THE DEVIL'S ADMIRAL

 An Adventure Story

 BY FREDERICK FERDINAND MOORE

 1913

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

 I. Missionary and Red-Headed Beggar II. Red-Headed Beggar and Missionary III. The Spy and the Dead Boatswain IV. I Go Aboard the _Kut Sang_ V. The Dead Man in the Passage VI. The Red-Headed Man Makes an Accusation VII. I Turn Spy Myself VIII. Mr. Harris Has a Few Ideas IX. A Fight in the Dark X. The Devil's Admiral XI. A Council of War XII. The Battle on the Bridge XIII. We Plan an Expedition XIV. The Pursuit Ashore XV. Two Thieves and a Fight XVI. The Gold and the Pirates XVII. The Art of ThirkleXVIII. Big Stakes in a Big Game XIX. "One Man Less in the Forecastle Mess" XX. The Last

CHAPTER I

MISSIONARY AND RED-HEADED BEGGAR

Captain Riggs had a trunk full of old logbooks, and he said any of themwould make a better story than the _Kut Sang_. The truth of it was, hedidn't want me to write this story. There were things he didn't wish tosee in type, perhaps because he feared to read about himself and what hadhappened in the old steamer in the China Sea. 

"Folks don't care nothing about cargo-boats, " he would say, taking hispipe out of his mouth and shaking his head gravely, whenever I hintedthat I would like to tell of our adventure of the _Kut Sang_. "They wantyarns of them floating hotels called liners, with palm-gardens in 'em andbands playing at their meals and games and so on going from eight bellsto the bos'n's watch. 

"It was mostly fighting in the _Kut Sang_, and the mess you and me andpoor Harris and the black boy there got into wouldn't be just the quietsort of reading folks want these days. It was all over in a night and aday, anyway--look at them Northern Spy apples, Mr. Trenholm!"

He wanted to forget the _Kut Sang_ and the awful night we had in her. Heimagined he didn't figure to advantage in the story, and he winced whenI mentioned certain events, although I always insisted that he was thebravest man among us, having a better realization of the odds against us. Those who have faced danger know it takes a brave man to admit that he isbeaten, and still keep up the fight. 

We all have better memories for our brave moments than for the fear whichthreatened for a time to prove us cowards. The man who has faced deathand says he was not afraid is either a fool or a liar; and, if only aliar, still a fool for telling himself that which he knows to be a lie. The bravery of the seaman is that he fears the sea and knows itsruthlessness and its ultimate victory, and accepts it as a part of hisday's work. This is a sea-story. 

Captain Riggs had log-book stories that were good, and they might haveserved him for a volume of marine memoirs. But I was with him whenwe freighted the _Kut Sang_ with adventure and sailed out of Manila, sohis musty records of rescues and wrecks lacked life for me. In the oldlogbooks I found no men to compare with the Rev. Luther Meeker; orPetrak, the little red-headed beggar; or Long Jim or Buckrow or Thirkle. I never found in their pages a cabin-boy like Rajah the Malay, struttingabout with a long kris stuck in the folds of his scarlet _sarong_, or amate whose truculence equalled the chronic ill-humour of Harris, wholearned his seamanship as a fisherman on the Newfoundland Banks. And inall his log-books I never found another Devil's Admiral!

Riggs is dead, and I can tell the story in my own way; for tell it Imust, and the manuscript will be a comfort to me when I am old and mymemory and imagination begin to fail. Not that I ever expect to forget, because that would be a calamity; but I want to put down the events ofthe day and night in the _Kut Sang_ while they are fresh in my mind. 

How well I can see in a mental vision the whole murderous plot workedout! Certain parts of it flash on me at off moments, while I am reading abook or watching a play or talking with a friend, and every trivialdetail comes out as clearly as if it were all being done over again in amotion picture. The night gloom in the hall brings back to me the'tween-decks of the old tub of a boat; the green-plush seats of asleeping-car remind me of the _Kut Sang's_ dining-saloon, and even abonfire in an adjacent yard recalls the odour of burned rice on thegalley fire left by the panic-stricken Chinese cook. 

I know the very smell of the _Kut Sang_. I caught it last week passing aship-chandler's shop, and it set my veins throbbing again with the senseof conflict, and I caught myself tensing my muscles for a death grapple. To me the _Kut Sang_ is a personality, a sentient being, with her ownsoul and moods and temper, audaciously tossing her bows at thethreatening seas rising to meet her. She is my sea-ghost, and as much acharacter to me as Riggs or Thirkle or Dago Red. 

The deep, bright red band on her funnel gave her a touch of coquetry, butshe had the drabness of senility; she was worn out, and working, whenshe should have gone to the junk pile years before. But her veryantiquity charmed me, for her scars and wrinkles told of hard service inthe China Sea; and there was an air of comfort about her, such asone finds in an ancient house that has sheltered several generations. 

Precious little comfort I had in her, though, which is why I rememberher so well, and why I never shall forget her. If she had made Hong-Kongin five days, her name would be lost in the memory of countless othersteamers, and there would be no tale to tell. But now she is the_Kut Sang_, and every time I whisper the two words to myself I live oncemore aboard her. 

Rajah is with me--inherited, I might say, from Captain Riggs. Perhaps hekeeps my memory keen on the old days, for how could I forget with theblack boy stalking about the house--half the time in his bare feet andhis native costume, which I rather encourage--for his _sarong_ matchesthe curtains of my den and adds a bit of colour to my colourlesssurroundings. 

I am quite sure that if Captain Riggs were still alive he would agreethat the story should begin with my first sight of the missionary and thelittle red-headed man, so I will launch the narrative with an account ofhow I first met the Rev. Luther Meeker. 

He was in the midst of a litter of nondescript baggage on the Manila molewhen I came ashore from a rice-boat that had brought me across theChina Sea from Saigon. The first glance marked him as a missionary, forhe wore a huge crucifix cut out of pink shell, and as he hobbled about onthe embankment it bobbed at the end of a black cord hung from his neck. 

Quaint and queer he was, even for the Orient, where queerness in men andthings is commonplace and accepted as a part of the East's inseparablesense of mystery. With his big goggles of smoked glass he reminded one ofsome sea-monster, an illusion dispelled by his battered pith helmet withits faded sky-blue _pugri_ bound round its crown, the frayed ends fallingover his shoulders and flapping in the breeze. 

He was a thin old man, clad in duck, turning yellow with age. When hethrew the helmet back it exposed a wrinkled brow and a baldish head, except for a few wisps of hair at the temples. He appeared to be of greatage--a fossil, an animated mummy, a relic from an ancient graveyard;and the stoop of his lean shoulders accentuated these impressions. It wasplain that the tropics were fast making an end of him. 

He was whining querulously as I stepped ashore, and the first words Iheard him say were:

"An organ! An organ! An organ in a cedarwood box! An organ in a cedarwoodbox, and the sign of the cross on the ends! Oh, why do you try my soul?Such stupidity! Such awful stupidity!"

The native porters were grinning at him as they simulated a franticsearch for his organ in a cedarwood box, but they probably knew all thetime where it was. He was surrounded by baskets and chests; and, if thecrucifix were not enough to indicate his profession, black lettering onhis possessions advertised him as "The Rev. Luther Meeker, LondonEvangelical Society. " The multiplicity of labels proclaimed him atraveller known from Colombo to Vladivostok, and he must have beenwandering over Asia for years, as his luggage was as ancient as himself. 

Fighting my way out of the multitude on the river-bank, I gained thecable office near the customhouse and reported myself in Manila, boughtall the newspapers I could to learn how the war was going in Manchuria, and to anticipate if possible where I might be ordered next. 

I revelled in the noise and crowds as only one can after a week at sea. While I was on the way from Saigon the Russian armies might have beenbeaten or the Japanese fleet destroyed. There might be orders sending meanywhere, but I hoped that I would leave Manila for the Strait of Malaccato meet the Baltic fleet. What I feared most was the end of the war, fora war-correspondent without a war is deprived of his profession. I wasyoung and ambitious, then, and seeking a journalistic reputation at thecable's mouth. 

It happened that I had allowed myself to heed the glib tongue of ahotel-runner before I left the rice-steamer, and he had commandeered mybag and taken it to the Oriente Hotel, of which I knew nothing exceptthat it was in the walled city and across the river from the cableoffice. To recapture the bag and my clean linen I would have to take aninstrument of torture known as a _carromatta_ and drive across the Bridgeof Spain. 

I could cross the river in a small boat with a Filipino pirate, and go ona hunt for a conveyance on the other side; but thought it better to riskbeing shaken to death than drowned in the dirty Pasig, so I hailed a_cochero_. The villain demanded a double rate, and, while we werehaggling, a bus of the Oriente drew in sight and I caught it as it wasspinning up Calle San Fernando. 

When I crawled into the bus I wished that I had struck a bargain with thethief of a _cochero_, for I found myself in a seat beside the whiningmissionary. He prayed for his bones over the rough places, and for hislife, when the driver took a corner recklessly, and made us all veryweary with his eternal complaining. That was not the worst of it--hetried to strike up an acquaintance with me. 

There was a letter in my coat-pocket which had been given to me in Saigonto deliver to the Russian consul in Manila. It was an errand for thecable-operator there, who had done me favours, and I was to leave it atthe Hong-Kong-Shanghai Bank for the consul, who would call for it. Thatbank carried an expense account for me, so the delivery of the letterwas of no trouble. The envelope was long and official-looking, and itfell to the floor of the bus as I clambered in. 

Meeker picked it up and handed it to me, but for the instant he held ithe read the address:

Russian Consul, Care Hong-Kong-Shanghai Bank, ManilaCourtesy Mr. James A. Trenholm, Amalgamated Press

"My dear sir, " said Meeker, "you have dropped a document--allow me. "

"Thank you, " I replied, and took the letter, which was quite bulky andsealed with a splotch of black wax imprinted with a coat of arms or acrest, or some such insignia. I fear I betrayed my irritation overMeeker's reading the address. 

"No offence, I trust, my dear sir, " he said, mild surprise in his tone. 

"None whatever, " I snapped back; but our companions in the bus smiled andwinked at me openly, as if they appreciated my cold manner toward themissionary. 

He said no more to me, but remarked to no one in particular that "anaustere manner is a poor passport in this country, " which implied that Iwas new to the East, and would learn better if I stayed long enough. Iignored the remark, somewhat pleased that I had rebuffed him, for I wellknew he would talk me into a fever if I did not keep him at a distance;and, furthermore, I did not relish the idea of having him intrude upon meat the hotel. My dislike for him was not because he was a missionary, butbecause he was a common enough type of bore. He was over suave, and hispeevishness jarred my none too steady nerves. 

The bus was not a pleasant place for me after that, so I dropped off inPlaza Moraga, when I observed the signboard of the very bank mentioned. Icashed a draft and handed the letter to the clerk at the barred window. 

"Oh, yes, we have been waiting for that!" he said as he took theenvelope. "Mr. Trego! Here are your papers for the consul, " he called toa man somewhere behind the frosted glass wall. "We appreciate yourkindness very much, Mr. Trenholm. "

It was then that I first saw the little red-headed man. He was looking inat the door, but scurried away when the Sikh guard inside moved towardhim. The little man wore a white canvas navy-cap; but his appearance wasdirty and disreputable, and he had the aspect of a beggar. His visage waswizened and villainous and shot with pock-marks under a coppery stubbleof red beard, and his little mole-like eyes were that close together thatthey seemed fastened to his nose. 

The clerk kept me waiting for signatures, and finally handed out my gold. As I filled my purse I was conscious of some one behind me, and, glancingover my shoulder, I saw the Rev. Luther Meeker. 

CHAPTER II

RED-HEADED BEGGAR AND MISSIONARY

Turning my back on him, I edged toward a desk. It seemed to me that hehad not recognized me as the austere man in the bus, or perhaps he choseto pass without encountering me again. He stared about the place, leaningon one leg for a minute as if undecided what to do next, or not quitesure he was in the right establishment. 

I could hear voices in a room close at hand, and Meeker turned toward thedoor, walking silently in his cloth deck-shoes, and passed into the room. I heard a man give a cry of astonishment, followed by a growl of wrath, and Meeker ran out again, retreating backward and holding his hands up inprotest. 

"My dear sirs!" he whined. "No offence, I am sure! I hope you have takenno offence, for none was intended, and I did not mean to disturb anyperson--I was simply asking alms for a seamen's chapel, and I do mostsincerely beg your pardons, gentlemen. "

He went into the street, and a sallow-faced man with a slender malaccacane held in his hand as if it were a rapier, came to the door of theroom and said something in French, indignant that he should be disturbed. He waved the cane menacingly after Meeker and slammed the door. 

Leaving the bank, I turned toward the Escolta, which is the principalbusiness street of Manila. The shop windows attracted me, and I saunteredfor half an hour or more. I wanted a new field-glass, and as I stood onthe pavement at a corner and looked in at a jeweller's window I caughtthe image of Meeker in the glass, which was thrown in a shadow by anawning. 

I turned without thinking Meeker could have any interest in what I mightdo, and saw him half a block away talking to the little red-headed beggarwho had looked in at the bank door. Meeker evidently caught me looking athim, for he whispered to the beggar, who hastened away, taking a furtiveglance at me over his shoulder as he left. I turned toward Meeker, and heswung away down the street as I approached him, with more nimbleness thanI supposed was in his old bones. 

"I suppose the pest will be at my heels for the next week, " I toldmyself, annoyed at the way the missionary crossed my path. That was thefourth time I had seen him in an hour, and I dreaded to go to the hotel, sure I would meet him again--for, of course, he could not have goneanywhere else but to the Oriente. 

I thought it strange that he should be talking to the little beggar, although it never occurred to me that they were watching me; and, even ifthey were, I would have not concerned myself much about it. As it was, Iascribed Meeker's embarrassment when I last saw him to what had passedbetween us in the bus, and concluded that he was trying to avoid me, which I considered a praiseworthy effort on his part. 

There was a possibility of orders awaiting me at the hotel; and, althoughit was not yet noon, I hailed a rig and drove there. The clerk passedover the familiar yellow envelope, and my message read: "Proceed toHong-Kong for orders. " I replied that I would leave at once, and themessage was gone before I discovered that there wasn't a steamer forHong-Kong before the end of the week, five days away. 

It would have sounded silly to dispatch another message, telling of lackof steamers. I had supposed a steamer sailed every day or two, and mytemper was ruffled at my mistake and the prospect of fretting away a weekin the heat of Manila. 

A little item in the _Times_ gave me hope. It told of the steamer_Kut Sang_ coming out of dry dock to sail for Hong-Kong that veryafternoon with general cargo. There was a bare chance that I might getpassage in her, for the paper referred to her as a former passenger boat, and I was sure I could cajole the company into selling me a berth, orbribe the captain into signing me as a member of the crew, with no dutiesto perform, a common practice. 

"This is Mr. Trenholm of the Amalgamated Press, " I told the clerk in thesteamship office over the hotel's desk-telephone. "Simply must get toHong-Kong as soon as possible, and would like to go in the _Kut Sang_this afternoon. May I buy passage in her?"

It was hard to make him understand, for he was a Filipino who insistedon speaking English, although I had a working knowledge of Spanish. Hefirst mistook me for a stevedore, then for the manager, and next for theHong-Kong-Shanghai Bank. I stormed at him, irritated that I should haveto shout my business for the benefit of the loafers in the hotel office. 

"Correspondent!" I yelled in answer to his questions. "Newspapercorrespondent working on the war. I want to go to Hong-Kong in the_Kut Sang_!"

"I am very sorry, " he said, without explaining his sorrow. 

"May I go in the _Kut Sang_?" I insisted, and he told me I could, andafter he had talked in a low tone with somebody in his office, said thatI couldn't, which was exasperating. I decided to go to the steamshipoffice and plead with the officials. Hanging up the receiver, I signalledto the boy to call a carriage. 

"You want to go in the _Kut Sang_, my dear sir?" came a purring voice atmy shoulder. I looked up, and the Rev. Luther Meeker smiled at me. 

I growled something at him to the effect that I wondered if I was ever tolose sight of him. He bowed again and grinned. 

"Sorry that you object to me, " he murmured, with lifted eyebrows. "Butwe'll let all that pass. I might inform you that it is impossible to goin the steamer _Kut Sang_. You will pardon me, I am sure, but I heardwhat you said at the telephone, and I am willing to annoy you to save youtime and trouble. I repeat, there is absolutely no possibility of yourgetting passage in the _Kut Sang_. "

"How do you know?" I asked, still curt with him, but feeling a trifleashamed of myself for insulting him. 

"Because they have just refused me, my dear sir--allow me--the Rev. Luther Meeker of the London Evangelical Society, " and he gave me acard which had seen considerable service. 

"Trenholm is my name. Sorry I haven't a card. Equally sorry, Mr. Meeker, that you have been refused passage in the _Kut Sang_. Excuse me, but I amin a hurry. "

"It won't avail you anything to visit the office, " he said, with sad mienand a sneer on his lips. 

"And why not?"

"If they wouldn't let me go, a man of the cloth, with credentials fromthe Bishop of Salisbury, your case is hopeless. "

"Thanks for the compliment, " I shot at him, and left him staring after mewith puzzled surprise on his wrinkled countenance. He stepped to the doorand saw me enter a _quilez_, and there was a gleam of anger in his craftyold eyes. The sunlight made him blink, for he was not wearing goggles, and as I rolled toward the Parian Gate, I looked back and saw himstanding in the door and shading his eyes with his hand to look after me. 

Taking possession of a very surprised steamship-agent, I informed himthat I was going to Hong-Kong in the _Kut Sang_, and I was ready to arguewith him until the vessel sailed. A refusal was out of the question--hedidn't have time to refuse. I spread all sorts of papers on the counterand threatened to bring all the officers of the Hong-Kong-ShanghaiBank up there to argue for me. 

The talk about the bank seemed to help me wonderfully, for he had awhispered conversation with a gray-bearded old gentleman, who looked meover with a shrewd eye, and nodded his assent to my buying a ticket. 

"It won't be necessary for you to sign ship's articles, " said the agent, turning affable all of a sudden. "We have a passenger-license for the_Kut Sang_, although we have withdrawn her from the passenger-tradeexcept in cases of emergency or delay of the regular ships. But shehasn't been in the passenger-trade for nearly a year and we won'tundertake to guarantee the table or service. 

"You won't find her equal to a liner, and the ticket is sold with theunderstanding that she is a cargo-boat, and if you are willing to takepot-luck with Captain Riggs, that is your affair. However, it isunderstood that you are not to make unreasonable complaints or demands ofthe master. "

My answer to this was to dump a handful of gold coins on the counterbefore he could change his mind. I told him I was willing to go to HongKong in a coal-barge. 

"You will find it lonesome on the passage, " he said. 

"I'll manage all right, " I replied, not quite rid of my asperity overtheir lack of decision about taking a passenger. 

"We have already sold one ticket, " continued the clerk, as he put downfigures on a pad. He glanced at me with a quizzical expression, and thensmiled. 

"One passenger will help, " I commented, for something better to say. 

"If he doesn't talk an arm off you before you reach Hong-Kong, I'll giveyou the ticket for sixpence. He's a missionary, " he grinned. 

"The Rev. Luther Meeker!" I cried in horror. 

