in the gangwaysto keep the blood stirring. All had pea coats or mufflers over theirjumpers, for the air was frosty. The "doctor" had washed up his pots andcoppers for the evening, and had made his way toward the carpenter's roomin the forward house, where a light shone through the crack of the door. 

On nearly all American ships the carpenter is rated as an officer, butdoes not have to stand watch, turning out only during the day-time orwhen all hands are called in cases of emergency. The cook, or "doctor, "as he is called, also turns in for the night, as do the steward and cabinboys; the steward, however, generally has a stateroom aft near those ofthe mates, while the "doctor" bunks next his galley. The carpenter havingpermission to burn a light, usually turns his shop or bunk-room into ameeting place for those officers who rate the distinction of being abovethe ordinary sailor. Here one can always hear the news aboard ships wherethe discipline is not too rigid; for the mates, bos'n, "doctor, " steward, and sometimes even the quartermasters, enjoy his hospitality. 

Trunnell was on the poop, and the captain was below. I had a chance toget a little better insight into the natures of my shipmates if I couldjoin in their conversation, or even listen to it for a while. My positionas second mate was not too exalted to prohibit terms of intimacy with thecarpenter, or, for that matter, even the bos'n. 

I took a last look to windward, over the cold southern ocean, where thesharp evening breeze was rolling the short seas into little patches ofwhite. The horizon was clear, and there was no prospect for some time ofany sudden call to shorten sail. The sky was a perfect blue vault inwhich the stars were twinkling, while the red of the recent sunset heldfair on the jibboom end, showing that the quartermaster at the wheel knewhis business. I edged toward the door of the house, and then seeing thatmy actions were not creating too much notice from the poop, I slid backthe white panel and entered. The fog from damp clothes and bad tobaccohung heavy in the close air and made a blue halo about the littleswinging lamp on the bulkhead. Chips, who was sitting on his sea-chest, waved his hand in welcome, and the "doctor" nodded and showed his whiteteeth. The bos'n was holding forth in full swing in an argument with oneof the quartermasters, and Jim, the fellow I noticed in the morning, waslistening. He arose as I entered, as also did the quartermaster, but therest remained seated. I waved my hand in friendly acknowledgment and litmy pipe at the lamp, while they reseated themselves. 

"Yah, good mornin' to ye--if it ain't too late in the day, " said Chips. "Sit ye down an' listen to me song, for 'tis a quare ship, an' th' onlything to do is to square our luck wid a good song. Cast loose, bos'n. "

We were all new men to the vessel except the carpenter, and had nevereven sailed in the same ship before on any previous voyage. Yet thebos'n "cast loose" without further orders, and the "doctor" joined inwith his bass voice. Then Chips and the rest bawled forth to the tune of"Blow a man down, " and all the dismal prospect of the future in anoverloaded ship, with bad food and a queer skipper, was lost in theeffort of each one trying to out-bellow his neighbor. Sailors are astrange set. It takes mighty little to please one at times when heshould, with reason, be sad; while, again, when everything is fair, nothing will satisfy his whims. 

When the yarn spinning and singing were over, I turned out for my firstwatch well pleased with my shipmates. 

IV

During the following days all hands were so busy bending new sails andreeving running gear for our turn of the Cape that there was little timefor anything else. Much of this work could have been avoided had the shipbeen under better command when she cleared, but Trunnell had no authorityto do anything, and the agents were waiting until the skipper tookcommand and could attend to the necessary overhauling. 

At meals I saw little of either Trunnell or Captain Thompson and histhird mate, but in the short hours of the dog-watch in the evening I hada chance to talk with them upon other subjects than those relatingimmediately to the running of the ship. 

The dog-watch is the short watch between six and eight o'clock in theevening. This is made short to keep one watch from turning to at anyregular time and consequently getting all the disagreeable work to bedone during those hours. For instance, if one watch had to be on deckevery night from twelve until four in the morning, it would mean that theother watch would be on deck from four to eight, and consequently wouldhave to do all the washing down of decks and other work which occurs uponevery regulated ship before breakfast. So the dog-watch divides afour-hour watch and is served alternately. As second mate I had access tothe poop and could come aft on the weather side like any officer, allsailors, of course, being made to go to leeward. 

Trunnell grew to be confidential, and we often discoursed upon manysubjects during the hours after supper; for there was little time to turnin when not on dog-watch, and the skipper allowed me aft with much morefreedom than many second mates get. He seldom ventured to join in theconversations, except when discussing shore topics, for his ignorance ofthings nautical was becoming more and more apparent to me every day, andhe saw it. I wondered vaguely how he ever managed to get command of theship, and set the reason down to the fact that the agents were gladenough to get any one to take her out. He, however, checked up Trunnell'ssights every day and commented upon their accuracy with much freedom, finding fault often, and cautioning him to be more careful in the future. This somewhat perplexed the mate, as he always made his reckoning by ruleof thumb, and could no more change his method than work out a problem intrigonometry. The third mate, on the other hand, was quite shy. I noticedwhat I had failed to note before, and that was the peculiar feminine toneof his voice and manner. He never swung his hands or lounged along thedeck like a man used to the sea, and as the regulations call for at leasttwo years' sea experience certified to by some reputable skipper before amate's certificate is issued, this struck me as strange. Besides, hewalked with a short mincing step that failed to swing his rather broadhips, and his knees were well set back at each stride, that went to showmore conclusively than anything else that he was not used to a heavingdeck. An old sailor, or a young one either, for that matter, will bendhis knees to catch the roll and not try to walk like a soldier. 

One evening after we had been out about a week, Trunnell and Ihappened to be standing aft near the taffrail looking up at a royalpreventer stay. 

"D'ye know what th' old man called this cleat?" asked Trunnell, pointingto where it had been made fast. 

"No, " said I. "What did he call it?"

"A timber noggin. "

"Well, that don't prove there is anything wrong with him, does it?"I queried. 

"Either that or the timber noggins has changed summat in character sinceI seen them last, " said Trunnell. "What in Davy Jones would a skipper ofa ship call a cleat a timber noggin for unless he didn't know no better?"

"A man might or might not have many reasons for calling a cleat a timbernoggin besides that of not knowing any better than to do so, " Iresponded. "For instance--"

But Trunnell cut me short. "No, Mr. Rolling, there ain't no usedisguising the fact any more, this skipper don't know nothin' about aship. You'll find that out before we get to the west'ard o' the Agullas. Mind ye, I ain't making no criticism o' the old man. I never does that tono superior officer, but when a man tells me to do the things he does, itstands to reason that we've got an old man aboard here who's been in aship for the first time as officer. "

I agreed with him, and he was much pleased. 

"A man what finds fault an' criticises everybody above him is always afailure, Mr. Rolling, " he went on. "Yes, sir, the faultfinder is always afailure. An' the reason so many sailors find fault all the time isbecause they is failures. I am tryin' not to find fault with the skipper, but to pint out that we're in for some rough times if things don't changeaboard in the sailorin' line afore we gets to the west'ard o' theAgullas. Sink me, if that ain't so, for here we is without half the sailsbent an' no new braces, nothin' but two-year-old manila stuff what's woreclean through. Them topsails look good enough, but they is as rotten withthe lime in them as if they was burned. No, sir, I ain't makin' nocriticism, but I burns within when I think of the trouble a few dollarswould save. Yes, sir, I burns within. "

Mr. Trunnell here spat profusely to leeward and walked athwartships forsome moments without further remark. The third mate came on deck andstood near the lee mizzen rigging, looking forward at the foam swirlingfrom the bends and drifting aft alongside at a rapid rate. Thephosphorus shone brilliantly in the water, and the wake of the ship waslike a path of molten metal, for the night was quite dark and the heavybanks of clouds which had been making steadily to the westwardover-spread the sky. It was nearly time for the southwest monsoon toshift, and with this change would likely follow a spell o' weather, asTrunnell chose to put it. The third mate had never given an order sincehe had come aboard, and I noticed Trunnell's sly wink as he glanced inthe direction of the mizzen. 

"Mr. Rolling, " said he, "wimmen have been my ruin. Yes, sir, wimmen havebeen my ruin, an' I'm that scared o' them I can raise them afore theirtopmast is above the horizon. Sink me, if that ain't one. " And he leeredat the figure of the third mate, whom we knew as Mr. Bell. 

"What would a woman be doing here as third mate?" I asked; for although Ihad come to the same conclusion some days before, I had said nothing toany one about it. 

"That's the old man's affair, " said Trunnell; "it may be his wife, or itmay be his daughter, but any one can see that the fellow's pants areentirely too big in the heft for a man. An' his voice! Sink me, Rolling, but you never hearn tell of a man or boy pipin' so soft like. Why, itskeers me to listen to it. It's just like--but no matter. "

"Like what?" I suggested gently, hoping much. 

But it was of no use. Trunnell looked at me queerly for a moment as ifundecided to give me his confidence. Then he resumed his walk athwart thedeck, and I went forward to the break of the poop and took a look at thehead sails. 

The night was growing darker, and the breeze was dying slowly, and Iwondered why the skipper had not come on deck to take a look around. Hewas usually on hand during the earlier hours of evening. 

I reached the side of the third officer, and stood silently gazing at thecanvas which shone dimly through the gathering gloom. As we had alwaysbeen separated on account of being in different watches, I had neveraddressed the third mate before save in a general way when reporting theship's duties aft. 

"Pretty dark night, hey?" I ventured. 

The third officer looked hard at me for the space of a minute, duringwhich time his face underwent many changes of expression. Then heanswered in a smooth, even tone. 

"Sorter, " said he. 

This was hardly what I expected, so I ventured again. 

"Looks as if we might have a spell o' weather, hey? The wind's fallingall the time, and if it keeps on, we'll have a calm night without adraught of air. "

"What do you mean by a ca'm night without a draft of air?" asked theyoung fellow, in a superior tone, while at the same time I detected asmile lurking about the corners of his eyes. 

If there's one thing I hate to see in a young fellow, it is thedesire to make fun of a superior's conversation. Being an Americansailor, I had little use for _r_'s in every word which held an _a_but I had no objection to any one else talking the way they wished. Iwas somewhat doubtful just how to sit upon this nebulous third mate, so I began easily. 

"Do you know, " said I, "there are a great many young fellows going out inships as officers when they could be of much more benefit to peoplegenerally if they stayed home and helped their mothers to 'bark cark, ' ordo other little things around the nursery or kitchen. "

As I finished I thought I heard some one swear fiercely in a low tone. Ilooked over the poop rail down to the main deck beneath, but saw no onenear. The third officer seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. 

"It isn't good to be too clever, " said he, in the tone which wasunmistakably a woman's. "When a person is good at baking cake, or'barking cark, ' as you choose to call it, the sea is a good place forthem. They can look out for those who haven't sense enough to perform thefunction. "

I had a strong notion to ask him outright if he was fitted to perform thefunction, but his superior air and the feeling that I might make amistake after all and incur the displeasure of the beak-nosed skipperdeterred me. But I was almost certain that our third mate was a woman. 

We remained standing together in the night for a few moments whileneither spoke. My advances had not received the favorable acknowledgmentI had expected, and there was a distinctly disagreeable feeling creepingupon me while in this neutral presence. I was young and hot-headed, so Ispoke accordingly before leaving the field, or rather deck, in retreat. 

"I wish you had the distinction of belonging to the port watch. "

"Why?"

"I think I might strengthen your powers of discernment regarding therelative positions of second and third mates. "

"We'll see who has the better insight in regard to the matter without mybeing bored to that extent, " said the third officer in his softest tones, and again I fancied I heard the voice of a man swearing fiercely in a lowvoice as if to himself. Then I turned and went aft. 

"It's something queer, " said Trunnell, shaking his great shaggy head andglancing toward the break of the poop. A step sounded on the companionladder, and the skipper came on deck. 

"Pretty dark, hey?" he said, and his quick eyes took in both Trunnell andmyself comprehensively. 

"Looks like we might have a spell o' weather if the wind keeps fallin', "observed Trunnell. 

"Well, I don't suppose a dark night is any worse than a bright one, and Icall to mind many a time I'd give something to see it a bit blacker. Doyou know where you're at?"

"She's headin' about the same, but if ye don't mind, I'll be gettin' herdown gradual like to her torps'ls if the glass keeps a-fallin'. Shortcommons, says I, on the edge o' the monsoon. "

"Short it is, my boy. Get her down low. The more she looks like you, thebetter she'll do, hey? What d'you think of that, Mr. Rolling? The shorterthe longer, the longer the shorter--see? The sooner the quicker, eh?Supposen the question was asked you, Mr. Rolling, what'd you say, hey?Why is Mr. Trunnell like a lady's bouquet, hey? Why is the little manlike a bunch of flowers? Don't insult him, Mr. Rolling. The sanitaryoutfit of the cabin is all right. 'Tain't that. No, split me, it ain'tthat. Think a minute. "

Trunnell walked to and fro without a word, while the captain grinned. Thefellow at the wheel, Bill Spielgen, a square-cut man with an angular faceand enormous hands, stared sullenly into the binnacle. 

"It's because he's a daisy, " rapped out the skipper. "That's it, Mr. Rolling, he's a daisy, ha, ha, ha! Split me, if he ain't, ho, ho, ho!Shorten her down, Trunnell; you're a daisy, and no mistake. "

There was a distinct smell of liquor in the light breeze, and as theskipper came within the glare of the binnacle lamp I could see he waswell set up. Trunnell went to the break of the poop and called out forthe watch to clew down the fore and mizzen skysails. He was much upset atthe skipper's talk, but knew better than to show it. The captain nowturned his attention to the man at the wheel. 

"How d'you head, Bill?" said he. 

"West b' no'the, " said Bill. 

The skipper came to the wheel and stuck his lean face close to thequartermaster's. His glinting eyes grew to two little points and hishooked nose wrinkled on the sides as he showed his teeth while he drawledin a snarling tone:--

"D'you set up for a wit, Bill, that you joke with your captain, hey? Isthat it, you square-toed, lantern-jawed swab? Would you like me to ripyou up the back, or lam some of the dirt out of your hide, hey? Is thatit? Don't make jokes at your captain, Bill. It's bad business. "

Then he went on in a more conciliating tone:--

"Just remember that I'm a knight of a round table, or square one either, for that matter, while I'm aboard this boat, and if you forget to mentionmy title of 'Sir, ' every time you speak of me, you'll want to get yourhide sewed on tight. "

"I beg pardon, sir, " said Bill, taking a fresh grip upon the spokes withhis great hands. 

"That's right, my son; you're a beggar aboard this here boat. Don'taspire to anything else. "

"Aye, aye, sir, " said the quartermaster. 

"And now that you've got to your bearings, as Trunnell would say, I'lltell you a little story about a man who lost a pet dog called Willie. "

I saw that it was high time for me to get forward, and slipped away. Iturned in ready for a call, thinking that perhaps Trunnell was right inregard to our future prospects in the South Atlantic. 

V

When I turned out for the mid-watch that night, Trunnell met me at thedoor of the forward cabin. It was pitch dark on deck, and the wind haddied away almost entirely. The canvas had been rolled up, as it had begunto slat heavily against the masts with the heave from a long, quick swellthat ran rapidly from the southward. The running gear was not new, andTrunnell was a careful mate, so the ship was down to her upper topsailson the fore and mizzen and a main t'gallant on mainmast, the courses foreand after being clewed up and left hanging. 

"He's out for trouble to-night, " said the little mate. "Blast him if heain't touching the boose again. "

"Who, the skipper?" I asked. 

"He's been below twice during the watch, an' each time he's gettin' worsean' worse. There he comes now to the edge of the poop. "

I looked and saw our old man rolling easily across the deck to the pooprail. There he stopped and bawled out loudly, --

"Lay aft to the main-brace. "

The men on watch hesitated a moment and then came crowding aft and beganto cast off the weather-brace from its belaying-pin. 

It was so dark I couldn't see how many men were there, but I noticed Billthe quartermaster, and as I stood waiting to see what would happen, alittle sailor by the name of Johnson, who had a face like a monkey's andlegs set wide apart, so they never touched clear up to his waist, spokeout to a long, lean Yankee man who jostled me in the darkness. 

"Don't pull a pound on the bleeding line. The old cock's drunk, an' weain't here to be hazed around decks like a pack o' damned boys. "

The skipper, however, didn't wait to see if his order was carried out, but came down from the poop and asked for Trunnell and myself. We wentwith him into the forward cabin, and he motioned us to sit down. 

"Did you ever see such a lot o' confounded fools?" he said. "Here I callsfor to take a pull in the main-brace, and the whole crowd of duff-eaterscome layin' aft as if the skipper of a ship should blow them all off todrinks. Blast me, Trunnell, I'd 'a' thought you'd get them into betterdiscipline. It's come to a fine state o' things when the whole crew turnsto every time I get thirsty. But never mind, sing out as you says, andtell the steward what kind o' pisin you'll mix with your blood current. Mine's the same old thing. "

"It's my watch below now, " said Mr. Trunnell, "an' if you'll excuse me, I'll turn in. The third mate's gone below some time ago. "

"Oh, the boat's all right. It's dead calm, and she can't hurt herselffloating around this ocean, " said the old man. "You can take a drinkbefore you go. Steward! Ahoy there, steward!"

"Yessir, " said that active mulatto, springing out of his cabin. "Yessir;I hears yo', cap'n. "

"What'll you have?" asked Thompson, addressing the mate. 

Trunnell scratched his big bushy head a moment, and then suggestedthat a bottle of the ginger pop which the steward had in the pantrywould do for him. 

"Hell'n blazes, man, take a drink o' something, " cried Thompson, turningupon him with his fierce eyes. "What's the matter with you?"

"Nothin', only I drinks what I drinks or else I don't drink at all, " saidTrunnell. "Ye asked me what I'd have, an' I says it. "

"All right, Shorty, " said Thompson, in mock gravity. "You drinks what youdrinks. What's yours, Rolling?"

"As I've just turned to, a little soda will do for me, " I answered. "I'drather take my grog in the morning at regular hours. "

Thompson let his hand fall upon the table with a crash, and then satmotionless, looking from one to the other, his long, beak-like nosetwitching convulsively. 

"Steward, " said he, with a nasal drawl which made his hooked nosewrinkle, "get Mr. Trunnell a drink o' ginger pop, or milk, if he prefersit, and then, steward, you may get Mr. Rolling a drink o' sody water. It's hot, but I reckon it'll fizz. "

"Yessah. What's yourn, cap'n?"

"You don't think there's a priest aboard here, do you, steward, hey?"

"No, sah, 'tain't likely, but I ken find out, sah. Shall I get yo' drinkfust, sah?"

"Well, I dunno, I dunno, steward; I can't think what I kin take whatwon't offend these gentlemen. You might see first if there's a priest, an' if you find one you can bring me a pint or so o' holy water. If it'stoo strong for you, " said he, turning toward Trunnell and myself, "I canget the steward to dilute it for me, hey?"

Trunnell made no remark at this. The steward brought in our drinks andinformed the skipper loudly that there was no one in the crew who hadheld holy orders. 

"Never mind, then, steward, " said Thompson. "I'll wait till it rains andget it fresh from heaven. "

In a moment Trunnell rose and went into his room with a rough "goodnight. " Thompson arose and passed through the door in the bulkhead, and Iwent on deck to take charge. 

The night was quiet, and I leaned over the poop rail, looking into thewater alongside, which appeared as black as ink. The _Pirate_ had littleor no headway, for it was now dead calm. Forward at the bends a suddenflare of phosphorescent fire would burn for a moment alongside when theheavy ship rolled deeply and soused her channels under. The southerlyswell seemed to roll quickly as if there were something behind it, andthe topsails slatted fore and aft with loud flaps as they backed andfilled with the motion. It was a bad night for wearing out gear, and Iwas glad Trunnell had rolled up the lighter canvas. Chafing gear had beenscarce aboard, and nothing is so aggravating to a mate as to have hiscotton or spars cut by useless rolling in a quiet seaway. If sails can bekept full of wind, they will last well enough with care; but let themslat for a few days, and there is more useless wear than would take placein a month of ordinary weather, with no headway to pay for it. 

While I looked into the dark water I noticed a long thin streak of firemoving slowly alongside. It wavered and snaked along, growing brighter attimes and then dying out almost completely. Suddenly it turned at thefore channels and came slowly aft. I looked harder at the black surfacebelow me and tried to see what caused the disturbance. In an instant Ibeheld a huge shadow, blacker than the surrounding water, outlinedfaintly with the phosphorescent glow. It was between twenty and thirtyfeet in length, and had the form of a shark. The grim monster swam slowlyaft and rounded the stern, then sank slowly out of sight into theblackness beneath. 

There is something so uncanny in the silent watchfulness of these giantsof the deep that a sailor always feels unpleasantly disposed toward them. I thought how ghastly would be the ending of any one who should getoverboard that night. The sudden splash, the warm water about the body, and the heads of the fellows at the rail starting to pull the unfortunateaboard. Then the sudden grisly clutch from below, and the dragging downout of sight and sound forever. 

I began to actually reckon the amount of arsenic I should put into achunk of beef to trick the giant at his last meal. 

"Sharp lightning on port bow, sir, " came the news from the forward; for, although I was supposed to be able to see well enough, I had taught themen of my watch to sing out at everything unusual, more to be certainthat they were awake than anything else. 

I looked up from the black depths and my unpleasant reflections, andgazed to the southward. As I did so, several sharp flashes showed uponthe dark horizon. It looked as if something were raising fast, and Istepped below a moment to see the glass. It was down to twenty-eight. Going on deck at once, I bawled for the watch to clew down themain-topgallantsail. In a moment the men were swarming up the mainrigging, and the sail was let go by the run, the yard settling nicely, while the clews, buntlines, and leachlines were hauled down in unison. 

"Mizzen topsail!" I cried. 

The watch came up the poop ladders with a rush and tramping of feet thatsounded ominously loud for the work on so quiet a night. The yelling ofthe men at the braces coupled with the tramping aroused Captain Thompsonin spite of his liquor, and he came up the after-companion to see whatwas the matter. 

"Hey, there, hey!" he bawled. "What are you doing, Rolling? Are youcoming to an anchor already? Have I been asleep six months, and is thisthe Breakwater ahead? No? Well, do you expect to get to port withoutcanvas on the ship? Split me, but I thought you knew how to sail a boatwhen you signed on as mate. Don't come any of these grandmother tricks onme, hey? I won't have it. Don't make a fool of yourself before these men. Get that topsail up again quicker'n hell can scorch a feather, or I'll betaking a hand, see! I'll be taking a hand. Jump lively, you dogs!" heroared, as he finished. 

The topsail was swayed up again, the men silent and sullen with thisextra work. Then came the order for the t'gallantsail, and by thetime that was mastheaded, the skipper followed with orders forroyals, fore and aft. 

During the time these affairs were going on upon the ship, the southernhorizon was lit up again and again by vivid flashes. It appeared to sinkinto a deeper gloom afterward, but in another moment we heard the distantboom of thunder. Before we could get the topgallantsail set there was ablinding flash off the bow-port, followed by a deep rolling peal ofthunder. I was standing in the waist and sprang to Trunnell's room--

"All hands!" I bawled. 

Then I rushed for the mizzen rigging, yelling for the men to clew downthe t'gallantsail and let the topsail halyards go by the run. At the cryfor all hands the men tumbled out, looking around to see what hadhappened. It was dead still, and the only sounds were the cries of themen on deck to those aloft, and the rattling of gear. Trunnell was ondeck in a moment, and as he rushed aft I went for the main rigging withthe intention of saving the upper topsail if I could. It was quick workgetting up those ratlines, but even as I went I heard a deepening murmurfrom the southward. The yard came down by the run as I gained the top, owing to Trunnell having cast off everything, trusting that we might getsome stops on the sail before too late. I heard the skipper roaring outorders to "hurry there, " followed by curses at the slowness of the work. He appeared to realize now what was happening, and it sobered him. 

As I crawled out to starboard with a couple of hands, Jackson ofTrunnell's watch and Davis of mine, the murmur to the southward swelledrapidly in volume. I glanced into the blackness, and as I did so therewas a blinding flash. My eyes seemed to be burned out with thebrightness, and a crashing roar thundered in my ears. Instantly afterwardI heard Trunnell's voice:--

"Hard up the wheel. Hard up, for God's sake!"

Then, with a rush that made the mast creak with the strain and laidus slowly over amid a thunder of thrashing canvas, the hurricanestruck the ship. 

There was nothing to do but hold on with both hands and feet. Jackson, who was outside of me, gripped the jackstay and threw his feet aroundthe yard-arm which was springing and jumping away at a terrific ratewith the shock of the cracking topsail. I did likewise, and noticedthat the canvas was bellying forward, which showed that we were notaback. If we were, I knew our lives were only questions of seconds. All sounds from below were silenced in the roar about us, but flashafter flash, following rapidly in succession, showed me momentaryglimpses of the deck. 

We were far over the water as the _Pirate_ was laying down with hertopgallant rail beneath the sea. The mizzen topsail had disappeared, asthough made of vapor, leaving the mizzen clear. Forward, the two topsailsand fore topmast staysail were holding, but between the flashes the uppercanvas melted away like a puff of steam, the ragged ends flying andthrashing into long ribbons to leeward. Three men were on the yard when Ilooked at first, and then, almost instantly afterward, the yard was bare. Whether they had gone overboard I could not tell, but the thought made melook to myself while I might. 

Pulling myself along the jackstay until I reached the bunt, I managed tograsp a line that was tailing taut downward toward the deck. This Igrasped quickly with both hands, and bawling with all my might to Jacksonand Davis to follow, I swung clear of the yard. Looking below, the seaappeared as white as milk in the ghastly light, with the ship's outlinenow dimly discernible in contrast. I breathed a prayer that the line wasfast amidships and slid down. There was a terrific ripping instantlyoverhead, and I knew the topsail had gone. The line bowed out with thewind, but led toward the deck near the mast, and in a moment my feetstruck the fife rail. I was safe for the present. Jackson followed closeupon me, but Davis was unable to get the line. He was never seen again. 

Making my way aft by the aid of the weather rail, I reached the poop andclimbed up the steps. The wind nearly swept me from my feet, but Imanaged to crawl aft to where I could make out by the flashes the formsof Trunnell and the skipper. 

"She'll go off soon, " yelled the mate in my ear. "Nothin' gone forradsyet, hey?"

"Only the canvas and a couple of men, " I yelled in reply. 

The wind began to draw further and further aft, showing that the ship wasgradually gathering headway in spite of her list to starboard. Soon shebegan to right herself in the storm-torn sea. All was white as snow aboutus, and the whiteness gave a ghastly light in the gloom. I could now makeout the maintopsail, dimly, from where I stood, and the outline of thehull forward. Evidently the fore lower topsail was holding still. Jackson, who was tall and strong, and who was an American by adoption, was put to the lee wheel, as his knowledge of English made him quick toobey. John, a Swede, built very broad with stooping shoulders, andErikson, a Norwegian with a great blond head and powerful neck, graspedthe weather spokes. Bill, the other quartermaster, had not shown up, andwe found later that he was one of the missing from the fore topsail yard. 

Trunnell and Captain Thompson called the men aft to the poop, and away wewent into the gloom ahead. 

She was doing a good fifteen knots under her two, or rather one stormtopsail; for we found out afterward that the fore had gone almostinstantly after she had payed off. The water was roaring white astern, and the wind blew so hard that it was impossible to face it for more thana moment. The sea was making fast, and I began to wonder how long thevessel could run before the great heave which I knew must soon follow us. 

Thompson stood bareheaded near the binnacle, and roared to the men to becareful and keep her steady. It was plain he knew nothing of seamanship, but could tell that a thing must be done well after the mate had givenorders. He was apparently perfectly sober now, and as cool as though onthe beach. It was evident the man feared nothing and could command. I sawthat I could be of little use aft, so I started forward, hoping to beable to keep a lookout for a shift of wind and get some gear ready toheave the vessel to. 

On reaching the main deck, things showed to be in a hopeless mess. Everything movable had gone to leeward when she was hove down, therunning rigging was lying about, and no attempt had been made to coilit. The sea, which had been over the lee rail, had washed that on thestarboard side into long tangles which would take hours to clear. Istumbled over a mass of rope which must have been the fore topsailbrace. I saw a figure moving through the gloom along the bulwarks andcalled for the man to lay aft and coil down some of the gear. The man, however, paid no attention to me, but made his way into the forwardcabin, and as the door opened and the light from within flashed out Irecognized the third mate. 

A man named Hans answered my hail, and I started forward again. The seaby this time was running rapidly. The ship was so deep that I knew shewould not keep her deck clear, and I started to gain the topgallantforecastle where the height would make it safer. 

Just as I gained the highest step, a tremendous sea following broke clearalong the top of the rail in the waist, and went forward a good five feetabove her bulwarks, the entire length of the main deck. 

It was terrific. The thundering crash and smothering jar nearlyparalyzed me for a moment. In the dim glare I could see rails, stanchions, boats, rigging, all in the furious white rush. The _Pirate_settled under the load and seemed to stop perfectly still. Then anotherhuge sea went roaring over her and blotted out everything to the edge ofthe forecastle head. 

I stood looking down at the main deck in amazement. How long would thehatches stand that strain? Everything was out of sight under water, savethe top of the forward house. I looked up into the roaring void above meand breathed a parting prayer, for it seemed that the ship's end must beat hand. Then I was aware that she was broaching to, and I grabbed therail to meet the sea. 

Every stitch of canvas had gone out of her now, and nothing but the bareyards were left aloft. How they ever stood the frightful strain was amiracle and spoke volumes for the Yankee riggers who fitted her out. Thewind bore more and more abeam, and under the pressure she heeled over, letting the great load on her decks roar off in a torrent to leeward, over the topgallant rail and waterways. A sea struck her so heavily thatthe larger portion of it went thundering clear across her forty feet ofdeck, landing bodily to leeward as though the ship were below thesurface. I could hear a bawling coming faintly from the poop and knewTrunnell was trying to heave her to. Something fluttered from the mizzenrigging and disappeared into the night. Part of a tarpaulin had gone, butit was a chance to get another piece large enough on the ratlines to holdher head up. I tried to make my way aft again to help, for I saw it wasabout our only hope, and started to crawl along the weather topgallantrail. Then a form sprang from the black recess under the forecastle headand seized me tightly around the body. 

VI

The suddenness of this attack and the peculiar position I was in whenseized, put me at a disadvantage. The quick breathing of the man behindme, and the strong force he put forward as he rushed me toward the ship'sside, made me aware that I was in a bad fix. The assassin was silent asthe grave, save for his panting, but his bearded face against mine wasvisible enough to show me the former captain of the ship. 

I was carried half over the rail in an instant by the power of the rush. The foam showed beneath me, and for a moment it seemed that the man wouldaccomplish his deadly purpose. It was with a horrid feeling of certaindeath before me that I clutched wildly at the forecastle rail. Luckily myhand caught it, and I was saved from the dive over the side. Then withfrantic strength I twisted around enough to seize the fellow, and droppedon my knees with a grip around his middle. It was up and down and allover that side of the forecastle head for some minutes, until we wereboth getting tired. We were apparently alone forward, and the fight wouldbe one of endurance, unless the ruffian happened to have some weaponabout him. 