"The Rev. Luther Meeker!" he repeated, and gave me my change with achuckle. 

Naturally, I was astonished to discover that Meeker was to be a passengerwith me in the _Kut Sang_, but I was out in the street again before itdawned upon me that the situation was more than a mere coincidence. Themissionary had lied to me when he said he had been refused passage, he had misled me when he said it was impossible to buy a ticket in the_Kut Sang_, and I could make nothing of it all but that he did not wantme to know he was sailing in the vessel, and that he did not want me togo in her. 

The idea that he would interfere with my plans and delay me for a weeksimply because he objected to my presence in the same steamer with himfilled me with wrath. I so lost my temper for a minute that I was bent ongoing back to the hotel and knocking him down, missionary or nomissionary; but, instead, came to the conclusion that the joke was onhim, and I would have plenty of opportunities to retaliate upon himbetween Manila and Hong-Kong. 

Before I got into my _quilez_ my ire was roused again at the sight of thered-headed beggar lounging in a doorway across the street, obviouslywatching me. It was plain enough that Meeker had sent him to spy upon meand learn if I went to the steamship office. The little beggar saw melooking at him and dodged into a doorway, but fled when he saw me startafter him. 

In the _quilez_ I laughed at myself for allowing a prying old man likeMeeker to upset my temper, and, as I rode back to the hotel, put the bothof them out of my mind; but promised myself that I would take my revengeon the old pest in some way aboard the steamer. 

My bag was packed again, and I was ready for tiffin and then an afternoonnap, to be called in time to catch the steamer. My telephone rang, and Ihastened to answer it, expecting orders from the cable-office, and hopingthat London had decided, after all, to send me after the Baltic fleet tothe south, rather than to Hong-Kong. 

"Is this Mr. Trenholm? This is the steamship office, Mr. Trenholm. Wewish to inform you that the _Kut Sang_ has been delayed until to-morrowmorning for cargo which did not get in to-day. Sails to-morrow sure. "

It made little difference to me, and I would be glad to have a night'ssleep ashore after the rice-steamer. However, it would be wise to havethe exact sailing-time of the _Kut Sang_, so I rang up the steamshipoffice and asked, not wishing to run the risk of getting to the mole andfinding the steamer gone. 

"She sails this afternoon at five, as noted on the board, " was thestartling response to my query. I was so taken aback for a second that Ididn't know what to think or say. I remarked into the telephone thatsomebody in the steamship office must take me for a fool, and that I didnot consider such things jokes. 

No, they had not telephoned me the sailing was delayed; couldn't say whohad; certainly no one in the steamship office could think of doing such athing, which sounded reasonable enough; knew nothing whatever about adelay, and were quite perturbed to hear I had been told there was; had noidea how it happened, but there was no doubt the _Kut Sang_ would sail onschedule time, for the stevedore was there in the office at that minutegetting lading-slips signed, and he knew of no delay. 

"Meeker's little joke is going too far, " I decided, after I had hung upthe receiver. "I think there are a few words I can say to him that willconvince him I am not to be trifled with in this manner. "

Seizing my cap, I pulled the door open abruptly and almost fell over thelittle red-headed beggar lurking near my room. He darted down thestairway, and I leaped after him. 

CHAPTER III

THE SPY AND THE DEAD BOATSWAIN

Three steps at a time I took the matted stairway, which was recklessspeed, for the shell-paned windows were shut, and the awnings pulled downto keep out the heat of the blinding sun, making it quite dark. But I wasbound to capture the little red-headed man, thrash him soundly, make himtell his motive in trailing me, and turn him over to the police. 

I caught the indistinct figure of a man in white coming up, and threwmyself to one side to avoid him, but he stumbled in front of me, and wewent sprawling into the corridor below. It was a nasty spill, and I shotout on the matting at full length with my hands thrown before me. Thepolished teak-wood floor and the loose matting saved me from injury. 

"My dear sir!" exclaimed the man who fell with me, and I found the Rev. Luther Meeker sitting on a crumpled mat and propped up with his armsbehind him, while his pith helmet went dancing away on its rim to settlecrazily upon its crown a dozen feet from us. 

For an instant I was tempted to attack him, when I realized that hispresence on the stairs and his interruption of my pursuit of theredheaded man were significant of more than an accident, and that Meekerand the other were spying upon me. I bridled my ire, and decided to playthe game out with them and fathom the mystery of their espionage. 

"My dear sir, I am almost certain that I have sprained my back--I am sureI have injured my back!"

"I am sorry for your back, " I said, getting to my feet. "For my part, Iam satisfied to escape without a broken neck. "

"My immortal soul, if it isn't Mr. Trenholm!" said he, blinking at me, his goggles bobbing on a rubber string made fast to a jacket-button. "Ofall persons, Mr. Trenholm! Bless my soul!"

My mental remark was somewhat similar and with equal fervour, if notcomplimentary to him and his soul. Brushing my soiled ducks, I started tomove away, for it would never do to assume an excess of friendship toosuddenly. 

"Just one moment, Mr. Trenholm--" he called after me, shaking a bonyforefinger--"just one moment, I beg of you, sir! I have some informationwhich I desire to impart, and, strangely enough, I was seeking you whenthis unfortunate tumble came about, partly through my infirmities, I amsure. One moment, sir. It is to your advantage to wait, I assure you. "

"What is it?" I asked, hesitating. The little beggar had undoubtedlyescaped, and I knew that in Meeker I had bigger game if I handled himcautiously. 

"The _Kut Sang_!" he said, arising with difficulty and holding his backwith one hand while he hobbled after his helmet. 

I was convinced that his injury and decrepit bearing were clever bits ofacting. 

"I desire to correct you regarding the _Kut Sang_" he cackled, caressingthe recovered helmet. 

"What about it? My dear Mr. Meeker, I am in a hurry and cannot waste theday waiting for you to talk. I am sorry for what has happened here, but Itrust that you are not incapacitated. Anyway, I do not think there isanything you can tell me about the _Kut Sang_ that I do not alreadyknow. "

"Oh, but there is, " he protested, holding up his hand and eyeing mecraftily. "I was seeking you to tell you when we fell upon each other sounceremoniously. It is quite--"

"I suppose you want to tell me that the sailing has been delayed. I knowall about that--she sails in the morning. "

"Sails in the morning!" he exclaimed, pretending surprise, but beingpuzzled about something. "Does she?"

There was guile in that last question, and when he asked it I knew it washe or some one acting for him who had attempted to mislead me about thetime of the vessel's departure. I saw a chance to trap him, and asked:

"Was that what you wanted to tell me?"

He parried it, and while he fumbled in his pockets for something, a trickto gain time, he was thinking hard and fast. 

I had him against the ropes, so to speak, and he knew it, for what he didwant to find out was whether I knew the telephone message to befraudulent. If I did, he wanted to take credit for setting me right; andif I didn't, he wanted me to miss the _Kut Sang_. So, knowing his game, Icame to the conclusion that I must not press him too hard and so make himsuspicious that I knew his true character--his character, that is, as adecidedly suspicious person. 

"I was told that she sails in the morning, but it was some mistake, " Itold him, as if I had not found anything peculiar in the error and wasnot the least disturbed about it. 

"Oh, no! Nothing in that!" he cried, unable to conceal his delight overmy admission of how much I knew. "For a minute I thought there might besomething in the story, after all, when I heard you say she was delayed. That is just what I was going to tell you--there is no truth in thatreport. Some person, who I cannot say, also gave me misinformationregarding the _Kut Sang_. I feared that you might have had the sameexperience. That, however, is only a part of it--what I want to tell youis that it is now possible to buy a ticket in the _Kut Sang_. "

"I already have my ticket, " I said. "So we will be fellow-passengers, andI hope you will pardon my throwing you down the stairs; but I was runningafter a beggar or a thief. "

"Indeed! Do you know the rascal, or did you see him so that you can givea comprehensive description of him to the police?"

"A little red-headed man, " I said, watching him closely. "Did you see himbefore you started up the stairs?"

He burst out in a dry, mirthless cackle of laughter, and slapped hisknees, much as if he had heard a good joke. 

"If you will come in to tiffin with me, Mr. Trenholm, I will tell youabout him. "

Assuming affability, I accepted his invitation, and we went into thedining-room together and found a table to ourselves in the corner. I wasrather pleased at having an opportunity to study him, especially at hisown suggestion, and I made up my mind that before the lunch was over Iwould have solved the mystery of who or what the missionary was, and whyhe had the little red-headed man at my heels since I had arrived inManila that morning, and why he had attempted to keep me out of the_Kut Sang_. 

"And who is this little red-headed man?" I asked as we took our chairs. 

He bowed his head and mumbled a grace before replying, and I had a senseof mental conflict between us, and knew that I would have to guardagainst chicane, or the suave old fellow would talk me out of mysuspicions. 

"It must have been Dago Red you saw, " he began, grinning, and wagging hishead. "I hope he did not actually steal anything, my dear Mr. Trenholm. Iam quite sure you must be mistaken about his being a thief; but it isquite possible, he has deceived me. "

"I found him sneaking near my door in the hall, " I said. "Who is thisDago Red?"

"A worthy man, " he replied getting serious. "I am afraid you have donehim an injustice, for I sent him up to see if you were in your room, andafter I had given him the errand the clerk informed me that you were in, and I started up myself. "

"He didn't appear anxious to talk with me when he saw me open the door. "

"You probably startled him by--"

"But who is he?"

"Petrak, I think his name is, although I am not sure, and my poor oldmemory cannot hold names long. He is a sailor who has been shipwrecked, and he became a vagrant here and was sent to Bilibid Prison. Much of mywork is in prisons, and I took charge of him when he got out and sent himto the Sailors' Home, sure that he would be able to get a ship again. That was a couple of months ago, and when I arrived to-day he met me andtold me that he had left the Home because the keeper was prejudicedagainst him, owing to his term in prison. 

"He was on the verge of starvation, and I gave him some money from mycharity fund, which he promptly spent on drink, for he is quitedissolute. But he took charge of my luggage and attended to some errandsfor me, but he fears the police and cannot get out of his habit ofskulking about, and, as the detectives have hounded him, he is suspiciousof everybody, and ready to go into a panic when a stranger approacheshim. It is a pity that he cannot get back to sea, but he has had thefever, and no master seems to want him, and he has been forced intovagabondage. "

He gave me this history of the little red-headed man in disconnectedsentences while we were at the soup, and I let him run on. As he talkedhis eyes were roaming over the room, and he scanned every person thatentered, and peered at me from under his brows when he thought I was notobserving him. 

It was plausible enough, but I could not forget that Meeker and thelittle sailor were together a great deal, and whenever I had seen themthey were acting suspiciously, and both of them had kept close watch uponme. Neither had he explained away the fact that he had told me I couldnot buy a ticket in the _Kut Sang_, which I did; nor the fact that he hadhis own ticket when he told me that, nor the false telephone message forthe obvious purpose of making me miss the steamer, and then his gettingin my way when I was in pursuit of Petrak, or "Dago Red, " as he calledhim. 

It seemed beyond reason that this chain of events could be nothing but acombination of coincidences, and, when I analyzed the situation, I framedwhat I considered a good theory regarding Petrak's presence outside mydoor. It occurred to me that Meeker was the author of the false message, and that he was really on his way to visit me to learn if I haddiscovered the falsity of it when he met me rushing down the stairs. Buthe had sent Petrak ahead of him to listen at the door in case Itelephoned the company to verify the first message; Petrak had heardme ask the company for the sailing time and was about to report to Meekerwhen I opened the door upon him. 

Meeker was probably at the foot of the stairs and covered the retreat ofhis henchman. Petrak may not have been able to stop and report what hehad heard, so Meeker fished for the information from me, ready to confirmthe report that the sailing of the vessel was delayed, or pretend that hewas about to set me right. 

Upon my admission that I knew the report was false, he grasped at thelatter alternative, and, seeing that it was impossible to prevent megoing in the _Kut Sang_, determined to make friends with me and disarmwhatever suspicions I might have regarding him. It seemed a tenabletheory, but I could not account for all this bother on his part becauseJames Augustus Trenholm, of the Amalgamated Press, took passage in the_Kut Sang_. 

It seemed absurd to me that Meeker or anybody else would be concernedbecause I was leaving Manila for Hong-Kong. It was plain enough thathe, or somebody, had done their best to keep me from sailing in the_Kut Sang_. That it was the Rev. Luther Meeker there could be littledoubt, but the mystery lay in what his motives could be, or who hewas acting for, and it was beyond me to say why there should be anyobjection to my sailing in the steamer _Kut Sang_ that afternoon. 

While I was thinking these things over he was keeping up a runningconversation about trivial matters, and we were well into the curriedlamb and getting along famously when he asked a question which put me onmy guard at once, and set me groping mentally for a solution of thepuzzle. 

"Did you deliver your letter?" he asked, casually, but I saw in aninstant that he had been paving the conversational way all along for thatvery question. 

"What letter?" I asked, although I knew the one he meant. 

He looked at me craftily, with what I took for a bit of surprise that Idid not know the letter he referred to, or that he expected me to deceivehim. 

"Perhaps I shouldn't mention it, for it may recall our littleunpleasantness this morning, " he sent back. "Perhaps it was my fault, mydear sir, in speaking to you when I picked it up, and I certainlywant to assure you that I was not put out by your disinclination to beginan acquaintance with a stranger. "

"Haven't the slightest idea of what you are talking about, " I saidlightly, and professing ignorance in my puzzled expression. 

"The letter you dropped in the bus. " He fairly hurled the sentence at me, although his voice was low and he was pretending to have trouble with thesaltcellar. 

"Oh! To be sure, the letter I dropped in the bus, and which you so kindlypicked up for me. I have an idea that I was rather gruff at the time, andnot at all inclined to appreciate the service you performed. I might havelost it entirely but for you, so I'll thank you now, with an apology. "

"Don't mention it--don't mention it, I assure you. I trust you deliveredit safely. "

He had given me the key to the mystery. The letter for the Russian consulwas the cause of Meeker's attentions to me! And, instead of being anewspaper correspondent, to Meeker I was a Russian agent, probably a spy!It was all I could do to restrain myself from laughing in his face. 

"Delivered it safely, " I repeated inanely. "It was only an errand for afriend of mine, and I left it at the--"

He waited for me to finish the sentence. He forgot himself and failed toconceal his assumed nonchalance regarding the letter, for, as I cut offwhat I was saying, he held his fork poised over his lamb, so intent washe on learning where I had delivered the letter for the Russian consul. 

I seized a glass of water and struggled with an imaginary obstruction inmy throat, and mentally cursing my stupidity in telling my friend'sprivate business to a stranger who had already betrayed an inordinateinterest in the letter. 

"Where did you leave it?" purred Meeker. 

"At the post-office, " I finished, amazed at his boldness in pursuing thedestination of the letter, and having no qualms of conscience abouttelling him a falsehood. I did not regard it as any of his affair where Ihad delivered the letter, and did not intend to inform him I had left thebulky envelope at the Hong-Kong-Shanghai Bank. 

The image of the bank-front which crossed my mind gave me another clue toMeeker's solicitude about me and the letter. I remembered seeing a signover the teller's window, which stated that the bank was a branch of aRussian financial house. What could be more natural for a Russian spythan to cash his drafts in a place which dealt with Vladivostok and PortArthur, or even St. Petersburg and Moscow?

And, if he took me for a spy in the Russian service, it followed thathe must be watching me for the Japanese, and it was probable that thecable-agent in Saigon was in the service of the Czar and found itconvenient to deliver an important document with my assistance. 

At that time Manila was the headquarters for blockade-runners bound forPort Arthur, and Russian and Japanese spies, from coolies to bankers, were watching every ship and every stranger. So it was not strange thatI, coming from French Indo-China, with a dispatch for the Russian consul, should be mistaken for a spy by Meeker the instant he read the address onthe envelope and saw the wax seals. 

I had a mind to tell the old fellow the joke on him, but that wouldrequire explaining where the letter to the consul came from, which wouldhardly be playing fair with my friend in Saigon. If he knew the truth hemight abandon his trip to Hong-Kong in the _Kut Sang_, and I would be ridof him, for I knew he was going with me in the steamer for the purpose ofattempting to learn what my business would be in the British port. 

If I was to remain in Manila I would have disillusioned him, and so put astop to his trailing me about, but, as I was leaving in a few hours, Ianticipated but little more trouble from him or the redheaded man. Besides, I saw an opportunity to make game of him by telling him hismistake after we were well to sea and leading him on a fool's voyage. 

"I am sure that we will have a pleasant passage in the _Kut Sang_, " hesaid. "I am something of a literary man myself, Mr. Trenholm--anexhaustive life of the saints, a shilling in paper covers, four shillingsin cloth, with gilt title and frontispiece of me. It is recommended bythe Bishop of Salisbury, and in its class quite a standard work. 

"Then I did some poems, chiefly on sacred subjects. Not much as poetry, perhaps, judged by severe standards, but I am told they are regarded asmarvels of piety and sweetness. I may have a copy in my luggage, which Iwill show you after we are settled aboard the steamer. "

I let him ramble on like that, turning over in my mind the while all theschemes I intended to put into play to convince him I was really a spy, and when a boy brought a paper I fell upon the war news. 

"Another Russian defeat, " I half moaned, and made out that I wasdreadfully upset because the Japanese were winning battles. 

He said he deplored war, and had a prejudice against the Japanese, andhoped they would lose, and praised the Russians as brave and pious. WhenI expressed satisfaction at his views in order to prove my character as aRussian agent, we might have been mistaken by an observer for a couple ofold friends. 

He wearied me, however, with his chatter and efforts to make himselfagreeable, and after the meal I escaped from him on the plea of businesswhich must be attended to before the steamer sailed. 

Leaving the walled city, I crossed the Bridge of Spain to the Escolta andtook a stroll in Calle Rosario, where the Chinese merchants keepthemselves in grateful shade with miles of awning. After an hour ofsight-seeing, I found myself in a square near the San Miguel Bridge. 

There was a crowd gathered before a building, which I remember on accountof the picture of a frigate painted upon the stucco wall and the greatred letters spelling out:

THE FLAGSHIP BAR

There had evidently been a fight; and coolies and natives, and Europeansin white, clustered at the door. I joined the knot of people and pressedforward to see what was holding their attention, and saw the body of abig, foreign-looking man, half inside the door and half on the pavement, with his head outside. 

His mouth was open, and from his upper lips drooped long, blackmoustaches, looking all the blacker for the ghastly pallor of his cheeks. He had been stabbed in the back, and the spectators in the front of thegroup edged away to avoid the growing pool of blood on the sidewalk. 

"Does anybody know who he is?" demanded a khaki-clad policeman, takingout a note-book. 

"A sailor, " said an American in a white apron, who leaned out of thedoor. "Drank whiskey and vermouth and talked like a squarehead. "

"Greek he was, " said a man with the appearance of a mariner. 

"Here's his cap in here, " said the bartender, and he turned and picked upa watch-cap, and held it so we could see letters wrought in it with giltcord, and I made out "Kut Sang, " which excited my interest in the case. 

"Boatswain he was in the _Kut Sang_, bound out to-day for Hong-Kong, "said the mariner. 

"Jolly long road to Hong-Kong for him now, " said another. 