We struggled on and on in the gloom, with the hurricane roaring over us, carrying the spray and drift in a smothering storm into our faces. A handwould slip with a wet grip only to take a fresh hold again, and strainaway to get the other under. 

We rolled with the ship and after a particularly hard rally, in which Ihad my hand badly bitten, we eased up near the edge of the forecastlehead. During this breathing spell I managed to get my foot braced againsta ring-bolt. This gave me a slight advantage for a sudden push. In aninstant I shoved with all my might, driving us both to the edge. Theruffian saw what was coming and tried to turn, but it was too late. Onesingle instant of frantic fighting, half suspended in the air, and thenover we went, myself on top. 

We landed heavily upon the main deck, and the shock, falling even as Idid upon the body under me, stunned me for several moments. My captainlay motionless. Then, when a sudden rush of cool water poured over us, Icame to my senses and started to my feet. In another moment I had passeda line around the desperado, and was dragging him under the lee of thewindlass, where I finally made him fast to the bitts. 

When I started aft again, I found that Trunnell had managed to get atarpaulin into the mizzen rigging, and by the aid of this bit of canvasthe _Pirate_ had at last headed the sea within five points. It now tookher forward of the beam and hove her down to her bearings with each rollto leeward, the sea breaking heavily across the main deck, keeping thewaterways waist deep with the white surge. In this rush objects showeddarkly where they floated from their fastenings until they drifted to awater-port and passed on overboard. 

I finally managed to dodge the seas enough to get aft alive, though onecaught me under the lee of the fore rigging and nigh smothered me as itpoured over the topgallant rail. 

Trunnell stood near the break of the poop, and beside him were theskipper and third mate. I noticed a look of surprise come upon the youngofficer's face when I came close to them. It was much lighter now, andthe actions of this young fellow interested me. 

"I thought you might have been drowned, " he cried, in his high femalevoice, but with a significant tone and look at the last word which wasnot lost on me in spite of the elements. 

"Everything is all snug forward, " I answered, bawling at the captain, butlooking fairly at the third mate. "You can let a few men go and rivetirons on the convict by the windlass bitts. He seems to have littletrouble unlocking these. " And I held up the unlocked irons I had pickedup under the forecastle. 

As I held the irons under the third officer's nose, he drew back. Then hetook them and flung them with an impatient gesture over the side into thesea. I thought I heard a fierce oath in a deep voice near by, butTrunnell and the captain were both staring up at the fringe flying fromthe maintopsail yard, and had evidently said nothing. There was littlemore to do now, for as long as the ship held her head to the sea, shewould probably ride it out, unless some accident happened. 

I was worn out with the exertion from handling canvas and my fracasforward, so after bawling out some of the details of the occurrence intoTrunnell's ear, I took my watch below to get a rest. The men whopreferred to stay aft clear of the water were allowed to lie down nearthe mizzen. Some took advantage of this permission, but for the most partthey stood huddled in a group along the spanker boom, ready for a call. 

I had made it a rule long ago, when I had first gone to sea, that I wouldnever miss a watch below when my turn came if I could be spared withconvenience. It is a question always with a sailor when he will be calledto shorten sail for a blow, and the best thing he can do is to keepregular hours when he can, and stand by for a crisis when all hands arenecessary. With a captain it might be different, for the entireresponsibility rests upon him. He also does not have to stand watch, andconsequently has no reason to be tired after several hours on deck. Butwith a sailor or mate who stands his four hours off and on, he must takecare he is not pushed beyond his time, for the occasion will certainlycome sooner or later when he will have to stand through several watcheswithout a rest. Then, if he is already tired out, he will be useless. 

I turned in with a strange feeling about the matter forward and thethird officer's conduct. Although I knew Trunnell would take care thatthe ruffian would not get loose again that night during his watch, Itook out a heavy revolver from my locker and stuck it under the pillowof my bunk. Then I saw that the door and port were fast before I jammedmyself in for a rest. 

I lay a long time thinking over the strange outfit on board, and the moreI thought over the matter, the more I became convinced that the thirdofficer had taken a hand in letting Andrews loose to try his hand on meagain. There was something uncanny about this officer with a woman'svoice, and I actually began to have a secret loathing not entirelyunmixed with fear for him. 

When I turned out for the morning watch, Trunnell met me in the alleyway. He looked wild and bushy from his exposure to the elements, his hairbeing in snarls and tangles from having a sou'wester jammed over hisears, and his great flat nose was red from the irritation of the waterthat struck and streamed over his bearded face. His whiskers gleamed withsalt in the light of the lamp, and he spat with great satisfaction as hebreathed the quiet air of the cabin. 

"It's letting up, Rolling, " he said; "there's a little light to theeasterd now. Sink me, but we've a job bending gear. Everything gone outof her but her spars, and Lord knows how they stand it. How'd you come toget caught with all that canvas on her?"

"Look here, Trunnell, " I answered, "you know I'm a sailor even if I'm notmuch else, and you know how that canvas came to be on her. I'm almostglad it's gone. I would be if it wasn't for the fact that we'll be longerthan usual on this run, and I've about made up my mind that the quicker adecent man gets out of this ship, the better. "

I was buttoning up my oilskins while I spoke, and Trunnell smiled a queerbit of a smile, which finally spread over his bearded face and crinkledup the corners of his little eyes into a network of lines and wrinkles. "I heard the outfly, " said he, "and I was only joking ye about thecanvas. It's a quare world. Ye wouldn't think it, but if ye want to see atrue picture of responsibility a-restin' heavy like upon the digestion ofa man, ye'll do well to take a good look at the old man a-standin' thereon the poop. 'What for?' says you; 'God knows, ' says me; but there he is, without a drop o' licker or nothin' in him since he heard ye bellow ferall hands. "

"I should think he'd feel a little upset after the way he caught her, " Ianswered; "he probably has the owners' interests a little at heart. "

But Trunnell shook his head until the water flew around. 

"Ye're off agin, me son. It ain't that at all. That man don't care awhoop for all the owners livin'. Not he. Sink me, Rolling, I got a bighead, but nothin' much in it; in spite o' this, though, I knows a thingor two when I sees it. That man has some other object in bein' nervousabout this here hooker besides owners. Don't ask me what it is, 'cause Idon't know. But I knows what it ain't. "

"The whole outfit is queer, " I answered, "and the sooner I get out ofher, the better satisfied I'll be. No decent sailor would ship in thecraft if he could help it. "

Trunnell gave me a queer look. Then he saw I meant no offence and shookhis great head again. 

"Did it ever occur to ye that ye had a duty to do in the world besidehuntin' soft jobs?"

"Certainly not that of hunting hard ones, " I answered, fastening my belt. 

Trunnell's face underwent a change. He was serious and waited until I hadstrapped my sou'wester under my chin before saying anything. 

"Mebbe I'm wrong, an' mebbe I ain't, " he said. "But I believes a man hasduties to stick to while he's on watch above water. One of these is notto turn tail and scud away, a-showin' your stern to every hard thing ascomes along. No, sir, when ye runs into a hard gang like some o' thesehere aboard this hooker, stick to her, says me. If every man who's honestshould turn his stern to a wessel that's got a bad name, what wouldhappen to her? Why, any suckin' swab of a cabin boy kin tell that she'dget worse an' worse with the bad ones what would take your place. Ain'tthat reason? There's got to be some men to man a ship, an' if no honestones will, then the owners can't do less than hire raskils. Ye can't sinka ship just because things have happened aboard her. Oh, Lord, no. Thinka bit, Rolling, an' tell me if ye ain't blamed glad ye ware here, an'bein' here, ye must 'a' saved some poor devil of a sailor from gettingkilled this voyage?"

"I'm blamed sorry I ever--"

"Well, now, suppose'n I had a been ashore the day ye had the fracas onthe main deck. Where'd ye been now, hey? A hunderd fathom deep, sure asAndrews is aboard this here ship, if I knows anything o' his ways, an'I've sailed two voyages with him afore. No, man; brace up and do yerdooty as ye may. If every good man was to stay out of bad ships, they'dget so the devil himself would be afeard to go to sea in them. "

I smiled at the little fellow. Here was a man, who had the reputation ofbeing but little better than an unhung pirate, preaching a most unselfishdoctrine. We had been below for several minutes, and I could hear thecaptain's voice bawling out some order on the deck overhead. The bellswere struck by the automatic clock in the cabin, and I turned to go. 

"You're a good Christian, anyhow, Trunnell, " I said as I started. 

Trunnell gave a snort and threw his quid in a corner near a cuspidor. "Iain't never seen the inside of a church. I only tries to do the squarething to whoever is a-runnin' of the sea outfit--same as ye'll do ifye'll take the trouble to think a minit--"

I was out on the deck, and the wind almost blew me into the scuppers. Thecaptain was standing right above me on the poop watching the growinglight in the east. The waist was full of foamy water that roared andsurged and washed everything movable about. Above, the masts and sparslooked dark in the dim, gray light of the early morning, the strips ofcanvas stretching away from the jackstays and flicking dismally toleeward. All the yards, however, were trimmed nicely, showing Trunnell'smaster hand, and on the mainmast, bellying and straining with thepressure, was a new storm spencer, set snug and true, holding theplunging vessel up to the great rolling sea that came like a living hillfrom the southwest. Forward, a bit of a staysail was set as taut as adrumhead, looking no bigger than a good-sized handkerchief. Aft, atrysail, set on the spanker boom, helped the tarpaulin in the mizzen tobring her head to the sea. 

I climbed up the poop ladder and took a look around. 

It was a dismal sight. As far as the eye could reach through the whitehaze of the flying drift the ocean presented a dirty steel-gray color, torn into long, ragged streaks of white where the combers rolled on thehigh seas before the gale. Overhead all was a deep blank of gray vapor. The wind was not blowing nearly as hard as it had during my last watch ondeck, but the sea was rolling heavier. It took the _Pirate_ fair on theport bow, and every now and again it rose so high above her topgallantrail that it showed green light through the mass that would crash over tothe deck and go roaring white to leeward, making the main deckuninhabitable. Sometimes a heavy, quick comber would strike her on thebluff of the bow, and the shock would almost knock the men off theirfeet. Then the burst of water would shoot high in the air, goingsometimes clear to the topgallant yard, nearly a hundred feet above thedeck, while all forward would disappear in the flying spray and spume. 

"Fine weather, Rolling, hey?" bawled the skipper to me as I gained thepoop. 

"Oh, it isn't so bad the way she's taking it now. If she hangs on aswell as this during the watch, she'll make good weather of it allright, " I said. 

"I'm glad you think so, my son. Just call down to the steward to bring mea bracer. Whew, just look at that!"

As he spoke a huge sea rose on the weather bow and bore down on thestaggering ship. It struck her fair and rolled over her so heavily that Ihad to grab a line to keep from being knocked down. The main deck wasfull of water, and as it roared off through the ports and over the leerail, I looked to see if anything had gone with it. Then I realized howwell we had been washed during the night. 

From the forecastle aft to the poop there was nothing left except thehatches and deck-house. The boats were all stove to matchwood except onethat was lashed on the forward house. The bulwarks were smashed for manyfeet along both sides, but this was no real damage, as it allowed the seato run off easier, relieving the deck of the heavy load. The whole maindeck, fore and aft, was as clean stripped as could be, and the hatchesalone were saving us from filling and going under. 

It was a dismal sight, and the men who stood huddled on theforecastle and poop looked, in their yellow oilskins, like so manyyellow ghosts. I went aft to the wheel and found that Hans andJohnson were steering without much difficulty, although they had allthey could do to hold her when a sea struck aft. Far astern the lightseemed to be growing brighter, and while I looked there appeared somelong streaks in the heavy banks of vapor which showed a break or two. I took the glass which hung on the side of the grating and cleanedthe lens with my hand. Sweeping the storm-torn horizon to thesouthward, nothing showed but rolling seas and haze. I turned theglass to the northward, and in a moment I saw a black speck rise andthen disappear from the line of vision. 

"Vessel to lor'ard, sir, " I bawled to the captain. 

"I don't care for forty vessels, Rolling. Get me that steward with theliquor, or there'll be one afloat here without a second mate. "

VII

It was with no good feeling that I went below to get the old man a drink. The steward met me and grinned as he brought forth the liquor. 

"Yessah, it's nine ob dem he takes endurin' de watch. Lord, man, he's gotsomething pow'rful on his mind. Did yo' ebber feel the heft ob his trunkhe brought aboard, sah? No, sah, dat yo' didn't. Well, it's pow'rfulheavy fo' a man's baggage. "

"What's in it?" I asked. 

"'Deed, I doan know, man, jest what is in it, but I reckon it's somethingwhat worries him. Dat an' Cap'n Andrews forrads worries him some. Chips, he say as dey goes aft an' have matters straightened out a bit. Dey isfo' either weldin' irons on de cap'n forrads or puttin' him on de beach. Jim, Hans, Bendin, an' Frenchy an' a lot more are fo' doing' somethin'with him. Yessah, dey is dat. Hab a leetle nip 'fore yo' goes?"

I took one and went back to the quarter-deck. The speck to leeward showeda bit of storm canvas flying, and we soon could make out she was a largeship hove to like ourselves on the port tack. Her hull showed now andagain on the seas, and after drifting down toward her for about an hour, the light grew strong enough to make her out plainly. She was a largeship, English built, with a turtle-backed stern, painted white on thetumble-home of the quarter. Her hull was black, and the foam showed inlong white lines of streamers as it was blown across her topsides. Shewas making heavy weather of it, and every now and again she would ram hernose clear out of sight in the high-rolling sea. Then she would riseheavily, with the white water pouring from her dripping forefoot andwallow dismally, until her weather rail would appear to roll under. 

The stump of a foremast showed forward and a stout maintopsail strainedaway amidships, while aft, where the mizzen should have been, there wasnothing showing above her deck. Her main topgallant mast was also gone atthe cross-trees, but the maintopsail held strongly. Altogether she waspretty well wrecked aloft. 

While we watched her we drew nearer, and when she came within a couple ofmiles I could make out a flag, the English ensign, union down, in themain rigging. This showed pretty plainly that she was doing badly andwanted help, but it was absolutely useless to think of doing anything forher while the wind held and the sea showed no signs of going down. 

Being much lighter than she was, we drifted off more, and we came nearerand nearer as the morning brightened into a dirty day. In a short time wehad her close under our lee, not half a mile distant. Indeed, it lookedas though we might get closer than we wished to. The wind slackedgradually, however, and before long we managed to get out ourmain-topmast staysail. Then followed a close-reefed foresail balanced aftby the mizzen lower topsail, which we had saved. This, with the spencerand canvas already set, gave us a good hold of the ship in spite of thesea, and we were ready to wear if necessary. The _Pirate_ drifted muchfaster under the extra canvas and went to leeward so far that we saw thatshe would go clear of the stranger. As we drew near, we now saw how deepshe sat in the water, the seas rolling over her, amidships, with everyplunge. Still she headed up well and was under control. 

While we gazed, a string of flags fluttered from her yard-arm. I divedbelow for the code and soon read the signal for help. They were sinking. 

Trunnell turned out on deck, and we waited to see if Captain Thompsonwould give the word to do anything. He stood near the rail and gazedthrough his glass without saying anything or exhibiting any concernwhatever for the people we could now see upon the stranger's high poop. 

Then he turned to the mate and asked:--

"What does he want, Trunnell?"

"Want's us to stand by him, I reckon, " the mate replied. 

"Can we do it without danger in this seaway, hey?" demanded Thompson. "Answer me that. How the devil can we do anything for a fellow in thisseaway, when we might be rammed by him and sink ourselves?"

"We'll stand by that ship as long as she's above water, " answeredTrunnell, quietly. 

Then came a sudden change upon the captain. He turned upon the matequickly, and his bright, glinting eyes seemed to grow to sharp pointson either side of his hooked nose, which worked and twitched underthe excitement. His hand went behind his back and he jerked forth along revolver. 

"Who's captain of this here boat, Mr. Trunnell, me or you?" said he, inhis drawling voice. 

"You, " answered Trunnell, decisively. 

"Do you presume to give any orders here what don't agree with mine?"

"No, sir, " said Trunnell. 

"Well, just let me hint to you, you bushy-headed little brute, that Idon't want any suggestions from my mates, see? You little snipe, you!what d'ye mean, anyhow, by saying what we'll do?"

Several men standing on the poop to keep clear of the seas in the waist, hitched their trousers a little, and felt for the sheath knives in theirbelts. I noticed Jim, the young landsman, pass his hand behind him andstand waiting. There was an ominous silence and watchfulness among thecrew which was not lost on the captain. He had inspired no respect intheir minds as a sailor, even though he had shown himself fearless. Itwas evident that they were with Trunnell. 

"I meant that we would stand by that ship as long as she floated, " saidthe little mate, looking straight into the pistol barrel, "and I expectedthat it would be by your orders, sir. "

Thompson was not a fool. He saw in an instant how the case was, and hisglinting eyes took in the whole outfit of men and mates at one glance. Hemay not have wished to help the strangers, but he saw that not to do someant more trouble to himself than if he did. 

"This time you expected just right, Trunnell. I mean to stand by thosepeople, and I order you to get ropes ready to hoist out the boat we haveon the house, there. What I don't want and won't have is orders suggestedby any one aboard here but me. I'm glad you didn't mean to do that, forI'd hate to kill you. You can get the boat ready. "

Then he put the revolver back into his pocket, and Trunnell went forwardalong the shelter of the weather bulwarks and made ready the tackles forhoisting the boat out. 

By the aid of the powerful glass I made out a figure of a woman standingupon the ship's poop. She appeared to be watching us intently. Soon alittle sailorly and seaman-like fellow named Ford, whose interest in thestrange ship was marked, came from the group near the mizzen and asked ifhe should get the signal halyards ready. Thompson made no objection, andwe bent on the flags which told by the code that we would stand by themuntil the sea went down enough to get out a small boat. 

At seven bells the "doctor" managed to get some fire started in thegalley, and all hands had a drink of hot coffee. This was cheering, andTrunnell soon had the watch hard at work getting out new canvas from thelazaretto aft. The main deck was getting safer, and although she took thesea heavily now and then, she was no longer like a half-tide rock in astrong current. 

Topsails were hoisted out from below and gantlines bent. By the time allhands had eaten something and eight bells had struck, we were ready toget up new topsails and start the pumps. 

Luckily there was little water below. In spite of the tremendousstraining the ship had made no more than could be expected, and in alittle over an hour at the brakes we had the satisfaction of having thepumps suck. 

All that morning we worked aloft getting new gear up. The British shipdrew away on our weather beam, wallowing horribly in the seaway. The winddied away gradually into a good stiff gale, and by noon we had a break ortwo above us that let down the sunlight. This cheered all hands. A goodmeal with extra coffee was served forward, and I sat down to the cabintable with Chips and the steward, to eat ravenously of prime junk andpreserved potatoes. 

"'Tis a quare time ye had ag'in last night, forrads, hey?" said Chips. 

"It was interesting for a few minutes, " I answered. "I hope you fixedthe fellow's irons all right. Keys seem to have strange ways aboardthis vessel. "

"Well, ye needn't be afear'd av th' raskil takin' leave ag'in. Sure, an'I riveted his irons this time, as will take a file an' no less to cutthrough. I votes we get th' old man to put him aboard th' first ship whatcomes a-heavin' down nigh enough, hey?"

"It would suit me all right, " I answered. 

"Jim and Long Tom an' Hans an' a whole lot av us have th' matter inmind, an' we'll speak wid th' skipper afore long. There's a divil's messbelow in th' fore-peak, where a barrel has bruk loose that I'll have tomix wid first. Be ye a-goin' in th' boat aboard th' stranger whin th'sea goes down?"

"I suppose so, " I said; "that lot generally falls to a second mate. "

"Be sure, thin, ye have th' plug in all right an' th' oars sound, fer th'sea will be heavy fer a bad craft, and ye mind th' irons last night. "

"I'll just take a look at them before I start. Chips, " I said. "Thank youfor keeping tabs on the skipper. "

"It's no great matter, " he answered; and then we fell to with a willuntil the meal was finished. 

VIII

At three bells in the afternoon the sea had begun to go down enough toallow us to get our new topsails on her and a main-topgallantsail. The_Pirate_ went smoking through it under the pressure, trembling with eachsurge, and throwing a perfect storm of water over her catheads. TheEnglish ship was now a mere speck to windward, almost hull down, and wewould have to beat up to her if we could. 

Just how badly she needed help we of course could not tell. If she weresinking fast, then she would have to depend upon her own boats, for thesea was too heavy until late in the afternoon to venture out in our onlyone left. We could no longer see her signals, but carried all the sailpossible, without danger of carrying away our spars, in the effort to getclose to her again. 

After standing along for an hour or more we wore ship, and found that wecould just about get within hailing distance to leeward. 

Trunnell had the reef tackles rigged from the main yard, and thelife-boat was slung clear of the lee rail. Then, watching a chance, shewas let go with Hans and Johnson in her to keep her clear and droppedback to the mizzen channels, where the volunteers were ready to getaboard her. 

Four men besides myself manned her, and she was instantly let go to keepher clear of the sea, which hove her first high on the _Pirate's_quarter, and then down until our faces were below the copper on herbends. By dint of quick work we shoved her clear, and started on thepull, dead to windward. 

How small the _Pirate_ looked when we were but a few fathoms distant inthat sea! Our boat rode the waves nicely without shipping much water, andseveral times I turned to look back at the ship, where Trunnell stoodbeside the skipper, watching us through the glasses, and waiting to pickus up on our return. I could see the "doctor's" face above the topgallantrail forward and that of Chips in the waist. 

It was a long pull. The sea was running high and the wind was stillblowing a half gale, breaking up the heavy oily clouds into long banksbetween which the sun shone at intervals. It was a good half hour's workbefore we could cover the short distance between the ships. 

We came slowly up under her lee quarter, and when we were quite close Icould see that she was indeed very deep, if not actually sinking. Thewords "Royal Sovereign, Liverpool, " were painted in gold letters on herstern, and on the circular buoys hanging upon her quarter-rail was thesame name in black. A group of men stood near the mizzen rigging, and oneshort man with a black sou'wester and blue pilot coat hailed us through alarge-mouthed trumpet, which almost hid his bearded face. 

"Boat ahoy! can you come aboard?" he roared. 

"We'll try to come alongside, " I bawled. "Stand by to heave a line. "

A man had one ready and hove it well out with a yell to catch. Long Tom, our lean Yankee sailor, who was pulling bow oar, seized it as it fellacross and took a turn around a thwart. The oars were shipped and we fellunder the vessel's stern, riding the seas without mishap. 

"We're sinking, " cried the short man, who was the captain. "Can you takesome of us with you?"

"Aye, aye; get them aboard here as quick as you can, " came the answer. 

There was no time lost now. Men swarmed toward the taffrail, and for aninstant it looked as if there would be something of a panic. The shortskipper, however, flung them aside without ceremony, and the next instanta female figure appeared at the rail. 

"Haul easy, " came the order. Hans and Tom pulled in the line slowly untilthe boat's bow was leading almost directly beneath the ship's stern. Abridle was rigged from the spanker boom and made fast to a life buoy. Then the lady who had appeared at the taffrail was slung in it ratheruncomfortably and carefully lowered away. She was seized by one of themen forward, and handed aft to me. 

The woman was quite young. She was slightly built, and I supported hereasily until she was safely in the stern sheets. A few strands of curlyblond hair blew across my face, and gave me a most peculiar feeling as Ibrushed them aside. Then she turned up her face, and I saw that she hadmost beautiful eyes, soft and gentle, with a trusting look, such as onesees in children. 

"Thank you, Mr. Sailorman, " she said, with a smile. "I'm all right now. "

"Except, perhaps, for a little wetting, you will stay so, I hope, "I answered. 

A heavy woman was being lowered away, and Hans caught her boldly aroundthe body, trying to keep her from being thrown out of the tossing smallboat. She shrieked dismally. 

"Don't be silly, mamma, " cried the young lady aft. "You've been squeezedtighter than that before, I am sure. "

She was passed aft and took her place beside her daughter in the stern, expostulating incoherently at the younger one's insinuations. 

Then followed a little man, short and stout, who was evidently the ship'scarpenter, and he was followed by a dozen sailors. 

"Haven't you any boats that will swim?" I asked of the mate, who hungover the rail above me. 

"We're getting them out now, " he answered. 

"Then let us go. We've got a big enough load already. "

In a few moments we were on our way back to the _Pirate_, making goodheadway before the wind and sea, and shipping little water. 

The men explained as we went along that the _Sovereign_ had started abutt during the gale, and she was full of water by this time. They hadkept at the pumps all day, but had given it up when they saw we werecoming for them. The ship's cargo of oil and light woods from thepeninsula had kept her from going to the bottom. She was homeward boundto Liverpool, and it was the captain's wife and daughter we were bringingaboard. The hurricane had caught them aback and dismasted them during thenight, and after six hours of plunging helplessly into the sea withoutanything but the mainmast and stump of the foremast above the deck, shehad sprung a leak and filled rapidly. The maintopsail they had bent inthe morning after extraordinary exertion, and with this they had managedto keep her partly under control. 

"She will never go to the bottom with all the soft wood she has in her, "said a sailor who was old and grizzled and had the bearing of aman-of-war's man. "She can't sink for months. The water is up to herlower deck already. "

"So that's the reason you were not getting your boats out in ahurry?" I asked. 

"Sure, " said he; "I'd as soon stay in her a bit longer as in many ableedin' craft that you sees a-goin' in this trade. "

"I noticed you were one of the first to leave her, " said the young girl, with some spirit. 

"Ah, mum, when you gets along in life like me, hardships is not good forthe constitootion. A sailorman, 'e gets enough o' them without huntin'any more. Howsumever, if I see any chance o' gettin' the bleedin' craftin port 'way out here in this Hindian Ocean, I'd be the last to leave. Bust me, mum, if that ain't the whole truth, an' a little more besides. You ask your pa. "

Here he gave a sigh, and drew his hand across his forehead as if in pain. His large pop eyes blinked sadly for a few moments, and his mouth droppeddown at the corners. Then his mahogany-colored face became fixed and hisgaze was upon the craft he had just deserted. What was in the oldfellow's mind? I really felt sorry for him, as he sat there gazing sadlyafter his deserted home. Captain Sackett would stay aboard until thelast, his wife informed us, but as there was no necessity of any onestaying now, if their boats could live in the sea that was still running, it was probable that they would all be aboard us before night. Jenks, theold sailor, gave it as his opinion that they would have the boats out inhalf an hour. 

We came up under the lee of the _Pirate_ and then began the job ofgetting our passengers aboard her. 

Trunnell passed a line over the main-brace bumpkin, and held the tossingcraft away from the ship's side until a bridle could be bent and theladies hoisted aboard. 

Mrs. Sackett trembled violently and begged that she would not be killed, much to her daughter's amusement. Finally she was landed on deck, whereshe was greeted by the third mate and escorted aft. Miss Sackett was ofdifferent stuff. She insisted that she could grab the mizzen channelplates and climb aboard. I begged her to desist and be hoisted on deckproperly, but she gave me such a look that I held back and refrained frompassing the line about her. As the boat lifted on a sea she made a springfor the channel. Her hand caught it all right, but her foot slipped, andas the boat sank into the hollow trough she was left hanging. 

Trunnell instantly sprang over the side, and letting himself down uponthe channel, seized her hand and lifted her easily to a footing. Theship rolled down until they were knee deep in the sea, but the littlemate held tight, and then, with one hand above his head, as she roseagain, he lifted his burden easily to the grasp of Jim, who reached overthe side for her. 

After she was landed safely the men crowded up the best way they could, and the boat was dropped astern with a long painter to keep her clear ofthe ship's side. 

Captain Thompson greeted his female passengers awkwardly. He declared ina drawling tone that he was 'most glad that their boat was wrecked, inasmuch as it had given him the opportunity to meet the finest ladies hehad ever set eyes on. 

"May the devil grasp me in his holy embrace, madam, " said he, "if I amlying when I says that word. It is my most pious thought, says I. "

Mrs. Sackett was somewhat taken aback at this candor, but managed to keepher feelings well hidden. Her daughter came to the rescue. "We appreciateyour noble efforts, Captain Thompson. The fact is, we have heard so muchabout your gallantry in saving life at sea that we are sure anything wecould say would sound weak in comparison to what you must already haveheard. If you have a spare stateroom, we would be very thankful if wemight have it for a time, as our clothes are quite wet from the sea. "

The skipper was somewhat surprised at the young girl's answer, but he hidhis confusion by bawling for the steward. 

When the mulatto came, he gave numerous orders in regard to bunks, linen, drying of clothes, etc. , regretting over and over again that he was asingle man, and consequently had no wife from whom he could borrowwearing apparel while that of his guests was drying. 

The third mate, also, took pains to be very civil to them, and his softvoice could be heard in conversation with Miss Sackett long after theyhad gone below. 

I went forward and interviewed the men we had rescued, afterward gettingthe "doctor" to serve them something hot, as their galley fire had beenout many hours and they had been eating nothing but ship's bread. 

The _Pirate_ waited all the afternoon with her canvas shortened down toher lower topsails to keep her from forging ahead too fast. But even whenit grew dark and the British ship could no longer be clearly made out, her skipper had not gotten out his boats. It was evident that he wouldtry to save her if possible, and now that his family were safe he caredlittle for the risk. Captain Thompson still held the _Pirate_ hove tounder easy canvas, drifting slowly with the wind, which was now no morethan a moderate breeze. The sea, also, was going down fast, and the skywas showing well between the long lines of greasy-looking clouds whichappeared to sail slowly away to the northeast. The night fell with everyprospect of good weather coming on the following day. 

I went on deck in the dog-watch and took a look around. The _Sovereign_was a mere blur on the horizon, but her lights shone clearly. 

"We'll stand by her all night, " said Trunnell, "and then if theskipper doesn't care to leave her, --which he will, however, --we'llstand away again. "

There was little to do, so the watch lounged around the deck and restedfrom the exertion of the past twenty-four hours. Chips told me I hadbetter come forward after supper and take a smoke in his room, for theywere going to come to some conclusion about the fellow Andrews. There hadbeen some talk of putting him aboard the English ship, and if we couldget the captain to agree to it, it would be done. 

I loafed around until I saw a light between the crack of his door and thebulkhead. Then I slid it back, and entered. 

The stuffy little box was full of men. The bos'n, a large man namedSpurgen, who had quite a swagger for a merchant sailor, was holding forthto the quartermaster, Hans, on nautical operations. 

"An' how'd ye do if ye had an anchor atween, decks widout nothin' tohoist it out wid?" he was saying as I came in. 

Hans affirmed, with many oaths, that he'd let the "bloody hancor gobloomin' well to the bottom before he'd fool wid it. " This made the bos'nangry, and he opened with a fierce harangue, accompanied by a descriptionof the necessary manoeuvres. He also made some remarks relating to thequartermaster's knowledge of things nautical. 

I took occasion to look about the little room while this was going on andmy fingers warmed up some. I then seated myself on a corner of the chestnear Chips to make myself easy, during which time the bos'n had gainedsufficient ground to enforce silence upon his adversary, and relinquishthe subject of anchors. Then came a pause during which I coulddistinguish the "doctor's" voice above the mutterings, and get a whiff ofmy own tobacco out of the haze. 

"--five fat roaches; they'll cure you every time, " he was saying toChips. "It's old man Green's sure remedy, sah, yes, sah. I hearn him tolehis ole mate, Mr. Gantline, when he sailed in the West Coast trade. "

"Faith, ye may stave me, shipmate, but that would be an all-fired toughdish to swallow, " the carpenter declared, with a wry face. "Supposenthey didn't die? They would make a most eternal disagreeable cargoshiftin' about amongst your ribs. May the devil grab me, ye moke, if Iwouldn't rather swell up an' bust wid th' scurvy than swallow themfellows kickin'. "

"Bile 'em, white man, " said the cook. "Bile 'em in er pint er water--an'then fling 'em overboard. Who the debble would eat er roach?"

"Right ye are, shipmate, " assented Chips; "'tis an aisy enough dose totake if all ye do is to throw th' critters to lor'ard. Sink me, though, if I sees th' benefit av a medicine ye fling to David Jones instead avplacin' it to th' credit av yer own innerds. "

"Yah, yah, Mr. Chips, but you beats me. Yes, sah, you beats me, but yerhaid is thick. Yes, sah, yer haid is thick ernuff, yah, yah, " laughed the"doctor. " "What would yer do but drink the water, white man? yes, sah, drink the water for the acid in the critter. It's salt in yer blood makesscurvy, from libbin' so long er eatin' nuffin' but salt junk. Lime juiceis good, ef the ole man gives it to yer straight, but he nebber does. No, sah, dat he nebber do. It's too expensive. Anyways, it doan' hab nostrength like er roach, ner no sech freshness, which am de main pintafter all. "

Seeing himself out of the talk, and having completely growled down thequartermaster, the bos'n started another subject. This was a tiradeagainst bad skippers and crimps who stood in too thick with the shippingcommissioners, and whom he swore were in league with each other and thedevil. He was an old sailor, and his seamed face was expressive whenlaunching into a favorite subject. Here was Jim's chance, and he spokeout. "Whatever became of Jameson, what was took off by Andrews?" heasked Chipps. 

"Was he doped?" I asked. 

"Didn't ye niver hear tell from O'Toole an' Garnett? They was Andrews'smates for a spell, until th' Irishman, God bless him, knocked himoverboards an' nearly killed him in a scuffle on th' India Docks. "

"Cast loose; I want to hear, " said the bos'n. 

There was a moment's silence, and Chips looked at me as thoughquestioning the senior officer of his watch. Then he fixed himselfcomfortably on the chest by jamming himself against the bulkhead, lockinghis hands about his knees, blowing smoke in a thick cloud. 

I heard the hail of Trunnell from the bridge during this pause, askingabout a t'gallant leach-line. Thinking it well to take a look out, I didso to see if the men obeyed his orders, and found them rather slowslacking the line. This made it necessary for me to take a hand inmatters and instil a little discipline among them, which kept me on deckfor some minutes. 

IX

When I had a chance to slip back into the forward house, Chips hadalready "cast loose" and was in full swing. 

"There ain't no use of tellin' everything one sees aboard ship, " he wassaying, "for you know whin things happen on deep water th' world ain'tmuch th' wiser fer hearing about them. There ain't no telegraphs, an'th' only witnesses is the men concerned--or the wimmen. The men may ormayn't say a thing or two after getting the run av th' beach, but asth' critters have to wait half a year afore getting there, the news avth' occurrence wears off an' regard for the effects on th' teller takesplace. It's just as often as not th' men keep mum. You know that aswell as I do. 

"This same Andrews as is forrads in irons was running the _Starbuck_ withJameson as mate, an' old Garnett as second under him. Ye all know thatold pirit. But this time he didn't have any hand in Andrews's game. Andrews wanted to marry the girl Jameson had, an' whin he found he hadlost her he played his devil's trick. 

"Jameson hadn't been married a week afore Andrews took him around b' th'foot av Powell Street in 'Frisco an' set up some drinks. That's the lastany one sees av Jameson fer a year or more on th' West Coast, fer whin hecomes to, he was at sea on that old tank, th' _Baldwin_, an' old manJacobs would as soon have landed him on th'moon as put him ashore. "

"A purty bloomin' mean trick, " interrupted the bos'n. 

"Th' poor divil did have a hard time av it, fer he wasn't a very fiercesort o' chap. He ware a gentil spoken, kind-hearted feller, an' ye knowwell enough how a man what isn't made of iron wud git along wid Jacobs orhis mates. They hazed him terrible; an', as they ware one hundred an'seventy days an' nights to Liverpool, he took the scurvy. Ye can reckonwhat was left av him afterwards. Whin he left th' hospital, he was gladenough to ship on a Chilean liner to get even as far to the West Coast asValparaiso. 

"He ware aboard this Dago, puttin' in, whin he saw th' _Starbuck_standin' out o' th' harbor. His wife ware on th' quarter-deck--"

"That's the way with most women, " snarled the bos'n, interrupting. 

"I don't know about that, " continued Chips. "You see, after he had beengone a few months, an' Andrews had been hangin' around all th' timegettin' in his pisonous work, she began to have a little faith in th'villain. It wasn't long afore he convinced her Jameson had deserted, ferhe proved fair enough he had shipped aboard th' _Baldwin_, without somuch as saying good-by. There ware plenty of men to back him on that, includin' th' boatman what rowed them aboard. Finally, partly byblandanderin' an' a-feelin' around, fer th' poor gal ware now alone inth' world, he got her to step aboard th' bleedin' hooker _Starbuck_ theday he ware ready for sea. Thin he jest stood out--an'--an'--well, afterthey'd been out six months th' matter ended as far as Jameson wareconcerned. 

"Jameson took the news hard whin he got th' run av th' beach, but he wasthat kindly disposed chap an' went along th' best he could until th' warbroke out. He ware still waitin' at Valparaiso whin they drafted himinto the Dago army, an' he was lucky enough to be on th' side what gotlicked. Then there ware no use waitin' there fer th' _Starbuck_ to comein again, so he made a slant for Peru as they niver took no pris'ners. Two weeks afterwards Andrews came in again fer nitrates wid Garnett an'O'Toole fer mates--"

"Lucky fer Andrews he wasn't there, " said the bos'n; "he'd have had hisornery hide shot full of holes. "

"What's th' use av ye talking like a fool?" said Chips. "Is shootin' up afeller a-goin' to undo a wrong like that? Th' shootin' was all done onth' other side, an' Andrews is sound yet an' aboard this here ship. Somemen think av other things besides revenge. Especially kind-heartedfellers like Jameson what niver cud hurt no one. As soon as some avJameson's friends who knew of th' affair told his wife, she wint rightinto th' cabin where Andrews was, an' afore he knew what she ware up to, she had shot herself. Andrews paid her funeral expenses, an' buried herin th' little Dago cemetery out forninst th' city gate. An' thin Garnett, who didn't know av his skipper's diviltry, sware vengeance on th' husbandwho deserted her, fer she ware gentil and kind wid th' men forrads. "

Here Chips paused and gave me a sidelong look as he refilled his pipe. Then he lit it and smiled hopefully. 

"They ware a quare pair, them mates, Garnett an' O'Toole, " he said. "Whatone wasn't th' other was, and _wice wersa_. They lay there two monthsloadin' on account o' th' war having blocked th' nitrate beds. 

"Wan day O'Toole saw an old woman come limpin' along th' dock where th'_Starbuck_ lay. She hobbled on to th' gang-plank an' started aboard, an'O'Toole began to chaff Garnett. He waren't half bad as a joker. 

"''Pon me whurd, Garnett, ' sez he, 'I do belave your own mother is comin'aboard to visit ye--but no, maybe it's yer swateheart, fer ye have anuncommon quare taste, ye know. B' th' saints, ye ware always a bold onefer th' ladies. '

"We ware lying in th' next berth, not twenty feet away, an' from where Isat on th' rail I cud hear thim talk an' see what was a-goin' on. 

"'Stave me, ' says old Garnett, solemn like, 'that's true enough. Sink herfer a fool, though, to be a-comin' down here to win back an oldwindjammer like me--What? ye mean that old hag driftin' along the deck?Blast you for a red-headed shell-back, d'ye s'pose I'd take up wid wimmenav your choice? No, I never makes a superior officer jealous;' an' widthat he takes out his rag an' mops th' dent in th' top av his head wherethere's no hair nor nothin' but grease, an' he draws out his littlepestiverous vial av peppermint salts an' sniffs. 

"'Faith, an' ye'll need to clear yer old head, ye owld raskil, ye've beentoo gay fer onct, ' says O'Toole. 

"She ware a tough-lookin' old gal, an' her hat brim flopped over herface. O'Toole met her an' pointed to Garnett. 

"'If it's th' leddy-killer av th' fleet ye're afther, there he Stan's. '

"Th' old woman looked an' stopped. 

"'No, ' says she, in a sort o' jangled tone, 'eets my little gal I looksfer--she's aboard here wid th' capt'in, '

"'Ye can't see her, ' says Garnett, 'an' ye better get ashore afore Icalls one av thim Dago soldiers to carry ye off an' marry ye. '

"I cud jest get th' glint av th' old woman's eyes, then she bent herhead lower. 

"'E--eets my leetle gal I must see, ' an' there was somethin' in her voicethat made one pay attention, 'twas so deep an' solemn like. I warelistening an' a few soldiers av th' army what was camped in th' town cameup an' stopped an' looked on. 

"'She ware a good leetle gal--an' I cared for her--Yes, by God, she warea good gal, ' said th' old one, hoarsely. 

"I cud see O'Toole turn away his head an' Garnett sniff hard at his vial. 'Twas good, he used to say, fer things in th' head. Thin he turned to th'old woman. 

"'Ye better get ashore, old gal, she ain't aboard here. We don't takethim kind on deep water. '

"'I must see her afore I goes, ' says th' old woman, an' her voice ware awhisper that died away, but ware so full av force O'Toole turned to her. 

"'Was it Mrs. Jameson ye wished to see?' he asked. 

"The old woman nodded. 

"'Well--er--faith, an' she--er, ' an' thin he stopped to look at Garnett. 

"'She had an accident, by yer lave, 'bout a month ago. How was it yeniver hearn tell? Waren't ye here whin th' old man brought her ashore?'

"'I come from 'Frisco, ' says she. 

"'Well, I s'pose ye might as well know now as niver, ' O'Toole blurtedout; 'she's dead, owld woman. Been dead a month gone. Th' old man buriedher dacent like, fer, as ye say, she ware a rale good gal, 'pon me whurd, fer a fact, she ware that. 'Tis hard to tell ye, but it's th' truth, th'whole truth, an' divil a bit besides. '

"While he talked th' old woman's head went lower, and whin he finished, she gave a hard gasp. Thin she stood huddled forninst th' deck-house, an'Garnett started forward to th' men at work stevin' th' last av th' cargo. 

"All av a sudden like I saw her raise her face an' spit a button from hermouth. Her eyes ware starin' an' lookin' at th' hill away off t' th'eastward av th' town an' beyant to th' great southern mountings av th'Andes range. Thin she slowly straightened up an' walked wid a firm stepalong th' deck an' th' gang-plank. 

"Th' soldier men made way for her on th' dock, but she looked straightbeyant her nose an' held her way firm an' strong until she went out avsight, lavin' O'Toole starin' after her. 

"''Pon me whurd, Garnett, ' he called, ''tis a most wonderfulthing, look!'

"''Tis a mother's love, ye haythen; 'pon me whurd, there's nothin' elselike it. See how th' news affected th' poor old crayther. It puts me inmind av the time whin I had an old leddy t' look after me. 'Tis a ralejewil av a thing, an' a man only has it th' onct. '

"'More's th' pity, ' says Garnett. 'Sink ye, but ye sure are a tough oneto tell th' old gal on so short notice. But ye niver did have nofeelin's, ye bloomin' heathen. '

"''Pon me sowl, what cud I do else?'

"'O' course, 'tain't likely a rough feller like you could do any better, but whin any wimmen folks come aboard agin, come to a man as is used tothim. A man as can talk an' act in a way they likes. A man wid some waysto him. A man--' Here he stooped an' picked up th' button th' old galhad dropped. 

"'Where did this come from?' he asked. 

"'She had it in her mouth, ' says O'Toole. 

"'Well, it's one av th' buttons off a uniform that ain't healthy to bewearin' around these parts just now. ' An' then they both looked hard atth' little thing. 

"'D'ye s'pose it cud have been?' asked O'Toole. 

"'Been what?' says Garnett. 

"'Jameson, ye blatherin' ijiot. Jameson, th' same as left his wife, a-comin' here huntin' for her. 'Twas so, fer a fact. He had it in hismouth to kape us from knowin' his voice, an' by th' same tokin, I callsto mind th' chokin' in his throat, the scand'lous owld woman he was. '

"'Stave me, but ye might have been right for onct in yer life, so bear ahand an' let's stand away after him an' ketch th' old leddy an' see, 'says Garnett. 

"They started off without listenin' to my hail, so I climbed down to th'dock an' follows. It was evenin' now, an' th' street was crowded, butthey pushed along ahead av me. 

"Ye see it ware Jameson, sure enough, an whin he heard his wife waredead, he wint up that street like a man in a dream. He forgot all abouthis dress, an' his face ware hard set like a man thinkin' over th' past. He had some five minutes' start av th' mates, an' whin a poor beggarwoman spoke to him he scared her half to death with his voice when heasked her th' way to th' cemetery. Thin he remembered his disguise, stepped into a doorway, pulled off th' dress an' hat an' flung thim toth' old beggar woman, an' went his way. 

"Garnett an' O'Toole came along a few minutes later an' saw th' beggar. 

"'There he is. That's him, ' sung out the old sailor, pintin' to th' oldgal walkin' along wid her rags tied in a bundle tucked under her arm, fershe had made shift to change thim fer Jameson's slops. 

"''Pon me whurd, ye're right fer onct agin, ' says O'Toole. 

"'Well, don't go a-spoilin' th' thing this time. Let me sail inter him, an' if I wants yer, I'll sing out, an' ye can bear a hand an' help. 'Garnett swung across th' street to overhaul th' old woman, an' came upbehind her. 

"'Evenin', old lady, I wants to have a talk wid ye;' an' he lays his handon her shoulder wid a grip to take a piece av flesh out. She stopped an'turned quick. 

"'_Caramba_!' she yells; 'I teach ye to insult a dacent old lady, youYankee dog. Help! Murder! ye bloody raskil! Help, help!' Thin she wareupon him like a wild cat, a clawin' an' bitin', screechin' and yellin'. 

"'Sink you for a bloody scoundrel, Jameson, I knows ye, ' roared Garnett. 'Larry, there, bear a hand. I have him. '

"'Hold him thin, ye brave man, ' sings out O'Toole, comin' up. 'Go it, owld gal, give it to him. 'Tis a leddy-killer he is fer sure, 'pon mewhurd, fer a fact. Claw him, bite him, even though he's as tough asnails. Yell him deaf, owld leddy. Do it fer his mether's sake, th'scand'lous owld rake he is. Get his year in yer teeth an' hold on, fer'tis a leddy-killer ye have in yer hands at last. Whang his hide off!Whang him! Whang him!' An' I thought th' old raskil would die av laffin'. 

"We ware crowdin' around thim to see th' fun, an' th' way that old galwhanged an' lammed, an' lammed an' whanged, wud have brung tears to yereyes. 'Twas too much fer human natur' to stan', an' so away goes Garnettdown th' street as fast as his bow-legs can git him over th' beach, widhis sheets slacked off a-runnin' free, an' likewise, b' th' same tokin, away squares th' old leddy wid her skysails set an' everythin' drawin''cept her skirts, which she holds b' th' clews an' bunts. 

"'After him! Catch th' blackguard!' bawls O'Toole, rolling on th'pavement, laffin' an' bawlin'. 

"That old beggar was clipper built, fer sure, for wid her skirts clewedup she ware bearin' down fast on th' old mate an' kept his bow-legsa-lurchin' afore th' crowd a-comin' along in th' wake a-yellin' an'hootin' like mad. A man jumped out to stop him, but I knowed Garnettwould niver stop this side o' th' gangway av his ship, an' sure 'nuff, out flashes his hand an? th' Dago rolls over an' over. They yelled harderthan ever, an' Garnett had to shake out another reef afore he could maketh' gang-plank, an' get aboard. He managed to get below jest as somesoldiers rushed up. Th' noise brought Andrews on deck in time to get mento keep th' crowd off his ship, an' thin O'Toole comes up. 

"'What's th' row?' he bawls to th' mate, but O'Toole ware laffin' so hecouldn't spake a whurd. Finally he got it out. 

"'Faith, 'tis th' leddy-killer av th' fleet, Garnett, at his owld game, 'sez he. ''Pon me whurd, 'tis a hangin' matter this time, fer th' damagehe's done th' sex. He ware--' but he bruk down afore he could finish. 

"'Twas five minits afore he could tell what had happened, th' old galcussin' an' swearin' an' th' crowd a-hootin' an' jeerin', but finally th'skipper got some soldiers to carry th' old gal away. Thin out comesGarnett on th' main deck a-smellin' av his little vial, but avoidin' avth' skipper's eye. 

"'What th' devil did ye mean?' asked Andrews; 'did ye take her to beJameson in disguise?'

"''Pon me whurd, ' says O'Toole, 'th' first wan that comes aboard was noother--an' this one looked enough like him from a stern view. 'Tis a badtrade, though, this killin' av leddies. ' An' he leered so at Garnett heswore horrible an' went forrads. 

"I ware standin' close enough to catch th' glint in Andrews' eye whinthis ware said, but he took no notice an' went ashore, an' as I followedafter him he was thinkin' hard. "

Here Chips spat quietly into the corner, fingered his pipe, and rammedthe ash down. Then he looked up at the light, and a differentexpression came upon him. The bos'n's smile died away, and all satlistening for the finish. Far forward sounded the cries of men dressingdown the head sheets. 

"I hadn't much to do, " continued Chips, softly, "so I walked on an' sawhim stop at a flower stand an' buy a bunch av roses. I wint across to th'cemetery where th' trees are good to look at an' th' grass is green asth' sea nigh th' States. I hadn't gone far whin I sees a man standin'nigh a grave wid another man lyin' on it. I couldn't tell who th' menware till I came close, fer 'twas now gettin' dark. Thin when Andrewsstooped an' lifted th' head av th' one lyin' down, I saw them both plainenough. Jameson's head made me feel sick wid th' horror av it. Whin Ispoke, Andrews let th' poor fellow sink back again, an' as I stoodalongside I saw th' flowers th' skipper had bought lyin' on th' gravenigh th' hand av poor Jameson, which still held his pistil. Th' old mansaid nothin', but there ware a hard look in his eyes as I saw him lookin'at th' tops av th' big Chilean mountings where th' sunken sun made them abloody red. He ware thinkin' hard, an' seemed to be watchin' a flock avvultures a-comin' over th' range, stringin' out in a long line av blackspecks. Thin all av a sudden he stooped an' picked up the flowers an'placed thim gentle like on th' head av the grave--'twas the only gentilthing I iver knew him to do--an' thin walked away without a word. That'sth' last I saw av him until I shipped aboard here, for he cleared fromValparaiso th' next day. "

"An' this is the beggar we're taking back to the States to be skipper ofsome American ship, maybe this same one, if he gets clear of the killingof his quartermaster off Melbourne, " said the bos'n. 

"An' that's the reason, by your leave, Mr. Rolling, " said Jim, "I sayit's best to go back again and deliver this man up to the properauthorities. "

"As far as I'm concerned, " I answered, "I would just as soon see him safewhere the wind won't annoy him; but I'm not the skipper, and if you wantto get any satisfaction you'll have to go aft. "

"We did, " said the bos'n; "we asked the old man, but he wouldn't hear ofit, and Trunnell is with him. "

"Trunnell is with him because he thinks it right, " said Jim, with ashrewd look at me; "but if you were to try to persuade him, I believe hewould come around all right. "

"Why fo' not put him abo'ad the English ship, sah, " put in the "doctor. ""I votes we ax the ole man to put 'im abo'ad her. "

All were agreeable to this proposition and decided to go aft the firstthing in the morning watch. Jim stuck out for going back. 

"If you were to go with us, Mr. Rolling, we might persuadeTrunnell, " said he. 

"It's no use, he never would--" Before we could continue the discussionfurther the bells struck out loudly, and the bos'n and I went on deck forour watch. 

It was a fine, clear night, and I was glad to get the course from themate and walk fore and aft on the weather side of the poop to enjoy it. 

X

The morning dawned calm and beautiful. The heavy, oily swell, which stillran from the effects of the blow, moved in long, smooth humps upon thesea. Far to the eastward the light of the rising sun tinted the cirrusclouds above with a rosy hue. 

I was quite tired from the effects of the gale, and the morning watch isalways a cheerless one. The steward had coffee ready, however, and aftera good drink I felt better, and got out the glass to see if I could makeout the _Sovereign_. We had been drifting all night, so that in themid-watch Trunnell wore ship and stood up for her to keep in sight. Thereshe lay, about three miles away off our port beam. Her topsail was theonly canvas she had set, and she was so low in the water that I could notsee her deck amidships at that distance. All except a little of her highpoop appeared to be under, or so low that it was invisible. I wonderedwhy her captain had not put off sooner, and I knew that as soon asThompson came on deck he would be in a fury at his having waited so long. There was not a breath of air now, so we were certain to be in companyfor several hours at least. 

While I looked over the expanse of heaving ocean I saw a black spotbetween the ships. In a moment I made out a boat rising and falling, propelled by four oars, and headed for us. Sometimes she would disappearbehind a high lump of sea and then she would be on top, and I made outshe was coming along right handily. 

As she drew nearer I made her out to be full of men. She came up underour mizzen channels and hailed. Half the watch was bending over the sidelooking at her, and one man threw a line. This was seized, and the nextmoment her crew came clambering over the rail. 

Jenks, the old sailor who had come over in the boat with me the daybefore, was on deck to receive his shipmates. The old fellow's facewrinkled with amusement at the sight of his worn-out countrymen until itlooked like the slack of a bellows. There was an unholy twinkle in hiseye as he greeted them. 

On the boarding of the officer of the boat, a tall Englishman who was theship's mate, the man Jenks stopped his pleasantry at the tired crew'sexpense, but it was too late. He was ordered into the boat, with threeother men who were fresh, to be sent away for the remaining men on theship. Then the officer mounted the poop just as Captain Thompson emergedfrom below. 

The officer bowed and touched his hat deferentially, but the skipperstood looking at him out of his glinting eyes, while his nose workedand twitched. 

"Don't seem to be in much of a hurry, hey?" said our captain, withhis drawl. 

"We've been working steadily all night at the pumps, sir, hopin' tokeep her afloat, sir. The old man--I beg pardon, Captain Sackett, --saysas he'll not abandon her while she swims. The rest of us havepermission to go, sir. "

"Is her cargo of any particular value, then?"

"Yes, sir. It's palm oil and valuable woods. There's eight hundredbarrels of palm oil in her, and the captain's got his all--every cent hehas in the world. He won't leave her. "

"Do you know what you resemble, hey?" said our skipper, dryly. 

"I do not, sir. "

"Well, I don't want to hurt the feelings of a poor, shipwrecked sailor, nor insinuate nothing sech as no gentleman ought. No, sirree. You are myguest aboard here, and damned welcome to you. At the same time, if I waretelling anybody as to what kind of a fellow you was, I shouldsay, --yessir, after thinking the matter over carefully, and taking allpoints into consideration, --I might say that I thought ye an all-aroundwhite-livered, cowardly cuss, an' that's a fact. "

The English mate turned red. He started to say something, and thenchecked himself. Finally he blurted out:--

"I've heard tell of some Yankee skippers who've given a bad name to yourinfernal shipping, an' I reckon I've run up against one. But no fear! Irecognize you as our saviour, an' won't say a word, sir. The retortcourteous, as the saying is, would be a crack on the jaw of such afellow, but I don't say as I'll do it, sir. There's some fellows as needsrippin' up the back, but you bein' captain of this here ship, I won't saywho they is, sir. No, sir, I won't say who they is, or nothin'. I justask that I be sent back aboard the _Sovereign_. The boat ain't gone yet, and, by the Lord, I'll drown before I get into a ship like this. "

"Well, by hookey, you won't, then, " snarled the captain; "you'll stayaboard this boat. A man that's born to be hung mustn't be drowned. Hey, there, Rolling, " he bawled, looking forward to where I stood, "get outthe boat and go with those fellows. Get all the rest afeard to stayaboard, and come back. We won't stay here all day waiting for a lot offellows too afeard to know what they want. "

The noise of the talking brought a female figure to the combings of thecompanionway, and as the skipper finished, Miss Sackett stood on deck. 

The mate of the _Sovereign_ greeted her, and told of her father'sdetermination to stay aboard his ship with three men who desired thechance to make heavy salvage. He didn't suppose any of the crew ofthe _Pirate_ cared to take chances, but if they did, he would letthem. He said he could work the wreck into some port, probably CapeTown, and save her. 

"But he will surely be lost, " cried Miss Sackett. "I shall go to himmyself and persuade him not to do this foolish thing. You will let me goin one of the boats, won't you, Captain Thompson?" she cried, turning toour skipper. 

Thompson was sour, but he admired nerve. The fact of the Englishmanstaying alone aboard his wrecked ship appealed to him where nothingelse would. 

"My dear madam, " said he, with his drawl, "you shall certainly do jestwhat you want to while I'm captain of this boat. But I wouldn't persuadeyour father to do anything against his will. How could a sensible fellowrefuse you anything, hey?"

The young girl overlooked his insolence, and smiled her satisfaction. Shecame forward to where the first boat was getting ready to shove off. Themen in her were sullen and ugly, for they had not had their breakfast, and the row would be a long one. The old sailor, Jenks, with his popeyes, and face like the slack of a bellows, scowled sourly. At thismoment our third officer came on deck and to the lady's side. I was justabout to ask her to wait and go in my boat when I heard the shrill tonesof our Mr. Bell. 

"Clear that boat, and stand by to pass this lady aboard, " said he, withsome show of authority, and a clever nautical style. "Allow me?" hecontinued, as he offered her his arm at the ladder. 

His shrill voice caused a smile of wonder and amusement among thestrangers, but as they knew their own skipper's daughter, they saidnothing besides a few remarks among themselves. 

"Won't you wait and have breakfast before you go, " he asked her, as shereached the top of the rail; but she refused, and decided that herfather's strange whim to stay aboard his sinking ship deserved firstconsideration. 

"In that case I shall have to go along also, for you may be very muchexhausted before getting back. "

Just what good he could do in such a case he did not stop to explain, butclimbed over the side, and after lowering her aboard, took his placebeside her in the stern sheets. Then he gave orders to get clear, and theboat shot away, while I made shift to get my men something to eat beforetaking the long pull. 

In fifteen minutes we were ready to start. Chips wanted to go along tosee if anything could be done to help stop the leak in case CaptainSackett still insisted staying aboard. Johnson, the little sailor withthe thin legs set wide apart, showing daylight between clear to hiswaist, Hans, the heavy-shouldered Swede, and Phillippi, a squat Dago, made up the rest of the boat's crew. Trunnell had come on deck while wewere eating from the mess-kids, and met the skipper on the poop, where hestopped to talk over some important matter. This importance appeared toincrease in a moment, for the skipper swore harshly and pointed forwardjust as my men were coming aft to go over the side. 

"Rolling, " he cried, "hold on with that boat a minute, and lay aft here, "I came to the edge of the poop. 

"Get that ruffian Andrews ready and put him aboard the _Sovereign_. Themen here are tired of his ways, and fair exchange is no robbery. We'lltake their men, they'll take one of ours, hey? Do you rise to that?"

I understood. The men had made it apparent they did not wish to have thefellow aboard since he persisted in his murderous ways. The skipper hadbeen importuned by Jim to turn back and put him ashore. This he would notthink of doing, but to propitiate them he had struck upon this new methodof getting rid of his charge. 

I called Jim, the young landsman, to lend a hand getting the fellowready. Andrews cursed us all around and demanded to know what we weregoing to do with him. No attention was paid to him, however, and he wasbundled into the boat, handcuffed, with his legs free. 

"Tell Captain Sackett I say he's welcome to him, " drawled out Thompson, over the poop rail. "Good luck to you, Andrews, " he continued; "you'llhave a pleasant voyage with no enemies to rip and cut. So long!"

This drew forth a volley of oaths from Andrews, but the skipper smiled, and we were soon out of earshot. 

"What do you make of the weather, sir?" asked Jim, who pulled stroke oar. I looked over the smooth, heaving surface of the quiet ocean, and therewas not the first sign of a breeze anywhere. The sun was partly obscuredin a thick haze which seemed to come from everywhere and fill the entireatmosphere. The first boat was almost aboard the wreck, and we could seeher looking like a black speck in the distance. 

"It looks as though it might come on thick, " I answered Jim, "butthere's no danger of our parting company with the _Pirate_ yet. Thereisn't enough wind to move her a knot an hour. "

It was a long, hard pull to the _Sovereign_ and when we arrived hercaptain was on deck with his daughter. She had finished trying topersuade him to leave his fortune, and stood near our third officer, who was ready to start back with the remainder of the crew. All butfour men had insisted on leaving. These were the steward, twoquartermasters, and a sailor. 

"If there is any valuable stuff in the way of currency or spices, you canturn them over to me, and our captain will give you his receipt forthem, " I said, as I came over the side. 

The little Englishman looked slowly up and down my six feet and more oflength as I stood on the rail, and I fancied he smiled slightly. He wasa florid-faced, bearded man, with clear blue eyes which had no sign offear in them. 

"I reckon we'll risk taking in what we have, " said he; "at the same timeI want to thank your captain for standing by and taking the men he hasalready. You don't think he could spare a few volunteers to help me in, do you? I'll give a hundred pounds to every man who'll stand by and runthe risk. "

"Well, " I stammered, "I'm second mate myself, and therefore can't verywell leave; but he's sent you one extra hand. The fellow is a good enoughsailor, but he's in irons for fighting. He wants you to take him inexchange for the men you've sent. "

The florid face of the English captain grew redder. His blue eyesseemed to draw to small points that pricked my inner consciousness. Isuppose I showed some of my embarrassment, for he spoke in a gentlertone than I expected. 