"Who cut him?" demanded the policeman. "Didn't you see how this happened?Are you all deaf and dumb? You, there in the apron! Who did this?"

"You can search me, " said the bartender. "He had a couple of drinks andwas going out when somebody slipped a knife in him. I was at the otherend of the bar--never saw a thing until this one here lets out a yell andgoes down. Somebody cut and run through the door. "

"I see him! I see him!" cried a boy in kilts who had a hoop, and we allturned, expecting the murderer to be pointed out to us; but the boy meantthat he had seen the man running away and all that he knew was that hehad worn a "funny hat, " and he could tell nothing else. 

"A little chap it was, " volunteered a cockney. 

"What's that?" asked the policeman. "Speak up--nobody here going to biteyou, my man! Did you see him? What did he look like?"

"I didn't see him do no cuttin', if that's what you mean, officer. Ididn't see no knife-play, and ye couldn't hang a man on what I see, and--"

"What did you see?" said the policeman, with a show of asperity. "Nevermind what we can do with it. What did you see?"

"Small chap, in a white navy-cap, and 'air red as the sun in the Gulf ofH'annam. "

CHAPTER IV

I GO ABOARD THE "_KUT SANG_"

Perhaps I should have told the policeman about Petrak, when I heard thecockney say he had seen a red-headed little man in a white navy-caprunning away from the Flagship Bar. But, if I had, I might have been heldas a witness and nothing come of it, for it developed that the cockneyknew nothing about the murder--as he said he had simply seen the littleman running away from the scene. 

I had other business beside aiding the police to find the murderer of asailor, and that business was to get to Hong-Kong as quickly as I couldin the _Kut Sang_. Even then it was time that I hasten to the dock andboard the steamer. I hailed a _cochero_ and, leaving the Manila police tosettle their own mysteries, got my baggage from the Oriente and rodethrough Binondo toward the waterfront. 

Now it occurs to me that I must set down in their order the events ofthat day in their proper sequence, which compels me to tell of my meetingwith Mr. Trego in the Hong-Kong-Shanghai Bank. 

It was not until the whole affair was ended that the significance of thatapparently casual meeting in the bank came upon me with its full force, and I saw the pattern of what was to become a tangled succession of themost queer happenings. 

There were papers at the bank which I must take with me, and on the wayto the docks I stopped there. As I went in there was a sallow-faced manstanding outside a grated window talking with a teller. He was smoking along Russian cigarette, and pulling with nervous fingers at a tiny blackmoustache. His malacca cane was leaning against the wall by his side. Irecognized him as the man who had driven the Rev. Luther Meeker out ofthe rear room of the bank, when the latter went in to seek alms, as hesaid. 

He stood aside as I approached the teller's window, and the clerk handedout the papers to me, with a smile and some trifling remark. 

"When are you leaving, Mr. Trenholm?" asked the clerk. 

"In an hour in the _Kut Sang_, " I said, and the man with the cigaretteturned round and surveyed me with mild surprise. As I stepped to the doorhe went up to the window and whispered something to the clerk. 

"Mr. Trenholm! Just one minute, please, Mr. Trenholm!"

The clerk called me and I halted, thinking that he had forgottensomething about my letter of credit, or wanted my signature again. 

"I want you to meet Mr. Trego, " said the teller. "He will be with you inthe _Kut Sang_. "

I bowed, and Mr. Trego bowed, but his eyes were appraising me as helooked at me, although outwardly he had the excessive politeness of aLatin. 

"I am very glad to meet you, " he said without the trace of an accent, although in that mechanical manner which makes the words sound as if theyhad been read many times out of a grammar or phrase-book. I took him fora Frenchman. 

"I must be going now, but I hope to meet you on board, " I said, and webowed again and I left him. 

"He's all right, " I heard the teller say as I went out, and understoodthat the bank-clerk had assured Trego that my character was good enoughfor him to be friendly with me on the passage to Hong-Kong. 

As we swung out of Calle San Fernando I saw the _Kut Sang_ tied up at theembankment of the Pasig River, with the Blue Peter at her foremast andheavy black smoke pouring from her funnel. She had the aspect of a vesselgetting ready for sea, and the last of her cargo was being put into herhold. 

It was then that I was attracted to a knot of natives and sailorsclustered about an organ, in front of the decrepit building which I knewfor the Sailors' Home, roaring out the chorus of "Rock of Ages" as thoughit were a chantey. There could be no mistaking the figure seated at thewheezy little organ--the Rev. Luther Meeker, with his battered helmet onthe back of his head and his goggles turned skyward as he wailed in ahigh-piped tenor the words of the old hymn. 

He was too busy to see me and was making hard going of the tune, for theassorted voices which followed his lead held to various keys. He may haveseen me from behind his goggles, but, if he did, he gave no sign, and Iurged the driver to whip up the horse and pass the group at a good clip. I had no desire to be annoyed by the old impostor, and was afraid that hemight have some new pretext to keep me from going in the _Kut Sang_. 

We were well clear of the congregation when I was startled to see Petrakemerge from the pack of staring natives about the organ, and run after mycarriage. 

"Take your luggage aboard for a peseta, sir!" he cried, grasping the sideof the vehicle and keeping pace with it. 

I confess that I suspected some game, and that Meeker had waylaid me. Itlooked like a bold move to block me at the last minute, and I was ratheramused at the idea of watching their game and seeing what might be thetactics. 

The little fellow had changed his appearance a trifle. His red head wascovered now with a black cloth cap, making him look more like a stokerthan a seaman. His ratlike visage was covered with a coppery stubble, butits colour was not apparent at first glance, for his face was smearedwith coal-dust and grease. 

"I'm nigh dead for a drink, " he whined. "Let me take your luggage aboard, sir--just a peseta, sir. I've had jungle fever and was shipwrecked--inthe _H. B. Leeds_ it was that went down in a typhoon. I can't get a shipout of this blasted place. I'm an honest sailor if some hard on thedrink--just a peseta, sir, and I'll put your dunnage down in your cabinslick as a whistle. "

"I have a mind to turn you over to the police, " I told him, expecting himto take alarm and run away, for I was not so sure he had not had a handin the murder of the sailor in the Flagship Bar. 

The _cochero_ had pulled up his horse on the mole in the thick of thescattered cargo, and Petrak still clung to the stanchion supporting thecanvas-top of the carriage. 

"And for why?" he demanded with a touch of arrogance, giving me a shrewdlook. "What have I been doin' of, sir?"

"That little cutting in the Flagship Bar. "

"The squarehead? Not me, sir. The bobbies got that chap right enough--oneof his mates out of this wessel right alongside what you're goin' aboardof. Just a peseta, sir, and I'll handle your luggage. "

"They have got the fellow who stabbed the man in the Flagship Bar?"

"Slick as a whistle, some two hours back. One of his mates, he was, thatdid the cuttin'--lampman out of this wessel. Take your luggage. "

"Take it along, then, and see that you don't drop it, " I told him, convinced that the little villain could have had no hand in the murder, even if he had been on the scene. 

He shouldered my bag and went up the gangway and I followed him closely. I looked in at the door of the saloon where I saw the old captain seatedat the table, with a litter of papers about him, arguing with a tallrawboned New Englander, whom I knew to be the mate. He was complainingabout something. 

"I say we ain't goin' to git out to-night, Cap'n Riggs, " he said. "Thebo'sun has went and got hisself stabbed and four of the white hands aremissin', and we ain't got nobody to work ship but the chinks. "

"We've got to have a crew, Mr. Harris, and that's all there is to it, "said Captain Riggs. "You say the Greek got cut?"

"Dead as a door-nail, cap'n. Went out for lamp-wicks and got hisself slitopen in a gin-mill, the fool! We're turrible short-handed, cap'n. "

"Who cut him?"

"Hanged if I know. The police say the lampman, but the lampman didn'tleave the ship until after the bo'sun was done for, near as I can make itout. But the police have the lampman locked up for it, and I'm too busyto bother my head. First we know they'll want all the crew for witnesses. There's some monkey-business goin' on, too. "

"Now, what do you mean?" demanded the captain, losing patience. 

"Just what I'm sayin' of--thar's a furriner sittin' on the dock watchin'everything that goes over the side. Looks like a Rooshan Finn to me. Whatsort of a charter we got, cap'n? This ain't no blockade-runnin' game, isit? You got orders for Port Arthur? If you have, I'm out--I don't want noJaps blowin' me up unless I'm paid for it. "

"Mr. Harris, you are talking nonsense. We are chartered for Hong-Kong. Myorders are to get to sea to-night, no matter how I do it, and you oughtto be able to scrape up a crew at the Sailors' Home for the asking. We'llmanage all right with the chinks on deck, if we can get some goodhelmsmen. You can't expect to get out with a battleship crew this trip. Get the cargo in her and send the Dutchman ashore for men who can takethe wheel. "

The mate went out, and I stepped into the saloon and presented my ticketto the captain. I was rather surprised to find such an old man incommand, for he was gray and stooped, but he surveyed me over his glasseswith kindly eyes, although I knew he was being harassed with difficultiesin getting routine established on board the _Kut Sang_, for she had beenin dry-dock and everything seemed topsyturvy. 

"Glad to meet ye, Mr. Trenholm, " he said. "I'm up to my scuppers withbusiness. Maybe we'll sail to-night and maybe we won't, but your room isNo. 22, starboard side, well aft, all to yourself. Two more passengers tocome yet, according to the list. Didn't know I was to have passengersthis trip, so I can't tell what the accommodation will be, but we'll tryand make things homelike if they ain't like a liner. You got a valley?"He pointed to Petrak, who stood behind me with my baggage on hisshoulder. 

"Hardly that, " I laughed. "He says he's a sailor with a Manila thirst inhis throat and no job. "

Petrak swung his burden to the deck and squared his shoulders, making agesture, which he intended as a salute to the captain. 

"Petrak's my name, sir, " he said, addressing Captain Riggs. "I've beenbo'sun, sir, discharged out of the _Southern Cross_ when she was sold inSingapore, and shipped out in the _H. B. Leeds_ that went down in atyphoon. Junk picked us up, sir, what was left of us, and I lost all mydischarges and can't get a ship out of here. I'm smart, sir, and strong, if I do look small. It's because I ain't had no wictuals to speak of, sir. "

"Ever handle steam-wheel?"

"Aye, sir. One trip out of Cardiff to Delaware Breakwater in the_Skipton Castle_. Stood wheel--"

"See the mate, " said Captain Riggs, and Petrak went out, deserting mybaggage. 

A black boy in a scarlet _sarong_ took my bag away to my stateroom, but Iwent up to the hurricane-deck, where I found a grass-chair under anawning and sat down to enjoy a cigar. 

Just above where the _Kut Sang_ lay was the Bridge of Spain, presenting amoving panorama of the many races that mingle in the Philippine capital. The river itself was alive with _cascoes_ being poled about by half-nakednatives, the families of the crews doing the cooking and primitivehousekeeping on the half-decks, while the family fighting-cocks struttedon the roofs of the boats and crowed defiance to each other. 

On the opposite side of the river was the walled city and the moss-grownwalls of Fort Santiago, and on both banks were steamers and river-craft, making a colourful and noisy scene. 

The Rev. Luther Meeker was preaching to the group before the Sailors'Home, and I watched him until he closed the service and started towardthe dock, two men carrying his little street-organ behind him. 

Mr. Harris, the mate, was doing the final work of getting the steamerready to sail, and was preparing to cast off the lines, when a dray, loaded with boxes, pulled up alongside the vessel. 

"What ye got there?" demanded Harris. "That ain't for this packet--gitout the way thar!"

Just then a man in white darted out of the office of the harbour-policestation, and, holding up his hand, cried to Harris:

"One minute--one minute!"

"One minute yer grandmother!" retorted Harris angrily. "Who be you tohold up this ship! Vamose!" he roared to the driver of the dray. 

The man in white ran up the gangplank with a paper in one hand and amalacca cane in the other, and I recognized him as Mr. Trego, the man towhom I had been introduced in the bank. He met Harris at the foot of theladder to the hurricane-deck, and they were right below me, so I couldnot avoid hearing what took place between them. 

"Call the captain, Mr. Mate, " said Trego hurriedly, and, with his voicelowered, "Here are my papers--get those boxes off the wagon, eef youplease. I am supercargo for the owners. I hold the charter for thesesheep. Queeck--on deck with those boxes of the machinery. "

"Oh, cap'n!" called Harris, after he had taken a quick glance at thepaper which Trego thrust before him, and Captain Riggs came out of thesaloon. 

"What's up now?" he demanded. "What's this?"

Harris waved his hand toward the paper, and Trego put it before CaptainRiggs. 

"Read it, " said Trego. "Here are your orders from the company. " He leanedagainst his cane and twirled his moustache, while Captain Riggs adjustedhis glasses and scanned the papers. 

"Get that stuff aboard, lively, " said Captain Riggs to Harris, and themate gave orders to have the slings thrown outboard. 

"Where do they go?" asked Harris. 

Captain Riggs looked at Trego inquiringly. 

"In the storeroom below--right under the feet of me, " said Trego, stamping his foot. 

"Cargo in the storeroom, " said Captain Riggs in surprise. 

"Eet ees for you to obey, " snapped Trego excitedly. "You will please tosee from my papers that I am the commander of all. Read eet again eef youdo not know!" And he shook his malacca cane in the air. 

"Get that cargo aboard and stow as this gentleman--Mr. --what is it, Trego?--as Mr. Trego says. Move navy-style! Keep clear of the sidethere, you! Can't you see we've got cargo coming over there!"

"My dear sirs, I beg your pardon, " said a familiar voice, and I steppedto the rail and looked over to see the Rev. Luther Meeker standing at theedge of the embankment, within a few feet of where Trego, Riggs, andHarris stood. 

"Get out the way!" bawled Riggs to him. 

"No offence, I hope, " said the missionary, "but is this the steamer_Kut Sang_?"

"It is, " said Riggs, and turned his attention to Harris and Trego, whowere giving orders to the Chinese at the winch. 

"Then all is well, " said Meeker, and he turned away toward the gangplank, where the two men were standing with his organ between them, awaiting hisorders. 

"Go right on board with it, my good men, " he said to them. "This is myship, sure enough, " and he preceded them up the gang. 

Captain Riggs came up the ladder from the foredeck in time to see the menbringing the organ aboard, although Meeker was out of his sight by thetime the captain reached a position where he had a view of the gang. 

"Here. Where are you chaps going?" he shouted to the porters. 

They stopped and looked up at him. 

"Gear for a passenger, " said the taller of the two. 

"What passenger?" demanded Riggs, in surprise. 

"A parson, " said the spokesman, and as he said it Meeker himself came upthe after-ladder. 

"Ah, the captain, " he said. "I am the Rev. Luther Meeker, " he explained, presenting his ticket. "I am going to Hong-Kong, and, if I am notmistaken, this is the good ship _Kut Sang_"

"That your baggage? All right, you men--come aboard and look sharp. "

"That is my hymnal organ, " said Meeker, looking over the side. "Comeright along with it, my good men, but leave it below. How do you do, mydear Mr. Trenholm? Captain, those two men are sailors who are looking fora ship, if--"

"I'll meet you below in a minute in the saloon, " said Captain Riggs, handing back the ticket. "Mind that you stay aboard, because we sail atonce, sir. "

Meeker bowed to me again, and hurried aft, twirling his shell crucifixbetween his fingers in a nervous manner. 

"Hang a parson, anyway, " growled Riggs, grinning at me. "They always makea fuss--like as not he'll sing his way to Hong-Kong, with that oldmelodeon of his. Oh, Mr. Harris! There are two men below with a parsonwho say they are sailors. Have the Dutchman sign them on if they are ablehands. "

He went down the ladder again to the fore-deck, and I went down to mystateroom to see that my baggage was safe. 

"Smart job, my man; smart job!" I heard the Rev. Luther Meeker saying asI stepped into the passage. 

He was in the stateroom next to mine, but the door was open. 

"Who's that?" asked somebody cautiously. Then, in a louder tone: "We gotyour dunnage stowed all snug, sir. "

I stepped into my room, and, after a minute's whispered consultation, Iheard some one step into the passageway and run forward. Looking out Isaw the little red-headed man scurrying away. 

"Single her up!" called Captain Riggs from the bridge, and I knew we wereletting go of Manila as the winches drew in the mooring-lines, and thewhistle blew a farewell blast. 

The nose of the _Kut Sang_ fell away from the embankment and into thecurrent of the Pasig, which swung her toward Manila Bay and the ChinaSea. 

I could hear Meeker humming a tune and arranging his baggage. I stood foran instant and pondered over the situation, not sure that I would not bewiser to remain in Manila rather than sail in the _Kut Sang_. I shiveredas I sensed danger about me, as one feels the presence of an intruder inthe dark that cannot be seen. 

Then I laughed at myself, and opened my bag for my pistols. 

CHAPTER V

THE DEAD MAN IN THE PASSAGE

The _Kut Sang_ was dropping downstream as I locked my stateroom and mademy way to the upper-deck, partly to get a last look at Manila, but morefor the purpose of considering what I should do in the matter of tellingCaptain Riggs that I suspected Meeker was not a missionary. 

In the last few minutes before the departure of the vessel I had suddenlybeen struck with the idea that Meeker was more than a mere spy whomistook me for one of his own ilk. This feeling was vague and formless, and I did not know how to begin to put together the various elements thatseemed to connect some sort of a well-defined plot. 

No sooner would I set about putting certain facts together than I wouldlaugh at myself for manufacturing a mystery; and, after I had tried toshake off the impression that the _Kut Sang_ and all of us in her weremore than mere travellers and seamen, the fantastic ideas insisted uponrunning through my head. 

Through this formless mass of queer events of the day, Meeker and thelittle red-headed man kept to the front of my fancies, and with them thesteamer _Kut Sang_. 

Why, I asked myself, had Meeker made such strenuous efforts to keep mefrom taking passage in the vessel? It seemed absurd to suppose that hehad acted as he did, simply because he disliked the idea of having me fora fellow passenger. 

Then there was Trego and Meeker's appearance at the bank, "seeking alms, "and the further fact that Trego was in the _Kut Sang_. It seemed to bemore than a coincidence that the two of them should meet as they did. 

I even found something queer in the killing of the boatswain of the_Kut Sang_ at the Flagship Bar, and began to wonder if Petrak did nothave a hand in the murder, even though he was so ready with a denial whenI spoke to him about it. 

As I stood at the rail of the hurricane-deck, and thought of thesethings, Petrak came up from the fore-deck and stood at the foot of theladder leading to the bridge, where I could hear Captain Riggs pacing toand fro and speaking through the trap to the helmsman about the course. 

The little red-headed man grinned at me and set to work polishing theknob of the wheel-house door, and not until that minute did I realizethat he had come along with us in the _Kut Sang_. And he likewisereminded me at once that it was I who had brought him aboard. 

"I signed on, sir, " he said, pointing to his new cap, which had thesteamer's name embroidered upon it. "Thanks to you, sir, I got a shipout. "

"I am glad you did, " I said curtly, not sure whether I ought to be amusedat the turn of events by which I had unwittingly brought the littlerascal along with me. 

I glanced up the companionway to Captain Riggs, and had a mind to go upand speak to him about Meeker, but I disliked to invade the bridge, sacred territory at sea. He was standing just at the head of the ladderthen, and could see me. 