"Sir. I keep no one in peril against his wish. Neither do I run aconvict ship. You may take your desperado back to your captain withthe compliments of Captain Sackett, once of Her Majesty's NavalReserve, and tell him the laws of his country are sufficient to dealwith all persons. "

"If I did, " I answered, "you would have your men forced back into yourwrecked vessel. " And I pointed to the main deck, upon which the searolled and swashed in little foamy waves through the side ports, whichwere now below the heave of the swell. She was clear under amidships, andonly the topgallant forecastle and poop were out of water, which was nownearly level with the floor in the after cabin. Everything showed wreckand ruin, from the splintered spars and tangled rigging to theyellow-white gaps in her bulwarks where the masts had crashed through. 

"The will of the Lord is not to be set aside, " he went on, with solemnand pious cheerfulness. "I would not risk so many lives for a man inirons. If, however, he will recognize the laws of the Almighty, I shallturn him adrift and trust that my mercy will not meet with ingratitude. You had better get my men ready, and if you can, take the trunks andcabin fixings in a boat. They might come to wrong here. My daughter willshow where the things are I should like saved. As for myself, I shallstay where duty calls me, and will take this ship into some port and saveher cargo, or go down in her. If I lose her, I lose my all, and with awife and family I had better be gone with it. The Lord will temper thewind to the shorn lambs. "

I called to Hans and Johnson to pass up the prisoner, and he soon stoodon the _Sovereign's_ poop, where he glared around him and made someinaudible remarks. The third mate, who stood near by, was about to speakto him when Captain Sackett stepped forward. 

"My man, " said he, "your captain has asked me to keep you here and helpme work this ship in. You've been a master yourself, they tell me, soyou will appreciate my difficulty. The Lord, however, always helpsthose who help themselves, and with his help we will land this vesselsafe in port. "

Andrews looked at the stout skipper sourly for a moment. Then he gave adeep snort and spat vulgarly upon the deck at his host's feet. 

"What kind o' damn fool have I run up ag'in now, hey?" he mused in a lowtone, as though speaking to himself, while he looked the skipper over. "Am I dreamin', or do I eternally run up ag'in nautical loonatic asylums?That's the question. "

"My dear fellow, you don't seem to relish the fact that you must serveaboard here, " said Sackett. "There's nothing irrational in trying to savea vessel when it's your plain duty to do so. The Lord sometimes dismastsus to try us. We must not give up our duty because we have hardships toencounter. Your captain cannot take care of so many people, probably, andwishes you to stay here with me. If you will pass your word to do yourshare of the work, as I believe you will, I shall cast off those ironsthis instant and put you second in command. There will then be five ofus, all able-bodied men, to get her in to the Cape. "

"Of all the slumgullion I ever had stick in my craw, this beats me, "observed the prisoner, in his even tone, without taking his eyes offSackett. "I pass my word, an' you turn me loose to do my duty. Well--say, old man, can you tell me of a miracle you reads out o' your Bible? Iwants to make a comparison. " Here he gave a loud snort and grinned. "There's an old sayin' that any port is good in a storm, " he went on, "an' likewise any ship in a calm. I rise to it, old man. I'll be yourmate; for, if things ain't all gone wrong, I'll sail straight interHeaven with ye. Cast me loose. "

"It shall be done at once, " said Sackett. "I shall request, sir, " saidhe, turning to me, "that the irons be stricken off your man. "

I told Chips to go ahead and cut them, and then followed Miss Sackett andthe third mate below, to get what belongings they wanted sent aboard the_Pirate_ to be kept clear of water. 

"It's a pity papa will do this absurd thing, " said Miss Sackett, impetuously, as she landed upon the cabin deck. I was following closebehind her on the companion and hastened to cheer her. 

"There's not much danger, " I said; "for the vessel can't possibly sinkwith all the oil and wood in her. He will probably bring her in all rightand save many thousands of dollars. Maybe the carpenter can find the leakand plug it. In that case she'll be as sound as a dollar and safe as ahouse, when they get her pumped. "

"I don't know about it, " she answered; "I feel that papa is going to hisdeath, and I know that if mamma finds out he won't leave, she'll comeback aboard. Here is one trunk. That chest under the berth is to go also. I'll get what clothes I can gather up, and bring them along in a bundle. Goodness! hear the water slapping about under the deck; it is perfectlydreadful to think of any one staying aboard a ship half sunk like this. "

The steward, a very clever-looking young man with a brown mustache, helped us get the things on deck, where they were taken in charge by therest of the men, seven in number, who were going with us. 

While we were below, Chips, after cutting Andrews adrift, tried to findout where the leak was located. The vessel's hold was so full of water, however, that he gave up the search. Only a survey of her bilge outsidewould help clear up matters, and allow work upon it. 

Captain Sackett had taken an observation and had figured himself out tobe within six hundred miles of Cape Town. He was very thankful for ourkindness and stood near by, wishing us all kinds of good luck, while thethings were being lowered over the ship's low side. In a few minutes allhands were called to get into the _Pirate's_ boat, the one of the_Sovereign_ being left for the safety of those on board. Miss Sacketttook a tearful farewell of her father, and was placed aft. Then we shovedoff, and were soon leaving the half-sunken ship astern. 

"Cap'n, " said Jenks, who sat aft near me, "what d'ye make o' that?"

He pointed to a white bank of vapor which had rolled up from thesouthward, and suddenly enveloped the _Sovereign_ while we were still twocable lengths distant. I looked and saw the white mist, which we had notnoticed before to be so dense, rolling in long white clouds upon the calmsurface of the ocean. In a moment it had enveloped us, and all around uswas a white wall, the _Pirate_ disappearing ahead. The swell alsoappeared to be getting a cross roll to it, and a light air now blew inour faces. 

I made no answer to the leather-faced sailor, but tried to keep theboat's head before a heavier roll of the sea, and the wake as much like astraight line as possible. There was no compass in the craft, and itwould take some nice guesswork to find a ship three miles away. 

XI

We went along in silence for some time, the fog seeming to fall like apall upon the spirits of the men. The wash of the oars and the gurgle ofthe bow-wave were the only sounds that were audible. After half an hourof this I arose and sent a hail through the bank of mist, which I thoughtwould reach a vessel within half a mile. There was no sound of an answer, the dank vapor appearing to deaden my hail and swallow up all noise ashort distance beyond the boat. It was uncanny to feel how weak that yellappeared. I saw Jim looking at me with a strange light in his eyes asthough he felt danger in the air. 

After an hour more of it, the faces of the men plainly showed theiranxiety. Phillippi, the Dago, was chewing the corner of his dankmustache, and his eyes wandered aft and then forward. Jenks, with hislarge wrinkled face gray with the vapor, sat staring ahead, straining hisears for the slightest sound that would locate the vessel. I put bothhands to my mouth again, and strained away my hardest. There was noresponse, the sound falling flat and dull in the wall of mist. Then Iknew we were in danger, and gave the order to stop rowing. 

The silence around us was now oppressive. We were all waiting to hearsome sound that would locate either one or the other of the vessels. Thebreeze carried the masses of vapor in cool spurts into our faces, and Ifelt sure the _Pirate_ would soon change her bearings under itsinfluence. We had been running away from the main heave of the sea, as Isupposed, but now there appeared to be a sidelong motion running with theswell and at an angle to its general direction. 

"'Tis no manner av use tryin' to keep along as we are, d'ye think so?"suggested Chips. "We must have passed her. "

I hailed again, and after waiting for an answer, headed the boat aroundin the hope that we had overreached the ship, and would come withinhailing distance on our way back. The order was given to pull veryeasily, and listen for sounds. 

"This is most disgusting, " said Miss Sackett. "I'm as hungry as a bear, and here we'll be out for the Lord only knows how long. I think you mighthave seen to it that I had some breakfast. " And she looked at Mr. Bell, our third officer. 

"There's water under the stern sheets, " suggested that officer, meekly. But the young lady gave a pretty pout, and shrugged her shoulders. 

In a little while we stopped again and hailed loudly. The only sound inanswer was the low hiss of a sea, which had begun to make with thebreeze, and which broke softly ahead. 

Suddenly we heard the distant clang of a ship's bell. It sounded far awayto starboard. 

"Give way, bullies, strong, " I cried, and the next instant we wereheading toward it. Then it died away, and we heard it no more. 

After ten minutes' pull, we stopped again, for fear of overreaching ourmark. We hailed and got no answer. Then we rowed slowly along, listeningin the hope they would ring again. In a little while we lay drifting, andall hands strained their ears for sound. 

Suddenly something alongside gave a loud snort. I started up, and themen turned their faces forward. A deeper shadow seemed to hang over us, and the breeze died away. Then the snort was repeated, and a voicespoke forth:--

"Of all the damned fools I ever see, that second mate stands way ahead. Now I onct thought Trunnell didn't know nothin', but that young whelp isa pizenous fool, an' must be ripped up the back. Sackett, old man, yourdaughter can't leave ye. Here she be alongside with them boatmen agin. "

The voice was drawling and not loud, but I recognized it fast enough. 

In an instant the boat's bow struck the side of the _Sovereign_, andwe saw Andrews leaning over the rail near us, looking down with asour smile. 

There was nothing to do but go aboard, for we had nothing to eat in thesmall boat, and the danger of getting lost entirely was too great to makeanother attempt to get back to the _Pirate_ while the fog lasted. 

Miss Sackett was helped over the rail by her father, who came upimmediately, and the rest scrambled over with some choice English oathsas they commented upon their luck. Andrews gave me a queer look as Iclimbed past him, and for an instant I was ready to spring upon him. Buthe gave a snort of disgust and turned away. 

Chips, Jim, and the others of our crew came aboard, and the small boatwas dropped astern where she towed easily, the breeze just giving thesunken ship steering way under the storm topsail. 

The beef barrels were in no way injured by their immersion in salt water, so Captain Sackett gave the steward orders to prepare a meal for allhands upon the cabin stove. Salt junk and tinned fruits were served foreverybody who cared to eat them, and afterward all hands felt better. Theship's water-tanks were full of good water, and as she listedconsiderably to starboard under the gentle breeze, owing to herwater-logged condition, the port tank was accessible from the deck pipe. 

I had enough to eat before coming out, and the predicament we were in didnot tend to strengthen my appetite. I, however, made out to sit down atthe cabin table with Captain Sackett, Andrews, who was now his mate, andour third officer. Miss Sackett joined us, and we fell to. 

No sooner had Andrews started to shovel in the good junk, and Mr. Bellthe fruit, than Sackett arose from the table and looked severely downupon them. Fortunately, my satisfied appetite had prevented anyunnecessary hurry to eat on my part, for our new skipper frowned heavily. 

"I wish to give thanks, O Lord, " said he, raising his eyes toward theskylight and dropping his voice into a dignified tone, "for thy kindmercy in delivering us from the perils of the deep. Make us duly thankfulfor thy mercy and for the food thou hast seen fit to place before us. "

"Amen, " sounded a gruff voice beside me. 

I looked at Andrews, but he appeared to pay no attention whatever to whatwas transpiring. Then I turned to Sackett to see if he had taken offence. 

The stout, ruddy-faced skipper seemed to be changed to stone for aninstant, and his fixed glare was full upon Andrews. 

The ruffian appeared to enjoy the situation, for he gave a fierce snortand turned his face to the skipper. 

"No offence, old man, sit down and eat your grub. There's no use workingup unchristian-like feeling between us simply because I'm not going tolet any damn foolishness stand between me and my vittles. Eat while yemay, says I, and God bless you for a kind-hearted, gentle skipper. Yousays yourself that the Lord helps them as helps themselves, which goes toshow I'll just make a stab for another piece o' that junk before someother son of a gun runs afoul of it an' helps himself. Which would begoin', o' course, agin the will o' the Lord. "

Sackett hardly breathed. His face turned purple with rage. Andrews tookno notice of him save to draw a revolver from his pocket and place it onthe table beside his plate. 

"Sit down and eat, papa, " said Miss Sackett, who was at his right hand, and as she did so she placed her hand upon his shoulder. 

The touch of his daughter's hand seemed to bring the skipper back to hissenses, or rather seemed to enable him to thrust his present feelingsaside for her sake. He sat down and stared at Andrews for fully a minute, while that ruffian ate and winked ofttimes at Mr. Bell. Once in a whilehe would give a loud snort and hold his face upward for an instant. Thena sour smile would play around his ugly mouth as though he enjoyed hishumor intensely. The third officer frowned severely at him several times, and then asked in his silly voice if he would please behave himself. 

The effect was altogether too ludicrous to be borne. Miss Sackettsmiled in spite of herself and I almost laughed outright. Then, feelingsorry for my host, I began to eat as an excuse to hide my feelings. Sackett ate little, and in silence. When he was through, he arose andleft for the deck, leaving the rest of us at the table. Miss Sackettfollowed him quickly, as though she instinctively felt what mighthappen if she remained. 

I sat there looking at Andrews for some moments. He raised his headseveral times and gave forth his peculiar snort, smiling at Mr. Bell. "Young fellow, " said he, slowly, "we've had a turn or two, an' nothin'much has come of it. Let's shake an' call it square. " And he held out hishand toward me. 

"I suppose you really had some cause to lose your temper, " I answered, "the day I hailed you from the poop, because you were used to commandingthere. I've heard many unpleasant things about you, Captain Andrews, butif you will let matters pass, I'm willing. I never turned down a man yeton hearsay when he was willing to see me half way. "

Here I took his hard, muscular hand and held it for a moment. He smiledsourly again, but said no more about our fight. 

"Ye see, " he went on, after a moment's pause, "I'm second in commandhere now, and I'll show you no such treatment like what I got aboard the_Pirate_. This gun I has here is only to let a man see his limit aforeit's too late. If I didn't show it, he might go too far, and then--well, I reckon ye know just what might happen, being as Trunnell has told youwhat a gentle, soft-hearted fellow I am. He's a rum little dog, thatfuzzy-headed fellow, Trunnell. Did ye ever see sech arms in anything butan ape? 'Ell an' blazes, he could squeeze a man worse than a ConeyIsland maiden gal. Speakin' of maidens, jest let me hint a minute inregard to the one aboard here. She's a daisy. An out an' out daisy. An'if there's a-goin' to be any love-makin' going on around, I'll do it. Yes, sir, don't take any of my duties upon yourself. I'll do it. I'll doit. Jest remind yourself of that, Mr. Rolling, an' we'll get along fustrate. The old man don't know me yet, but Mr. Bell here--well, Mr. Bellknows a thing or two concernin' captains which'll be worth a heap ofgold to some people. "

The third mate looked at me with his boyish eyes for an instant, and hisruddy cheeks seemed to blush. Then he said softly:--

"What he means is, that you and the rest are only passengers, now. Allthe men from the _Pirate_, you know. There'll be some salvage for thefour who elected to stay aboard this vessel, and if you understand it inthis light, you, Chips, Jim, and the rest are welcome as passengers. Ifyou don't, the boat is at your disposal any time. "

"I see, " I said. "You are also of the party elected to stay with CaptainSackett and draw salvage?"

"That's about the size of it. "

I went on deck, and Chips, Jim, and the men went below to get somethingto eat. Sackett was standing at the break of the poop as I came up, andhis daughter stood beside him. They were evidently in earnestconversation over the scene below, for as I drew near, Miss Sackettturned to me and said with some show of contempt in her voice:--

"Your captain was very kind to send us your volunteer, and we appreciateit, Mr. Rolling. Perhaps the reason he had no more men offer theirservices for a dangerous mission was because he was short of irons. "

"If you mean that American sailors have to be ironed into danger, you aremistaken, " I answered, somewhat nettled. "However, I quite agree with youin regard to this one as an awkward fellow. Better wait and see how heacts in time of danger before condemning him. "

I had not the heart to tell her what a ruffian they had turned loose uponher father. It would do little good, for Sackett had passed his word tomake Andrews second in command, and I knew from what I had seen of thisreligious skipper, that he would keep it at any cost. As for Chips, myself, and the rest of the men, seven of the _Sovereign's_ crew andourselves, we were simply passengers, as Mr. Bell had informed us. We hadno right whatever to take any part in affairs aboard, for the salvagewould fall to those who elected to stay. 

Captain Sackett moved away from me as I stood talking to his daughter andshowed he did not wish to discuss Andrews. He went to the edge of thepoop and stared down on the main deck where the water surged to and frowith the swell. He had a badly wrecked ship under him, and there waslittle time to lose getting her in better condition, for a sudden blowmight start to break her up, or roll the seas over her so badly that noone could live aboard. 

I stood for some minutes talking to the young girl, and when her fatherspoke to me she held out her hand, smiling. "We'll be shipmates now andyou'll have a chance to show what a Yankee sailor can do. I believe inheroes--when they're civil, " she added. 

"Unfortunately for the worshipper of heroes, there is a great deal leftto the goddess Chance, in the picking of them, " I answered. "Admirationfor human beings should not be hysterical. "

"From the little I've seen of men during the six voyages I've made aroundthe world in this ship with papa, your advice is somewhat superfluous, "she said, with the slightest raising of the eyebrows. Then she went aftto the taffrail and stood gazing into the fog astern. 

"Mr. Rolling, " said Sackett, "there's no use of thinking about leavingthe ship while the fog lasts, now. You might have made the _Pirate_ byclose reckoning before, but she must have changed her bearings fully ahalf a dozen points since you started. She's under canvas, and thisbreeze will send her along at least six knots and drift her two with heryards aback. You might as well take hold here and get some of your men tolend a hand. The foremast is still alongside, and we might get a jury rigon her without danger of heeling her on her bilge. She's well loaded, theoil and light stuff on top, so she won't be apt to turn turtle. "

It was as he said. We were all in the same ship, so as to speak, wreckedand water-logged to the southward of the Cape. The best thing to do wasto take it in the right spirit and fall to work without delay, gettingher in as shipshape condition as possible. The fog might last a week, andthe _Pirate_ might get clear across the equator before stopping a secondtime in her course. I knew that even Trunnell would not wait more than afew hours; for if we did not turn up then, it was duff to dog's-belly, asthe saying went, that we wouldn't heave in sight at all. The ocean is alarge place for a small boat to get lost in, and without compass orsextant there would be little chance for her to overhaul a ship standingalong a certain course. 

The dense vapor rolled in cool masses over the wreck, and the gentlebreeze freshened so that the topsail, which still drew fair from theyard, bellied out and strained away taut on a bowline, taking the windfrom almost due north, or dead away from the Cape. The _Sovereign_ shovedthrough it log-wise under the pull, the swell roaring and gurgling alongher sunken channels and through her water ports. She was making not morethan a mile an hour, or hardly as fast as a man could swim, yet on shewent, and as she did so, she was leaving behind our last hope of beingpicked up. 

XII

The first night we spent aboard the hulk was far from convincing us ofher seaworthiness. I had been in--a sailor is never "on board"--two shipsthat had seen fit to leave me above them, but their last throes were nomore trying to the nerves than the ugly rooting of the _Sovereign_ intothe swell during that night. At each roll she appeared to be on the wayto turn her keel toward the sky, and, at a plunge slowly down asea-slope, she made us hold our breaths. Down, down, and under she wouldgouge, the water roaring and seething over sunken decks amidships, andeven pouring over the topgallant rail until it would seem certain she wasmaking her way to the bottom, and I would instinctively start to risefrom the cabin transom to make a break for the deck. Then she wouldfinally stop and take a slow heave to windward, which started a Niagarathundering below the deck, where the cargo was torn loose and sentcrashing about in a whirlpool. 

I once read a description by an English landsman of a shipwreck, and hetold how the water would rest for an instant level with the rail, seemingto pause motionless for a fraction of a second before flowing over andsinking the ship, I lay a long time wondering vaguely at an imaginationthat could make such a description possible, and as a heaving swell wouldstart along the rail at the waist, and go thundering along in a roaringsurf the entire length of the midship section over the edge, fetching upwith a crash against the forward cabin bulkhead, I heartily wished thewriter were aboard to share our sufferings. There was no spoon and teacupbusiness about that ship, and it sometimes seemed as though seven oreight seas were rolling over her rails from all directions at once. 

We were still below the thirty-eighth parallel, and consequently themorning broke early, for it was January and midsummer. I arose from thetransom and went on deck at dawn, and found that the fog had lifted. Andrews met me as I came from below, and gave me a nod as I took in thehorizon line at a glance. 

"I reckon old hook-nose didn't care to wait any longer, " hegrowled sourly. 

I took up the glass from the wheel box, and scanned the line carefully. There was not a thing in sight save the smooth swell, ruffled now bythe slight breeze, and turning a deep blue-gray in the light of theearly morning. The sun rose from a cloudless horizon and shone warmlyupon the wreck. The foam glistened and sparkled in the rosy sunlight, and looking over the rail I could see deep down into the clear depths. The copper on the ship's bilge looked a light gray, and even the tackswere visible. She drifted slowly along with just steering way, and thespar alongside, which the men had tried to get aboard again, made agurgling wake with its heel. 

"What do you make of it, Chips?" I asked, as the carpenter waded out inthe waist and came up the poop ladder. 

"Long cruise an' plenty o' water, that's about th' size av ut, don't yethink, sir?" the carpenter answered. "Trunnell has been took off, fersure. I don't mind stickin' aboard th' bleedin' hooker if there was achanst to get th' salvage; but no fear o' that while Andrews is here. He'll block any argument to divvy up. Seems as we might even get downunder her bilge durin' this spell av weather, an' see where th' leak islocated. 'Tis a butt started, most like. Them English stevedoresgenerally rams th' stuffin' out av a ship in spite av th' marks theyputs on 'em. "

Captain Sackett came from below and joined us. 

"I'd like to get that foremast aboard while it holds calm, " said he; "andif you'll start the men, we'll have it done by noon. The sooner we allwork together, the better. We ought to get sail on forward in less than aweek, and then, with a jury topmast, make enough way to get in while thegrub holds out. "

The steward got breakfast in the after-cabin, and as soon as the men hadeaten they were turned to rigging tackles to hoist the dragging foremastaboard. It was trailing by the lee rigging, which had held, and it hadthumped and pounded along the ship's side to such an extent during theblow that several of her strakes were nearly punched through. It was abeautiful morning, --the blue sky overhead and the calm, blue ocean allaround us. The men worked well, and even the sour ruffian, Andrews, whostood near and took charge of part of the work, --for he was an expertsailor, --seemed to brighten under the sun's influence. Chips went to workat the stump of the foremast, and cut well into it at a point almostlevel with the deck. This he fashioned into a scarf-joint for acorresponding cut in the piece of mast which had gone overboard. Tackleswere rigged from the main-topmast head, and, by a careful bracing withguys forward and at both sides, the wreck of the foremast was slowlyraised aboard. 

The _Sovereign_ forged ahead faster when relieved of this load. On thesecond day, when we had the foremast fished, and the yards, which hadheld to it, safe on deck, ready to be hoisted and slung again, we foundthat the vessel had made over seventy miles to the westward along thethirty-eighth parallel. This was over a mile an hour; but of course someof this drift was due to the edge of the Agullas current, which wassetting somewhat to the southward and westward. 

Andrews had little to say to me or to Chips. In fact, he appeared to besatisfied with his lot now that he seemed sure of getting salvage money. Only Jim, who seemed to have eyes everywhere, distrusted the man, andspoke to me about him. We had now been on the wreck five days, workingand rigging away at the foremast, and the calm, beautiful weather heldwith no signs of a change. Jim was hanging over the side, resting hisfeet on the fore channels while he helped Chips to bolt in a deadeyewhich had been torn out when the mast had gone. The sun was warm andshone brilliantly, and Chips sweated and grunted as he pounded away atthe iron. There were no other men in our immediate vicinity, so afterpounding away in silence for a quarter of an hour, the carpenter spoke. 

"'Tis bloody well we've been treated to get no share av the wreck, whinhere we are sweatin' our brains out wid th' work av refittin', " said he. 

"And what the devil is a few hundred pounds of salvage to me?" growledJim, hot with his exertion. "See here, man! I've left ten thousand behindme on the _Pirate_. "

"And a pious regard fer the truth along wid it, " added Chips, smiting thelug-bolt heavily. 

Jim's face was so serious that I asked what he meant, and with the heatof the work upon him and the absolute hopelessness of ever getting backaboard our ship before his eyes, he spoke out:--

"Did you ever hear of Jackwell, the fellow who cracked the Bank ofSydney?" he asked. 

Chips and I both admitted that we had. He was the most notorious burglarin the southern hemisphere. 

"But what are ye askin' sich a question fer?" asked Chips. "What'sburglars got to do wid losin' salvage?"

"He was aboard the _Pirate_, and a reward awaits the lucky dog who landshim. Just a trifle of ten thousand dollars, " said Jim, fiercely. 

Chips turned on him. 

"Is it sure 'nuff truth ye're tellin', or jest a yarn to soothe ourfeelin's?" he demanded. "I don't call to mind any gallus-lookin' chap inth' watch. "

"He never stood watch, and I wasn't certain of him until we were out tosea and it was too late. What d'ye suppose I tried to get Trunnell to goback for? 'Twas the old man, you stupid wood-splitter. You don't thinkI'm a sailor, do you?"

"'Pon me sowl, how cud I? I niver had th' heart to hurt yer feelings, Jim, me son, or ye'd have heard from me before. But what are ye, thin?"And Chips leaned back against the rail. 

"Nothing but a--" and Jim opened his coat which he had always worn sincecoming aboard the _Pirate_. On the inside was a silver shield stampedhandsomely with the insignia of the detective corps of Melbourne. 

"A sea lawyer aboard a derelict. Ye do fairly well, considerin'. An' th'old man? You don't really mean it?"

"What?" I asked; "do you mean that Thompson's a burglar; and that he'sJackwell himself?"

"Nothing else, and I'm out for the reward, which I won't get now. Youknow now how he came aboard. If I'd only been a few hours sooner, itwould have been all right. He was about to buy his passage when he foundthe real Captain Thompson wasn't there, and would probably not be downuntil the last minute. That was enough for him. Trunnell was taken clearaback by his nerve. It was a risky thing to do, but Jackwell takes risks. The man has more real cheek and impudence than any above ground, or watereither, for that matter. He ain't much afraid of a fight when it comes toit, although he'd rather use his wits than his gun. That's just whatmakes me feel sore. But that isn't all. Andrews is going to get clear ofsome of us. "

"He's tried it several times on me, " I said, with a smile. "What makesyou think he'll try again?"

"I heard enough of what was passing between that third mate and stewardlast night to know it. But I don't want to scare you fellows, " he added, with a smile. 

Chips gave a grunt of disgust, and I spat contemptuously over the sidewithout further remark. Our manner was not lost on Jim. He soberedinstantly. 

"You know we're in the way aboard, if we land the hooker all right, " hesaid slowly. "That's clear as mud. You know also that Trunnell and therest aboard the _Pirate_ know we don't belong here and haven't any rightto stay except as passengers. Trunnell saw us put off in the boat. Hecould see us plainly when we started and was, of course, looking at usall the time until the fog closed in. You follow this lay, don't you?"

Chips and I nodded. 

"Well, if the _Sovereign_ turns up with our boat load missing and Sackettdead, she'll be in good evidence of what all hands aboard the _Pirate_saw, won't she?"

It dawned suddenly upon us that this was a fact. Trunnell and Thompson, and in fact all hands, were looking after us, waiting for us to come backaboard before swinging the yards and standing away again on our course. There wasn't a man aboard the _Pirate_, we felt certain, who had not seenthe boat start away from the ship with our men and Miss Sackett aboardher, for they had nothing in the world to do but watch. Then they hadseen the fog envelop us on our way. We had not turned up, and the onlything to infer, if the _Sovereign_ came in without us, was that we hadmissed our way and had gone adrift in the southern ocean. The word ofAndrews and the rest aboard the English ship could hardly be doubtedunder the circumstances. If we cut adrift in the small boat or were doneaway with as Jim suggested, our friends would be witnesses who would helpour enemies by any testimony they might give. 

Chips dropped his hammer and drew a hand across his forehead, thinking. 

"What did the third mate say in regard to our going?" I asked Jim. 

"I couldn't hear the talk, only part of a sentence whispered by thatman-woman when the steward came into the cabin during the mid-watch lastnight with a can of salmon and some ship's bread. They stood near thedoor of the alleyway, talking, and I suddenly came bulging into them withrubber boots on. He said something about Andrews being a fine captain andperfectly capable of taking this ship in or out any port on the Africancoast. That's all. "

I stopped serving the end of the lanyard I was at work on and lookedacross the deck to where Andrews stood with several men. His sinisterface with its sour smile was turned toward us as though he studiedour thoughts. 

"You're not over busy, Mr. Rolling, " said Sackett, coming along the railto the rigging. "I wish you and the carpenter would try to get a gantlineover the side and look along under her for the butt. In this clear waterthe chances are good for getting a sight of it if it's well up on herbilge. We ought to stop her up some while the calm lasts. "

XIII

At noon Sackett came on deck to take the sun. His second officer, Journegan, a heavily built man with mutton-chop whiskers of a colorlesshue, was incapable of the smallest attempt at navigation, so he stoodidly by while his superior let the sun rise until it had reached itshighest point. 

"Eight bells, " cried Sackett, and went below to work out the sight. 

"By the grace of God, " echoed Andrews, who had come upon the poop. 

The second officer smiled at his attempted wit and struck off the bells. He appeared to be quite friendly with Andrews and stopped a momentafterward to chat with him. 

When we went below to dinner the words of Jim were fresh in my mind. Howwould Andrews try to get clear of us? The fact that he intended to do itI firmly believed, for the ruffian had such a sinister character that Ifelt certain his only reason for being apparently satisfied at presentwas because he intended some treachery. What part the third officer ofthe _Pirate_ would play in the affair I could hardly guess. Jim knewnothing about him, but since he came aboard with Thompson, there wasevery reason to believe that this rosy-cheeked youngster with the girl'svoice was an accomplished villain. That Andrews and he understood eachother was certain. Andrews was most blasphemous at meals, and wouldendeavor to engage Sackett in an argument concerning devils, hell, andmany other subjects not relating to navigation of the Indian Ocean. Atsuch times the third mate would raise his piping voice and plead withAndrews not to shock him with his profanity. The second officer of the_Sovereign_ appeared to enjoy the situation, and would laugh untilordered from the table by Sackett. Miss Sackett, of course, would notdine with the rest, but had her meals served in her stateroom by thesteward, who did it with a very bad grace, grumbling and complaining atthe extra work. He was a good-looking young man, this steward, and thefact that he complained told plainly that there was something between themen that was doing away with discipline. The steward's name was Dalton, and he was a fair specimen of the London cockney. Stout and strong, hewas as ignorant as an animal and about as easily persuaded into doingthings as an obstinate mule. He was also about as hard to dissuade. Theother men of the _Sovereign's_ crew were Bull England, a powerful sailorwho had served many years in the navy, and who was also a prize fighter, and Dog Daniels, a surly old fellow, who was continually growling ateverything. He was six feet six inches and over in height, and as leanand gaunt as the white albatross hovering over our wake. Journegan, thesecond officer, made the last but not least of the select four who hadelected to stay aboard with Sackett to take in the ship and get salvage. 

If Andrews had weapons, which I had reason to believe he had since hisshow of a revolver upon the captain's table, there would be six armed menagainst thirteen and a woman, for I had no reason to doubt Sackett was tobe done away with if the rest were. 

I pondered while I ate the cold junk and ship's bread, listening toAndrews holding forth to Mr. Bell and Journegan upon the fallacy oftrusting to a power that was highly unintelligible. 

"For instance, " said he, "for why should I give thanks fer this stinkin'junk meat when I don't know but what Dalton, there, has put his dirtyhands on it an' pisened it fit to kill? How do I know if he washes hishands afore cookin', hey? Look at them warts an' tell me if they ain'tketchin'. Jest think of a stomach full o' warts. Is that anything to bethankful for, I'd like to know. "

The idea amused Journegan, but it set me to thinking about the medicinechest in spite of myself. Sackett scowled while this sort of talk wenton, but said nothing to bring forth an outbreak from Andrews. I wonderedwhy he did not try to get his men with him and clap the fellow in irons. There was every reason to believe they would have obeyed him at first, but he hesitated for some religious purpose better known to himself, until the fellow had obtained such a sway over the crew that it was nowdoubtful if it could be done without an open fight between them and themen he had to back him. 

Sackett announced to me that we had made no westing to speak of, onaccount of the ship now being in the southeasterly set of the Agullascurrent. We had drifted along with the topsail and two staysails drawingfrom the main, and a sort of trysail set from a preventer-stay leadingaft. In spite of this amount of canvas the breeze had been so light thatthe sunken ship had not made a mile in two hours. It was disheartening, but if we could only get at the leak and stop some of the water fromflowing into her, we might get her up a bit and then she would movefaster. Her hatch-combings were high, and the sea had not washed clearover them yet, while her high strakes would be all the tighter, now thatthey had been under water for days. This seemed to be a very fairargument, but, while the skipper talked, my eyes were upon the glass caseat the end of the cabin, where a row of bottles showed through the frontand above the wooden frames. They contained the drugs usually carriedaboard ship, and while the skipper talked to me I wondered if there wereany poisons in that case which would be of service to Andrews. When wewere through, the captain and I left the cabin, for there had been nowatches at meals; all had eaten together in order to facilitate mattersof cooking, the men only eating at different times from the officers. 

As we passed up the after-companionway, I looked into the case andendeavored to interest the skipper in drugs for the men in case ofsickness. He showed me a bottle of arnica, one of squibbs, another ofpeppermint, and many other drugs used as simple remedies. At the end of along row was one containing a white powder, unlabelled. I picked it upand opened the vial, thinking to taste it to see if it was quinine. Itsweight, however, made me certain this could not be, and I was just aboutto put a bit on my tongue when Sackett stopped me. 

"It's bichloride of mercury. Don't taste it, " said he. 

I was not much of a chemist; for a mate's knowledge of the atomic theorymust necessarily be slight. 

"What's that?" I asked. 

"Oh, a poison. I only keep it for vermin and certain skin diseases. It'stoo deadly to keep around, though, and I've a notion to heave itoverboard--"

"Steamer on starboard quarter, sir, " came the cry of England, who was atthe wheel. 

We were bounding up the companionway in an instant, and looking to thenorthward as soon as our feet struck the deck. There, sure enough, was adark smudge of smoke on the horizon. 

"Get the glass, " said Sackett. 

He took it and gazed hard at the dark streak. 

"I can just make out her mastheads. She seems to be coming along thisway, '" he said, after a moment. 

All hands gathered upon the poop and watched the smoke. Those who hadn'thad their dinner, hastily went below and came up again with the junk intheir hands, munching it as they stood gazing after the rising mastheads. Soon the funnel of the steamer rose above the horizon, and showed thatshe was standing almost directly parallel to our course. We had run up adistress signal from the main, and now all waited until the strangershould make it out and send a boat or heave to. Our own boat was towingastern, so Sackett had her drawn up to the mizzen channels, ready for themen to get aboard. Miss Sackett came from below and announced that shewas ready to accompany the boat. 

"If you are silly enough to stay, papa, I can't help it, " she said. "I amtired of sitting around in a cabin with my feet in the water, eatingstuff fit for pigs. I think you really ought to give the old boat up. "

"So do I, Missy, " said Andrews. "I can't think of any good a-coming tothe old man by staying aboard a craft half sunken like this one. I thinkyour girl is giving you good advice, Captain Sackett. "

"I think you heard me state just how I felt about the matter, Mr. Andrews, " replied the captain. "If you're disposed to quit, you can go inthe boat. "

"Oh, no, " said the ruffian, "I intend to stay. " And he lent such emphasisto the last word that Sackett gave him a sharp glance to see if he meantanything more. 

In half an hour the steamer was passing abreast, and we were in the boatrowing hard to head her off. We set a signal on our mast forward, andpulled desperately, but she never even slowed down, passing along half amile distant on the calm ocean. She must have seen us, for the day wasbright and cloudless as could be. We hailed and waved until she was aspeck to the westward, leaving us alone again save for the sunken shipunder our lee. 

"It's just the way with a Dago, " said Jenks. "They always leaves a fellowjust when they shouldn't, and when I first seen that yaller flag I feltpretty sure we'd come in fer somethin' like this. "

No one said anything further, for our disappointment was sharp. EvenPhillippi, the Portuguese, took no offence at the allusion to Dagos, butrowed in silence back to the _Sovereign_. 

"It seems like you can't leave us, " said Andrews, sourly, when wereturned. "There ain't much room aboard this hooker, an' I don't see whyyou forever turn back to her when you ain't wanted here. "

Jenks climbed up the mizzen channels, which were now no higher than theboat's bow, and made the painter fast on deck without remark. Chipsfollowed him closely. 

"If ye mane there's no room aboard fer us, thin why in hell don't ye gitout th' way an' rid th' ship av a useless ruffian, " said the Irishman. 

Andrews scowled at him, but changed his look into a sour smile. 

"By the grace of the good Lord, I never rips up a sailor for slack jawaboard the Lord's special appointed ship. Maybe we'll settle the matterof leaving later on, " said the ruffian. 

"Let there be an end of this talk, sir, " said Sackett. "Get your men towork, Mr. Andrews, and you, Mr. Rolling, get the passengers out of thatboat and stand by to try to find the leak. I don't intend to have anymore of this eternal bickering. "

Miss Sackett was helped aboard again. As she stepped on deck shewhispered, "There's no use, Mr. Rolling. We will have to get out. Theonly trouble is that the water is gaining slowly in the cabin, and I'mafraid for papa. "

"It's a pity he won't desert her, " I answered; "but if we get away, Andrews and the rest will be more apt to help him honestly. They won'twhile we're here, and he won't force any of his men to stay and obeyorders, as he should. If he only would, we might get the ship in before aweek more of it. "

"It's his way, " said the girl. "He believes no captain has the right toendanger his men for gain. You couldn't take him by force, for he'd makethings warm after he got ashore. If we could only get some of the waterout of her and get away, he could get her in with England, Journegan, Daniels, and Dalton. Your two men added would make seven. These men couldhandle the canvas and steer her as well as twelve. "

I didn't like to tell her that the devil himself would hardly be safe inthe same ship with Andrews. It was quite possible that the ruffian wouldturn to and do good work for his share of the salvage when he got clearof the rest of us, for the amount would be large and tempting. Sackettwould be of more service to him alive than dead. 

"We'll get at the leak this afternoon, if it's possible, " I said, and theyoung girl went back to her stateroom. 

XIV

It was with anything but rising spirits that Chips went at the leak. Hehad a frame slung outboard some fifteen feet from the ship's side, supported by guys from the mainmast and jury foremast. It was after eightbells in the afternoon before this was finished, and then Sackett and hewent out on it to study the ship's bilge through the calm water. It wasalmost flat calm, but the _Sovereign_ had steering way enough to turn herside to the slanting sun, letting the light shine under her copper. Shewas so deep, however, nothing could be made out on the smooth greensurface that showed like a started plank end. Only here and there a lumpor protuberance appeared, showing a bunch of marine growth, or a bentedge of a plate where it had started to rip off. The water of the IndianOcean is always remarkably clear, and this day during the still weatherit was like liquid air. Objects were as distinctly visible three or fourfathoms below the surface as those at a corresponding distance on deck. 

I joined Sackett and Chips on the frame, and studied the ship's bilge theentire length of her waist. In about half an hour we shifted to starboardand, by dint of handling the canvas, got her head around so that the sunshone under this side. Nothing showed like a leak. 

"If a man could dive under her a few times, " said Sackett, "he might see, with the light as good as it is now. What do you think, Mr. Rolling?"

"It would take a good swimmer to go clear under her broad beam, " Ianswered. "I don't believe there's any one aboard who could do it, evenwith a line around him. "

England, the stout sailor, was standing near the rail while I spoke. 

"If ye don't mind, sir, I'll try me hand at it. Put a line about me bodyto haul me in if a shark takes a notion to make a run fer me. Don't haulunless ye have to, mind, or ye'll scrape the hide off me body. "

"Go ahead at it, " said Sackett. 

The heavy man slipped off his jumper in a moment, and I noticed the hugemuscles of his chest and arms. He must have made a good prize fighter inhis day. Coming out on the frame, he had the line stopped around hiswaist and then started at the fore rigging to go under the ship to theother side. 

Nearly all hands came to the rail to watch him, although the water wasknee deep on the deck at this point. He dived gracefully under the side, and as the bubbles disappeared I could see him going like a fish beneaththe shimmering copper, which gave forth a greenish light in the sunshine. The line was payed out fast, and in a few moments he arose to port nonethe worse for the trip. 

Nothing came of this, as he was too much taken up with the endeavor to goclear to see anything. His next trip was a fathom or so further aft, andthis time he saw nothing save a very foul bottom. After taking a rest anda nip of grog he started again, going more slowly as he gainedconfidence. 

Six trips tired him greatly in spite of his strength, and he sat for someminutes upon the frame before making his plunge. Then he stood up anddived again. 

I could see him swimming down, down, down under the ship's bilge, growingto a faint brownish yellow speck which wavered and shook with therefraction of the disturbed surface. Then while I looked the lineslacked, and the brownish yellow object beneath wavered into a largersize. Evidently he was coming up and had failed to make the five fathomsnecessary to go clear of the keel. I hauled in the line rapidly, for Iknew that he must be exhausted to give it up so soon. The wavering brownspot grew quickly in size, and in a moment, outlined upon it, I made outthe figure of England straining away for the surface. I hauledfrantically to aid him, and the next moment he broke water and was landedupon the frame, while the great brown object beneath rose right behindhim, and took the form of a tremendous hammer-headed shark. It came up inan instant and broached clear of the water at least three feet, butfailed to reach the frame where Bull England clung panting and gaspingfor breath. 

"I reckon I've had me dose this time, " said he, between his gasps; "Ialmost swam down the feller's throat. I ain't exactly skeered, but I'mtoo tired to try agin this afternoon, so if any one wants me place on theend o' this line, he can take it while I rests. "

"Faith, " said Chips, "if ye ain't skeered ye'll be so fast enough if yego in agin. Look at th' monster! Did ye iver see sech a head? Wan wouldthink he had sense enough not to be eatin' av a tough sailorman. Bighead, nothin' in it, as the sayin' is. "

Andrews was standing near the rail and appeared much interested in thediver's work. The fact that it had been interrupted angered him. His facetook on that hideous expression of ferocity I knew meant mischief, and astring of the foulest oaths followed. He drew forth his pistol and raisedit slowly to a line with his eye on the shark's head, now just awashunder the frame a few feet distant. 

"Crack!"

The bullet struck it fair on the crown where it was fully three feetacross the eyes. It smashed through, and the huge fish sank slowly underthe force of the stroke. 

Then it suddenly recovered itself and tore the water into foam, lashing out with its tail and turning over and over, snapping with itsgreat jaws. 

"It is an unnecessary cruelty, Mr. Andrews, " said Sackett, loudly. "Putthat weapon up. It is no use to kill to satisfy a murderous heart. Thefish would leave us in a few moments if it were fed. "

"Watch the Lord's anointed feed it then, " snarled the ruffian, with afierce oath. "Say a pater for its soul, for it's on its way to hell. "

With that he fired again as the fish broached clear, and I must say onecould hardly help admiring his shooting. The heavy bullet struck withinan inch of the first, although the mark was now several fathoms distantand thrashing about at a great rate. 

The shark whirled round and started off, leaving a trail of blood whichshowed like a dark cloud in its wake. In a moment it had disappeared. 

"Don't swear so hard, my dear Mr. Andrews, " cried Mr. Bell, in his high, piping voice. "You'll scare all the fish. "

Andrews coolly broke his pistol at the breech and tossed out the emptyshells. Then he reloaded it and handed it to the smiling, rosy-cheekedthird mate. 

"You stand by and take care of things while I spell Bull England a bit, "said he. "Journegan, " he continued, calling to the English mate, "youtake the line for a while, and let that young fellow rest, while I tryher bilge aft. "

He stripped off his shirt and stood in his trousers. When I saw him, I nolonger wondered why I had failed to overcome him in our first set-to. Thefellow was a perfect mass of muscle, and while I gazed at his strongframe I wondered at the power in Trunnell's arms, which held us so tightand saved me that first day on board. 

He came out on the frame, and I made way for Journegan to take the line. He took a turn, and over he went without delay. 

After four or five attempts to get under the ship, he finally came to thesurface with news. He had been under her bilge, clear down to the keel ona line with the main channels. Not being able to get further, and seeingthe dark shadow of the keel ahead, he made out to examine as far as hecould go. Close to her garboard strake on the starboard side he saw wherea large butt had started, owing probably to the bad loading of the ship. This plank end starting outboard was evidently where the water came in. 

Andrews came on deck after this, and all hands began overhauling gear toget a mattress upon the hole. Lines were rove and passed under the ship'sbilge and keel. These were made fast on deck to the stump of the mizzenmast, and their ends brought to the capstan through snatch blocks. Plankswere then strapped loosely on the lines and allowed to run along themfreely, being weighted sufficiently to cause them to sink. After theywere slung clear of the ship, they were held in position until a pad ofcanvas and oakum was inserted between them and the side. 

It was quite late in the evening before this was accomplished, and workhad to be stopped until daylight. 

At the evening meal Andrews was more sulky than usual. It appeared thatnow, since there was a chance of stopping the leak, we would all beaboard the ship when she made port, for with the water out of her wemight easily make the Cape in a fortnight. 

Sackett said grace as usual, standing up and bowing gravely over thelong board. 

"What's the sense of asking the Lord to make us truly thankful for stuffwhat ain't fit to eat anyway, " growled Andrews, when he finished. "Youain't got nothin' to be so blamed thankful for, captain. This grub'llsure make some of the men sick before we're through. If I ain't mistaken, some of them will be down with trouble before the leak is swabbed. "

"I'll say what I think best, sir, at my table. If you don't like it, youcan eat with the men, " answered Sackett. 

"Oh, I never said nothin' to the contrary, did I?" asked the fellow. 

"Well, pay a little more attention to your behavior, or I'll make apassenger of you on board, " said Sackett, who had lost patience. 

"I never came here on those conditions, and I fail to accept them, myLord's anointed. I wasn't asked to come aboard here. Since I'm here, I'llhave my rights, and I don't call to mind the names of any one aroundabout this ship as will take it upon theirselves to start an argument tothe contrary. No, sir, I'll obey orders so long as they're sensible, butdon't try to run it on a man like me, Sackett. I ain't the sort of stuffyou're made to run against. "

"Oh, Captain Andrews, you have such a dreadful way with you, " piped Bell, the third mate, in his high voice. "Don't you know you really frightenedme with such strong words. "

Journegan laughed outright. 

"If I have to put up with any more of your insolence, sir, " said Sackett, quietly, "I'll have you bound and put away until we are in port. "

"Oh, please don't hurt me, captain, " cried Andrews, with his ugly smile. "I ain't going to do nothing mutinous. "

"Well, stop talking to me, sir. Every word you say is mutinous. I'll havesilence at this table, sir, if I have to bind you up. "

"Cruel, unchristian man!" cried Andrews. "Journegan, my boy, this showsthe uselessness of prayer. Here's a man praying one minute, and beforethe Lord has time to answer him he's ready to commit murder. Sink me, ifever I did see any use of praying one minute and doing things the next. It's wrorse than my pore old father used to be. 'My son, ' he'd say, 'shake out the bunt of yer breeches, ' which I'd do. Yessir, sink me if Ididn't do it. 'Shake out the bunt of yer breeches and come here. ' Thenhe'd grab me and yank me acrost his knee. 'Lord guide a righteous hand, 'he'd say, and with that down would come that righteous hand like the roofof a house where the bunt of my pants had been. 'Lord give me strength tolead him into the straight and narrow path, ' he'd whine; and sink me, Journegan, if he wouldn't give me a twist that would slew my innerdsaskew and send me flying acrost the room. Lead me into the straight andnarrow path? Man alive, he'd send me drifting along that path like abullet from a gun. What's the sense of it, hey?"

"There ain't none, " said Journegan, snickering and rubbing his whiskersin appreciation of his friend's wit. 

"Mr. Journegan, " said Sackett, "you go on deck, sir. "

"What am I doing?" asked the fellow, with a smirk. 

"You go on deck, sir, or I'll be forced to take some action in the matterof discipline. Do you understand?" continued Sackett, now red in the facewith anger. 

Journegan rose leisurely from the table and went up the companion, whistling. 

"And now, my young man, " continued Sackett, addressing the third mate, "Idon't want to have to tie you up with your friend, but you are not one ofmy crew, and I'll trouble you to keep still at my table. Mr. Andrews, " hewent on, "you'll have no further authority aboard here, and the sooneryou get into the boat with the rest, the better it will be for you. "

"That's where you make a mistake, " said Andrews, coolly. "I'm second incommand here now, and I'll stay until the ship sinks or goes to port, inspite of you or any one else, unless you care to give me credit for myshare of salvage as a volunteer to bring her in. "

"You will go to your room and not take any further part in the managementof the vessel, I say, " Captain Sackett ordered, "If you don't go freely, I'll order my men to assist you. "

"If there's any one who cares to take the responsibility, let him stepout and make known his name, " said Andrews, in an even tone. 

Sackett left the table and went on deck at once. I heard him calling forJenks, England, and the rest, and I started up the companion, thinking totake a hand with Chips and Jim and our men. As I did so, Andrews cursedme foully, and the third mate made a remark I failed to hear. 

Meeting Chips and Johnson, I sent the latter for Jim and Hans. Phillippistood near the wheel, and I beckoned to him. When the six of us weretogether, I told them in a few words that Sackett was going to tieAndrews up for mutiny. They would stand by me and give him help ifnecessary. 

We waited near the edge of the poop while Sackett told his men what hewanted done with Andrews. 

"Men, " said he, "there's only one captain aboard here, and that ismyself. If you disobey me, it is mutiny, and you know the penalty. "

"It ain't that we're scared of him, " said England, "but he's a tough oneto take without no weapons. "

"I don't ask you to run any risk, " said Sackett. "I'll take him and givehim to you to tie up and keep until we're safe in port. You must do thisor you will be insubordinate. "

"Sure, " said Dog Daniels, "if you'll take the fellow, we'll guarantee tokeep him fast enough. Hey, Jenks, ain't that so?"

I thought I saw a suspicion of a smile play over the old sailor'swrinkled face, and the seams of his leather-like jaws seemed togrow deeper. 

"That's it, " said Dalton. "You take him, and we'll take care of him untilyou say let him loose. "

Journegan was at the wheel with one of the men who had left with the oldsailor, Jenks. Sackett did not question him in regard to the matter ofAndrews, as he evidently thought he had already showed signs of mutiny. 

"I'm sorry to have this trouble aboard, sir, " said Sackett to me, as heturned to go down the companion to the cabin. "You and your men can standaside while this matter is arranged satisfactorily. Afterward you willhave to take your man away with you when you can go. "

"I'm very sorry the thing has occurred as it has, captain, " I said. "We'll stand by you, if you wish, and help you to carry out any orders. "

"I don't think it will be necessary, " answered Sackett. "However, ifanything disagreeable happens, I trust you will do what you may for thewelfare of my daughter, sir. You understand how much she is at the mercyof these ruffians, should anything happen to me. "

"I will pass my word, sir, " I answered. "Your daughter shall come to noharm while there are a few American sailors afloat to do anything. I dowarn you, though, to keep a lookout on that ruffian. He has tried to takemy life twice, and is under sentence for a murder. Don't let him get hisgun out at you, or there might be an accident. "

"A nice fellow for your captain to send me, " said Sackett. "It was nofault of yours, my friend, so don't think I blame you, " he added hastily. 

He started toward the companionway, and had just reached it alone whenthe grizzled head of Andrews appeared above the combings. The fellowstood forth on deck and was followed by our third mate. 

"Lay aft, here, England and Daniels, " cried Sackett. 

The men came slowly along the poop. Jenks and Dalton, followed by sixothers of the _Sovereign's_ crew who had chosen to desert the ship, walked aft to the quarter to see if there was anything for them to do. Some of these men were true to their captain without doubt; but Jenksplaced himself in their front, and by the strange smile the old sailorhad, I knew he was looking for trouble. 

Sackett went straight up to Andrews and stood before him, and for onebrief moment the tableau presented was dramatic enough to be impressedforcibly upon my memory. It was sturdy, honest manhood againstlawlessness and mutiny. A brave, kind-hearted, religious man, alone, against the worst human devil I have ever seen or heard of. He was, indeed, a desperate ruffian, whose life was already forfeited, butSackett never flinched for a moment. 

XV

The dull night of the southern ocean was closing around the scene on the_Sovereign's_ deck, making the faces of the men indistinct in the gloom. The Englishmen stood a little apart from ours, but all looked at thecaptain as he walked up to Andrews. England and Daniels stopped when theywere within a fathom of their skipper as though awaiting further ordersbefore proceeding with their unpleasant duty. 

The mutineer turned slowly at Sackett's approach as though disdaining toshow haste in defence. Then, as the stout, bearded commander halted infront of him, he raised his head and gave forth that snort of contemptand annoyance which I knew to mean mischief. 

"Captain Andrews, " said Sackett, "you will turn over your weapons to me, sir. I don't allow my officers to carry them aboard this ship. AfterwardI shall have to place you in arrest until you see fit to obey orders andshow proper discipline, sir. "

"Now see here, my old fellow, " said Andrews, "I don't want to hurt you, but I've obeyed orders here and will obey them when they don't relate towhat I shall eat or say at the table. Don't try any of your infernalmonkey games on me, or you might get hurt. "

"Will you hand over your weapon, sir?" said Sackett, advancing, andstanding close before him. 

Andrews pulled out his long revolver and pointed it at the skipper'shead. Then he gave a snort of anger and glared savagely at theEnglishman. 

Sackett turned to his men. 

"Seize him, and disarm him, " he ordered. But England and Danielsstood motionless. Journegan stepped to one side to keep out of theline of fire. 

Sackett made a move forward, as if to seize the weapon. There was a sharpexplosion, and both men disappeared for an instant in the spurt of smoke. Then I saw Sackett stagger sidelong across the deck with the roll of theship, and go down heavily upon the wheel gratings. He uttered no word. Iran to his side, and saw the ashy hue coming upon his ruddy face, andknew his time was short. I heard the uproar of voices that followed themoment of silence after the shot, but took no heed. Placing my hand underhis head, I called for Jim to get some brandy from below. Then I bawledfor Chips and the rest to seize the murderer. 

Sackett turned up his kind eyes to mine, and whispered: "I'll be dead ina few minutes, Mr. Rolling. Do what you can for my men. I tried to do myduty, sir, and I expect every honest man to do his. Save my--"

The light had gone out. He was limp and dead on the deck of the ship hehad tried so nobly to save. My hand was wet with blood, and as I withdrewit, the wild abhorrence of the thing came upon me. 

I stood up, and there, within ten feet of me, was that sneering ruffianstanding coolly, with his pistol in his hand. 

It was such a cold-blooded, horrible thing, done without warning, that Iwas speechless. Chips stood near my side, cursing softly, and lookingwith fierce eyes at the assassin. Jim came up the companionway, but sawthat all was over. My three sailors were like statues, Phillippimuttering unintelligibly. 

For nearly a minute after the thing happened I stood there gazing atAndrews and the rest, paralyzed for action, but noting each and everymovement of the men as though some movement on their part would give me acue how to act. 

All of a sudden the piping voice of our third mate rose in a laugh, whilehe cried, "He's gone to heaven. "

It was as though something gave away within me, and before I fairly knewwhat I was doing, I was rushing upon Andrews to close. 

I remember seeing a bright flash and feeling a heavy blow on my leftside. Then I found myself in the scuppers looking up at a struggle uponthe _Sovereign's_ quarter-deck. 

At the signal of my rush for Andrews, Jim, who was somewhat expert attackling persons, dashed at him also from starboard. Chips instantlyfollowed on the other side, and then, our men seeing how things were togo, closed from the rear. All six of us would have met at Andrews as aconverging point, had it not been for the scoundrel's pistol. 

His first shot struck me fairly under the heart. It knocked me over, andI rolled to port, deathly sick. Thinking for a moment I was killed, Imade no immediate effort to recover myself, but lay vomiting andclutching my side. Then in a moment the weakness began to leave me, and Iwas aware that I was clutching the heavy knife I carried in my breastpocket. I drew it forth, and as I did so, something fell to the deck atmy side, and I saw it was a piece of lead. Then I saw that Andrews'sbullet had jammed itself into the joint of the hilt, smashing flat on thesteel and breaking up, part of it falling away as I drew it forth. Theknife had saved my life; for the shot had been true, and would have beeninstantly fatal had it penetrated. 

I started to my feet and saw Jim lying motionless just outside theswaying crowd, which had now closed about the murderer. At that instantAndrews fired again, and Hans, who had tried to use his knife, staggeredout of the group and fell dead. Three of the _Sovereign's_ own men whohad intended going back with us were now in the fracas also, and as Istarted in two more joined. 

I saw Phillippi's knife flash for an instant. Then came a fierce oathfrom Andrews, followed by a snort of rage and pain. Another shot followedinstantly, and Phillippi was lying outside the swaying figures with abloody hole through his forehead. 

The only thing I remember as I forced my way into the group and struck atthe scoundrel was that he had one more shot, and I wondered if he wouldland it before we had him. 

He warded off my knife-stroke by a desperate wrench, but the blade rippedhis right arm to the bone from shoulder to elbow, laming it absolutely. Even as it was, he lowered his weapon and fired it instantly as it wasseized. An Englishman named Williams was struck through the body andlived but a moment afterward. Chips now had the weapon by the barrel, andjust as I was about to drive my knife into the murderer over the shoulderof Johnson, a heavy hand seized my collar and I was dragged back. Wrenching myself around, I found that I was engaging the tall sailor, Daniels, and as I did so, Journegan, England, Dalton, Jenks, and ourthird officer fell upon the crowd which had borne Andrews to the deck. 

All of the English sailors who had started to leave the _Sovereign_ werenow fighting with Chips, Johnson, and myself, making eight men as againstsix. But the six were of the strongest and most determined rascals thatever trod a ship's deck. 

As every sailor carries a sheath-knife, the fight promised to be aninteresting one if the men of the _Sovereign's_ crew saw fit to fight itout. England, however, who was stronger than any two of our men, did notlike going into the matter with the same spirit as Journegan, Daniels, and Andrews. After he had received a severe cut and had cracked theskull of the sailor who had given it by knocking him over the head withan iron belaying-pin, he began to retreat along the deck. Chips hadplanted his knife in Andrews's thigh, and had cut Dalton and Journeganbadly in the mix-up. 

The Irishman was unharmed save for a few scratches, and being aided byJohnson, he soon had the men backing away toward the break of the poop, the third mate crying out shrilly to stop fighting. The queer young manwas defending Andrews mightily with a knife, and for this reason alonethe scoundrel managed to get to his feet and retreat with the rest, backing away as they did to the mizzen and from there to the poop rail, where they were brought to bay. 

Daniels, however, fared worse. We had a struggle for some moments alone, and just as my knife was in a good position a man struck him from behind, throwing him off his guard and letting my blade penetrate his throatuntil it protruded three inches beyond the back of his neck. Then thefight was over. 

Chips stopped at my side with Andrews's revolver in his hand. 

"'Tis a pity we've no cartridges fer th' weepin, " he panted;"'twould save th' hangman a lot o' trouble. Now there'll be abutcher's shop aboard. "

"Come on, " I said. "You get to starboard, and I'll take the port side. We'll rush them and make a finish of it. Here, Frank, " I called to asailor, "lend me your knife. Mine's no good for this work. "

"My own is broken, sir, " said he. 

"Hold on, " cried Journegan; "we're not making any fight. "

I could see the five ruffians talking brokenly together while theyrecovered their breath. Our third mate was holding forth in a pipingtone, but too low for me to hear the words. 

"We don't want to press the outfly any further, " said England. "We ain'tno pirates. All we did was to defend ourselves. One of your fellows cutme arm open and I hit him over the head, not meanin' no more than toknock him out for the time bein', as the sayin' is. "

"Will you surrender and put down your knives?" I asked. 

Andrews gave his fierce snort and was about to say something in reply, but the third mate seized him and stopped him. The assassin was badlywounded and swayed as he stood, but his spirit was not in the leastbeaten. He had killed five men out of six shots from his pistol and wouldhave had me in the list but for the knife I placed in my breast as aprecaution at the warning from Chips on taking him aboard. His coolnessand steadiness were marvellous. Not a shot had he wasted, and if he hadbeen relieved a trifle sooner by his half-hearted followers, he wouldhave had the whole crowd of us at his mercy. No man could have faced apistol of that size in the hands of one so quick and steady. 

There was no answer to my question, and I repeated it, Chips adding thatthey would go free if they would give up the men who had done killing. 

"Why o' course, we ain't no pirates, " said Journegan. 

"Well, chuck out your knives, or we'll be for closing with you, " I cried. "This thing is over, and one or the other will be in command. "

"Why don't ye take the boat an' go clear? Dalton, here, will give ye theprovisions, an' you can get to the north'ard and make port. There ain'tno room for both of us aboard here now, even if we gave up, which weain't got no idea o' doin' unless you come out square an' fair. "

"Yes, " said Jenks, "you men don't want to make a Kilkenny cat go out ofthis ship. Do the square an' fair thing, an' git out. You know, Tommy, "he went on, addressing a sailor, "I don't want to hurt you; but youknow me. You boys can't make no show agin an old man-o'-war's man likeme, as has been up to his waist in blood many a time, an' never warethe worse for it. "

The sailor addressed spoke to me. 

"Don't you think it a good way, sir? They are good for us if they tryhard, for England can whip any three of us, an' I, for one, don't want torun against him if it can be helped. We have a boat. "

"Nonsense, " said Chips. "We must take 'em. "

I thought a moment. There was a young girl below. Probably she was evennow frightened nearly to death. If anything did go wrong with us, --and itcertainly looked as if it would, when I sized up that crowd, --she wouldbe worse than dead. There were seven of us left against six, althoughAndrews was too badly hurt to fear, but they were much better menphysically. After they had once started to do for us, they were not thekind who would stick at anything. I was much exhausted, myself, and whileI thought the matter over, it seemed as though to go were the better wayout of the trouble. 