"Would you mind the peseta, sir?" asked Petrak. 

I remembered that he had brought my bag aboard, and, finding a peso in mypocket--five times what he had asked for--I gave him the coin. 

"Here, " I said; "take this, and keep out of my reach. I've seen quiteenough of you for a time. "

"Please don't tip my crew, " Captain Riggs called down to me in a pleasantmanner. "The steward's department must attend to the passengers, for weare short-handed on deck, and I can't have the men running errands. "

"It's for services rendered, " I told Riggs, and he nodded as if satisfiedwith my explanation, and turned away to the other end of the bridge. 

Impulsively I started up the ladder, determined at least to tell him whatI suspected of Meeker and let him judge for himself, or be on his guardagainst the old impostor, whether he liked my tale-bearing or not. As Iput my hand out to take the ladder-guard, Petrak thrust himself before meand barred the way. 

"Can't go on the bridge, sir; against orders, " he said. 

I fell back, convinced that he was right and that I had had a narrowescape from making an ass of myself. Captain Riggs probably would notthank me for disturbing him or bothering him with idle rumours andfanciful yarns about passengers, even though they might be spies. 

The steamer was now well into the bay. The sun was at the rim of hillsbetween us and the open sea, and the sky was aflame in a gorgeoustropical sunset. 

Harris, the mate, was busy on the fore-deck battening down hatches andclearing up the litter of ropes and slings. The _Kut Sang_ was plainlyenough short-handed for the passage, for there were but half a dozenChinese sailors in sight. Petrak worked with a cloth on the brass-knob, and he was loafing without a doubt. 

I suspected that he was afraid I was waiting for him to go away, so thatI might go up the ladder to the bridge. One of the men who had broughtMeeker's organ aboard had the wheel, a long, lanky cockney he was, fromwhat I could see of him through the window of the pilot-house. 

We were well clear of the ships at anchor outside the breakwater whenfour bells--six o'clock--struck, and Harris came up and went on thebridge, passing without apparently seeing me. He growled something toPetrak, and the red-headed man went toward the forecastle. 

"Time for Rajah to have the bell going, " said Riggs as he descended tothe hurricane-deck and greeted me affably. "What do you say to goingbelow and seeing what's on the table?"

As he spoke I heard the rattle of a gong, and as I turned to go belowwith Captain Riggs, Meeker came around the deck-house and joined us, regarding us from under his heavy brows as he approached, and rubbing hishands in a manner that increased my growing dislike for him. 

"My dear sirs, " he said; "that is a beautiful sight. I have never seen, in all my twenty years in the Orient, such a sunset. "

"Can't keep me from my meals, " said Captain Riggs, waving to Meeker toprecede him into the companionway. I was rather pleased at the captain'sgruffness with him, and resolved that as soon as the opportunity offeredI would discuss the crafty gentleman with Riggs. 

We found Trego at table. He looked up, and made no attempt to conceal hissurprise at seeing Meeker. 

"Ah! Mr. Trenholm, " he said to me, and we shook hands, and the Malay boygave me the seat opposite him. 

"Mr. Trego--allow me--the Reverend Meeker, " said Riggs. 

"So you and Mr. Trenholm have met before?" said Meeker, evidentlyastonished because Trego spoke to me without an introduction. 

"Old friends, " and I winked at Trego, to the further mystification of thepseudo-missionary, who took the seat beside me. Captain Riggs took thehead of the table, so that he was between Trego and me. 

"And this is Rajah, the mess-boy, " said Riggs, indicating the black boywho stood behind him, clad in a white jacket with brass buttons, belowwhich he wore a scarlet _sarong_ reaching to his bare feet, and evidentlyfashioned from an old table-cover. The hilt of a kris showed above thefolds of his _sarong_, and the two lower buttons of the jacket were leftopen, so that the dagger might be free to his hand. He grinned and showedhis teeth. 

"Dumb as a dog-fish, but can hear like a terrier, " said Riggs. "Pickedhim up in the streets of Singapore, where he was sort of an assistantmagician. He's quick with that knife, gentlemen. "

The captain was obviously proud of his queer bodyguard and servant. 

"It is a pity that he should be allowed to carry a fearsome weapon, whichis a menace to his fellowmen, " said Meeker, shrinking away from the boy. "I believe he would slay a human over a trifle. "

"Absolutely harmless unless he has some reason to anger, " laughedRiggs, somewhat amused at the nervousness of Meeker. "Has to pack thatcheese-knife--chinks pick on him if he don't. Give him a wide berth, though, when they see that blade. Quick with it. "

"But we should lead the barbarian to the light, " said Meeker. "It is adreadful example for Christians to set such people. They should not beallowed to carry such weapons--the practice leads to crime. "

"Soup all around, Rajah, " said Riggs, as if to close the subject. 

"Do you carry deadly weapons, Mr. Trenholm? Do you approve of the bearingof arms?"

"I always have a weapon at hand, " I replied seriously. "One never cantell when it will be needed in this country, and I believe in alwaysbeing ready for an emergency. "

"Indeed! And is it possible that you have a dagger concealed upon yourperson?"

"No daggers; but this is my right bower"--tapping the butt of the pistolon my right side--"and this is my left bower, " and I tapped my left side. 

Mr. Trego burst out laughing at this, much to the discomfiture of Meeker, who glared at him, and edged away from me. 

"And do you carry such death-dealing machinery, Mr. Trego?" asked Meeker, a sneer in the question. 

Trego reached for his malacca cane. In an instant he had whipped it apartand presented a delicate point toward Meeker, who recoiled at thesuddenness of the unexpected thrust. 

"With me at all times, " said Trego, when the captain stopped laughing. "And my cabeen--eet ees one beeg arsenal, like you call it in yourlanguage. Yes. "

"A pitiable example for the heathen, " said Meeker. "I trust that you arenot armed to the teeth, as the expression goes, captain. "

"I don't want to spoil your appetite, " said Riggs. 

"Of course, Mr. Trego needs those things, as he is--"

"A passenger, " said Trego, giving the captain a quick glance. 

"A passenger, " said Riggs blankly. "To be sure, a passenger. Now, Mr. Meeker, I wish you would say a grace, if it pleases you. "

Meeker bowed his head and mumbled something which I could not make out;besides, I was much more interested in a little byplay between CaptainRiggs and Trego, which began as soon as Meeker and I had piously cast oureyes downward. 

It was a signal conveyed by Trego to the captain, in which he cautionedhim to silence about something, by putting his finger to his lips, as ifsome subject were tabooed. Riggs nodded as if he understood. BeforeMeeker had finished, Trego looked at him and scowled, to convey to thecaptain that he did not like the missionary. 

"The weather is going to be fine from the way it looks now, " said Riggs, in an altered tone, as if he wanted to shift the conversation into morecongenial lines. "I trust we will all do our best to stay up to theweather in that respect--quick passage and good company keeps everybodyon good terms and in good spirits, " he added significantly. 

Then he began giving us the stock-jokes of the China Sea and tellingstories of his younger days, when he had better commands than the old_Kut Sang_. He was a bluff but likable old sea-dog, but I saw that heobserved Meeker closely as he talked, and I knew that he was none toowell taken with him. 

So the meal went on well enough. Night had fallen upon us with tropicalswiftness, and a cooling breeze was blowing through the open ports, charged with the salt tang of the sea. The _Kut Sang_ was humming along, and there was a soothing murmur through the ancient tub as she shoulderedthe gentle swells of the bay. 

The saloon was cozy and we dallied at table, chiefly because we did notlike to leave while Riggs was telling his stories, although I would havepreferred my cigar on deck. 

There was something about the little party in the saloon of the_Kut Sang_ that evening that held my attention. To me the air seemedcharged with a foreboding of something imminent--something out of theordinary, something to be long remembered. I told myself, in apremonition of things to come, that I should always remember CaptainRiggs and the Rev. Luther Meeker and Trego and Rajah, and the verypattern of the parti-coloured cloth on the table, the creak of thepivot-chairs and the picture of the Japanese girl in the mineral-watercalendar which swayed on the bulkhead opposite my seat. 

I can see them now; as clearly as if I were back in the old _Kut Sang_, with the chatter of the Chinese sailors coming through the ports to spicethe tales of the China coast which Riggs kept going. 

We picked up Corregidor Light, which winked at us through the ports as weentered the channel. Somebody looked in at the door of the passage andRiggs waved a napkin at him. 

"Tell Mr. Harris to call me if he needs me, " he said, and then to us:"It's clear, and Mr. Harris, my mate, knows the Boca Grande like the palmof his hand. "

He was well launched into another of his long yarns and had a fresh cigarbetween his teeth when the pitching of the steamer told us we wereheading into the China Sea. We were clear of the channel by the time hehad finished the adventure he was relating, and Trego was beginning tofidget. We all moved as if to leave the table. 

"I signed the two men you brought aboard, Mr. Meeker, " said Riggs. "Whatare their names?"

"That I do not know for certain, " replied Meeker. "I believe the chap inthe navy-pantaloons is known as--Buckrow, and the other, the tall Briton, is called 'Long Jim, ' or some such name, by his companions. They bothappear to be worthy men, and it made me sad to see them on the beach inManila for the need of passage to Hong-Kong, or some other place wherethey would be more likely to get a ship. 

"That is why I interceded in their behalf, and it is very kind of you, captain, to make it possible for them to better themselves, for idle menin these ports fall into evil, and it is best that they should keep tothe sea. They were both well spoken of by Mr. Marley, who has charge ofthe Sailors' Home. "

"Two sailors that I see?" Trego asked the captain. 

"Mr. Meeker brought two men aboard with him to carry his gear, " explainedRiggs. "They wanted to get out of Manila, and, as I was short-handed forchinks, I let 'em work their passage. They signed with the commissioner, and will get four Hong-Kong dollars for the trip. "

Trego frowned as he toyed with a bamboo napkin-ring, but said nothing. 

"Your red-headed chap is a good man at the helm, " said Riggs to me. "He'sgot the wheel now, and, with the other two, I'll have goodquartermasters. The chinkies are poor steerers. "

"Meester Trenholm ees breeng a sailor, too?" demanded Trego, turning hisblack eyes on me in a manner that I could not understand. 

"He brought my baggage aboard, " said I, somewhat annoyed. "He offered hisservices to Captain Riggs, and was hired, and it is no affair of mine. "

"The little man with hair of red?" persisted Trego. 

"Decidedly red. "

Knowing, as I did, that he had charge of the ship--a fact which heevidently wished to keep from Meeker and me, judging from his signals tothe captain--I understood in a way his interest in the crew. 

"Pardon, captain, " said Trego abruptly. "I must go to my cabeen for somecigarettes. Soon I will return. I hope you will be here. "

It struck me that his suggestion that Captain Riggs wait for him was morein the nature of a command than a request. 

Rajah served coffee again, and the three of us fell silent. It was anawkward situation, for we all felt embarrassed--at least I did, as aresult of Trego's displeasure over the method of recruiting the crew. I wished that I had left Petrak on the dock. 

Meeker took an old newspaper from his pocket and unfolded it on the tablecarefully. 

"I think I have something here which will interest you both, " he began. "It concerns--my glasses! Will you pardon me for a minute while I get myglasses from my room? I'll be back presently, " and he bowed himself out. 

"The old shark is funny, " said Riggs. "I hold to what I have said aboutparsons--I don't like 'em aboard me. "

I glanced at the passage and wondered if I would have time to whisper toRiggs about Meeker before the latter returned. 

"He wants to hold some sort of service for'ard this evening, " continuedthe captain. "I'm suited if the crew is. It's not that I'm against thesailing directions in the Bible, mind, Mr. Trenholm, or an ungodly man, for I was a deacon back home in Maine. I don't like this chap--he lookstoo slippery to suit me. "

Meeker came back and closed the bulkhead door behind him, adjusting hisglasses and picking up the newspaper as he took his seat. 

"My dear sirs, " he resumed, "I want to read this little article to youand then I'll explain it more fully to you. I am sure that you will findit of interest, Mr. Trenholm, as a literary man and a member of thepress, even if in no other way, and you, my dear Captain Riggs, will beinterested because it concerns the sea, and you may have some knowledgeof the facts. When I was in Aden four--no, five years ago it was--I met amost remarkable gentleman. Most remarkable! He told me a story that waspassing strange, and--"

He was interrupted by the bulkhead door flying open violently and Rajah, with his hands thrown up and terror in his eyes, ran toward CaptainRiggs, making frantic efforts to frame words with his lips. 

"Sally Ann!" cried Riggs in alarm, jumping up. "What the devil hashappened to give the boy such a turn! He's nigh out of his wits!"

Rajah pointed to the open door, but we could not see into the passagebeyond the triangle of light thrown out from the gimbal-lamps in thesaloon. The boy ran toward the door and pointed again, and then drew backin fear, drawing his kris and raising it in a position of defence. 

Captain Riggs ran to the door and I followed him, with my hand on mypistol, Meeker crowding against my shoulders. In the dim light oozinginto the passage we made out an indistinct figure. 

"What in Sally Ann's name is this?" shouted Riggs, darting out andseizing the object, which he pulled toward the light. 

It was the body of Mr. Trego, stabbed to the heart, the sailor'ssheath-knife which had killed him still in his fatal wound. 

"What the blue blazes does this mean?" demanded Captain Riggs, turning tous as if we could explain the tragedy. "What in the name of Sally Ann hashappened here? Tell me that?"

"Can that be our friend, Mr. Trego, who was with us but a minute ago?"asked Meeker, aghast as he gazed at the waxen features of the dead man. 

"It's Mr. Trego right enough, " shouted Riggs. "It's Trego and no doubt ofthat! Well, I'm blowed!"

"Who could have done such an awful thing?" whispered Meeker, staring atme with wide-open eyes. "Who could have done this?"

"Don't ask me!" Captain Riggs bawled at him. "Don't ask me!"

"He's quite dead, " said Meeker, leaning forward again. "In the midst oflife we are in death. "

He held his hands over the dead man and said a prayer. 

CHAPTER VI

THE RED-HEADED MAN MAKES AN ACCUSATION

"That's all very pious and according to Hoyle, " said Captain Riggs, breaking into wrath as Meeker finished his prayer over the body of Trego. "But I'd have you know, sir, that the _Kut Sang_ is no bally chapel, andI don't take murder aboard me as a regular custom, and let it go at that. Somebody will have to answer for this at the end of a rope, or my name'snot Riggs. Hereafter when there's praying to be done I'll order it. "

"I was merely speeding a departing soul, " said Meeker. 

"That's all very well, Mr. Meeker, but I've got to see what this is allabout, and why--Mr. Trego is supercargo in charge of the ship and--"

Riggs stopped suddenly when he realized that he had told us the secretwhich Trego wished kept from us. 

"Well, I've got trouble enough, " he said, confused at what had happened. 

"Nothing irregular, I trust, " said Meeker, raising his eyebrows in mildsurprise and observing me cautiously. 

"Too blasted irregular to suit me, " said Riggs. "Gentlemen, I may as welltell you that this man is down on the passenger-list as a passenger likeyourselves, but at the last minute before we sailed he showed papers assupercargo and announced that he was in charge of the ship, and that herepresented the charter party. The truth of his statements was borne outby a messenger from the owners. He told me that he would explain it allas soon as we got to sea, and now he has been killed. Is it any wonder Iam upset about it?"

"It is passing strange, " said Meeker. "Will you have to turn back toManila on account of this?"

"My last orders to proceed to Hong-Kong at the best speed still stand. The Dutchman, Rajah--the Dutchman, " and he made a sign to the Malay boyto call the second mate. 

The three of us gathered at the end of the table and steadied ourselvesin the minute we waited for the Dutchman, who soon came clumping down thepassage. He nearly stumbled over the body lying just outside the coamingof the door, and then stopped and stared at the dead man. 

"Gott!" he said, and then looked at Riggs questioningly. 

"Take the bridge and have Mr. Harris muster the crew--all hands, and looksharp, " said Riggs. "Have every man Jack of 'em up here, and let us seewhat they have been about. Have Mr. Harris muster the crew! Hear me?Don't stand there like a barn-owl! Relieve Mr. Harris, and have allhands aft!"

He hurried away, and that was the last I ever saw of the second mate ofthe _Kut Sang_. Rajah and a Chinese sailor spread old canvas close to thedoor inside the saloon, and lifted Trego's body on it. 

Harris came up the passage and leaned against the door. He had on an oldpair of dungaree trousers and a jacket that had been white, and his barefeet were thrust into native heelless slippers. 

"This is a nice mess, ain't it?" he growled, looking coldly at the scenebefore him. "Who let the knife into him?"

"That's what we want to find out at once, " said Riggs. "Have all hands uphere, the watch below and all. Muster them in the passageway, and letthem in here one at a time, the white hands first. We've got to get atthe bottom of this affair right away, Mr. Harris. "

"Like as not somebody'll know the knife, cap'n, " suggested the mate. 

"That's it, Mr. Harris. Bring 'em up here with a sharp turn and no layingback, and you be here so I can find out what every man has been at in thelast quarter of an hour--you know what this means. "

We sat down at the table, Riggs at the end in a pivot-chair swung towardthe door of the passage. He took off his glasses and wiped them in anofficious manner, and sent Rajah for a pad of paper and a pencil. 

"Then this poor Mr. Trego was not a passenger, " said Meeker, leaning hiselbows on the table and scanning Riggs closely. 

"Gentlemen, " began the captain, clearing his throat and adjusting hissilver-rimmed spectacles again, "I am going to hold an inquiry now, and, as witnesses to what takes place, I think you should know the facts inthe case, as far as I know them. 

"There is something about this business that has carried by with me. Never had anything like this happen aboard me in the thirty years thatI've had a command. First time since I've had a master's ticket that Ihaven't had the full confidence of the owners. 

"This man Trego was very mysterious, and why he wanted to sail as apassenger when he was supercargo, and keep it from you, gentlemen, ispast me. Perhaps I should not have said anything about this end of ituntil I have examined his papers, but as witnesses I want you to know thefacts as they lay. "

"A most mysterious affair--most mysterious, " agreed Meeker, shaking hishead and fingering his shell crucifix. "What are the details of the man'scoming aboard, captain? I am not quite clear on that point. "

"He was down as a passenger, just as you gentlemen are. I never saw himbefore until Mr. Harris called me forward before the lines were cast off. He told me that this man wanted to take charge of lading the last of thecargo--cargo that was manifested as machinery. His papers were right, andthe messenger from the owners made it all as he said. 

"It is not for me to question the acts of the owners, but I should havebeen advised of the circumstances. However, Mr. Trego was going toexplain. It may be all right and nothing out of the ordinary, but nowthat this has happened I'm all back, and I'm left to guess what it allmeans if I can. "

"What was the cargo?" asked Meeker. 

"Machinery, so far as the manifest says. Several cases--By George! He hadit stowed in the storeroom--"

He was interrupted by Harris bawling in the passage, and the Chinesestokers swarming up the fire-room ladder, chattering and yelling to theirmates below. The news of the murder had spread through the ship and hadcreated a great turmoil. 

The mate thrust a man into the doorway, whom I recognized as one of themen who had brought Meeker's organ on board. 