Chips, however, insisted on closing with the men. 

It took me some minutes to convince him that the young fellows with uswere not of the kind to depend on in such a fracas, and that he would bein a bad way should he tackle England alone. Journegan, Jenks, and Daltonwere all powerful men, armed with sheath-knives sharper and better thanour own, for they had evidently prepared for just such an emergency. 

"Let Dalton provision the whale-boat, and you men get out, " said Mr. Bellafter I had finished whispering my views to Chips. 

"Yes, " said the steward; "you men stay where you are, and I'll put thestuff aboard for you, and then you can get out. "

"All right, " I answered; "go ahead. "

Some of us sat about the after-skylight, while Andrews and his gangdisposed themselves, as comfortably as they might, around the mizzen. Dalton went down over the poop, and entered the cabin from forward, andChips, Johnson, and myself looked over our dead. 

Jim lay where he fell. There was no sign of life, and Chips swore softlyat the villain's work, when we laid his head back upon the planks. Hansbreathed slightly, but he was going fast. We poured some spirits betweenhis lips, but he relaxed, and was lifeless in a few minutes. Phillippilay with his eyes staring up at the sky. His knife was still clutched inhis dark hand, and his teeth shone white beneath his black mustache. Theother sailor was dead, and while we looked for some sign of life, I hearda smothered sob come from aft. We turned and saw a slender white formbending over the body of Captain Sackett. The moon was rising in theeast, lighting the heavens and making a long silver wake over the calmocean. By its light I made out Miss Sackett, holding the head of her deadfather in her lap, and crying softly. 

XVI

The moon rose higher, and Dalton came and went, carrying provisionsup from the cabin. These he lowered into our boat, which was hauledalongside, Jenks taking a hand when necessary, although he never cameaft far enough to encounter any of our men. Andrews sat quietly onthe deck and had his cuts bound up and dressed, while Mr. Bell wentbelow to the medicine chest for whatever he wanted. We kept wellapart, each side feeling a distrust for the other, and neither caringto provoke a conflict. 

In about an hour Dalton announced the boat was ready. 

"There's salt junk enough for all hands a week or two, and ship's breadfor a month. There's water in the breaker. You can go when you're ready, "said Journegan. 

I went aft to Miss Sackett, where she had sat motionless for a long timewith her face buried in her hands, as if to shut out the cruel sightaround her. 

"We will leave the ship in a few minutes, " said I, taking her by thehand, and trying to raise her gently to her feet. "You must try to bearup to go with us. Try to walk evenly and quickly when the time comes, forthere may be a struggle yet. "

She let fall her hands from her face, and I saw her eyes, dry and brightin the moonlight. 

"Can't you kill them?" she asked quietly. "Oh, if I were only a man!"Then she drew herself up to her full height, and gazed hard at the groupof ruffians at the mizzen. 

"I'll have to go below first, and get my things, " she said. "I supposeyou know what is best, to go or stay?"

"Hurry, " I said. "I will wait here at the companion. "

She went below with a firm tread, and I heard her slam the door of herstateroom. Andrews looked toward me and spoke. 

"You can leave the girl aboard, " said he. "You'll have enough inthe boat. "

"Chips, " I called, "stand by for a rush. Don't let Dalton get forwardalive. Miss Sackett either goes with us, or we all stay here together andfight it out. "

Andrews, who had recovered somewhat, now staggered to his feet and drewhis knife. 

"Stand by and follow along the port rail, " he said to Journegan andEngland. "You two, " addressing Bell and Jenks, "go to starboard. "

Dalton, who was below and separated from his fellows, would be ourobject. 

Jenks, however, remonstrated at the attack. 

"Hold on, " said he, and England stopped. "What's the use of crowding inthis thing like this? Some of us will get killed sure with seven freshmen out for it, and what's the use? All for a gal. No, sir, says I, don't go making a fool job of the thing. I ain't out for murder, notfer no gal. "

"You'll do as I say or get done, " answered Andrews, with a fierce snort, turning toward him. 

Jenks backed toward us, and Bell tried to hold Andrews back. He partlysucceeded, but was close enough to the old man-o'-war's man to get aslight cut from a blow meant for Andrews. Then England took a hand, andwith Journegan they held the assassin in check. 

Jenks came toward us. 

"I'll go with you fellows if you say so, " said he, and he tossed hisknife over the rail to show that he meant no treachery. 

"'Tis a little late ye are, but ye're welcome, " said Chips, who hadadvanced at my cry nearly to him. Frank, the young English sailor, andJohnson were both close behind Chins, with the rest following. It lookedas if there would be a collision, after all. 

"Take the girl and go, " screamed Bell, almost fainting from thecut received. 

"Yes, take her and be damned!" cried Journegan. "Only get off before it'stoo late. "

"Seems to me, " said Chips, "we could do for them now wid no trouble. Let's try 'em. "

Johnson advanced at the word, but I called him back just as Chips wasmaking ready for a spring at England. The big prize fighter had madeready for the Irishman, and for an instant it seemed that we would haveanother ending of the affair. 

"Come, " I said to one of the young sailors who held back, "get aboard thesmall boat, " and the fellow, who was shrinking from the knives, took theopportunity to get away. This made Chips hesitate, and in another momentI had two more of the men going over the side. 

Miss Sackett came on deck. Her face was ruddy even in the moonlight, butshe carried herself with a firm step to the mizzen channels. 

"Stand by and hold her below there, " I bawled, and a man received herinto the boat. Then I called to the rest of our fellows and threw a legover the rail to signify that we were going. They came along, Chips last, with Johnson at his side. The carpenter was furious and wanted to fightit out, and it would have taken very little to have set him upon themalone. They, however, when Andrews had been overcome, were by no meansanxious to engage. This seemed strange to me, for they certainly were menwho feared nothing, and the sooner we were out of the way, the surer theywere of getting safe off with their necks. Just what made Bell sodetermined to have us go was a puzzle to me. As Chips climbed over therail, England came to the side with Journegan. I expected some outburst, and for an instant the carpenter was at a disadvantage. But they let himgo over without a hostile movement. He stood up in the bow while a manshoved off. 

"Ah, ye raskils, it's like runnin' away we are, but we ain't. It's butlavin' to th' hangman what I'd do meself, curse ye. "

The boat of the _Sovereign_ towing at the quarter came abreast us as wedropped back. Chips still standing and glaring at the ship, with rage inhis voice and eyes. 

He stooped down and lifted an oar as the small boat came alongside, andwith a half-suppressed yell smote her with all his strength upon thegunwale. The oar crashed through nearly to the water line under the powerof the stroke. 

"Blast ye, " he cried, "ye'll niver leave that ship alive, " and he smotethe boat again and again, crushing her down until she began to fill. Johnson took a hand also in spite of England and Journegan hauling awayat the painter. Our men backed water so hard they held her back until theboat was hopelessly stove and had settled to the thwarts. Then we let goand drifted away, while the men aboard the _Sovereign_ hurledbelaying-pins and gratings at us. 

"A pleasant voyage to you, " came the soft notes of Mr. Bell's voice; andthen we rowed slowly away to the northward, leaving the _Sovereign_ adark, sunken grisly thing against the moonlit sky. 

"Rig the mast and sail, " I said. "It's no use getting tired before thestruggle comes. We're some six hundred miles out, and may not raise avessel for days. "

The oars were taken in, and the tarpaulin which had done duty for a sailwas rigged. Under the pressure of the light air the whale-boat madesteering-way and a little more. The moon now made the night as light asday, and although it was slightly chilly in this latitude, we sufferedlittle from the exposure, each settling himself into the most comfortableposition possible, and gazing back at the strange black outline of thewrecked ship. Her sunken decks and patched-up jury rig with the trysailset from the after-stay gave her an uncanny look, while her masts andspars with the set canvas seemed as black as ink against the light skybeyond. There she lay, a horrid, ghastly thing, wallowing along slowlytoward a port she would never reach. 

While I looked at her, Miss Sackett burst into a hard laugh which jangledhysterically. She had been silent since she had entered the boat, andthis sudden burst startled me. Her eyes were fixed upon the grimderelict. They shone in the moonlight and she choked convulsively. 

"Can I hand you some water, ma'm?" asked Jenks. 

"What made you come with us, you rogue?" she asked, withoutturning her head. 

"I was with ye from the start, s'help me, " said Jenks. "I only goes withthe other side when I feared they'd kill all hands. "

"Well, it's a good thing for you, you contemptible rascal, " she answeredin an even tone. 

All of a sudden I noticed a flicker of light above the cabin of the_Sovereign_. It died away for an instant and then flared again, MissSackett laughed convulsively. 

"Look, " she said. 

At that instant a red glare flashed up from the derelict. It shone on hermaintopsail and staysails and lit up the ocean around her. 

"Faith, but she's afire, " cried Chips. "Look at them. "

I turned the boat's head around and ran her off before the wind, haulingup again and standing for the wreck to get near her. Miss Sackett seizedmy arm and held it fast. 

"Don't go back for them!" she cried. "You shall not go back for them!"

"I haven't the least intention of going for them, " I answered; "I onlywanted to get close enough to see what they'd do. Did you set her afire?"I asked bluntly. 

"Of course I did, " said the girl, passionately. "Do you suppose I didn'thear them telling you I should have to remain aboard? What else was thereleft for me to do? Would you have me fall into their hands?"

"Lord save ye, but ye did the right thing, " said Chips. Johnson echoedthis sentiment. 

"An' I knew ye ware up to somethin' of the kind when ye went below, "said Jenks, "fer I smelled the smoke and thought to stop it, but thereware too much risk as it was to add fire, so I had to step out o' thecrowd an' jine ye. I never did nothin' in the fracas, as ye know, exceptget hurt. "

In ten minutes we were close aboard the derelict, and her cabin was amass of flame. Figures of men showed against the light amidships, and Ifinally made out all hands getting out a spar and barrels to make a raft. The oil in the cargo, however, was too quick for them. It had becomeignited aft and had cut off all retreat by the stove-in boat. Severalexplosions followed, and the flames roared high above the maintopsail. Journegan, Andrews, and another man were seen making their way forwardacross the sunken deck. The heat drove them to the topgallant forecastleand in a few minutes we could see all standing there near the windlass. The bitts sheltered them from the heat. 

The oil in the ship was not submerged in the after part, owing to hertrimming by the head. It had been the last stuff put aboard and was wellup under her cabin deck. Even that which was awash caught after the firehad started to heat things up well, and the entire after part of the_Sovereign_ was a mass of flames. They gave forth a brilliant light, glowing red and making the sky appear dark beyond. Great clouds of sparksfrom the woodwork above soared into the heavens. The light must have beenvisible for miles. 

There was absolutely no escape for the men aboard now, except by gettingaway on some float. Journegan, Dalton, and England were working hard atsomething on the forecastle which appeared to be a raft. The one they hadstarted aft they had been forced to abandon after an explosion. Thecarpenter's tools being below in the hold when the ship filled, they hadnothing but their knives and a small hatchet left to work with. 

Suddenly Mr. Bell made us out in the darkness less than a quarterof a mile distant. He screamed for us to come back and take him offthe derelict. 

"Pay no attention to him, " said Chips. 

I hesitated, with the tiller in my hand. The end of those men seemed sohorrible that I forgot for the instant what they had done. 

"You shall not go back for them while I'm aboard this boat, " said MissSackett, quietly, from her seat beside me, and she seized the tillerfirmly to luff the craft. 

"I didn't intend to, " I answered; "yet that man's cry had so much of thewoman in it that it was instinctive to turn. "

"Instinctive or not, here we stay. He is the biggest devil of the lot, "answered the girl. "There's some horrible game in getting us away. I'mcertain of it, but don't know what it can be. We'll find out when it'stoo late. "

"We might take them aboard one at a time and bind them, " I suggested. This was greeted with growlings from Chips and Johnson. Even Jenksdeclared it would never do, and the other sailors made antagonisticremarks. There was nothing to do but keep away and let them savethemselves as best they might. 

We sailed slowly around the wreck, watching her burn. Hour after hour sheflamed and hissed, the heat being felt at a hundred fathoms distant. Andall the while, the sharp, piping voice of our third mate screamed shrillyfor succor. 

After midnight the _Sovereign_ had burned clear to the water line fromaft to amidships. Even her rails along the waist were burning fiercelywith the oil that had been thrown upon them by the explosions of theheated barrels. And as she burned out her oil, she sank lower and lowerin the water until she gave forth huge clouds of steam and smoke insteadof flaring flames. In the early hours of the morning, we were stillwithin two hundred fathoms of her; and she showed nothing in the graylight save the mainmast and the topgallant forecastle. Her canvas hadgone, and the bare black pole of her mast stuck out of the sea, which nowflowed deep around the foot of it. Upon the blackened forecastle head, five human forms crouched behind the sheltering bulk of the windlass. They were silent now and motionless. While I looked, one of themstaggered to his feet and stretched out his hands above his head, gazingat the light in the east. It was Andrews. He raised his clenched fistsand shook them fiercely at us and at the gray sky above. Then over thecalm, silent ocean came the fierce, raving curses of the doomed villain. 

A gentle air was stirring the swell in the east, which soon filled oursail. We kept the boat's head away until she pointed in the direction ofthe African cape. And so we sailed away, with the echoes of thatvillain's voice ringing in our ears, calling forth fierce curses upon theGod he had denied. 

I turned away from the horrible spectacle of that grisly hulk with itshuman burden. As I did so, my eyes met those of Miss Sackett. She loweredhers, took out her handkerchief and, bowing over, buried her face in it, crying as though her heart would break. 

XVII

"If you'll pass the pannikin, I'll take a drink, sir, " said Jenks, afterthe sun had risen and warmed the chilly air of the southern ocean. 

I tossed the old man-o'-war's man the measure, and he proceeded to draw acupful from the water breaker, which was full and lay amidships. 

"It's an uncommon quare taste the stuff has, sure enough, " said he, afterhe had laid aside his quid and drank a mouthful, "Try a bit, Tom, " hewent on, and passed the pannikin to a sailor next him. 

"You're always lookin' fer trouble, old man, " said the sailor, drainingoff the cupful. 

"An' bloomin' well ready to get out of it by any way he can, " addedanother. "Fill her up agin an' let me have some. This sun is most hot, inspite of the breeze. Blast me, Jenks, but you're a suspicious one. It's awonder you ever go to sleep. "

The young sailor, Tom, put down the cup and watched Jenks draw it fullagain. Then he grew pale. 

"Hold on a bit with that water, you men. There's something wrong withit, " he said. He gulped and placed his hand over his abdomen, while aspasm of pain passed over his features. 

"My God!" he muttered, and doubled up. Then he vomited violently and hisspasms increased. 

I saw Chips turn white under his tan, and Johnson look with staring eyesat the water breaker, as though it were a ghost. 

"Knock in the head, " I said, "and let's see what's inside of it. "

Two men held the poor fellow gasping over the rail while his agony grewworse. The rest crowded around aft as much as possible to see whatterrible fate was in store for us. 

The breaker was upended in a moment. Jenks stove in the head with an oarhandle, and we peered inside. 

The water was a clear crystal, like that in the _Sovereign's_ tanks. Itwas not discolored in the least. 

"Pass the bailer here, " I said; "and then turn the barrel so we can getthe sunlight into it. "

I bailed out a few quarts, looked at it carefully, tasted it slightly, and then put it carefully back again. I noticed a strange acrid taste. The barrel was turned toward the sun, and its light was allowed to shinestraight into its depths. I put my head down close to the surface andpeered hard at the bottom. Then I was aware of a whitish powder whichshowed against the dark wood. Reaching down, some of this was brought up;and then I recognized the same powder Captain Sackett had told me wasbichloride of mercury. 

By this time Tom was in convulsions. He strained horribly, and we coulddo nothing to relieve his agony. Brandy was given, but it did no good, and finally he lost consciousness. Miss Sackett nursed him tenderly anddid all she could to make him comfortable, but it was no use. 

The horror of the thing fairly took my senses for a moment. There wewere, miles away from land, without water. The villains had meant us totell no tales. All adrift in an open boat, with food and water poisoned, we had a small chance indeed of ever telling the story of the_Sovereign's_ loss. Vessels were not plentiful at the high latitude wewere in; and, as we were out of the trade, it was doubtful if we couldeven get into the track of the regular Cape route inside a week, to saynothing of being picked up. It seemed as though Andrews' villany wouldfinish us yet. 

Far away on the southern horizon, the single mast stuck up above the bluewater like a black rod. I stood up and gazed at it. Chips appeared toread my thoughts, for he spoke out:--

"'Tis no use now, sir; the tanks would be a couple o' fathoms deep, an'we couldn't get at them. She won't float more'n a day or two, anyhow, width' afterdeck an' cargo burnt free. She'll go under as soon as the oil'swashed out wid a sea, and that'll be th' last av a bad ship. "

I saw that the carpenter was right. There was no water for either Andrewsor ourselves, and it would be foolish to go back to force the tank. 

"Heave the stuff overboard, " I said, and Johnson and Jenks raised thebarrel upon the rail. It poured out clear into the blue ocean, and showedno sign of its deadly character. 

"Break out that barrel of ship's bread, " said Chips. 

It was found to be moistened with water all through, and as even thelittle poison I had drunk made me horribly nauseated, there was nothought of tasting the stuff. Over the side it went, floating high in theboat's wake. Then came the beef. 

"Hold on with that, " said Miss Sackett. "It isn't likely they'd poisoneverything. I don't remember there being over several pounds of thatmercury in the medicine chest, and you know it won't dissolve readily inwater. They must have had something to dissolve it in first, and it wouldhave taken too long to fill everything full of the stuff. "

"Who cares to taste the beef?" I asked. 

"Give me a piece, sir, " said Johnson. 

He put it in his mouth and chewed slowly upon it at first, as though notquite certain whether to swallow it or not. Finally he mustered courageand made away with a portion of it, waiting some minutes to see if itproduced pain. It was apparently all right, and then he swallowed therest. We concluded to keep the beef and eat it as a last resort. 

The breeze freshened in the southeast, and we ran along steadily. If itheld, we could make about a hundred miles a day, and raise the Africancoast within a week. There was a chance, if we could stand the strain. 

It was now the sixth day since we had left the _Pirate_, and we figuredthat she must have rounded the Cape, and would now be standing along upthe South Atlantic with the steady southeast trade behind her. Otherships would be in the latitude of Cape Town, and if we could make thenorthing, we might raise one and be picked up. I pictured the horrors thepoor girl sitting beside me must endure if we were adrift for days in thewhale-boat. What she had already gone through was enough to shake thenerves of the strongest woman, but here she sat, quietly looking at thewater, her eyes sometimes filled with tears, while not a word ofcomplaint escaped her lips. 

Her example nerved me. I had passed the order to stop all talking exceptwhen necessary, as it would only add to thirst. We ran along in silence. 

We had no compass save the one hanging to my watch-chain, as big as mythumb-nail, but I managed to make a pretty straight course for all that. The wind freshened and was quite cool. The sunlight, sparkling over theocean, which now turned dark blue with a speck of white here and there towindward, warmed us enough to keep off actual chill, but the men who hadtaken off their coats to make a little more of a spread to the fair windsoon requested permission to put them on again. Sitting absolutely quietas we were, the air was keener than if we were going about the sheltereddecks of a ship. 

On we went, the swell rolling under us and giving us a twisting motion. Sometimes we would be in a long hollow where the breeze would fail. Then, as we rose sternwrard, the little sail would fill, and away we would go, racing along the slanting crest of the long sea, the foam rushing fromthe boat's sides with a hopeful, hissing sound, until the swell wouldgain on us and go under, leaving the boat with her bow pointing up thereceding slope and her headway almost gone, to drop into the followinghollow and repeat the action. 

The English sailor who had drank the water was now stone dead. Johnsongave me a look, and I began a conversation with Miss Sackett, endeavoringto engage her attention. A splash from forward made her look, and she sawwhat had happened. Then she turned and, looking up at me, placed her softlittle hand on mine which lay upon the tiller. 

"You are very good to me, Mr. Rolling, but I can stand suffering as wellas a man, " she said. "I thank you just the same. " Then her eyes filledand she turned away her face. I found something to fix at the rudderhead, and when I was through she was looking over the blue water wherethe lumpy trade clouds showed above the horizon's rim. 

As the day wore on, the hunger of the men began to show itself. Jenkskept his wrinkled, leather face to the northward, looking steadily for asail, but the other sailors glanced aft several times, and I noticed thestrange glare of the eye which tells of the hungry animal. Some of thesemen had eaten nothing for twenty-four hours. One big, heavy-looking youngsailor glanced back several times from the clew of his eye at the girlsitting aft. But I fixed my gaze upon him so steadily that he shifted hisseat and looked forward. 

Late in the afternoon some of the men insisted on eating the beef, and itwas served to them. No ill effects followed, so all hands took theirration. This satisfied them for the time being, but I knew the thirstwhich must surely follow. I had been adrift in an open boat before in thePacific. There had been sixteen men at the start, and at the end of fourweeks of horror seven had been picked up to tell a tale which would makethe blood curdle. The memory of this made me sick with fear and anxiety. 

Johnson felt so much better from his meal that he stood in the bow withhis little monkey-like figure braced against the mast, his legs on thegunwales. He said jokingly that he'd raise a sail before eight bells inthe afternoon. Suddenly he cried out:--

"Sail dead ahead, sir!"

"'Tis no jokin' matter, " growled Chips, angrily. "Shet yer head, yemonkey, afore I heave ye over th' side. "

Johnson turned fiercely upon him. 

"Jokin', you lummax! Slant yer eye forrads, an' don't sit there a-lookin'at yerself, " he snarled. 

"Steady, there!" I cried. "Where's the vessel?"

"Right ahead, sir, and standing down this ways, if I see straight. "

I stood up on the stern locker and looked ahead. Sure enough, a whitespeck showed on the northern horizon, but I couldn't see enough of thecraft's sails to tell which way she headed. 

The men all wanted to stand at once, and it took some sharp talk toget them under control; but the young girl at my side showed no signsof excitement. I looked at her, and her gentle eyes looked straightinto mine. 

"I knew she would come, " she said. "I've prayed all the morning. "

In twenty minutes, spent anxiously watching her, the ship raised hertopsails slowly above the line of blue, and then we saw she really wasjammed on the wind and reaching along toward us rapidly. 

"'Tis the _Pirit_, an' no mistake!" cried the carpenter. "Look at themr'yals! No one but th' bit av a mate, Trunnell, iver mastheaded a yardlike that. "

"The _Pirate_!" yelled Johnson, from forward. 

And so, indeed, it really was. 

I looked at her and then at the sweet face at my side. All the hard linesof suffering and fright had left it. The eyes now had the same gentle, trusting look of innocence I had seen the first morning we had taken offthe _Sovereign's_ crew. The reaction was too much for me. I was littlemore than a boy in years, so I reached for the girl's hand and kissed it. 

When I looked up I caught the clew of Jenks' eye, but the rest werelooking at the rapidly approaching ship. 

XVIII

When the _Pirate_ neared us, we could make out a man coming down theratlines from the foretop, showing that she had evidently sighted us evenbefore we had her. As she drew nearer still, we could see Trunnellstanding on the weather side of the poop, holding to a backstay andgazing aloft at his canvas, evidently giving orders for the watch to beara hand and lay aft to the braces. He would lay his mainyards aback andheave her to. Along the high topgallant rail could be seen faces, and onthe quarter-deck Mrs. Sackett stood with our friend Thompson, betterknown in the Antipodes as Jackwell, the burglar. As I watched himstanding there pointing to us, I thought of poor Jim. 

"Wheel down, " I heard Trunnell bawl as the ship came within fifty fathom. "Slack away that lee brace; steady your wheel. "

Before the ship's headway had slackened we had out the oars and wererowing for her. In a moment a sailor had flung us a line, and we weretowing along at the mizzen channels, with the men climbing aboard as fastas they could. 

Miss Sackett was passed over the rail, and her mother took her below. Iwas the last one except Johnson to climb up. He stood at the bow ready tohitch on the tackles. But other men took his place, and as I went overthe rail Thompson came and shook my hand warmly. 

"Sink me, Mr. Rolling, but you've had a time of it, hey?" he said. "Howare the men on the _Sovereign_? We've been standing along north and southfor six days, expecting to pick you up, and here you are. It's all thatTrunnell's doings. I was for going ahead the day we missed you, but thatbig-headed little rascal insisted on hunting for you after seeing youleave the wreck. Where's Jim and Phillippi, and the rest?"

The sincerity of his welcome had taken me off my guard, and I foundmyself standing there shaking his hand. Then I recovered myself. 

"It's a pity Captain Thompson missed this ship the day she sailed, " Isaid quietly. "We were informed the night before that he'd be with us. Itmight have saved the lives of some good men. "

He let go my hand and smiled strangely at me, his hooked nose working, and his eyes taking that hard glint I knew so well. 

"So you were really waiting for a man you'd never seen, hey? Was thatthe lay of it? And when I came aboard and said I was Thompson, yougulped down the bait, hey, you bleeding fool. Who the dickens do youthink I am, anyhow?"

"I happen to know that you pass by the name of Jackwell, " I said. "Here, Chips, " I called, but the carpenter was already at my side. "What namedid Jim give the captain, and what was his business?"

"'Tis no use av makin' any more av it, cap'n. We know all about ye. Th'best thing ye can do is to step down from the quarter-deck. "

"Trunnell, " said Thompson, with his drawl, "what d'ye think of these mencoming back clean daft?"

The mate was close beside us, giving orders for the disposal of the smallboat, and he turned and clasped my hand for the first time. 

"Mighty glad t' see ye both back. I suppose the rest are aboard the_Sovereign_" said he, looking us over. 

"And they come aboard with a tale that I'm some other man than CaptainThompson; that I knew that he was coming, and got aboard before him andwent out in his place, " said Jackwell. "Sink me, Trunnell, but I'm afeardyou'll have to put them in irons. "

"That's quare enough, " said the mate, with a smile. "Come below, Rolling, and let's have yer yarn. You, too, Chips, ye'll need a nip of good stuffas well. I'm sorry ye've turned up with a screw loose. All right, cap'n. Square away when ye're ready. The boat's all right. " And the littlebushy-headed fellow turned and led the way down over the poop, enteringthe forward cabin, where the steward was waiting to tell us how glad hewas we had turned up, and also serve out good grog with a meal ofpotatoes and canned fruit. 

I was so tired and hungry from the exertions of the pasttwenty-four hours that I went below without further protest, Chipsfollowing sullenly. 

"I'se sho nuff glad to see yo' folks agin, Marse Rolling, " said thesteward. "Take a little o' de stuff what warms an' inwigerates. "

We fell to and ate heartily, and while we did so we told our story. Trunnell sat, and every now and again scratched his bushy head withexcitement and interest while we told of the way Andrews had done. Whenwe told how Jim had come to be aboard the _Pirate_, he walked fore andaft on the cabin deck, shaking his head from side to side, and muttering. 

"Was Jim the only one who knew about the business?" he asked. 

We told him he was, and that no one but Chips and myself had heard whatthe detective had said. 

Trunnell sat with his hands in his hair for the remainder of the time wewere filling ourselves. He said nothing further until Chips made someremark about his taking the ship in. Then he arose and stood before us. 

"It may be as ye say, Rolling. I'd hate to doubt your word, and don't, in a way, so to speak. But discipline is discipline. You men know that. Our captain comes aboard with a letter sayin' as he's the Thompsonwhat'll take the ship out. We has orders to that effect from the owners. It ain't possible another man could have known o' the thing so quick, and come aboard to take his place. Leastways, we hain't got no evidencebut the word of a sailor who's dead, to the contrary. It may be as yesay, but we'll have to stick to this fellow until we take soundings. When we gets in, then ye may tell yer tale an' find men to back it. Don't say no more about it while we're out, for it won't do no good, an'may get ye both in irons. 'Twas a devil ye had for a shipmate whenAndrews went with ye, --a terrible man, sure enough. I've insisted onstanding backwards an' forrads along the track for nearly a week inhopes we'd pick ye up, an' I've nearly had trouble with the old man forwaiting so long. He's heard o' the fracas, an' will stand along to pickup his third mate. I don't know as he'll care for Andrews, but he'lltake the girl-mate sure if he's afloat. "

"There's no use av makin' any bones av the matther, Mr. Trunnell, " saidChips. "That third mate an' the murderin' devil ain't comin' aboard thishere ship. Ef they do, I'll kill them meself whin they comes over th'side. " And he arose, lugging out the revolver he had taken from theruffian at the close of the fight. 

I stepped into my room and brought forth my own, handing Chips somecartridges for his. 

"I think the men will stand to us in the matter, Trunnell, " I said. 

The little mate looked sorrowfully at us both, and shook his greathead slowly. 

"'Tain't no use o' makin' a fuss, " he said at last. "Discipline isdiscipline, an' you knows it. If the captain wants them fellows aboard, aboard they comes, and no one here kin stop them. There's only onecaptain to a ship. When his orders don't go, there's blood an' mutiny an'piracy an' death aboard. Put up your guns. Don't let's say no more aboutit till we raise them, for maybe they're gone under by this time. Wewon't reach the wreck anyways afore night. "

It happened as he said. When we went on deck, the _Pirate_ had swung heryards and was standing along in the direction we had come. Thompson, orrather Jackwell, walked fore and aft on the weather side of the poop, andgazed at each turn at the horizon ahead. A lookout was posted in theforetop, while the rest of the men lounged about the decks and discussedthe situation and the tragedy of the day before. 

Chips was for open mutiny, and Johnson backed him. All our men were insympathy with us, and some were so outspoken that they could be countedon if a fresh fracas occurred. The majority, however, were so well undercontrol that they appeared to be satisfied to obey orders under anyconditions. The Englishmen were neutral. All except Jenks were silent oradvised the recognition of the established authority, telling how wecould square matters afterward with our enemies. 

This shows how a sailor is at the mercy of any one who has beenestablished in authority. If he resists in any manner, he is mutinous andis liable to the severest penalties. Here we were with every prospect ofhaving Andrews and our third mate on board again, to go through someother horror, unless we turned pirates and took the ship. This was arisky thing to attempt, for if successful and there was any bloodshed, wewould certainly either swing or pass under a heavy sentence. That is, ofcourse, if we failed to prove that Thompson was the rascal Jim had toldus he was. On the other hand, if we failed, there was the absolutecertainty of being at the mercy of the rascal's cruelty, unless Trunnellwould be able to control them all. 

The little mate was a strange character. He believed in obeying ordersunder any conditions whatever, unless absolute proof could be had thatthe one who gave the orders was unauthorized to do so. In spite of hisfriendship for me, I knew full well that he would die rather than disobeythe captain, no matter what the order was, provided he considered it alegitimate one. The fact that the men had committed horrible crimes didnot in any manner disinherit them from the ship in his opinion. Theyshould be dealt with afterward according to the law. 

I took no part in an argument. Neither did Trunnell or the skipper. Theyboth seemed satisfied of their position and took no pains to talk to themen as if they suspected a rising. I stood in the waist and remainedlooking steadily at the horizon until the sun dipped, and there was everyprospect that night would come before we raised the black mast of thewreck. My pistol was in my pocket ready for instant use, and I saw by thebunch under Chips' coat that he was also ready. His small black mustachewas worked into points under the pressure of his nervous fingers, and hesat on the hatch-combings apart from all save Johnson. The sailor walkedathwartships before him on the deck as if to get the stiffness out of hislittle legs, which seemed now thinner than ever, as the setting sun shonebetween them through the curious gap. 

The upper limb of the red sun was just touching the line of water whenthe man in the foretop hailed the deck. 

"Wreck on weather bow, sir!" he bawled. 

My heart gave a great jump and I looked at Chips. Johnson made a movementwith his hand as if holding a knife and went to the weather rail andlooked over. 

"Weather maintopsail brace!" came the call from Trunnell. The men cametumbling aft and took their places. 

"Lee braces, Mr. Rolling, " he called again, and I crossed the deck, knowing that he would jam her as high as he could to make as far towindward as possible before darkness set in. 

We braced her sharper, and she pointed a bit higher, but she could notquite head up to the black stick that showed above the horizon. The wind, however, was steady, and under her royals the _Pirate_ was about thefastest and prettiest ship afloat. She heeled gently to the breeze andwent through it to the tune of seven knots, rolling the heft of the longsea away from her clipper bows and tossing off the foam without a jar ortremble. I looked hard at the distant speck which was now just visiblefrom the deck, and wondered how Andrews and his crew felt. I could seenothing of the _Sovereign's_ hull, and hope rose within me. I foundmyself saying over and over again to myself, "She's gone under, she'sgone under. " Then just before it grew too dark to see any longer I wentaft and took up the glass. Through it the black forecastle of the wreckshowed above the sea. 

XIX

It was quite dark before the _Pirate_ had come up with the wreck. Theskipper and Trunnell had gone below to their supper, and I had charge ofthe deck, with orders to heave the ship into the wind when we cameabreast, and sing out for the mate to man the boat. 

We were barely able to make within half a mile dead to leeward, but whenwe did, I backed the main yards and clewed up the courses, taking in theroyals to keep from drifting off too fast in the gloom. 

Trunnell came on deck and gave orders to get out the boat. She was soonat the channels, jumping and thrashing in the sea, for the breeze was nowquite strong. The mate jumped into her with four men, and Thompson wentto the break of the poop and told me I could go below to supper. Chipsand the steward came aft, also, and we made out to eat a square meal insilence, each making a sign to his neighbor toward the back of his belt. 

While we ate, listening for the sound of oars that would tell of thereturn of the boat, we could hear snatches of the sad talk of thetwo women in the after-cabin, through the bulkhead. This did nottend to raise our spirits, and we hurried through to be on deck whenTrunnell returned. 

Scarcely had we gained the main deck when we heard the regular sound ofthe oars and oar-locks. Soon the dim shadow of the boat was seen headingtoward us, outlined against the light in the eastern sky where the moonwas rising. 

We took our places at the waist and awaited developments. Jackwell stooddirectly above me, and I could see his face with its glinting eyes turnedtoward me. His mustache was waxed into sharp points and curved upward, while his protruding chin and beak-like nose appeared to draw even nearertogether. He was evidently quite well satisfied that he would be able totake care of his passengers, for he said nothing to me to indicate thathe was disturbed by my proximity to the gangway. 

I had decided to shoot Andrews the moment he came over the side, withouta word. This much I had confided to Chips and Johnson. They would standby me if there was a general attack, and we would make the best termspossible afterward. 

The boat drew close aboard, and I could see the backs of the rowers swingfore and aft to the stroke. Then she shot alongside and was fast to themizzen channels, and I stepped back ready for action. Jackwell noticed mymove and drew his pistol. I drew mine, and glancing around I saw that thecarpenter and Johnson were standing near, with their weapons at hand, andhalf a dozen sailors with them. I would not be alone. 

A form sprang over the side, and I raised my weapon almost before I knewit. Then I recognized Trunnell. 

"You can disarm that young fool, Trunnell, " said Jackwell, putting awayhis gun. "It's lucky for him you've come back without any one, or I'dhave shot him in half a second more. "

The little mate came down the poop steps and went up to me. 

"You better go below, Rolling, " said he. "I didn't tell him, " he addedunder his breath, "that you had said you'd mutiny afore I left, or hewould probably have done for both you and Chips. He doesn't even know nowthat Chips was with you, so get into your room and pipe down. "

I was so dazed at Trunnell coming back alone I could hardly talk. Ilooked again over the side to see if there was no mistake. All the menwere now aboard, and only the empty craft was there, dancing at the endof her painter. Then I turned and followed the mate below, he stoppingjust long enough to give orders to hoist in the boat and swing the yards. Jackwell went to the wheel, and away the ship went to the westward, leaving the shadowy thing there on the eastern horizon to mark the end ofa fine ship. I stopped a moment to look at the derelict, and the risingmoon cast a long line of silver light across the sea. 

Out in that shining track, a dark stick rose from the water. That was thelast I saw of the _Sovereign_. 

"Where were they?" I asked Trunnell, as we came into the cabin. 

"Well, " said the little mate, coolly, "since you've worked yourself up somuch over the matter, and as we're a-goin' along on our course agin, as Isuggested to the skipper afore we raised the wrack"--here he went to thepantry and brought out a bottle, and held it out to me. 

"No, " I said; "I don't want anything to drink. Tell me what became of thefellows on the wreck. It's my second watch, if I remember right, and I'llbe ready to turn out at eight bells. "

"Well, " said Trunnell, "where they is an' where they is not, stumps me. Where a feller goes when he dies is mostly a matter o' guesswork, so Idon't know as I can say eggzackly jest where them fellers is at. "

Here he took a long drink, and wiped his mouth on the back of his hand. Iput my gun in my room, and sat down at the cabin table, where he held thebottle as though undecided whether to take another drink or put it awayin the pantry. Rum appeared to be easy of access on the ship, and I knewI could get it any time I wanted it. 

"Well, ye see, the way of it ware like this, " went on the mate. "Ididn't take no stock o' those fellers bein' aboard a ship what had beenafire, so when ye went into stays an' swore to do bloody murder an'suddin death to them fellers, I didn't let on to the old man. What's theuse? says I. We ain't a-goin' to bring them back noways. "

"Weren't they aboard?" I asked. 

Trunnell gave me a long, keen look. 

"Be ye tellin' o' this yarn, Rolling, or me?" he said. 

I asked his pardon for interrupting. 

"As I ware a-sayin' afore ye put in your oar, when I hears that ye bothhad told the truth o' the matter o' the fight, it appeared to me thatthem fellers couldn't be aboard that wrack. I told the old man so, but heware fer standin' along after them anyways. Then I ware clean decidedthat the wrack had done fer them. "

"Wasn't there a sign of them aboard?" I asked again. 

"There's such a thing as bein' inquisitive, " said Trunnell, looking at mewith his keen little eyes from under their shaggy brows. "Them men ain'ton that wrack--an' I told the skipper so, see?"

He pulled out his sheath-knife, went to the door of the cabin, and flungit clear of the ship's side. Then he came back. 

"There's some such thing as justice on ships, when the fellers go toofar; but discipline is discipline. The sooner ye get that through yerhead, the better. As fer them men with Andrews, they had give up anyright to live afore I got there. I told the old man that the chances wereagin their bein' found there. I comes back and reports that they ain'tthere. That's all. Where they is I don't much keer. They is plenty o'sharrucks in this here ocean, and some parts o' them is most likelyhelpin' them. The rest is mostly in hell, I reckon, but as I says afore, that is a matter o' mostly guesswork. "

A dim idea of the horror he had gone through came upon me. 

"Good God, Trunnell, " I said, "did you do it alone?"

"Well, there ware only one strong one in the lot--but look here, youngman, if ye don't turn in pretty soon, ye'll be in trouble agin. "

He poured himself out another drink, and put the bottle in the pantry. Then he went on deck, and I turned in to think over the spectacle thatmust have occurred aboard the blackened derelict. I could see Andrews'shope and the third mate's joy at being rescued. I could even picturethem undergoing the wild joy I had just felt myself, when we had sightedthe _Pirate_. Then came that nameless something. Had the men seen it? Arescuer coming aboard with a bloody knife in his belt, and the shipstanding away again on her course for the States on the other side ofthe world!

There would be no explanations, and the blackened wreck, half sunken inthe swell, would tell no tales. Trunnell was really a strange character. 

"Discipline is discipline, " I seemed to hear him saying all my watchbelow. His step sounded above my head as he walked fore and aft, duringhis watch; and during the periods of fitful slumber I enjoyed beforeeight bells struck, I fancied him a great giant whose feet struck witha thunderous sound at every stride. I was almost startled when hisgreat bushy head was thrust into my room door, and he announced loudlythat it was the mid-watch, and that I would need a stout jacket to wardoff the cold. 

XX

For the next three days we went along merrily to the northward, thebeginning of the southeast trade behind us, and our skysails drawing fulloverhead. On the third day Cape Agullas was sighted on our beam. Then, away we went scudding across the South Atlantic Ocean for the equator. 

Miss Sackett and her mother came on deck now and enjoyed the beautifulweather. The sufferings they had both gone through had made a deepimpression upon them, and they were very quiet. The older woman would sitfor hours in a faded dress saved from the wreck of the _Sovereign_, gazing sadly at the wake sparkling away in the sunshine astern. Thebright gleams seemed to light up the memories of her past, and sometimeswhen I saw her she would have a tear trickling slowly down each cheek. Men as good as Sackett were scarce on deep water. 

But the daughter was different. She was sad enough, at times. Beingyoung, however, the loss of her father fell easier upon her. We oftenfound time to chat together during the day watches on deck, and sheshowed a marked interest in the ship, and the people aboard, talkingcheerfully of the future and the probable ending of the voyage. Jenksinterested her and likewise Trunnell; but the sturdy mate paid littleattention to her, devoting all his time to the affairs of her mother. 

Thompson, or Tackwell, still commanded the ship, and Chips and I agreedthere was no use in forcing matters with Trunnell against us. We wouldbide our time and wait for him on making harbor. He was doing well enoughnow, and since the women had come aboard he had been quieter in his cups, staying below when not sober enough to talk pleasantly. His mustache hecurled with more care, and his dress was better than before, otherwise hewalked the deck with the same commanding air, and drawled out his ordersas usual. He was the most temperate at the very times when I expected himto go off into one of his ugly sarcastic fits, and was evidently tryingto carry out the remainder of the voyage without any friction anywhere. This made matters easy for the mates. 

During this period of good weather the routine duties of the ship tookthe place of the fierce excitement of the past. The bright sunshinecheered us greatly, and the spirits of all on board rose accordingly. Theday watches were spent in healthy labor on the main deck, bending oldsails and sending below the new ones. A ship, unlike a human being, always puts on her old and dirty clothes in fine weather, and bends hernew and strong ones for facing foul. 

The poultry and pigs, which nearly all deep-water ships carry, wereturned loose to get exercise and air. The "doctor" worked up hisplum-duff on the main hatch in full view of hungry men, and tobacco wasin plenty for those who had money to pay for it, Trunnell giving fairmeasure to all who ran bills on the slop chest. 

The little shaggy-headed fellow interested me more than ever now, and hewas in evidence all day long. His hair and beard, which resembled themane of a lion, could be seen at all times, from the poop to thetopgallant forecastle, rising above the hatches or going down thegangways, where he attended to everything in person. Since the night whenhe came aboard with his bloody knife, I felt strangely toward him. Henever alluded to the affair again in any way whatever, but went at hiswork in the same systematic and seaman-like manner that had, from thefirst, marked him as a thorough sailor. He was always considerate to themen under him, and many times when I expected an outburst of fierceanger, such as nine out of ten deep-water mates would indulge in at astupid blunder of a lazy sailor, he simply gave the fellow a quiettalking to and impressed him with the absolute necessity of care in hiswork. We had plenty of men aboard, and the crew of the _Sovereign_ wereturned to each watch and made to do their share. 

After a few days, Trunnell came to me and told me I might choose a thirdmate for him out of the men who had been in the _Sovereign's_ crew. Noneof the men of the _Pirate_ he said were up to a mate's berth, exceptJohnson, and he, poor fellow, couldn't read or write. Jenks was tooslippery for me after his hand in the fracas, so I asked the steward topick me out a man from forward, thinking he would be able to note theproper qualities better than myself, as he was thrown in closer contactwith the men. The steward, Gunning, was a mulatto, as I have said, and hewas of a sympathetic disposition. Among the men who had first come aboardfrom the wreck was an old fellow of nondescript appearance who had verythoughtfully seized several bottles of Captain Sackett's rum to have inthe small boat in case of sickness. This was made possible by theflooding of the ship, which made it necessary for the men to live aft. 

The old fellow had apparently enjoyed good health, and had saved acouple of bottles which he offered to the steward as a bribe for arecommendation. This kindness on the old man's part had appealeddirectly to Gunning, and he had sent him aft to me as the very man Iwanted. He was very talkative and full of anecdotes, proving a mostinteresting specimen. 

"I ain't been out o' sight o' land before in my life, " said he, in a fitof confidence the first evening we divided watches, "but old Chris Kinglebelieved everything I told him, and here I am, third mate of this hooker, as sober as a judge, waitin' to get killed the first time I go aloft. Bleed me, but I'm in a fix; but it's no worse than I expected, foreverything goes wrong nowadays. "

"Well, what do you mean by coming aft here as mate when you know youcan't fill the bill?" I roared, made furious at his confession. 

"Cap, " said he, as calmly as if I hadn't spoken, "some men is borngreat; some men tries to get great; and some men never has no show atall, nohow. Take your chances, says I. Mebbe I'm born great, an' itonly needs a little opportunity to bring it out--like the measles. Anyways, I never let an opportunity fer greatness come along withoutlaying fer it. I'm agin it now, an' if y' ever hear o' my bein' at seaagin, just let me know. "

"If you ever see the beach again, you'll have reason to thank me, andI'll just tell you right now, you can make up your mind for double ironsuntil we get to Philadelphia, " I shouted. 

"Bleed me, cap, that's just about what I didn't think you'd do, " thelubber responded. "Give me a chance, 'n' if I'm no good as third mate, I'll probably do as fourth. Try me. If I'm born great, I'll show up. IfI'm not, I can at least die great, or greater than I am. I've lived onland all my life, but I know something about sailing. I'm fifty-two yearold come next fall, an' if I can't sail a ship after all I've seen o'them, I'll be willing to live in irons or brass, or enny thing. "

"You go below and tell Mr. Gunning to come here to me, " I said, in nopleasant tone, and as the fellow shuffled off to do as I said, hisbloated, red features told plainly what it had cost him to overcomeGunning and get the steward into the state he must have been to recommendsuch a fellow for an officer aboard ship. 

When Gunning came aft, he was so ashamed of himself that I let him go, and he picked a mate from one of the quartermasters of the watch, while Iturned the old fellow to as a landsman. This had no effect on hisloquacity, however, for he never lost an opportunity for telling a sadyarn full of the woes of this life and the anticipated ones in the worldto come. He had drank much and thought little, except of his own sorrowsand ill luck, but as his yearnings for sympathy did no harm, he wasseldom repressed. 

We were three months out before we struck into the rains to the southwardof the line, so there was an accumulation of dirty clothes aboard thatwould have filled the heart of a laundress with joy--or horror. 

The _Pirate_ was running close on her water, for the port tank had sprunga leak, and there was no condenser aboard. The allowance had been set attwo quarts per day for each man. This was barely enough to satisfyordinary thirst and no more. 

For the first day or two we made good headway into the squally belt. Theheavy, black, and dangerous-looking clouds would come along about everyhalf-hour, just fast enough to keep the men busy clewing down andhoisting the lighter canvas nearly all day long, for some would have apuff of wind ahead of them and some a puff behind, making it allguesswork as to how hard it would strike. 

After the second day we had the doldrums fair enough, and there we laywith our courses clewed up and our t'gallantsails wearing out with thecontinuous slatting, as the ship rolled lazily on the long, easyequatorial sea. She was heading all around the compass, for there wasnot enough air to give her steering way; so, after dinner, all handswere allowed to turn out their outfits on the main deck for a grandwash. When we were under one of those squall-clouds, the water wouldfall so heavily that it would be ankle deep in the waist in spite of thehalf-dozen five-inch scuppers spouting full streams out at both sides. The waterfall was enough to take away the breath, standing in it, butall hands turned out stripped to the waist. The scuppers were plugged, and soon the waist of the ship, about forty feet wide and sixty long, looked like a miniature lake with the after-hatch rising like asnow-white island from the centre, and upon which a miniature surf brokeas the water swashed and swirled with each roll of the ship. Here werehundreds of gallons of excellent water to wash in, and blankets, jumpers, flannels, etc. , were soon floating at will, while the menseized whatever of their belongings they could lay hands on, and rubbedpiece after piece with soap. The large pieces, such as blankets, werehauled into the shallows forward, where the ship's sheer made a gentlysloping beach. Then they were smeared with soap and laid just awash, while the men would slide along them in their bare feet as though onice, squeezing out great quantities of dirty suds. Afterwards they wouldbe cast adrift in the deep water to rinse. 

I came to the break of the poop and looked down upon the busy scene a fewfeet beneath on the main deck. The water here was fully two feet deep inthe scuppers when the ship rolled to either side, and the men were almostwashed off their feet with its rush. Some of them had climbed upon theisland, --the main hatch, --where they sat and wrung the pieces of theirapparel dry. Among these washers was my old third mate, now transformedinto a somewhat shiftless sailor. 

The old fellow's wardrobe was limited. It consisted of his naturalcovering in the way of skin and hair, one shirt, and a pair of badly worndungaree trousers. The shirt he had worn during the entire cruise, andperhaps some time before, and as it fitted him tightly, and as hisnatural covering of hair on his chest was thick, it had gradually workedits way through the cloth, curling sharply on the outside, making thegarment and himself as nearly one as possible. This had caused him nolittle inconvenience in washing, and it was with great difficulty he hadremoved the garment. He had spent half an hour rubbing it with a piece ofsalt-water soap, rinsed it thoroughly, and had it spread out on thehatch-combings. His work being finished, he sat near it, with his kneesdrawn up to his breast, his hands locked around his shins, and his facewearing an expression of deep and very sad thought. 

Trunnell came out on the deck and had his things cast into the water withthe rest. Then he peeled off his shirt and stood forth naked to thewaist, a broad belt strapped tightly about him holding his trousers. Hismuscles now showed out for the first time, and I stood gazing at theenormous bunches on his back and shoulders. He was like some monstrousgiant cut off at the waist and stuck upon a pair of absurdly short legs, which, however, were simply knots of muscle. 

When he had finished his shirt, he turned over the rest of his belongingsto Johnson to wash for him. Then his gaze fell upon the unhappy-lookingold fellow on the hatch, who was holding his single shirt now in hishands, waiting for it to dry sufficiently for him to wear it again. Asthe rain fell in torrents every few minutes, this appeared an endlesstask, and the old man grew more sorrowful. 

"There ain't nothin' in this world fer me, " said he, sadly, cc not even abloomin' shirt. Here I am shipwrecked and lost on a well-found ship, an'sink me, I ain't even able to change me clothes, one piece at a time. "

"Ye'll soon be ashore agin, old feller, " said Trunnell, "an' then ye'llhave licker an' clothes in plenty. "

"What's licker to me?" said the old man. 

"Why, meat an' drink, when ye has to quit it off sudden like, "said Trunnell. 

"It's clothes I wants, not no rum. Can't ye see I'm nakid as Adam, exceptfer this old rag? I wouldn't mind if I ware signed on regular like therest, 'cause I could take it out the slop chest in work. But here I iswithout no regular work, no chanst to draw on the old man, an' nextmonth, most like, we'll be running up the latitoods inter frost. I'm in ahard fix, shipmate, an' you kin see it. "

Trunnell seemed to be thinking for several minutes. Then he spoke. 

"There's lots o' bugs an' things forrads, ain't there?" said he. 

"If by lots ye means millions, I reckon ye're talkin', " said the man. 

"Well, " said Trunnell, "I'll tell ye what I'll do. You get a sail needlean' a line to it about half a fathom long, see?"

"I sees. "

"Well, then ye go about between decks, an' in the alleyways, an' behindthe bunks, an' around the galley, an' earn yer own outfit with thatneedle, see? When ye have a string o' bugs a-fillin' the string likeclear up to the needle's eye, ye bring them aft to me, an' I gives yecredit fer them in clothes or grog, each string bein' worth a drink, an'a hundred worth a shirt or pants. Do ye get on to the game?"

"I get on to it well enough, " said the fellow, "but what I wants to knowis, whether ye'll take me whurd o' honner that I'll catch a string o'bugs afore night, an' give me the rum now to stave off the chill. "

"I will, " said Trunnell. 

The old man rose from the hatchway, and struggled hard to get into hisshirt. The garment had shrunk so, however, that the sleeves reached butto his elbows and the tails to his waist band. He seized the open frontin his hand and looked solemnly at the mate with his sad eyes. 

"Lead me to it! Lead me to it! For the Lord's sake, lead me to it!" hesaid quietly. 

And Trunnell went into the forward cabin with the apparition followingeagerly in his wake. 

What a strange little giant he was, this mate! "Discipline isdiscipline, " he would say, and no man got anything for nothingaboard his ship. 

XXI

We crossed the line in 24 west longitude, running close to the St. Paul'sRocks. These strange peaks to the southward of the equator caused someinterest aboard, rising as they do out of the middle of the ocean a mileor more in depth. 

The air was hot and muggy the day we crossed into the northernhemisphere, and the light breeze died away again, leaving the ship withher courses clewed up, rolling and wallowing uneasily in the swell. 

Jackwell, as I must always call him now, spruced himself up better thanusual, and paid more attention to the ladies. He avoided me at everyopportunity; but as neither Chips nor myself ever alluded to the storywe had heard from Jim, his courage rose, and he became more familiarwith the men. 

Up to this time, we had not sighted a single sail since the _Sovereign_;but here on the line, where the fleets of the maritime world congregateto pick up the north or southeast trades, we sighted many ships boundboth out and in. 

One of these that happened near us was the _Shark_, whaling brig of threehundred tons, commanded by Captain Henry, --a man who had sailed inAmerican ships engaged in the deep-water trade for years before he hadtaken to whaling. This vessel signalled us; and when we had answered andfound out who our neighbor was, we were invited aboard. 

Jackwell was willing to go with the ladies, as he thought it might provea diversion. There was no chance for a breeze, and the ships were withinhalf a mile of each other, with a smooth sea between. He insisted, however, that I go along to command the boat. 

Chips and I had from the first decided to try and get a peep at thecaptain's trunk, and this might prove our chance. Gunning's tale of itsgreat weight gave rise to many high thoughts; and if it were gold, muchmight be hoped for if we landed our man when we made port. 

A few words with the carpenter was enough, and then I got the men at workhoisting out the boat. I found time to try and persuade Trunnell to takemy place in the small craft, but he was firm. It would never do, he said, to leave the ship without a high officer aboard. "There's no telling, Rolling, just what might happen in this world while a feller is on thedeep sea. No, sir; go ahead and enjoy yourself. There's a-goin' to besome line jokes, I reckon, aboard that brig. If the skipper ain't beenacrost before, he'll be liable to catch the fun as well as the rest, buthe don't know nothin' about sech things. "

I was a little suspicious at Trunnell's determination to stay aboard, especially when I found out he knew the captain of the whaler very well. However, I had the small boat hoisted out and made ready for thepassengers. This time there was a compass and water breaker aboard, and afoghorn in the stern sheets in case of need. 

Mrs. Sackett was helped into the small craft, and her daughter followed, both women looking brighter than at any time during the cruise. Mrs. Sackett was not a bad-looking woman at any time, being of about themedium height, with a smooth complexion, and her figure finelyproportioned. Her daughter seated herself beside her in the stern, andJackwell climbed over the rail. 

He was dressed in a very fine suit of clothes, his shirt-front white, and his waxed mustache curled fiercely. His glinting eyes had asomewhat humorous expression, I thought, and he appeared very wellpleased with himself. 

Trunnell came to the rail and leaned over. "Good luck to ye, " he cried. "We'll expect ye back to dinner. "

"Keep an eye on my room, and don't let the steward disturb the charts onmy trunk until I come back. The last sight is worked out on the one lyingon the table, " replied Jackwell. 

Then the oars fell across, and we shot out over the smooth ocean to thebrig that rolled lazily half a mile distant. 

The skipper appeared in a most humorous mood, which increased as did thedistance between the ships. 

Me talked to Mrs. Sackett incessantly and actually had that lady laughinghappily at his remarks. Miss Sackett did not rise to his humor, however, and her mother noticed it. 

"Jennie, dear, why don't you laugh? Captain Thompson is so funny, " shesaid. 

"I will when he gets off a good joke, mother. "

"Get off a good joke?" echoed the skipper. "Well, that's what I callhard. A good joke? Why, my dear child, I've gotten off the joke of mylife to-day. Sink me, if I ain't played the best joke of the year, and onTrunnell too, at that. A good joke? ha, ha, hah!" and he threw his headback and laughed so loud and long that his mirth was infectious, and Ieven found myself smiling at him. 

"Tell us what it is, " said Miss Jennie. 

"Oh, ho, ho, tell you what it is, " laughed Jackwell, and his nose workedup and down so rapidly that I marvelled at it. His glinting eyes werealmost closed and his face was red with exertion. "And suppose I'd tellyou what it is, Miss Sackett? You wouldn't laugh. Not you. You couldn'trise to the occasion like your mamma. No, sink me, if I told you what itwas, you wouldn't laugh; so you'll all have to wait till you get backaboard to hear it. But it's a good one, no fear. "

We were now almost alongside of the brig, and could see her captain atthe gangway, waiting to receive us. All along the rail strange facespeeped over at us. 

"Way enough, " cried Jackwell, and the oars were shipped. The boatswept alongside, and a ladder was lowered for us. I climbed out firstto be able to assist the ladies, and as I gained the deck I wasgreeted by a strongly built, bearded man who looked at me keenly outof clear blue eyes. 

"I'm glad to see you, sir, " said he, holding out his hand. 

I shook hands and turned to help Mrs. Sackett over the rail. Then cameMiss Jennie, and last of all our captain. 

Jackwell sprang up the ladder quickly, and stood in the gangway. 

"How are you, sir, Captain Thomp--"

Captain Henry checked himself, looking at our skipper as though he hadseen a ghost. 

"Why, Jack--"

But Jackwell had put up his hand, smiling pleasantly. 

"Jack it is, old man. You haven't forgotten the time I picked you up onthe beach, have you?" he said, laughing. "Mrs. Sackett, " he cried, turning, "allow me to introduce my friend, Captain Henry. Miss Sackett, also. Here's a skipper who hasn't forgotten the day I pulled him out ofthe water on the coast of South Wales, where he was wrecked. Sink me, butit's a blessing to see gratitude, " he cried again, laughing heartily. "Fancy one skipper pulling another out of the sea, hey? Can you do that?"

"Well, I want to know, " replied Henry. "I never knew you was a--"

"You never knew what, old man? What is it ye never knew? Sink me, itwould fill every barrel you have below, hey? wouldn't it? What you neverknew, nor never will know, would fill your little ship so full she'dsink, Henry, or I'm a soger. Ha, ha, hah! my boy; I don't mean to cast noinsinuations at you, but that's a fact, ain't it? But what the dickenshave you got going on aboard?"

He turned and gazed at the brig's main deck, where tubs of water andsoapsuds were being poured into the trying-out kettles built in thebrig's waist. 

"Why, " said Henry, "since you are a sea-capting, you must know the lay ofit. Hain't you never crossed the line in a sailin' ship before?"

He had apparently recovered himself, and the surprise at meeting an oldacquaintance appeared to give him pleasure. 

Taking Mrs. Sackett by the hand, he led her aft up the poop steps, Jackwell following, keeping up a continual talk about whales andwhaling skippers. Jennie and I followed behind and examined the brig'sstrange outfit. 

The first mate, a man of middle age, lean and gaunt, came forward andintroduced himself. He had sailed in every kind of ship, and was nowwhaling, he declared, for the last time. As I had made several "lastvoyages" myself, I knew that he meant simply to show involuntarily thathe was a confirmed sailor of the most pronounced sort. 

He showed us the lines and irons, the cutting-in outfit, and the kettlesand furnace for boiling down the blubber. We followed him about, and Iexpressed my thanks when we arrived at the poop again, where he left us. Jennie was not interested, and the fact was not lost upon the old fellow, who turned away to join his mates at the kettles. 

"Do you know, Mr. Rolling, I don't care a rap for ships, " said she. "Theydon't interest me any more, and I don't think they are the place forwomen, anyhow. "

"It would be mighty lonesome for some men if they acted on that idea andkept out of them, " I answered. 

We were all alone by the mizzen, the captains having gone below with Mrs. Sackett to show her the interior of the ship. 

The young girl looked up, and I fancied there was just a sparkle ofamusement in her eyes. 

"Do you really think so?" she said. "Can't men find more usefuloccupations than following the sea, --that is, those who are lonely?"

"Some men are fitted to do certain things in this world and unfitted forothers. It would be hard on those whose lines are laid out like that forthem. You don't think a man follows the sea after his first voyagebecause he likes it, do you?" I said. 

"Then for Heaven's sake why don't they stay ashore?" she demanded. 

"Would you care for a man who would stay out of a thing that he wasfitted for, simply because it was hard?" I asked her. 

She blushed and turned away. 

"I was not speaking of caring for any one, Mr. Rolling, " she replied. And then she added quickly, "I think we will go below and see what theyhave for us. "

"No, wait just one minute, Jennie, " I said, taking her hand and stoppingher gently without attracting the attention of the men forward. "This isthe first time we've had a chance to talk of ourselves in two months. Iwant to ask you if you really meant that?"

"Meant what?" she said, stopping and turning around, facing me squarely. 

"That you didn't care for any one?" I stammered, and I remember how myface burned. 

She let me hold her hand and looked up into my eyes. 

"I never said any such thing--that I didn't care for any one, " shereplied. 

"Then do you, Jennie?"

She made no answer, and let her eyes fall. I let go her hand and drewmyself up, for I was uncertain. 

"I say, Rolling, what the deuce are you two doing?" bawled the voice ofJackwell from the companion, and then I realized that there was littleprivacy aboard a ship of three hundred tons. 

We went aft guiltily, and met the rest coming up the companion withbottled beer and sandwiches which were served as refreshments. Chairswere set out by the old mate and two harpooners who had come aft, and thecook spruced himself up to get us out a plum-duff for lunch. From wherewe sat behind the poop rise, nothing could be seen forward, and here weate and drank while Jackwell laughed and talked incessantly, being acompletely changed man from the sarcastic and somewhat truculent skipperI had known for the last three months. It was finally suggested that asthe awning was stretched, the plum-duff could be served on deck betterthan below in the stuffy cabin, so here we enjoyed the meal. 