"Here's one of the new men, sir, " said Harris, "Says he has been for'ardsince going off watch. He's next at the wheel, sir. "

"Now, then, " began Riggs, with pencil poised, "what's your name in theship's articles?"

"Buckrow, sir, " said the sailor, staring at a lamp, and avoiding thefigure of Trego almost at his feet. 

I observed him closely, and was not pleased with his appearance. Hislarge mouth carried a leering, insolent expression and his nose wasbroken, hanging a trifle to one side. He was short, with great hulkingshoulders. His black shirt was open at the neck, and he wore blue navytrousers with the familiar wide bottoms. His brown forearms were coveredwith tattoo-marks. 

"Tell all you may know which could throw any possible light on thisdreadful affair, that the guilty may be brought to justice and the deadavenged, " said Meeker. 

"Steady as she goes!" warned Captain Riggs. Turning in his chair andholding up his hand. "I'll ask the questions, if you please, Mr. Meeker. Now, then, my man, where have you been in the last hour?"

"For'ard, turned in, sir, " replied Buckrow, keeping his eyes on the flameof the lamp. 

"See this dead man here?"

"Aye, sir. "

"No, you don't--look at him! Did you have a hand in this?"

"No, sir. " He took a quick glance at the dead man and fastened his eyeson the lamp again. 

"Know who killed him?"

"No, sir. "

"That's all for now. "

Harris led forward the tall cockney I had seen at the wheel. He said hisname was Crannish, and he spelled it for the captain, who examined thecrew list to verify him. He said that he was known as "Long Jim" by hismates. He did not seem to take the murder as a serious matter, butanswered Captain Riggs's questions calmly, his eyes roving over theinterior of the saloon, taking us all in very coolly. 

There was a gleam of amusement in his eyes as he looked at Meeker, as ifhe thought it a joke that the missionary should be sitting on an inquiryboard. Meeker returned his gaze in a disinterested manner, swaying in hischair with the motion of the ship, and fumbling his shell crucifix, as ifit was a talisman to guard him against danger. 

Crannish was dismissed, and the next was Petrak. He impudently winked atme as he stepped into the light, and hitched up his trousers in anonchalant manner that was amusing. He had his shoes in his hand, and hehad evidently dressed in a hurry to obey the summons of the mate. 

"Petrak's my name, sir, and they make a joke on my head by making me out'Dago Red, ' sir. Been bos'n in--"

"He was relieved at eight bells, sir; has the wheel in the Dutchman'swatch, " explained Harris. 

"Where did you go then?" demanded the captain. 

"Turned right in, sir, after a bit of a wash. "

"Where were you at one bell?" put in Harris, giving the captain asignificant look. 

"For'ard in my bunk, sir. "

"You lie, " drawled Harris coldly. "Ye passed the galley ports a minute orso after one bell was struck. I saw ye. "

"Not me, sir; never anything like that, sir, beggin' ye're pardon. "

"Yes, ye did, and don't ye lie to me, " retorted Harris. "Ye didn't goright for'ard when ye come off watch. I heard ye yarnin' with Buckrow, orwhat's his name, just after ye passed the galley. Yer phiz showed plainto me as Cape Cod Light on a clear night. "

"Where's your knife?" said Riggs suddenly, leaning forward and peering athis belt. 

"Left it in my bunk, sir. Top one, first to port as ye go down--right atthe head it is, sir, in some straw. "

"Send a man for it, Mr. Harris. Is it in the sheath, you Petrak?"

"Can't say, sir, " said Petrak, looking about nervously, and feeling athis belt. 

"Can't say! Can't say! You can't say because that's yer knife right thereunder yer eyes! That's yer knife and you killed this man!"

"Tell the truth, my good man, " interjected Meeker, holding up his hands. "Tell the truth and--"

"Belay!" yelled Riggs. "You speak when ye're spoken to, Mr. Meeker, ifyou please!"

"No offence intended--purely involuntary on my part. I beg your pardon, my dear sir. "

"That's your knife and you killed him, " repeated Riggs to Petrak. 

"Never killed him, sir, and nobody else, strike me blind if I did, andthat's the truth, sir, " said Petrak doggedly, but in spite of his braveshowing there was a whimper in his voice and his knees trembled. "Did youhave an accomplice?" asked Meeker, and I thought I saw some sort of asignal pass between them. 

Buckrow arrived from the forecastle with a leather sheath and a knife init. He handed it to Harris. 

"There's my knife!" yelled Petrak. "That's it, just as I said, and Buckyfound it in my bunk where I said it was, strike me blind!"

Captain Riggs was nonplussed for a second at this, and he hesitated. Thenhe looked at Buckrow, who was trying to get past Harris into the passageagain. 

"Buckrow! Wait a minute, my man! Where's your knife?"

"My knife?" said Buckrow in amazement. "My knife?"

"Yes, the knife you had when you were here first. Where is it now? Itain't in your belt. "

Buckrow reached to his hip, and consternation pulled his face intovarying expressions as he found his sheath empty. But we knew hisastonishment was simulated. 

"Damme if it bain't gone! Some of them cussed chinks must 'ave a tookenit. It was--"

"That's all very well, " said Riggs. "The redheaded one is our man. "

"Where's that bleedin' knife?" said Buckrow, fumbling at his belt. 

"Never mind that, " put in Riggs. "That's your knife there in the redfellow's sheath, and this is settled until it is turned over to thejudge. Put this man Petrak, or whatever his name is, in irons, Mr. Harris; and you, Buckrow, you know more than you'll tell. Mind whatyou're about or you'll be clapped in irons, too, along with your matehere. Have the body wrapped with some firebars, Mr. Harris, to be buriedin the morning. That's all. Double irons, Mr. Harris. "

"I never done for him, and that gent knows it, " wailed Petrak, as Harrisput his hand on his shoulder to take him away. To my amazement, Petrakpointed his finger at me. 

"What's that?" said Riggs sharply. 

"Tell all you know, my good man, " said Meeker despite the caution Riggshad given him about interfering. 

"The gent in the white suit knows all about it. I done for this chap, and the writin' chap, that I brought his bag aboard, paid me for it. Saidhe would, and gave me some of the money on deck to-day. You saw him, cap'n--you saw him hand-in' me the silver, sir. He's in it, too, and--"

"Why, my dear Mr. Trenholm!" exclaimed Meeker, getting to his feet, aghast at the accusation of the little red-headed man. "My dear sir, Icould hardly believe such a thing of you! And we dined with you--"

"Here, you hold up, " shouted Riggs. "What does this mean, Mr. Trenholm? Iremember now that I did see this man taking money from you and I told younot to be tipping the crew. What have you to say?"

"He was to give me ten pound--"

"Shut up!" roared Harris to Petrak. 

"What have I to say?" I gasped, astounded at the turn of affairs andhardly able to believe what I heard from Petrak. "I know nothing aboutit! The man must be crazy!"

"I am not so sure of that, " retorted Riggs. "I must confess, Mr. Trenholm, that I was somewhat surprised to find that you carried twopistols, and you must admit that you brought this man on board with you. You seem to know him. "

"Know him! The little rat has been following me about Manila all day! Ithought I was to be rid of him until you took him as a member of thecrew--"

"Ten pound I was to get for a killin' of that chap there, " shriekedPetrak. "That's what he was passing me the silver for this day, sir. They'll hang me now--they'll hang me!"

"It looks very awkward for you, Mr. Trenholm, " said Meeker, sadly. 

I was about to denounce the missionary and tell him how I had seen himand Petrak together much in Manila, but I was so angry for a minute thatI thought it better to hold myself in check for the time. 

I stood before them for a few seconds, wondering what I should do, andthen my rage got possession of me, and I reached for a pistol, intendingto hold Meeker under the muzzle of it and make him confess his truecharacter and admit that Petrak was his friend rather than mine. 

As I threw my hand back, my wrist was seized and I turned to see Rajahbehind me, holding my arm in a firm grip. He menaced me with his krisand grinned calmly. 

"My dear Mr. Trenholm, " said Meeker, smiling blandly. "One crime shouldserve your purpose for this evening, it seems to me. "

Captain Riggs stepped up and relieved me of my pistols, and I knew that Ihad made a fool of myself by attempting to draw the weapon. 

"I am very sorry about this, Mr. Trenholm, " said the captain. 

CHAPTER VII

I TURN SPY MYSELF

Meeker stood with folded arms and grinned at me as he saw my pistolstaken by the captain; and for the first time since I had seen him hedropped his sanctimonious pose and looked anything but the decrepit oldmissionary which he had always seemed. His shoulders were squared and hishead thrown back, and there was mockery in his eyes. 

But it was not so much his insolent and triumphant look which took myattention as the manner in which he stood upon the heaving deck of thesaloon; his knees had that limp sea-bend of the sailor and his out-turnedtoes seemed to grasp the uncertain rise and fall of the carpet beneathhis feet; he was a mariner now, not a preacher, for no landsman couldhold himself so easily in a vessel which pitched and rolled in the longswells of the China Sea. 

I looked at him defiantly, and his eyes seemed to dare me to speak outand say the things which were in my mind. He seemed to understand that Iwas trying to frame a denunciation, for I was white to the lips with rageat him. 

"You seemed determined to sail in the _Kut Sang_, Mr. Trenholm, " he said:"So your insistence to be a passenger was to slay a fellow-man, was it? Iam shocked beyond measure!"

"You hound!" I screamed. "You have played your cards well, you and yourlittle red-headed scoundrel! If you think I am a spy you will find--"

"Tut, tut, Sally Ann!" said Captain Riggs. "We can't have any of that. Hold your tongue, sir, or I'll have you in irons. "

"If you'll give me ten minutes privately, captain, I'll tell you who thisdevil--"

"I'm a man of the cloth, and I will not countenance such language!"shrieked Meeker in an attempt to check me; but I could see that I hadcut him deeply, for he whitened and stepped toward me with closed fist. "Don't you call me devil! You know nothing of me--tell it if youwill--what do you know? Where did you get that name?"

"Gentlemen! Gentlemen!" said Riggs, still holding one of my pistols inhis hand, and keeping an eye on the bulkhead door for the return of themate. 

"He's a Japanese spy, " I said. "He's no missionary at all, but a spy, andthe fool believes that I am in the Russian service. He tried to hold mein Manila, and when I would not listen to his lies he has taken this wayto discredit me, probably have me hanged! It's all a plot--"

"That will do, " commanded Riggs. "You have not been tried yet, Mr. Trenholm. You can tell all that to the judge. If you go on this way Iwill be compelled to make a prisoner of you. I am not taking that redchap's word for what he says about you, but if you go on like this I willhave to put you in confinement. Otherwise, you will simply be restrictedto your cabin until we reach Hong-Kong. I will have to make sure that youhave no more arms, and if you will promise to remain in your room, thatwill do until this matter is turned over to the courts, and then you maystate your case. "

"Are you not going to put this man where he can do no more harm?" askedMeeker. "You can see for yourself that my life will be in danger unlessthis man is made a prisoner. I protest against his being allowed hisliberty--I have no desire to be found in my bed as poor Mr. Trego wasfound here a few minutes ago. "

"You will be protected, " said the captain. "Mr. Harris, is that you? TakeMr. Trenholm here to his room, and remove all his luggage and see that hehas no more arms, even so much as a pocket-knife. Then lock him in hisroom. "

"I protest against such treatment, Captain Riggs. If you will give me tenminutes so that I may tell my story I will willingly obey any order youmay give, even to becoming a prisoner in my room; but I think that itwill be better for you to know the facts about this case, and what I havelearned about this Mr. Meeker in Manila. "

"And what is it you have learned?" cried Meeker, advancing on me again ina menacing manner, and plainly surprised at what I had said. 

"A few things about you and Petrak that Captain Riggs should know, " Iretorted. 

"Mr. Harris, take Mr. Trenholm to his room, " and the mate took me by thearm and led me down the passage. As I went out Meeker grinned after meand whispered something to Captain Riggs behind his hand. 

Harris opened the door and thrust me before him into the dark stateroomand commanded me to light the gimbal-lamp, passing me a match. When I hadthe lamp lit he took a quick glance inside. 

"That man Meeker is a spy, " I began. "It was for him that Petrak killedTrego, and all day in Manila he and that little fellow were at myheels--"

"Stow that, " said Harris. "Take what you need out of yer gear, and handthe rest of it out, and mind that thar's no gun-play about it. I'm wellheeled, and if ye make a move I'll let daylight through yer innards. Looklively now. "

I took a pair of pajamas and a few toilet-articles from my bag. Hewould not let me have my razors, or any of the packets of papers or mymoney belt. When he had taken my grip he demanded my clothes, and leftme in my pajamas and locked the door, with a growl of caution aboutmonkey-business. 

"We hain't takin' no chances with gents like ye be, " he said. "And mindthat ye stick close here, 'cause we've got a watch outside, and the firsttime we ketch ye up to any didoes we'll have ye below with brassbracelets on with yer pal Petrak, where ye belong. "

At this he slammed the heavy oak door and turned the key in the lock. 

My first emotions were anger and the sense of humiliation. I was beaten, outwitted, captured by Meeker, and by my own stupidity. But I realizedthat the battle had but just begun, and my first task must be to attemptsome defence, some counter move against the old fraud who had drawn hisplot about me for his own mysterious object. 

I berated myself for my conceit in imagining that I could play with sucha dangerous man as Meeker proved himself to be, especially since I hadseen through his disguise almost from the first. One of two things inManila would have saved me from my position--either I should have toldMeeker at once that he was mistaken in thinking me a spy and warned himto keep clear of me, or I should have told the police that I was beingannoyed by a suspicious character. I had had grounds enough for making acomplaint against Meeker and Petrak when I found the little red-headedman sneaking outside my door in the hotel, and the supposed missionaryblocking my pursuit on the stairway. 

Even if the police had given me no satisfaction, I could have warnedMeeker that I would not submit to his espionage--a hundred ways ofprotecting myself from the fellow came into my mind as I sat there on myberth and reviewed what had taken place in Manila before I ever went onboard the _Kut Sang_. 

But that was all past, and it did me no good to go over the mistakes Ihad made. I was bitter at myself for allowing Petrak to bring my bag onboard, for I had thus given him an opportunity to claim me as an ally inthe murder. 

The best that I could make of the whole affair was that Meeker took mefor a spy, as I had suspected from the first, and in order to prevent mefrom going to Hong-Kong for some purpose opposed to the plans of hismasters, had done his best to keep me out of the steamer. 

Then, when he found that he could not block me in going, he did the nextbest thing and came with me. To further embarrass me and prevent me fromaccomplishing the object of my supposed mission in Hong-Kong, he had gotme involved in a crime from which I knew I would have a great deal ofdifficulty in getting myself free, especially as Petrak seemed willingenough to testify against me even though he should hang for the murder. 

It seemed beyond reason that they should kill Trego simply to havesomething of which I might be accused; it seemed to me that my own deathwould have been an easier way to get rid of me. 

I began an analysis of every event which entered into the total of themystery, seeking for some key which would aid me in assorting the tangledbits that only needed to be arranged properly to bet the solution, muchas a jig-saw puzzle is worked out. If I had a proper beginning it wouldall be easy enough. 

The killing of the boatswain in the Flagship Bar seemed significant, although I could not connect it with Meeker's plot against me, and I hadto lay that episode aside until I saw it in its proper relation to theother parts. 

Standing near the lamp, I wrote down on a scrap of paper each event inits proper order, from my first sight of Meeker that morning as I arrivedat the mole from Saigon. When I had made a note of the delivery of theletter to the Russian consul at the bank, I found Trego and Meekertogether--the spy disguised as a missionary seeking alms, and Tregodriving him out of the room. 

It was obvious enough to me that in delivering the letter I had walkedinto some sort of a plot of which I had no knowledge, for Meeker was notonly spying upon me, but he was spying upon Trego or the bank. 

The next time that Trego entered the list was when I was introduced tohim in the bank, of little importance in itself, but worth a great dealwhen connected with the fact that Trego left Manila in the _Kut Sang_and in charge of the ship, to the amazement of even Captain Riggs. 

"Trego killed. " As I put that down it flashed upon me that he had beenstruck down before he had told Captain Riggs why he had papers assupercargo--and a few minutes after he had shown that he was suspiciousof Meeker!

I was baffled and realized that it was a waste of effort to attempt totheorize about the snarled web in which I found myself enmeshed. Onething was apparent enough, and that was Meeker did his best to keep meout of the _Kut Sang_, as he said, and I reached the conclusion that itwas not me so much as the steamer which concerned him when he sought todivert my path from the vessel. If I had taken his broad hints in ManilaI would have cancelled my ticket and probably never seen him again. 

There was little comfort in proving that my own blunder had led me intosuch a mess. I threw the pencil down and sat on the edge of the lowerberth. My anger was giving way to alarm. I began to realize that perhapsbeing a prisoner was the safest for me while on the steamer, for ifMeeker had brought about the death of Trego because the supercargosuspected him, why should he not attempt to kill me after what I had saidabout him to Captain Riggs?

I remembered that he had shown concern when I offered to tell Riggs abouthim--he was ready to strike me down on the spot, and his plea that Imight attack him was made more for the purpose of having me put out ofreach of the captain than for his own protection. I was still apassenger, even though confined to my room, and he knew that I might findan opportunity to tell my story to Riggs. 

At least I was safe for the night, and I knew nothing could be done inthe way of explaining things to Riggs before morning. I decided that Iwould ask for paper and write a brief account of Meeker and Petrak forhim and let him judge for himself. 

I blew out the lamp and opened the port, but hooked it so that the heavybrass-rimmed glass acted as a shield for me as I lay in the upper berth. I had no desire to have a pistol thrust through the port while I wasasleep, and after what had happened I was ready to see danger inanything. 

The steamer was well to sea, and there was a stiff breeze blowing, whichmade her pitch and roll heavily. Her beams and joints groaned every timeshe bucked into a sea, and the wash at her freeboard and the spraybreaking on the deck outside made a great racket. Her old engines joltedand jarred and vibrated every inch of the _Kut Sang_, and I could hearthe whir of the propeller as it lifted out of the water when her headplunged into a swell. 

But although I tried to put everything out of my mind and get somesleep, my imagination conjured up possible situations for the nextday conferences with Captain Riggs, fights with Meeker, a confessionforced from Petrak that he had lied when he charged me with complicity inthe murder. 

I tumbled and tossed in my berth and counted a million sheep jumping afence, worked at the multiplication table, and resorted to other devicesto get into a doze, but every new creak, every groan of the strainingtimbers, kept me wide awake. 

One of the most irritating noises was the grating of some object hangingon the bulkhead close to my head. I could not hear it when the vesselpitched, but when she took a long roll to starboard it rattled a secondand then rasped along the board. Locating the sound in the dark, I gropedalong the planks to find the loose object, and my fingers came upon asmall metal rod. I seized it and lifted it from a hook, and with the tipsof my fingers found it to be a key!

Bounding out of my berth, I went to the door with it, certain that itwas a spare key to the stateroom. Cautiously I tried it in the large, old-fashioned lock, and it turned back easily. I tried the knob, and thedoor swung inward. 

I closed it again and debated for a minute what I should do, and, deciding that anything could not be worse than lying idle in a cell, madeup my mind to venture out and call upon Captain Riggs if I could findhim, or do a little spying on my own account to learn of any newdevelopment since I had been dismissed from the saloon and imprisoned. 

I held the door open a few inches for several minutes and listened forsome suspicious sound in the dark passageway. I remembered that Harrishad said something about a guard at the door, but although I strained myeyes, in the darkness I could see no one. Each end of the passage wascapped by a penumbra of dim light, for although the sky was overcast, theopen air was not so dark as the intensified gloom of the passage. 

My courage grew as I stood in the doorway, and I stepped out, closing thedoor silently and not locking it, but knotting the key in the string ofmy pajamas. 

I listened for a minute at Meeker's door but heard nothing. His room wasnext to mine, but further aft, with one or more doors between his andwhere the passage gave on the open after-deck, Captain Rigg's room was onthe same side, but away forward, under the end of the bridge, close tothe open ladder which led down to the fore-deck. 

In my bare feet I made no noise, and slowly made my way forward to see ifthere was a light in Captain Riggs's room. Before I had gone far Iheard a murmur of voices, and then saw a sliver of light from the jamb ofa door. There was a conversation going on in the captain's room, but Icould not distinguish the voices. I went on to the forward end of thesuperstructure and discovered a port-hole in the captain's cabin partlyopen, and by going up three steps of the bridge-ladder I had a partialview of the room. 

Captain Riggs was fully dressed, and sat at a shelf which dropped fromthe wall. He was sorting out papers, and Harris, the mate, was standingover him, talking. 

"You must be mistaken, Mr. Harris, " I heard the captain say. 

"Make me third cook if I be!" exclaimed Harris, who seemed to be in anirritable mood. "I know what I'm talking about, cap'n! I run my thumbnailalong the edges of it. "

"Sally Ann's black cat, Mr. Harris!"

"All I ask ye to do, cap'n, is come down and have a look at it foryerself. That's what this is all about I'm tellin' ye! We got somethin'on our hands, I tell ye! We've got to do somethin' about it right awayor we'll have more trouble. What if the crew smells a rat?"

"You got a little too excited about that murder, Mr. Harris. I'd know allabout that. The owners wouldn't send me to sea with such as you say, andsay nothing to me, nor the charter party, either. They'd use a liner andabout forty men for anything like that. I'm crazy enough now, what withthis murder and mess, without getting myself stirred up over anythinglike that. You better get some sleep. We'll find in the morning that youmade a mistake. "

"But I had a light on it!" insisted Harris. "It's thar, I tell ye, and Imade sure. I don't come botherin' of ye with no cock-and-bull story likethis unless I know. I held a bull's-eye light on it and it showed plainas Cape Cod Light. One of them chists got sprung, and I thought maybe I'dmade a mistake when I put the light on it, but when I rubbed my thumbnailon it I knew I was right. I know the feel, I tell ye. Every cussed one of'em is the same, too. "

"I tell you, Mr. Harris, I've had tomfoolery enough for one night, andI ain't going down in the hold and dig around in cargo and get the crewsuspicious. They are stirred up enough as it is with what's gone onto-night, and I guess that's what ails you. "

"Cuss it all, Cap'n Riggs!" exclaimed Harris in exasperation. "Ye oughtto know I don't get gallied for a little blood spilled. I slep' in a bunkall one night in the _Martha Pillsbury_ with a man what didn't have anyhead and never turned a hair. Ye know that old barkentine whaler thatCap'n Peabody sold. Dang it all, cap'n, that is what this man Trego comeaboard as he did--that's what he was here fer. It come down at the lastminute and he bossed the job of gettin' it aboard. 

"Wouldn't let a man touch it, but had his own chinks from shore-side getit aboard with slings from the davits, and watched 'em stow it in thestoreroom. It ain't in the hold. When I come across the key to the room Imade up my mind I'd have a look at it. Tinned milk! Marked tinned milk! Isay tinned milk hell! I wash my hands o' the whole cussed mess if yedon't look at it and see for yerself. 

"I don't want the responsibility, and we've got to take some precaution. That's what the killin' was for, and I'll bet a clipper-ship to adoughnut-hole that writin' chap Trenhum knows about it, and he ain't nowritin' chap, neither. Thar has been bad business, and there'll be morefrom what's below, mark my words. Come below and look at it. "

"You looked it over in good shape with a light, " said Captain Riggs, evidently in doubt as to what he should do. "It ought to be on themanifest, you know, Mr. Harris. "

"Cuss the manifest! It's down as machinery and marked tinned milk. Whatmore ye want? They got things switched somehow, and that's plain asthe nose on yer face. I had my thumb on it, I tell ye. "

"Then, if that is true, it explains why Mr. Trego was so mysterious, andwhy he wanted to be a passenger to the others. That's what he was aboardfor, right enough, and like as not he would have told me if he had beenleft alive long enough. It don't strike me reasonable that he'd keepanything like that from me--not with the way things are going these days. The master of the vessel ought to know in a case like that, and ascraped-up crew. " Riggs began to button his coat. 

"Of course that was what he was so close-jawed for, and that's why theowners was so close-jawed. Like as not they didn't know--charter was forcargo, and they didn't bother their head about that part of it. Some sortof a sneak game about it, of course, but we've got to mind our P's andQ's now. 

"The owners nor the charter party can't help us none with it now, say I, and as master ye're got to do as ye see fit. All this monkey-businessto-night comes from it. I don't like the passengers and I don't likethese new whites in the crew. They know one another, I'm tellin' ye. Thelong chap and Buckrow sailed with Petrak. They pretend they don't knowone another--all bosh--thick as fleas when no one is a watchin' of 'em. 

"See how Buckrow was so smart handin' over his knife to the red chap whenhe got in a jam? I say, where did we git them three jewels--the writin'chap brought the little red killer, and the parson brought the longfellow and Buckrow. Looks funny to me, cap'n--and we don't want noDevil's Admiral aboard of us. "

"Mr. Harris!" exclaimed Captain Riggs getting to his feet, "you are notfool enough to believe stories about the Devil's Admiral, are you? That'sall newspaper talk and water-front gossip. "

"I ain't so doggone sure about that, cap'n--bein' gossip. Of course, Idon't suspect nothin' like that aboard here, but from what Chips Akerstold me before he died, after the loss of the _Southern Cross_, I'm notso sure this devil's-admiral talk is all folderol. Chips couldn't tellmuch before he went under, but the _Southern Cross_ was boarded by theDevil's Admiral sure enough--didn't they find a sextant out of her in astore in Shanghai?

"Ships that go down in typhoons don't have their chronometers pop up inShanghai a year later, I'm tellin' ye. There ain't nobody ever saw thishere Devil's Admiral, sure enough, that lived to tell it, but ships don'talways go down in deep water and never a boat got off or a life-preserveror a spar or a door found on the beach. 

"Thar's been bloody work in the last three or four years in thesewaters--look at the _Legaspi_; never a man jack out of her, and sailedfrom Manila, as we did, for Hong-Kong, and never heard of. Steamer shewas, too, right in the steamer-lanes. They say the Devil's Admiral gother, and I more'n half believe it. "

"Sally Ann! Sally Ann!" said Captain Riggs. "I guess I better go down, Mr. Harris, and look this thing over and get it off yer mind, or ye'llbe fretting yerself and losing sleep with such yarns running wild inyer top-piece. I don't like this night prowling a mite, but take thebull's-eye along, and never a bit of light until we are in the storeroom. 

"I don't want the crew hugging our heels on this trip below, 'cause yemay be right about it, at that. Be sure the slide is shut in thatlantern, and call the boy to watch for us. Be sure that glim is doused--Idon't want anybody to know about this. "

I slipped off the ladder and clung to the superstructure out of the rangeof the light which spurted from the open door as Harris came out. He wentaft for Rajah, and when he returned in a minute Captain Riggs wasstanding at the head of the fore-deck ladder waiting for them. Harriswhispered something, and I saw the three figures descend to the fore-deckand heard them enter the companionway to the lower deck. I followed them. 

CHAPTER VIII

MR. HARRIS HAS A FEW IDEAS

Clutching the iron hand-rail of the ladder leading to the fore-deck, Iwent down as quickly as I could. For half a minute I stood on the wetplates of the deck, drenched by the spray which swept the head of thevessel every time she lurched forward into the seas. Above me I couldmake out the dim shape of the bridge and superstructure, and I could hearthe wind slatting the storm-apron lashed along the bridge-rail and thesinging of the funnel-stays, but it was so black overhead that I couldnot distinguish any figure on the bridge. 

The forecastle-head could barely be made out, and the winch-wheels andventilators on deck were inchoate masses which took shape only when theywere within reach. The green starboard-light threw a sickly glare overthe surges which rose to the rail. I had to feel my way along and notrelease my grip until I had found a hold on something else. 

If it was dark on deck, the appalling gloom below was terrifying, andnothing seemed stable--there were times when I mistook the bulkhead forthe deck, when the vessel took a long roll and laboured to right herself. 

I found myself in a maze of stanchions below, and after I had passedunder the hood of the companionway lost my bearings for a time, untilI discovered that I had to turn aft to make any progress. Everythingseemed to be making as much of a clatter as possible between decks, andI seemed to be directly over the engines. Fire-doors were clanging closeat hand, and the Chinese firemen were bawling behind a bulkhead; so mydifficulty was not so much to keep silent myself as to recognize soundswhich would give me a clue as to where Captain Riggs and the others hadgone. 

For a time I was on the point of getting back to the deck above, for itwas a foolhardy business with nothing to gain that I could see, and noend of trouble if I should be caught stalking Captain Riggs on hismysterious expedition to the storeroom. My silk pajamas, now thoroughlywet, clung to me, and the salt water began to sting, and my wet stockingswere sticky and uncomfortable and formed bunches under my toes, but Ikept them on for the little protection they afforded my feet. 

But I kept crawling aft until I came squarely against a solid wall, andknew it for the bulkhead of the forward part of the superstructure. As Iwas in some sort of a passage, it must lead to a door, and I fumbled tofind its outlines. 

I found the knob, although it seemed to be on the wrong side, as thingswill in the dark, and I tried the door, but it was fast. Just as I wasabout to turn away I detected the sound of voices behind it, and knewthat Riggs and the mate were inside, and that I had found the room whichcontained the mysterious cargo. 

Bound to know what they were talking about, I made another effort to openthe door a little. I did not succeed, but I found a big key protrudingbeneath the knob, and drew it out so I could hear better and even get aglimpse of the interior. All was dark inside, except for a small circleof light thrown against the bulkhead in such a way as to illumine a boxwhich was braced against the wall. 

I knew this light came from the bull's-eye lantern, and that if I openedthe door an inch or so those inside could not detect it; but when I triedthe key I found that the door was unlocked but hooked inside, so I tookthe key out again and put it down on the deck, and took another survey ofthe limited portion of the room visible to me. I could hear Harristalking in a low tone, and Captain Riggs asking questions, and by puttingmy ear to the keyhole I heard enough to get the drift of theirconversation, although in this position I could not see what they weredoing. 

"Tinned milk, " said Harris, and he laughed. 

"Let the boy hold the light, " said the captain. "Pry it open a bit more, Harris, and let me have a good, square look at it. I don't believethere's more than one box, at that--which wouldn't be no great troublefor us. "

"Make a devil of a racket to git it broke open, " said Harris, using somesort of a tool on a box. "Thar's two chists here, to tell the truth aboutit. One is heavier than t'other and bound with iron strips, and thisoutside one is cleated with tin. I'll rip the whole works open, cap'n, ifye say the word. "

"No, no, Mr. Harris! Sally Ann, not that! Just enough so I can see andhave no doubt about it--I don't want no guesswork. "

"They made it fast right enough, " growled Harris. "I never see notinned milk nursed so particular as this, blow me if I did! But when Istarted this side so's I could get my thumb in, I was Jerry Smith--here, cap'n--quick while I hold this side out--put your thumb in there andfeel the aidge. "

"It feels like it. Take the light from the boy and hold it down so I canget a look at it--no, let him keep it, Mr. Harris--you hold the board outso I can see it in good shape--down, Rajah, down low, so. "

I tried to see what they were doing, but all I could make out was CaptainRiggs as he bent low between me and the object on which the light wasturned. I put my ear back to the keyhole. 

"Sally Ann! Sally Ann!" I heard Captain Riggs exclaim, and then hewhistled. "Blast me if ye ain't right, Mr. Harris!"

"I knew I was right, " growled Harris. "Can't fool me with that--it feltlike it and looked like it, and that man Trego fits into the game to a T. I thought he was a mighty shady customer from the first look I got athim, when he come alongside and bossed things. When he got that knifethrowed in him I thought I'd come down here and have a look around on myown hook, and thar ye be, cap'n. "

"But Sally Ann! What are we going to do with it? We can't leave it here, can we?"

"Maybe it would be better, at that, " said Harris. "But I look at it thisway, cap'n--somebody knows it's here, that's what. Maybe the parson;maybe that Mr. Trenhum; maybe Petrak knowed about it; maybe Buckrow andLong Jim knows; but, anyhow, whoever had that knife hooked into Tregoknowed, and ye can put that in yer pipe and smoke it. "

"But I don't believe anybody would broach cargo. We can keep the doorlocked, and bury this under a mess of stuff, say spare chain and a lot ofold heavy gear. "

"Broach Tophet!" snorted Harris. "Ye call this cargo, Cap'n Riggs? Wal, if ye do, I don't! Broach cargo! Think a man that would kill Trego, or get him killed, would stop at broaching cargo to git his paws onthis?"

"That's true enough, " said Riggs. "It's bad business to have it aboard, Mr. Harris. I hope nobody in the ship knows about it. If they find out itmay lead to trouble, and I'm too old to have trouble with my ships now. I've had trouble enough this night as it is--"

"That ain't the idea at all, cap'n, " said Harris, entirely out ofpatience. "Ye've had trouble already, and all over this, and ye'll havemore of it, and ye can't avoid it. We got some pretty fancy passengersaboard, and I'll bet my shirt the parson and Mr. Trenhum knows; andwhat's more, that parson ain't no more a parson than I be--if he'sa parson I'm a bishop. Now, them two brought a bad lot aboard with'em--Petrak, thar in irons, and this Buckrow, and Long Jim. "

"It does look queer, " admitted Riggs. 

"Trego had his suspicions all the time, cap'n. They got him before hecould tell ye what he guessed. Trego never liked the both of 'em. When yecome to look this thing over in yer mind, a little at a time, it gitsplain to me. Ye see, the parson brought Long Jim and Buckrow; and Tryhum, or whatever his name is, brung Petrak to do his part of the dirty work. 

"Now, look what I'm sayin', cap'n. We got short-handed quick thar inManila, didn't we? I been turnin' that over in my mind, too. Somebodycut the boatswain, didn't they? The police got that Lascar quartermasterwho we had for lampman, didn't they? That's two men gone, ain't it?

"Look a here. The police come aboard lookin' for a little red-headedsailor they said done the killin', and I told 'em they was dreamin'; butthey said the lampman, who they took for the murder, blamed it on alittle red-headed sailor. I just told 'em I guessed the lampman was theirman, and they said a parson told 'em he done the killin', but they wantedto find this little red-headed sailor 'cause he had some hand in it, sosome witnesses said. 

"See what I'm drivin' at? I didn't know about no red-headed man, and Ididn't want to. We had to get out of Manila, and I didn't want to bemonkeyin' around with no courts nor judges, and I let the police havetheir own say, and agreed with 'em when I saw a chance to keep clear, anddisagreed when I saw it would delay us to get tangled up in the killin'of the bos'n. "

"Well, I don't see what all that has got to do with this, " said CaptainRiggs. 

"Ye don't? Look a here! One of our men cut up; a red-headed little sailorhas a hand in it of some sort; a parson tells the police our lampman doneit, and thar goes another of our hands. Who do we git in their place? Aparson for a passenger and two men of his own he brings aboard. Lookslike he made room for 'em, cap'n. "

"You've been reading books, " said Captain Riggs. "What I need is a mate, not a detective. But go on, Mr. Harris--maybe ye're right--I'm gettingold and trustful. "

"That ain't my main p'int, either, " continued Harris. "What I mean isthis--come to think it over, the lampman didn't leave the ship's sideuntil after the Greek was cut up ashore. It was the parson who put thepolice on to the lampman. "

"This same parson, Mr. Harris? Ye ain't sure about that?"

"Oh, shucks! Think thar's fourteen thousand parsons runnin' around Manilawith a red-headed sailor that's too handy by far with a knife? Ain't Igot brains in my head? He had to make room for his pals aboard here, didn't he? It's plain as Cape Cod Light to me, cap'n. "

"Well, what does it all mean? You suppose this is what they want?"

"Ye don't guess they killed the bos'n and this Trego just for friendshipsake, do ye? If ye want to know what my personal, private feelings are, it looks like we've been boarded by the Devil's Admiral. "

"Sally Ann's black cat!" said Riggs. "That story was started by somesea-lawyer full of gin, and the newspapers took it up for fun. Thereain't no more a Devil's Admiral than there is a _Flying Dutchman_. "

"Wal, didn't I see the _Flying Dutchman_ off the cape with my own eyeswhen I was second in the brig _Peerless_? Ye can't tell me thar ain't no_Flying Dutchman_, and ye can't make me believe thar ain't no Devil'sAdmiral--I've been told some things about both of 'em, and dang me for ablue-nose fisherman if I don't believe in 'em both!"

"Who is your Devil's Admiral aboard here, then?"

"The parson. "

"You're full of hashish! You been bothered lately with your head, Mr. Harris?"

"That's all right, cap'n. When a man looks overside and says ten knotsand better, and the log says ten knots and a shade, he ain't no landsman. He spits to looward like a commodore, that parson, and I've had mysuspicions right along. "

"All buncombe. You been readin' too many Manila newspapers. "

"Yes, and I see a few things on deck, too, that ain't got nothin' to dowith newspapers. Petrak, Buckrow, and the long lime-juicer was all prettythick when no one was lookin' at 'em. And they don't let on to know eachother, neither. Askin' one another their names when I was standin' by, and soon as my back was turned thick as flies at a molasses-barrel, sneakin' round and whisperin'. 

"'Who's the red chap?' asks Long Jim from Buckrow, when he knows I canhear. 

"'Says he's out of a collier, ' says Buckrow, speakin' loud a purpose so Ican hear. 

"The next I know, cap'n, Reddy was tellin' Long Jim that Buckrow neverpaid him that two bob for a round of drinks in the Flagship Bar beforethe cuttin'. Don't that sound funny? Then when Petrak takes the wheel Iasks him if he knows Long Jim, and he says not afore he come aboard, andBuckrow says the same. 

"They all lied; and ye remember how Buckrow helped Petrak with a knifewhen he was in a tight jam thar at the door. I put two and two together, and I'm here, Ezra Harris, your mate, to tell ye that they make four, andye can't git away from it--and what's more, this Trenjum is in with theparson and the other three. Devil's Admiral or no, it don't look nice tome. "

"Do you think Buckrow and the other two know about this, Mr. Harris?"

"It ain't clear to me, so far as that goes, but Trenjum and the parsondo. I looks at it this way--they knowed ye didn't know, and that Tregomight tell ye; so they ups and lets a knife into him before he can tell, and then we're up in the air. If I hadn't found it they'd keep usguessin' until they was ready to get in some more fancy work, the Lordknows what. 