XXII

While we ate, Jackwell expanded more and more under the influence of duffand beer. He leaned back in his chair and gazed at the mainmast. 

"What makes the top of your mast so black, hey? Is it the smoke from thekettles, or have you been afire? Sink me, Henry, there couldn't have beenany such luck as your old hooker afire and being put out, hey? Ha, ha, hah! that would have been asking too much of the devil. "

"It's hollow, " said the old mate. 

"What? Hollow? What the deuce is your mast hollow for?"

"Well, that is a question, isn't it, Mrs. Sackett?" said Henry. "Perhapshe asks you sometimes what a smoke-pipe is hollow for, don't he? I neverseen such a funny man. But he'll never get over it, I want to know. "

"Is it really hollow?" asked Jennie of the old mate. 

"Yessum, it certainly is. Why, it's the smoke-pipe, you know, " was thereply. "We have an engine in the lazarette that'll take us along more'nthree knots in dead calm weather. It's been a lot o' help, when the windhas been light and ahead, fer picking up the boats. Ye know a whalealways makes dead to windward, mostly, an' if the wind is light and we'vegot to go a long ways, the poor devils would most starve waitin' fer us, like they used to do in the old times. The lower mast is iron. There'slots of them that way now. The soot makes the canvas black sometimes, butthere ain't no sparks to speak of ever comes out of that top, as it'smostly blubber we burns. "

Jackwell became silent for several minutes, and then, as his eyes werestill directed at the masthead, I looked again and noticed the topsailyard settled below the lower masthead. 

"How do you suppose he keeps it up like that?" I asked Jackwell, tryingto be civil. 

"Keeps what up like what?" he said, in his old tone. 

"The yard, " I answered shortly. 

"Oh, mostly by force of habit, I reckon, " said he, nodding sarcasticallyat me and wrinkling his nose. "That's it, ain't it, Henry? Your yardsstay mastheaded mostly by force o' habit, hey? They don't need no ropes. "

I saw I was not forgotten, so afterward I kept quiet when he spoke. In amoment or two after this there was a wild yell from forward. Thisterminated into a deep bass roar, and we all jumped up to see what wasthe matter. 

The form of a man sat on the starboard cat-head, and in his mouth was ahorn of enormous size, the mouth being fully three feet across. 

"Sooaye, Sooa-a-aye!" he roared. "Make way fer the great king o' thesea!"

I saw the fellow had on a long, rope-yarn beard and a wig to match, whilea pair of black wings hung from his shoulders. 

While he called, creatures swarmed over the bows. Men with beards and menwithout, some holding long spears and streamers, and some withthree-pronged tridents, all having huge heads with grotesque faces, andforked tails which hung down behind. 

"Hooray fer the king o' the sea!" bawled the fellow through the horn; andthen the motley crowd yelled in chorus, some blowing huge conch-shells, and all making a most hideous racket. 

Jennie stopped her ears and gazed, laughing at the throng. She had beenacross the line before in some of the older ships with her father, andknew of the practice. Mrs. Sackett and Captain Henry cheered and wavedtheir handkerchiefs, but Jackwell sat silently looking on. Finally all ofus went to the break of the poop, where we could get a better view, andjust as we arrived, a monstrous form came over the knight-heads and stoodforth on deck. 

The fellow had a beard fully a fathom long, and he stood nearly twofathoms high, his feet being hoof-shaped. Gigantic black canvas wingshung from his shoulders, and a huge wig of rope-yarn, with the hairfalling to his waist, sat on his head. He was escorted unsteadily to aseat upon the trying-out furnace. 

"All who have to worship the king, come forth, an' stan' out!" yelled theman with the horn. This was greeted with cheers and blasts on theconch-shells. 

Some of our men had never been over before, and one of the boat's crewconfessed. He was quickly seized and brought before King Neptune. 

"Sit ye down, right there in that there cheer, " said the king, scowling fiercely. 

The fellow sat down and stared, smiling at the monster. 

"Have ye paid fer comin' acrost this here latitood, me son?" asked theking. 

"No, " said the sailor. 

"No, what?" roared the king. 

The chair was placed on the edge of the main kettle and the monstersimply raised his hand to one of his retainers. This fellow tilted it up, sailor and all, into the smother of suds and water. Instantly there wereroars of laughter, as all hands watched the man trying to get clear ofthe slippery iron tank. Every time he would get a hold, his fingers wouldbe rapped sharply, and down he would go, floundering about. He wasfinally let off with a fine of a plug of tobacco, all his belongings savethe clothes he had with him. 

Other men followed, for the whaler had a crew of thirty-five. Some wereshaved with a barrel hoop for a razor, and tar for lather, being finallyreleased for some tobacco. 

"Come aft, O king, " bawled Henry, after the fun had grown fast andfurious. "Come aft, and get a donation from the ladies. "

The great fellow was escorted unsteadily to the poop, where he salutedthe women. 

"Have ye never paid toll to go to the other world, yet?" asked the king. 

"No, " said Jackwell, who was getting tired of the fun, "I ain't neverbeen acrost, and I ain't a-going to pay toll. "

"Shall he pay?" asked the king of Henry. 

"Sure, " was Henry's response. 

Instantly the giant sprang upon the deck, getting clear of his stilts bysome means or other. He seized Jackwell tightly around the body, andrushing to the rail, sprang into the sea, his followers yellingthemselves hoarse with delight. 

When they were hauled aboard, Jackwell was in a fury. I expected him toshoot the sailor who had the audacity to pitch him overboard, but hecontrolled himself. The incident, however, ended the fun aboard the brig, Henry, between fits of laughing, telling the mate to serve all hands withall the grog they wanted. 

"Do not wait for me, madam, " said Jackwell, to Mrs. Sackett. "I shall notcome aboard my ship in this condition. You get Mr. Rolling to take youand your daughter, and I'll follow, after Captain Henry has given me anew suit of clothes. "

This appeared to be the best thing to do, as the brig's men were nowgetting boisterous with the grog, and our men were drinking also. Theladies were tired of the performance, although they had enjoyed some ofit very much, and they were glad when I called away the boat's crew totake them back to the _Pirate_. 

Jackwell appeared at the rail as we started off. 

"Rolling, " said he, "tell Trunnell not to stay awake at night worryingabout my health. This bath will not strike in and tickle me to death asyou might be agreeable enough to suppose. "

"Hurry and change your clothes, captain, " cried Mrs. Sackett. 

"Madam, " said he, with great solemnity as the oars were dropped across, "do not grieve for me. It will make me unhappy for the rest of my piousexistence if you do. Fare thee well. "

We were now on our way back to the ship, and he stood a moment, waved hishand, and then disappeared down the companionway. 

In ten minutes we were aboard again, and I met Chips in the waist as Istopped to get a piece of tobacco. 

"Well, what was it?" I asked. 

"Faith, an' I got caught, " said Chips, with a sickly grin. 

"How was it?" I asked. "Come, tell me, while Ford and Tom get thecushions out of the boat;" and I drew the carpenter into the door of theforward cabin where Trunnell couldn't see us. 

"'Twas a fine thing ye made me do, but no matter, " he began. "Ye see, whin ye had started well on yer way to th' fisher, I thinks now is th'time av me life. Trunnell ware sitting and smokin' on the wheel-gratin', an' all ware as quiet as ye please. I wint below whistling to set him offhis guard, like; an' whin I sees me way clear I takes me chance at theafther-cabin, an' in I goes. I stopped whistlin' whin I makes th' enthry, an' I steered straight fer th' chist forninst the captin's room. The doorware open, an' I see the chist ware a little trunk av a thing, no biggerthan a hand-bag, so to speak. Up on top av it ware a pile av charts an'things sech as th' raskil sung out to Trunnell not to touch. 'Twas a cutelittle thing to do; fer how I could get inter th' outfit without a-movin'them struck me. 

"I finally grabs th' side av th' trunk an' tries to lift it. Ye may sayI lie, but s'help me, I cud no more lift that little trunk than th'ship herself. 

"Gold? Why, how cud it 'a' been anything but solid gold? I cud lift thatmuch lead easy. I stopped a minit and took out me knife, me mind made upto thry th' lock. I give wan good pick at ut, an' thin I hears a sort avgrunt. There ware Trunnell a-lookin' right down at me from th' top av th'afther-companion. 

"Sez he, 'An' what may ye be a-doin' wid th' old man's trunk, ' sez he. 

"'Sure 'tis me own I thought it ware, by th' weight av it, ' sez I. 

"'Is it so heavy, thin?' sez he. 

"'Faith, ye thry an' lift it, ' sez I. 

"He come down th' ladder an' took a-hold, shutting th' door to keep th'steward from a-lookin' in. Thin he takes hold av th' thing an' lifts ferth' good av his soul. Nary a inch does it move. 

"'I wud have opened it, but I heard th' captin's order not to disturb th'charts atop av it, ' sez I. 

"'Ye would, ye thafe, ' sez he. 'An' if ye had, inter irons would ye gofer th' raskil ye are. I never thought ye ware so bad, Chips, ' sez he. 

"'Tis a victim av discipline I am, fer sure, thin, ' sez I. 'Ye know I wudno more steal th' matther av a trunk than fly. '

"'An' who give ye th' order, ye disciplinarian?' sez he. 

"'Me conscience, ' sez I. 

"'Ye better go forrads an' tell yer conscience th' fact that it's a badwan fer an honest man to travel wid, ' sez he. 'An' tell him also to mindwhat I says about obeyin' orders aboard this here ship. If yer conscienceiver wants to command a ship, he don't want to forget that discipline isdiscipline, an' whin it comes to thavery, discipline will get ye both inirons. Slant away afore I loses my temper an' sails inter ye, ' sez he. 

"So here I am, all in a mess wid that little mate. But th' trunk av goldis safe on th' cabin floor. "

I had nothing to say further than that the matter couldn't be helped. Ifthe trunk was all right, we might land a fortune yet in the reward Jimhad told us about. Jackwell must have made off with a snug little sum. Iclimbed over the side again with some of the skipper's clothes, and westarted slowly back to the brig to get him. 

Ford was rowing bow oar, and Johnson aft, and both rowing easily made usgo very slow. However, there was no hurry. Jackwell would in allprobability take several drinks after his bath, and we would only have towait aboard the whaler for him until he was ready. The sea was so smooththat the boat hardly rippled through it, and the sun was warm, making mesomewhat drowsy. The two men rowed in silence for some time, and thenFord suddenly looked ahead to see how we were going. 

"What's the matter with the bloomin' brig?" said he, rowing with his chinon his shoulder. 

I looked around, and it seemed as though we had already gone the fulldistance to her, and yet had as far again to go. The _Pirate_ wascertainly half a mile away and there was the brig still far ahead. 

"Give way, bullies, " I said. "Break an oar or two. "

The men made a response to the order, and the boat went along livelier. Ilooked at the brig, and suddenly I noticed a thin trail of smoke comingfrom her maintop where the opening in the lower masthead should be. 

We were now within fifty fathoms of her, when Jackwell came to the railaft and looked at us. 

"Give way, bullies, you're going to sleep. " I said. 

In a few moments we were close aboard, but as we came up, the brig slewedher stern toward us, and then I noticed for the first time that she wasmoving slowly through the water. There was no wind, and I knew in amoment that she was under steam. She drifted away faster, and the men hadall they could do to keep up. Jackwell leaned over the taffrail and gazedcalmly down at us. 

"That's it, boys, give it to her. You'll soon catch us and be towingus back again. Sink me, Rolling, but you're the biggest fool I eversaw, " he said. 

I saw the water rippling away from the brig's side, and now could see thedisturbance under her stern where a small wheel turned rapidly. 

"Throw us a line, " I cried to Jackwell. 

"What d'ye want a line fer? Are ye a-going with us to the Pacific, or areye jest naturally short of lines, hey?"

"Throw us a line or we'll have to quit, " I cried; "the men can't keep upas it is. "

Jackwell let down the end of the spanker sheet, and Ford grabbed it, taking a turn around the thwart. The boat still rushed rapidly along. 

"Rolling, " said the captain of the _Pirate_, "hadn't you better go homeand tell Trunnell he wants you? Seems to me you'll have a long row backin the hot sun. I'd ask you all aboard, but this ship ain't mine. Shebelongs to a friend who owes me a little due, see? Now be a sensiblelittle fellow. Rolling, and go back nicely, or I'll have to do sometarget practice, or else cut this rope. Give my kindest regards to theladies, especially Mrs. Sackett. Tell her that I wouldn't have dreamed ofdeserting her under any other circumstances, but this brig has got thedevil in her and is running away with me. I can't stop her, and I can'tsay I would if I could. That infernal King Neptune has got hold of herkeel and is pulling us along. Good-by, Rolling; don't by any possiblemeans disturb the charts on my trunk. There, let go, you Ford. "

Ford cast the line adrift, and the boat's headway slacked. The brigdrifted slowly ahead, going at least three knots through the smoothwater. A long row of smiling faces showed over the rail as we came fromunder her stern. One fellow, waving his hand, cried out to report BillJones of Nantucket as "bein' tolerable well, thank ye. " It was evidentthey knew nothing of Jackwell and treated the going of the brig as a goodjoke on greenhorns. 

"That beats me, " said Ford, panting from his last exertions. 

"An' me too, " said Johnson. "If we'd had Tom and one or two more alongwe'd have beat her easy. But ain't he a-comin' back at all at all?"

"I hardly think we'll see Captain Thompson any more this voyage, "I answered savagely; "but by the Lord Harry, he's left his trunkall right. "

XXIII

When we rowed back to the ship, Trunnell was looking at us through theglass up to the time we came under the _Pirate's_ counter. He evidentlycould see that our skipper wasn't with us, and it seemed as if he couldnot quite make up his mind to the fact, but must keep looking through thetelescope as though the powerful glass would bring the missing one intoview. We ran up to the channels, and he looked over the side. A line ofheads in the waist told of the curiosity among the men forward. 

I said nothing, and nothing was said until the painter was made fast andFord had sprung on deck. 

"He ain't with ye, Rolling?" asked Trunnell. 

I was too much disgusted to answer. The empty boat was enough to satisfyany reasonable person. 

Chips came to the rail and leaned over as I came up the chain-plates. "'Twas so, then? Th' raskil! But what makes th' bloody hooker move? She'sslantin' away as if th' devil himself ware holdin' av her fore foot!"

"Steam, you poor idiots, " I cried out, in disgust, for it was evidentthat even Trunnell couldn't tell what made the _Shark_ get headway, although now the smoke poured handsomely from her masthead. 

Trunnell scratched his bushy head and seemed to be thinking deeply. Thenhe put down the glasses and led the way aft without a word, Chips and Ifollowing. We went below and found Mrs. Sackett and Jennie in the saloon. 

"Where's the captain?" they asked in a breath. 

"Faith, an' he's changed ships, if ye please, " said Chips. 

"And left a little thing behind he would have liked to have taken withhim, " I said. 

"What was the matter?" they both asked. 

Chips and I tried to tell, but we soon made a tangle of it, the onlything coherent being the fact that the fellow was a crook and had lefthis trunk behind. This was so heavy that Chips had failed to lift it. 

"I always knew he was not a sea-captain, " cried Jennie. "I don't see howyou men let him fool you so badly. "

Chips and I looked at the mate, but he simply scratched his head. 

"Discipline is discipline, " he said. "He ware capting o' this here ship, an' there ware no way to do but obey his orders. No, sir, discipline isdiscipline, an' the sooner ye get it through your heads, the better. "

"But he isn't captain any longer, " I said. 

"Well, I don't know about that, " said Trunnell. "If he ain't a-comin'back, he ain't capting, sure. But ye can't tell nothin' about it. He maycome aboard agin in a little while an' want to know why we didn't waitdinner for him. "

"He sho' would take his trunk, " said Gunning, "an' dat's a fact. "

"Why would he?" asked Mrs. Sackett. 

"'Cause he take good care o' dat trunk, ma'm. He sleep wid one eye on itan' his gun handy. I come near gettin' killed onct when I come into decabin, suddin' like, while he was at work ober de things inside. "

"For Heaven's sake, let's look at it, " said Mrs. Sackett. 

"'Tis th' best thing we cud do, " said Chips. "'Tis no less than solidgold he stowed in it. Faith, it's as heavy as th' main yard. "

Mrs. Sackett led the way to the captain's room, and Trunnell made nofarther resistance. She opened the door, and we crowded inside. There laythe trunk on the floor or deck ahead of us. 

"Try yer hand at th' liftin' av th' thing, " said Chips to me. 

I reached down and took hold of the handle at the side. Pulling heavily, I lifted with all my power. The trunk remained stationary. 

"Dere's nothin' but gold in dat thing, sho', " said Gunning. 

"Well, for Heaven's sake! why don't some one open it?" cried Jennie. 

"An' have him a-comin' back aboard, a-wantin' to know who had been at it, hey?" said Trunnell. "I didn't think ye ware that kind o' missy. "

"Nonsense!" I said. "He isn't coming back. Even if he is, it won't hurtto lift it, will it?"

"No, I don't know as it will, only it might upset them charts, "said Trunnell. 

"Try it, " I said. "See if it's gold. It'll clink when you shakeit, sure. "

The little giant stooped and gave a grunt of disdain. "I reckon thereain't nothin' that size I can't lift, " said he, in a superior tone, whichwas not lost on the women. Trunnell seldom bragged, and we crowdedaround, looking for quick results. 

"A little bit o' trunk a-breakin' the backs o' a pair o' fellows as hasthe impudence to say they are men an' question the discipline o' theship!" he said, with a loud grunt of disgust. "Stan' clear an' let a manhave a chanst. If it's gold, an' ye're right, it'll rattle an' jinglefast enough; an' I hopes then ye'll be satisfied. "

He took a strong hold of the leather handle at the side and braced hislittle legs wide apart. It was evident he would put forth some power. Then he set the great muscles of his broad back slowly, like a dray horsetesting the load before putting forth his strength. Slowly and surely thelittle mate's back raised. He grew red in the face, and we peered overthe treasure, hoping it would rise and give forth the welcome jingle. 

Suddenly there was a ripping sound. Trunnell straightened up quickly, staggered for an instant, and then pitched forward over the trunk, uttering a fierce oath. 

Mrs. Sackett screamed. Jennie burst into a wild fit of laughter. Chipsand Gunning stood staring with open mouths and eyes, while Trunnellpicked himself up, with the trunk handle in his iron fist. 

"Faith, an' ye are a good strong man, " said the carpenter. "Ye'd make afortune as a porter a-liftin' trunks at a hotel. "

"He can lift a little thing like that, " said Jennie, mimicking the mate'stone to perfection. 

Trunnell was now thoroughly mad. If the trunk contained gold, he wouldsoon find out. 

"Bring yer tools, an' don't stan' laffin' like a loon, ye bloodyIrishman, " he said to Chips, and the carpenter disappeared quickly. Hereturned in a moment with a brace and bit, a cold chisel, and a hammer. 

"Knock off the top, " said Trunnell. 

"Discipline is discipline, " whispered Jennie; "and I don't want to bearound if the captain comes back. "

Trunnell was too angry to pay attention to this remark, so he lookedsourly on while the carpenter cut off the rivets holding the lock. 

"There ye are, " he said, and we crowded around to look in while the materaised the lid. 

Off it came easily enough. We stood perfectly silent for an instant. Thenall except Trunnell burst out laughing. The trunk was empty!

"Well, sink me down deep, but that ware the heaviest air I ever see, "said Trunnell. Then he picked up a slip of paper in the bottom and lookedat it a moment. It had writing on it, and he unfolded it to read. Ilooked over his shoulder and read aloud:--

"MY DEAR LITTLE MATE: When you get this here billee ducks, don't doanything rash. Remember the discipline of the ship, first of all, andthen take the dollar bill here and get somebody to cut your hair fer ye, as it's too loing fer a man of sense and is disagreeable to the ladies. If ye thought ye had a pot of gold in this here outfit, ye get left, sure, and no mistake. Remember money's the root of all evil and thank yerLord ye ain't got none. There ain't no answer to this note; but if yefeel like writing at enny time, address it to Bill Jackwell, care ofanybody at all what happens to be around at the time I'm there--see?Some day we'll meet agin, fer I'm stuck on the sea and am going to buy aboat and appoint ye as captain, only yer must cut yer hair and trim upyer beard some. That's all. "

Trunnell held the dollar bill he had unfurled from the note in his handand dropped the note back into the trunk. 

"'Tis screwed fast wid nine big bolts to th' deck, " said Chips, who hadexamined the outfit carefully. 

Trunnell scratched his bushy head thoughtfully for a moment longer. "Isthere any sech thing as a few men aboard this ship?" he asked. 

I said I thought there was. 

"Then man the boat and row, for the love o' God!" he roared, springing upthe companionway to the deck, leaving us to follow after him. 

XXIV

When we reached the deck and looked after the brig, we found that we hadspent more time below than at first imagined. The _Shark_ was hull downto the southward and evidently going along steadily at a three-knot rate. The sun was almost on the horizon, and if we started after her, thechances were that night would fall long before we could lessen thedistance between us materially. Sober appreciation of the affair took theplace of Trunnell's impetuosity. 

"We'll niver see him agin, " said Chips, hauling heavily on theboat tackles. 

"There's no use, Trunnell, " I cried; "we can't catch that brig in awhale-boat. "

He was already hesitating, and stood scratching his shaggy beard. 

"Avast heavin' on that tackle, " he bawled. Then he turned to me. "You'reright, Rolling, we've lost a fortune an' the rascal too, but it ain't nouse making bigger fools of ourselves. Stow the boat. After that sendJohnson aft to me with a pair o' scissors. You an' Tom can set thewatches, fer ye see I'm capting of her now. Ye might say, on the sidelike, that the first burgoo eater what comes along the weather side o'the poop while I'm on deck will go over the rail. There's a-goin' to besome discipline aboard the hooker, or I'll--well, there ain't no tellin'just what I won't do. I'm capting o' this here ship, an' ye might jest aswell muster the men aft to hear the news. "

Then he disappeared down the companion aft, and I sent Johnson to himwith the shears as he had ordered. 

When Trunnell came on deck again in the evening, his beard was a sight tobe remembered. It looked as though a rat had nibbled it in spots. Hishair was equally well done by the artist, but Jackwell's last order hadbeen obeyed. The men were mustered aft, and Trunnell announced that hewas the man they wanted to stand from under. They remained silent untilJohnson suggested that three cheers be given for the new skipper. Thenall hands bawled themselves hoarse. That was all. I was now the firstmate and took my meals at the cabin table, where Jennie and her motherhad been wondering at Trunnell's dexterity with his knife. The littlemate appeared to realize that a certain amount of dignity and dress werenecessary for the maintenance of correct discipline aboard, and heaccordingly changed his shirt once a week and wore a new coat of bluepilot cloth. He sat at the head of the table, and went through hisknife-juggling each meal, to the never ending amusement of Jennie, andadmiration of Gunning, who swore that, "dey ain't no man afloat cud dodat no better. " He, however, came through the rest of the cruise withouteven cutting his lip. 

My duties and rating being those of a first mate, I had no longer thepleasure of being intimate with Chips and the rest forward. Thecarpenter, steward, and "doctor" had the quartermaster, Tom, fromTrunnell's watch for a second mate and companion at the second table. Tomwas a Yankee and a good companion, so the change was satisfactory allaround. I sometimes looked in at the carpenter's room in the forwardhouse, where he and a few chosen spirits would be holding forth upon somenautical subject, but I had to cut my visits short, for they worriedTrunnell. Being suddenly raised did not quite inspire the necessaryrespect in his eyes, unless the person promoted showed unmistakabledignity and authority by dressing down all who came in contact with him. For some time it was pretty hard to speak to our little skipper. Hedisliked anything he imagined might tend to lessen the discipline aboardand had a horror of a mate or captain being familiar with the men. 

My room was still in the forward cabin, but I now spent much time in thesaloon, and helped Trunnell to shift his belongings aft to Jackwell'scabin. The truculent knave had left little behind him save a lot of oldclothes, bonds which were not negotiable, and some wrappers used by thebank of Melbourne for doing up packets of bills. Upon one of these was amark of fifty pounds sterling, showing that Jackwell's assets, unlessenormous, could be made to fit in a very small space. He probably carriedall he owned upon his person. 

We went through everything in the cabin carefully, but the only thing ofinterest discovered was the photograph of a plump young woman torn fairlyin two, the lower half bearing the inscription in Jackwell's handwriting, "Good riddance to bad rubbish. "

I had found this in the chart case and had examined it some minuteswithout comment, when Miss Sackett took it from me. She gazed at it amoment, and cried out, "Why! it's the third mate. "

I instantly seized it again and looked carefully at the features, andthen it was plain enough. There he was, in a neat fitting bodice, thecurly blond hair stylishly dressed, and the plump cheeks showing justthe faintest trace of the dimples of our former third officer. I lookedat the back of the photograph. It had the name of a Melbourne artistupon it, and beneath, in a female hand, the written words, "Yourslovingly, Belle. "

Trunnell heard Jennie's exclamation and came up. He took the picture fromme and gazed long at the face. Then he gave a sigh which sounded like ablackfish drawing in air, handed it back to me, and went up thecompanionway, scratching his head in the manner he did when muchdisturbed. He said not a word, nor did he mention Mr. Bell's name, andthat night at supper he never raised his eyes from his plate. Afterwardin the mid-watch he came on the poop and walked fore and aft for threelong hours without so much as speaking to me or asking the man at thewheel the vessel's course. He finally went below, carrying the odor ofgrog along with him. He came on deck many nights after this and walkedfore and aft in silence, as though brooding over some unpleasant subject, and we were clear of the trade and knocking about in the uncertainlatitudes before he appeared to be anything like himself again. 

I avoided any subject relating to the earlier part of the voyage andtried to cheer him. I thought he had suffered keenly, and was gladwhen he stopped drinking and looked me in the eyes without letting hisgaze fall in confusion. Sometimes I caught myself wondering at thereticence of the men who had rowed him to the burnt wreck that night, but I found that no one had boarded her except Trunnell and he hadsent the boat astern. 

Tom, the quartermaster, made mate under me, was a good sailor. He did hiswork thoroughly, and everything went along without friction throughoutthe rest of the voyage to the Breakwater. We picked up the northeasttrade in a few days, and hauled our starboard tacks aboard, bracing theyards sharp up until it gradually swung more and more to the eastward, letting us off on a taut bowline for the latitude of the States. 

The _Pirate_ showed herself to be the fast ship she had always been, forwe made the run up the trade in less than three weeks. Trunnell took suchpride in her that all hands were tired out before we ran over thethirtieth parallel, with the scrubbing, painting, holy-stoning, etc. , that he considered necessary to have her undergo before arriving in port. As mate of the ship, I had much opportunity to command the deck alone;that is, without the supervision of any one. Of course, I can't say Ispent much time alone on deck, even when in charge; but I would never letsocial matters interfere with work sufficiently to merit a rebuke fromthe little skipper. He soon manifested a disposition to be alone duringhis watch on deck, and at first I believed this to be due to the exalteddignity of his position. It hurt me to think he should be so changed, andI pondered at the peculiarities of mankind for many days. After awhile, however, he became absorbed in a game of checkers with Mrs. Sackett whichlasted two weeks. Then I forgave him. Whenever he saw Jennie and myselfon deck, he would make haste to get through his business there, and divebelow again. This kindly interest on his part was kept up until we raisedthe Delaware Capes. 

How good the land smelled, and how distinctly. It seemed incredible thatone could smell the land twenty miles away, almost before the color ofthe water began to change. Yet it was strong in the nostrils; and evenone of the pigs we had not eaten, but had brought back alive, squealedincessantly, as though instinctively feeling that the voyage was over. 

It was late in the afternoon, but the men were mustered aft, in thetime-worn way of merchant-men, to sign off. Nearly all had bills on theslop-chest for tobacco or clothes. As each went over the poop he gazed atthe line on the western horizon and smiled gladly. It meant a new lifefor more than one. Among the last to go was the old landsman whomTrunnell had given a chance to earn his clothes by bug-hunting. He smiledsadly at the setting sun over the dark line which meant home. Then heshook out several strings of vermin, and holding them at arm's length, stopped at the cabin window. His cheap trousers failed to reach the topsof his coarse shoes, and the gap showed the skin on meagre ankles. I wasinterested to know what he would take. 

"What d'ye want?" asked Trunnell. 

"I come for a yaller silk ban'kercheef, " said he, offering the strings. 

"Don't yer think ye'd better get some o' them woollens? It'll be cold onthe beach. "

"I got clothes a plenty. I want a yaller silk ban'kercheef. Yer got one, for Sam tole me so. I'm a-goin' ashore to Hennery's, an' I ain't goin'like no clown without a wipe. Kin I have it?"

The handkerchief was passed out, and the old fellow went forward smiling. 

What a strange thing is the end of a deep-water voyage! Men who have beenliving together for months through suffering and hardship will go overthe ship's side with a cheery farewell. They may meet for a few momentsat the office to draw their pay, and then take a drink all around. Thatis all. They seldom see or hear of each other again. The world goes on, and they drift about, taking what part in affairs Fate has in store forthem. One should come back aboard the ship the day after she makes herdock and look into the deserted forecastle and about the lonely decks, where so much has taken place, to realize man's lonely mission. The oldship-keeper, sitting alone smoking on the hatchway in the evening beforeunloading begins, will affront one with his presence. Where are the men, rough, honest, coarse, or even bad, that used to sit there so often inthe twilight of the dog-watch? There is a strange yearning to see themagain. I watched the sun go down with a feeling of mingled joy andsorrow, --joy for the return to the States, and sorrow for the partingwhich must soon take place between my shipmates. 

When we came to an anchor and made ready to go ashore, the little giantTrunnell came up to say good-by to the ladies. I had decided to accompanythem to the city. 

When he shook hands, the tears ran down out of his little eyes andtrickled over his bushy beard to the deck. 

"I wishes ye all the best o' luck, " said he, and he fumbled in his pocketfor a moment, letting a small piece of paper escape and flutter to thedeck. I stooped and picked it up, glancing at the writing on it. Thewords were:--

Mrs. William Sackett, 25 Prince St. , E. C. , London, Eng. 

He snatched it from me and seized my hand, gripping it so hard I almostcried out. 

"Go along, ye lucky dog, " he cried. "Say good-by to Chips an' the restafore ye goes ashore. We'll be berthed an' paid off when ye comes back. "

I said good-by to the men at the gangway, and then helped the ladies overthe side into the boat, seating myself in the stern-sheets between them. 

"I should think you'd be thankful to get in at last, " said Jennie. 

"Yes, " I whispered; "but I have no objections to sailing again as amate. "

Her hand closed upon mine behind the backboard. 

"Neither have I, " she breathed in return. 

"Whose mate?" I asked her. 

But that's an old story.