"That Trenjum is a slick customer--I don't believe he ever writ anythingfor a newspaper, anyway--he's too tall and strong-lookin' to make hislivin' with a pencil. This Trenjum and the parson is in together for allof their lettin' on they don't like one another. What business has awritin' chap with his breeches full of pistols like he had in the saloon?Ye can't tell me writin' chaps eats their meals with guns enough in theirclothes to arm a landin'-party, no, sir!"

"A pretty pickle! Sally Ann, but I've got a nice mess aboard me, and I'mhanged if I know what it's all going to come to! I've half a mind tothrow the whole lot in irons and work the ship with the chinks. "

"Now ye're talkin' like somebody, " said Harris. "But go slow and git 'emone at a time when it's convenient, so they won't suspect nothin'. If yego after the whole gang at once I'll bet ye have a fight on yer hands. Grab one and then the other so ye'll git 'em separate: and keep 'emseparate, so they can't talk it over, or ye'll have a peck of troubleon yer hands. "

"It's no small matter to put passengers in irons, Mr. Harris. They wouldmake trouble for me when they get into port. "

"They'll make a cussed sight more trouble for ye aboard here, is my wayof lookin' at it. We got Petrak, anyway, for a start. He said Trenjum gothim to do it, and Trenjum told ye Meeker had a hand in it. Just say oneaccused the other, and when ye come to find this aboard ye had to put 'emin irons 'cause it looked like they was hatchin' mutiny in the crew. Thenwe'll slam the other two in irons on suspicion, and they bein' crew, yegot a right to do that. 

"What's the good o' bein' master if ye can't protect yerself and yership? Trenjum is safe enough, as it goes for now, but I'd make him fastbelow when we have the others, and see what sort of a talk he puts up. Ifwe git 'em to tellin' on one another, then we've got the whole yarn out, and ye won't have no trouble with the port authorities. Don't that soundsensible to ye?"

"I don't see any other way out of it, " said Riggs. "I suppose the bestthing to do is to go up and take the parson. His room being next to Mr. Trenholm's, the two of 'em will know what's going on, but we don't care. Then we'll take Buckrow and Long Jim. "

"I guessed ye'd see it that way, cap'n. I'm willin' to stand doublewatches and take the wheel myself, and, with the Dutchman doin' the same, we'll manage to get the old packet to port right enough. "

"We'll go right up, " said Captain Riggs, and I heard them move toward thedoor. 

"Blow out that stinking lantern, " said Riggs. 

For an instant I had a wild idea of taking the key and locking them in, and then making terms with the captain, and arguing him out of theconviction that I was in league with Meeker, and offering my services incapturing the others. But I knew Harris could not be convinced that I wasnot in whatever plot was afoot, and that I could put no faith in anyagreement Captain Riggs might make while the mate was with him. 

Besides, I had borne out the mate's suspicions by being below spying uponthem, and the wiser course would be for me to get back to my stateroomand let them find me there. Then I might be able to discuss the wholeaffair with them and prove that I was the victim of a plot myself. 

As it was, I had lingered at the door too long, and Harris lifted thehook inside and nearly stepped on me as he stumbled into the darkpassage. I crawled out of his path so that when the three of them cameout they were between me and the companionway to the upper deck. 

"Where's the cussed key?" whispered Harris. "I thought I left it in thedoor. "

"Light a match, " said Riggs, and he began to move his feet along thedeck. "Sure you didn't put it in your pocket, Mr. Harris?"

"Who's that?" cried Harris suddenly, and I was sure he had seen mecrouching against the bulkhead. I was about to surrender myself andexplain my presence below when I heard the patter of feet and somebodybounded up the ladder and crashed into a ventilator as he gained the deckabove. 

"Somebody been listening I'll bet my hat!" said Harris. "I've got thekey--it dropped out. "

He locked the door and they hurried down the passage, Riggs telling Rajahto "go get him, " and then I heard them running forward toward theforecastle as they got on deck. 

I ran for the ladder as best I could, glad of the chance to get out ofthe black hole and wondering who could have been down there with me. Istepped upon something which slipped from under me, and I went downsprawling, sure that I had gashed my foot, for I had felt a sharp edge asI fell. I found that my stocking was not cut, and was getting to my feetagain when my hand came in contact with the object which had tripped me. 

I had stepped upon a large shell crucifix. 

CHAPTER IX

A FIGHT IN THE DARK

Dazed for a minute by the discovery that Meeker had been lurking in thepassage while I was listening to Captain Riggs and Harris in thestoreroom, I leaned against the companionway and fingered the shellcrucifix, wondering how near Meeker had come to making an end of me. Ofcourse, the finding of the crucifix down there, and the man who ran upthe ladder when surprised by Riggs, meant nothing else but that Meekerhad been below either before or after I followed the ship's officersdown. 

The fact that he was between me and the companionway was proof enoughthat he had come after I had taken my position at the keyhole of thestoreroom, but if I was inclined to make theories and draw conclusionsabout Meeker, there were other things going on to distract my attention. 

There was much shouting and running on deck, and, before going up, Ilistened in the hopes of learning what was taking place, but the roar ofthe sea, the throb of the engines, and the thumping of my own heartprevented me from making any sense of the tumult above. I had a fear thatRiggs had discovered that I was missing from my room, and that he hadfound Meeker likewise absent from his quarters. 

No matter what had come about, I was in peril as long as I remained whereI was, both from Riggs and Harris and from Meeker and his assassins. And no matter which side won above, whether Meeker was taken, or Riggsand Harris killed, I would be regarded as an enemy by the victors. The best thing for me to do was to surrender to Riggs at once, and securemy pistols that I might get into the fight with him against Meeker andhis henchmen. 

That seemed to be an easy solution of my troubles until I considered thatRiggs and Harris were certain that I was the most dangerous man on board. Before I could say a word I might be seized and ironed, if not shot onsight. Perhaps the wiser course would be to get to my room and barricademyself until affairs were more settled, or until we had the light of dayand I could know with whom I was dealing. 

With one hand on the rail of the ladder and the other clutching thecrucifix, I debated with myself about what I should do, while above me Icould hear Riggs and Harris yelling to one another, although I could notmake out what they were saying. I heard Harris say something about "theparson, " and there were shouts from the bridge, and all hands seemed tobe running over the main-deck like madmen. 

I started up the ladder, bent upon learning what was happening andwatching my chance to slip back to my room through the darkness. Before Ihad gone three steps I was halted by a terrific noise between decks inthe direction of the storeroom. Several heavy blows were struck in rapidsuccession against a bulkhead, followed by a rending crash andsplintering timbers. An iron bar rang on the deck-plates as it was throwndown, and there was a rattle of chains. 

Going down the ladder again, I crouched in a corner, for I was sure thatthe racket below would attract the attention of Riggs and Harris, andthat they would be down to investigate. I would have wagered that someone had broken into the storeroom containing the mysterious cargo. 

Whispers reached my ears from the end of the passage, and then I heardPetrak yell in his fretful, whining way:

"Hold it down, Bucky! Hold it down, ye beggar! It's my bleedin' hand yegot, will ye mind?"

"Dry up about the paw, " said a voice. "Lucky for ye it's not yer neck ina rope. Can't break the chain, can I, 'thout givin' ye a twist, ye fool!There it is now--right aft and on deck, Red, and follow me close! We'llgit 'em off right enough when ye git above decks. What's matter if yerflippers are clear?"

Something rushed toward me in the dark, and again I heard the musicaltinkle that made me think of chain-armour. I pressed my body against theboarding to be clear of the ladder, and made out the figure of a man, crouched down and feeling his way along the passage. He stumbled up theladder, and then I heard Petrak close behind him, panting and cursing, and the broken chains on his hands rasping along the bulkhead. 

"Wait for me, can't ye? Bucky, wait for me! Stop a bit and give me a handup--"

"Oh, come along and stow the gab, " called Buckrow from the head of thecompanion, but in suppressed tones. "Keep yer lip shut, the afterguardsare on deck here and I don't know where Thirkle is. Slip along and giveus a hand with a knife or a gun. Looks like we'll settle the businessquick now. "

Petrak went up the ladder, his progress over each iron step plain to meby the jingle of the chains dangling from his wrists, and before I hadsettled in my mind what had happened the pair of them were gone. Buckrowhad rescued the little red-headed man from the ship's brig. 

I crawled up the ladder, still holding the crucifix, for it was the onlything in the form of a weapon I possessed, and the manner in which Igripped it improvised it into a hilted dagger, although I rememberkeeping it more for evidence against Meeker than for any other purpose. If the sly rascal was still making a fool of Riggs, or denied that he hadbeen below, I felt that his crucifix would be proof against him which hecould not deny. 

When I emerged from the hood of the companionway I found a high wind wasdrenching the deck with spray and everything was black and wet andslippery. The vessel was labouring, and, although there was nothing thatcould be called a storm, she was bucking into head-swells that rattledher from stem to stern, and the gusts of wind whipped the tips of thewaves across her fore-deck spitefully and without warning. 

There were probably twenty feet of open well-deck between me and the footof the ladder leading to the saloon-deck, and, then, I had the darkpassageway to traverse for another thirty or forty feet aft before Icould gain my room. 

I braced myself between the hood of the companion and a thrummingventilator and listened for some hostile sound. I was conscious of dimforms all about me, although I could not see them, and I felt as if I hadblundered into a desperate game of hide-and-seek. 

Thrusting my hands before me into the darkness, I stumbled toward theladder. As I was about to grasp it I encountered a wet jacket, and thenext instant I found myself gripped in a pair of arms. The fingers of myenemy shut on the light fabric of my pajama-jacket. I struck at him withthe point of the crucifix and landed a glancing blow in his face, for theknuckles of my hand brushed his jaw. 

The sharp edge must have cut him, for he uttered a stifled groan, and ashe recoiled from me, partly from my blow and partly as the result of adeep roll of the vessel, I wriggled out of my jacket and ran forward. Inmy flight I bumped into ventilators, stumbled over a hatch-coaming andpulled myself along the swaying rail-chains toward the bow of the vessel. In the scuffle I had lost the crucifix, but I had also escaped from theman who had grabbed me, and, while I was in a panic and did not knowwhere I was going, I hoped to be able to regain the ladder on the portside and get back to my room once I had thrown my assailant off my track. 

I reached the break of the forecastle head, but did not go into the bows, because I knew I could not hope to escape from them if I did not keepopen some means of retreat. I halted at the closed scuttle of theforecastle, for from there I could have my choice of getting aft againalong either rail. I clung to the wooden hood, naked to the waist, andswept continually by the spindrift from the seas which met the vessel. 

As my eyes grew more accustomed to the darkness I could distinguish theoutlines of the machinery on deck, the foremast and the companionwayforward of the superstructure. I could make out the bridge and the funnelwell enough to see a figure moving over the rim of the storm-apron. Thevessel rolled and the side-lights threw red and green glares over the seaon either side. 

As I stood there waiting for some sound which might tell me the positionof the mysterious man who had attacked me, eight bells was struck on thebridge, and I knew it was midnight. I expected that there would be someanswer from the bows, as there should be a man on lookout there, and thefaint double notes of the bell in the wheel-house should have beenrepeated from the ship's bell near to where I stood. 

I had about decided to make another sortie toward the ladder, when Iheard a commotion on the bridge, and then a yell as a man might give whohad been stricken suddenly with death. It chilled my blood, for I knewthat another blow had been struck which took another life on board the_Kut Sang_, and I realized that the striking of the bells had been a sortof signal for the assassin. 

After a minute I heard Harris bawl: "The Dutchman has been killed! Ho, cap'n--the Dutchman has been knifed on the bridge!"

"The devil and all ye say!" shouted Captain Riggs from the fore-deck, andI heard him clamber up the ladder and knew it must have been he whograbbed me as I was about to gain the upper deck. 

"Who was it, Mr. Harris? What in God's name is this, Mr. Harris? Mutiny?Is this mutiny aboard me?" He was mounting to the bridge. 

"They got the Dutchman, " repeated Harris. "They done for him--he's deadas a red mackerel!"

"It's mutiny, Mr. Harris, " said the captain. 

"Ye know cussed well what it is, " shouted Harris, as loudly as thoughCaptain Riggs were still below. "I come up to take the watch and find theDutchman hangin' over the port ladder bleedin' like a dead goose! Morework of yer fine passengers, that's what it is, and ye know why. "

A lantern flickered above the storm-apron and then swung in the break ofthe bridge-rail at the ladder-head, and I saw Harris moving somethingwhich hung limply as he dragged it behind the canvas. 

There was a wrathful conference as the two of them inspected the body ofthe second mate, and as I watched I saw a lancelike tongue of fire, outside the halo of light cast up from the lantern, followed by thereport of a pistol shot, which reached my ears after I had seen theflash, for the wind checked the sound. 

On top of this came a ripping, rending noise and the figure of a manswung to the lower deck, carrying with him a portion of the storm-apron, which volleyed in the wind for a minute and then was swept away as he letgo of it. 

"There they go!" bellowed Harris. "Come on, cap'n, we'll git the houndsnow, " and he led the captain down the bridge-ladder, Riggs still carryingthe lantern, which swung crazily as he dropped three steps at a time. 

"W'ere the bloody 'ell be ye, Bucky?" called a voice which I knew to bethat of Long Jim. "W'ere be ye, I s'y! Ye missed 'im, ye fool. Missed 'imdead. Jolly nice mess ye made of it! Were be ye, Bucky?"

"Shut yer bloomin' face, " growled Buckrow. "What if I did miss him? Itwas you that spoiled my aim, falling against the lashings as ye did, sothe blasted thing carried away with me and like to mashed my head. What, with a fall like that. Dropped my gun, too, and it's broke or jammed. "

"Likewise I couldn't 'elp it, " said Long Jim. "Caught my blasted foot ina lashin'--rotten sailcloth, that, Bucky. Make a stand of it 'ere as theycome on an' we'll git the two of 'em, Bucky. "

"My gun is jammed, I say, " said Buckrow. "Come on below for now and findThirkle and Red. We'll get another gun. "

They were coming toward me all the time, and behind them were CaptainRiggs, still with his lantern, and Harris, uttering terrible threats ofvengeance. 

"Throw that cussed light away, " said Harris. "Throw it away, cap'n, orthey'll wing us sure. Cuss it all, cap'n, they'll blow yer head off if yepack that 'round with ye. Throw it, can't ye?"

"I can't see!" wailed Riggs, who seemed to be confused. "I can't see, Harris. "

"'Course ye can't see with it shinin' in yer eyes! Throw it away, willye? Here--now keep after me. "

Harris wrenched the lantern from Riggs's hand and hurled it into the sea, and, as the briny spume closed over it, it went out with a spiteful, protesting hiss. 

"'Ere's w'ere we bloody well get the two of 'em, " said Long Jim, who waswithin a dozen paces of me. "Give 'em the knives as they come along inthe black, Bucky. "

"No knife-play for me with Harris--he's got a gun, " said Buckrow. "Comealong below, Jim, and let 'em go for now. Quick, or the mate'll haveye. Thirkle said he'd have the fo'c's'le by now. He run the chinks out, him and Petrak. Scuttled 'em aft. Come below. "

"Not till Mr. Mate 'as this in 'is ribs, " said Long Jim. 

"Ye fool--here they be, on us, and Harris with a couple of guns. Run forit, Jim, I tell ye, " and Buckrow rose up out of the dark within reach ofmy hand and thrust back the slide of the forecastle-hood and swung below. 

Long Jim came after him, chuckling with the joy of battle. I wanted to dosomething, to have some hand in the fight, to capture one of themurderers, and so prove to Riggs that I was not in league with them. Thisimpulse to aid the captain's side of the fight came to me swiftly, and Iput it into action at once by jumping directly in Long Jim's path at thehead of the forecastle ladder. I planned to grab his arms and hurl himback, yelling at the same time to Harris not to shoot, that it was I, Trenholm, and that I was holding Long Jim. 

It was a foolish enough thing to do, for in the excitement of the minuteHarris would have undoubtedly shot me and Long Jim, too, and with goodreason, for he would have suspected a trap if I had asked him to hold hisfire and approach us in the dark. 

As it happened, Long Jim was throwing himself forward in a sort of divebeneath the hood of the scuttle, just as I thrust my body against theopening. His shoulder caught me in the stomach, and my head and feet flewout and we grabbed each other and went tumbling down the old woodencompanion together and rolled into the black forecastle. 

"Blime me, I thought ye was down afore me, Bucky, " gasped Long Jim, recovering himself and stumbling over me. I rolled to one side and foundmyself under a bunk. 

"I was down, " said Buckrow. "What ye trying to do--make a Punch and Judyshow of yerself? Ye come down like a lubberly farmer, and then blame iton me. What made ye tumble like that?"

"I thought ye was down. "

"I was down--well clear of ye and waiting for ye. "

"Then how come ye under my bleedin' feet. Mind yer eye now, or the two of'em'll be down on us. That mate is a bad un, I tell ye, Bucky--bad as thenigger in the _Southern Cross_. No end of trouble with him, if yeremember as I do. "

"Aw, stow the gab, " whispered Buckrow, "We're working now. Mind what yerabout. I've got another gun from Thirkle. "

"Thirkle here?" asked Long Jim. "W'ere be ye, Thirkle?"

"Standing by, " was the whispered reply. "Shoot if they come down, butkeep still a minute. Fire up before they have a chance to drop on you, and stand clear, with the gun around the bulkhead at that side, while Ilet go at them from this side. "

"Below thar!" called Harris down the scuttle. "All hands on deck and looklively, or I'll make a tailor's dummy of the last up. "

"Don't say a word, but let him have it when he gets well down, " whisperedthe man who had been addressed as Thirkle, which mystified me. 

"Below thar! I want the man as killed the Dutchman! All hands up and oneat a time, or I'll let daylight through ye all. Hear me below?"

"Don't say a word, " cautioned Thirkle. 

Riggs and Harris were talking together, but we could not make out whatthey were saying. I lay under the bunk at the very feet of Buckrow, dazedand bruised from my fall, yet keenly aware of the situation and strangelycool, thrilled and fascinated with the drama being played about me. 

I knew that I had small chance of escaping with my life if my presenceshould be discovered by the men who lay in wait for Harris and thecaptain; but it was not fear which kept me an auditor when I might wellhave been an actor to good purpose. I desired to see what would be theend of the act, and, far from being terrorized as I should have been, Ienjoyed the invisible scene. It was not that I was unmindful of thedanger, but that I was surprised at myself for feeling no fear. 

"I'll give all hands a minute to get up, and if they ain't, I'll bedown, " thundered Harris. "I know yer down thar, Buckrow, along with Jimand the red chap, and I know yer game. If I have to go down I'll kill acouple of ye, lay to that; so ye can come up and save yer necks, or takeyer chances if I go below. "

"Pass him some insolence, " said Thirkle. "We've got to get out of here. Give him lip, Buckrow, so he'll come down, or he'll batten down on usuntil morning, and ye know what that means. "

"What ye want of me?" called Buckrow. 

"Ye stabbed the Dutchman, ye murderin' hound, " said Harris. "Ye know whatI want ye for well enough, and if ye don't come up I'll see that Jim andPetrak swing with ye. "

"I didn't kill nobody, " said Buckrow. "Ye want to blame it on me, don'tye, ye big monkey. "

"It was you that stabbed him and then took a shot at me. I know ye, Buckrow, and I'll have the life of ye if ye don't come up. "

"Petrak was the one what killed the mate, " said Buckrow. "It was Petrakdone for the Dutchman, sir. I ain't no murderer, sir, Mr. Harris, but asailorman what does his duty as he sees it, sir. "

"Come on deck then and we'll see about that, " said Harris, who seemed tothink that Buckrow's play of fear of him was genuine. 

"Come down and get me. Ye don't dare come down, ye big bucko. I know thelikes of ye! Come down and get me, if ye dare. "

"Is this mutiny? I'll have the lot of ye hanged! I don't stand for nosuch business aboard me, " cried Captain Riggs, and the trio below stifledtheir laughter. 

"Naow let me handle this, cap'n, " we heard Harris say. "I'll go down andbreak this myself. This ain't no time to argue 'bout mutinies; thisain't. "

"Give him a dirty insult, Bucky, " whispered Thirkle. "Give it to him hardor the old master will argue him out of coming down. "

"Come down, ye swine! Come down ye low-born coward and take me if ye can. That's what I say to ye. It's me, Buckrow, foremast hand that's talkin'to the mate of the _Kut Sang_, who's a dog. "

This brought a cry of rage from Harris, and we heard him enter thescuttle, while Captain Riggs begged him not to go down. 

"Stay up here, Mr. Harris, and let the murdering dogs stay there. We'llfix 'em fast enough when day comes. "

"Leggo me, cap'n! I say I'll break that spawn's neck! Let me down!"

"I can't let you risk your life this way, Mr. Harris. I can't, I say. Where will I have officers if ye get hurt down there? Let 'em stop fornow. "

"Leggo my arm!" shrieked Harris. "Cap'n, if ye don't leggo my arm I can'tsay what I'll do. I never let no man talk to me like that!"

"But, Mr. Harris! Ye know what it means! Ye know I can't work the ship!Ye know what's below and what they want! Mr. Harris! Mr. Harris!"

"Now, will ye let go?" demanded Harris, and then he crashed down thewooden ladder. The forecastle was illumined by a flash, and Buckrow'spistol boomed, and then a second flash on the other side of theforecastle showed me the face of the Rev. Luther Meeker at the entranceto the forecastle behind a pistol which had sent a second bullet at themate. And the Rev. Luther Meeker was the man who had been addressed asThirkle, and who seemed to be in command of the others. 

Something rolled into the smoke-laden hole and sprawled on the planksnear me, and I could hear it gasping and choking. 

"Leggo my coat, cap'n. Leggo my coat!" said the form, and I knew it wasHarris wounded to death. In a minute he was still, and then the scuttleabove rattled peremptorily. 

"Mr. Harris! Be ye hurt, Mr. Harris? Oh, Mr. Harris!"

"We got him all right, " whispered Buckrow. "That settles Mr. Matey, welland good. Hey, Thirkle?"

"Good, clean job, " replied Thirkle. "Good, clean job, Bucky, and smart ascould be the way you drew him down. See what you can do with the skippernow. "

"Anything wrong, Mr. Harris?" called the captain from the scuttle. "GoodLord! ain't I to have no officers? What's to become of my ship with sucha crew aboard me? Sally Ann! Sally Ann!"

"Come on down, cap'n, " said a voice startlingly like Harris's. It wasMeeker, or Thirkle, as his men called him, imitating the high-pitchednasal twang of the dead mate. 

"That you, Harris?" cried Riggs hopefully. "What's the matter, Mr. Harris?"

"I hurt myself, cap'n. Come on down, " pleaded Thirkle in a constrainedvoice like a man in pain. "I done for Buckrow, but I hurt my ribs. Whydon't ye come down? I can't navigate this way--I'm hurt. "

"Who was my mate in the _Jennie Lee_?" demanded Riggs. "Tell me that, Mr. Harris, and I'll come down, and not before. "

"We'll have to go up and get him, " whispered Thirkle. "He's too wise anold crab to be caught that way. I'll take the lead, Bucky, and Long Jimlast, and we've got the ship. We can let the fire-room chinks and thenigger go until morning. We'll take the bridge and keep the old tub goinguntil day and then pick out a good place to drop her when we've got whatwe want. Petrak's got the wheel now, and we can do for the chinks, comeday. Blessed if I know what has become of Trenholm, but we'll find him intime and attend to him proper. Remember: make for the bridge once we'vegot the skipper. Quick now!"

The three of them sneaked up the companionway. 

CHAPTER X

THE DEVIL'S ADMIRAL

For several minutes I listened breathlessly, waiting for some sound whichwould indicate that Captain Riggs had been killed or captured by thethree who had gone up the companionway after him. But when I heard nocry, or shot, or sounds of a struggle, I began to formulate plans forgetting back to my room or finding the captain and begging him to let mehelp him fight against Thirkle and his men. 

Lying huddled under the bunk in the bilge-water, which swung from side toside as the vessel rolled, I must admit that I would have presented asorry spectacle to any one who could have seen me, clad only in thetrousers of my pajamas, and suggesting anything but a fighting man. 

But, in spite of the poor part I had taken so far in the fighting, I hadno fear of an encounter with the men who seemed likely enough to takepossession of the _Kut Sang_ and murder all on board. I told myself thatit was not my fault that I had been stripped of my arms and made aprisoner, and blamed Captain Riggs for allowing Thirkle--in the characterof the Rev. Luther Meeker--to throw all the suspicion of the murder ofTrego on me and hold his own liberty and good-standing as a passenger. 

I fully realized the danger which confronted me and the ship, and as Icrawled from under the bunk in the forecastle I had little hope of everescaping from the vessel alive. It was no time to go over past mistakes, no time to moan over what had happened. I longed for action, but, withboth Captain Riggs and Thirkle and his men against me, it looked as if Iwould have little chance, no matter which side was victorious in thebattle that was being fought for the ship. 

I had to crawl over the body of the mate in order to get clear of thetier of bunks, and, thinking it possible that Harris might have a pistolin his clothing, or had dropped one as he fell into the forecastle, Iexamined his pockets. I got no pistol, but did find a box of matches, and, standing with my back to the scuttle to protect the flame from thewind, and also to shade the light from the open scuttle, I struck a matchand hurriedly looked over the littered deck of the forecastle. 

I struck several matches at intervals in this way, waiting between lightsto make sure that no one had seen the flashes from the upper deck. IfHarris had had pistols his murderers must have taken them. I did find adozen or more cartridges of heavy calibre loose in the side-pocket of hiscoat, but those and the matches were all that resulted from my ghoulishwork. 

In the brief illuminations of the forecastle I had seen clothing of thecrew hanging from nails, and I dressed myself in light-blue nankeen frockand trousers which had belonged to a Chinese sailor, for the jacketbuttoned in the back and smelled strongly of opium, as did the wholeforecastle. 

The ports were all fast, but leaked, and what little air came indescended through the scuttle, so the place still reeked with acridpowder-smoke that bit the throat and eyes. The deck was strewn withpanniers and cups, that clattered to and fro with the motion of the ship. The water under foot, and the accumulations of refuse, rice, and food, made it difficult to keep a footing without clinging to the bunks ateither side. 

There was a slush-lamp swinging from a string, and I had a mind to lightits rope wick and search through the chests for a weapon; but I did notwant to remain too long below, although I could not bring myself to leaveempty-handed the only place which offered a weapon. 

Making a hasty search in the dark, I found a broken knife and an ironbelaying-pin. The knife-blade was broken within a couple of inches of thehandle, but diagonally from the point, so that it presented an end thatmight be dangerous at close quarters. 

Ten minutes were probably spent in my exploration of the forecastle, although in my nervous haste it seemed an hour, and I stopped frequentlyto listen for intruders, and for some indication of how the fight wasgoing on deck. 

With the handle of the belaying-pin gripped in one hand, and the knife inthe pocket of my nankeen jacket ready for an emergency, I felt my wayalong the port side toward the foot of the companion, determined to getout of the stinking hole and try my chances in the open. My plan was tofind Riggs, if I could, and, if he were besieged, attack Thirkle and hismen from the rear, although I knew full well my disadvantage againstthem, armed as they were with plenty of pistols. 

But I trusted to the darkness, and hoped that I might outwit them by abluff that I, also, had firearms. Unless I could outmanoeuvre them beforedaylight and join forces with Riggs I knew we had small chance againstthem in daylight, if, indeed, they had not already eliminated the captainfrom the fight. 

I had a gleeful picture of myself challenging Thirkle in the dark, andurging him and Buckrow, Long Jim, and Petrak, to come and take me, telling them at the same time that I would give them shot for shot, andcautioning my imaginary force to hold fire until the enemy was close athand. I imagined that a bold manner, and the surprise they wouldreceive at my appearance in the fight would diminish their confidence andgive them a wholesome respect for me until I could gain the saloon-deckand ally myself with Riggs. 

Then all my brave plans went to smash as I heard some one sneaking downthe companionway. For an instant I was in a panic of terror and chagrinedthat I had lingered long enough to give the enemy time to return. But Idetermined that I might as well fight there as anywhere else, and, bracing myself against the bunks, I drew my knife and raised thebelaying-pin, prepared to begin the attack as soon as my visitor gotwithin reach. 

I could hear him breathing gently as he came down one step at a time, andfrom the light "smack" on each succeeding board I knew that he wasbarefooted. He was feeling his way along, as if in strange territory, andI knew that it could be neither one of the Chinese crew nor one ofThirkle's band. 

As I stood there waiting for him to come within reach I heard apeculiar fluttering which puzzled me, until my memory served me, and Iremembered that this queer swishing sound belonged to Rajah, the dumbMalay mess-boy. I knew it must be Rajah, probably seeking for Riggs; butI also knew that he would have his deadly kris, and I shivered for myselfat the prospect of being dealt a blow from that awful, irregular bladewhich he could wield so expertly. 

Now, I did not want to kill or wound Rajah, for, if Riggs were stillalive, the boy would be a valuable member of our party; and, if Riggswere dead, I hoped that I might win the boy to my side. I could havestruck him down with the heavy iron pin as he groped his way out of thecompanion; but there would be small satisfaction in killing him, for itwould simply be doing a job which would please Thirkle and make his taskof taking the ship all the easier. 

Neither did I expect to be able to explain to the Malay that I was nothis enemy, for he could not make any reply to my pleadings, and the onlyanswer I might get would be the awful kris. 

I thought of crouching in his path and adopting footballtactics--tackling him low as soon as he stumbled upon me. But thatway had its dangers, for he would undoubtedly have his knife andwould make short work of me before I could overpower him. 

As it happened I had no choice in the matter, and we came togethersuddenly and unexpectedly with a lurch of the vessel. He was nearer to methan I imagined, and as he threw up his knife-arm toward the bunk theblade clanged against the boarding, and his shoulder struck me. 

I grabbed for his wrist, and at the same time dropped the pin, which musthave fallen on his foot. Twisting his arm, I made him drop the kris;and then, as I flung him backward over a chest, went with him, and, startled by the attack, I had him pinioned to the deck and helplessbefore he knew what had happened. 

"Rajah! Rajah!" I whispered frantically as he attempted to squirm out ofmy grasp. "Number Four! Number Four! Good man--no fight Number Four!"

That was my number at the saloon-table, and I thought he must recognizeme by that. He hissed in the manner which he had to convey that heunderstood an order, but I held him as gently as I could for a minute andtried to demonstrate to him that I meant him no harm, and spoke thepeace-language of pidgin-English, common enough in the Orient. 

He lay quiet and made no resistance, hissing, and I let go of him andfumbled for his kris. I found it, and then patted his head as he stilllay upon the deck, and he patted my hand in turn and kissed it; and thenI gave him his blade, at which he was overjoyed. 

I struck a match then, that he might see me, and by sign-language triedto make him understand that we should go on deck and search for Thirkleand the others. 

Before we had finished our silent parley I heard a noise at the scuttle, and then Riggs whispered: "Rajah! Rajah!"

I was wondering what I should say to him, afraid that I might frightenhim away again, or that when he recognized my voice he would be all themore convinced that I was against him, or make some startled exclamationwhich would betray his presence to Thirkle, and also give him theinformation of my whereabouts. Before I made any sound Rajah had rapped asignal to him, and I heard him coming down. 

Rajah scratched my hand and felt for the matchbox in my pocket, and asCaptain Riggs reached the foot of the companion I struck a match and heldit before my face, between Rajah and myself. 

"Good God!" cried Riggs, and he backed toward the companion, holding uphis hands in terror as he thought that I had captured Rajah. 

"Captain, " I called as the match went out, "it's Trenholm, ready to fightwith you. I'm not with that murdering crew. I didn't kill Trego. Don'tbe a fool, but give me a chance to help you. "

"Didn't kill Trego!" he said, amazed. "I know you didn't kill Trego, butyou had the red chap do it for you. "

"No, I didn't. The money I gave that little devil was for bringing my bagon board, and he told you that I paid him for killing Trego so thatMeeker, or Thirkle, would get me out of the way. I tell you that I am notwith that gang. Give me a gun, and I'll help you in this fight. "

"Who's that dead man on the deck?" he asked. "How come you down here?"

"That's Harris. Thirkle and Buckrow killed him. "

"Thirkle! There's no Thirkle aboard here. Thirkle! Why, that's--"

"Thirkle, " I said, "is the Rev. Luther Meeker. He is the head of thewhole gang. "

"Then poor Harris was right, " he moaned, feeling for a chest and sittingdown upon it. "Harris was right. " I could hear despair in his voice--hewas master no longer, but a broken, dispirited old man. 

"Cheer up, captain; we'll beat them yet, " I said as cheerily as I could. 

"We're lost, " he moaned. "Light the slush-lamp, --they won't bother usnow. "

"But let's get on deck and give them a fight, " I said. "It won't do anygood to stay down here--"

The board at the scuttle rattled, and we listened. I stooped and gropedfor the belaying-pin. 

"They got below, " growled Buckrow. After a minute he slammed thescuttle-board shut, and we heard a heavy, thumping sound and theclanking of a chain. 

"We're lost!" moaned Riggs. "They are making the scuttle fast withrail-chains. All hands lost, and the Lord have mercy on us! Light theslush-lamp, Mr. Trenholm--we're dead men!"

"What is their game?" I asked, in doubt as to the meaning of what he saidabout the rail-chains, although I was dismayed by the ominous sounds atthe scuttle and knew that we must be prisoners in the forecastle. 

"There is no escape from here, " said Riggs. "They hold the ship now, andthey'll scuttle her before day comes. "

I struck a match and lit the swinging slush-lamp, which made a dismal, smoking flame and added to the heat and the multitude of smells whichmade the forecastle a hole of torture. But the light was comforting, and Rajah crept to his master's side and clung to his arm, the boy'smouth open and his eyes full of questions. 

"So they got poor Harris, " said Riggs, still sitting on the chest andgazing at the body of the mate. "I told him not to come down, but hewould have his way. I thought I could get down here and find one of hispistols. "

"They are gone, " I told him. "I made a search for them, and was about toget out of here when I heard Rajah coming down. It is lucky I didn'tkill the boy--or that he didn't kill me. But that's all done and over, captain, and we ought to begin to plan for our escape. Is there no wayout of here?"

He put his pallid face in his hands and shook his head, and it was thenthat I realized his age and his helplessness. He had given up the fight. 

"You don't realize our situation, Mr. Trenholm, or what all thismeans, or the men we are against. That forecastle bulkhead is lined withsheet-iron on the other side to keep the crews from broaching cargo, and, even if we should cut through it, we would come against cargo in thehold, and would be no better off. I admire your pluck, but you don't knowthe odds against us. They'll loot her and scuttle her before the sun iswell up, and we'll go down in this trap. Help me lift poor Harris into abunk. "

We stowed the body of the mate in a lower bunk and covered it with strawand some of the clothing of the Chinese. Riggs sat down again and staredat the littered deck. 

"But we must fight to the last minute, " I said. "We can't give up likethis, even if we are trapped. You certainly do not intend to surrendernow. I know, captain, that the odds are great; but we can fight, can'twe?"

"You don't know!" he almost wailed, beating his knees with his hands. "You don't know what it all means, of course. I tell you they'll loot herand scuttle her when they have done their work aboard, and we're doomedmen!"

"But what is there to loot in this old tub?" I asked, preferring to havehim tell me of the mysterious cargo than to take the time of explaininghow I had followed him and Harris below. 

"That's what they want, " he said, talking to himself more than to me. "Harris was right, but we found out too late. They got Mr. Trego beforehe could warn us. And it's not my fault if I die for it. Me, J. Riggs, master of sail and steam for thirty years, and never a ship lost nor adishonest dollar in all my life, not to know what's in my ship!

"It's not me that lost her, God knows; but that's what the owners willsay, and that's what everybody will say--if they don't say somethingworse when the truth comes out. 'Riggs gone, and his ship gone, ' they'llsay, and then others will wink and whisper: 'And you know the _Kut Sang_was ballasted with gold, ' and who's to know I never stole it?"

"Gold!" I said. "You say there is gold aboard?"

"Yes, gold!" he almost shouted at me. "Chests of gold coin, a dozen ormore! That's what they're after, and that's what they'll get, and that'swhat it is all about--Trego and all the rest of it!"

"And you never knew?" I asked, more to take his mind off his troubles androuse his fighting spirit than for the information, for the detailsmattered little to us now. 

"Mr. Trenholm, " he began with fervor, "if I had known there were anydangers I could have met them. I've faced death enough in my day not tofear it, and I'm no weakling if I am an old man. But a master should knowwhat's in his ship and what's before him, and not be caught in a mess oflies and sneaking. But perhaps the owners didn't know--the ship's incharter for the voyage, and Mr. Trego took charge at the last minute. 

"Looking back now, I'm minded to think they were afraid I'd turn pirateat the sight of a few chests of gold. They thought they were slick; butthere were others just as slick, laying lines to beat 'em; and here I am, without officers or crew or ship, and jailed in my own fo'c'sle. Doggoneit! I guess all hands knew about that gold but me!

"What do they do? Kill my bos'n ashore, take the lampman for it, and makeme so short-handed that I ship a gang of pirates as passengers. It wasunderstood that there were to be no passengers this trip; but the ownerssaw a chance to make a few dollars extra, and the charter party says allright. I heard that much, and then the banker, who acted for the charterparty, says to another: 'It will make it look more ordinary to carrypassengers if there is some care exercised. '

"Some care! They give me a parson that's a pirate, and he makes mesuspect you of a murder; and you bring one of his very men aboard--andme, like a fool, ship him--and the other two he brings with his organ. "

"But the gold--why should they ship so much gold in this manner?"

"For the Russians, " he said. "I went through Trego's papers, and thebest I can make out of a lot of foreign writing is that it is going toHong-Kong to buy coal for the Baltic fleet. At first they were going tomake their headquarters in Manila and do the business there; but the mostof the tramps--colliers--are British, and they found it easier to dobusiness out of Hong-Kong, I suppose, because the Japanese could keepclose watch of suspicious vessels making Manila a port of call. 

"Ye see, all the banks out here are full of spies---Chinese clerks andall hands--and they are watching day and night. The masters of thecolliers and the blockade-runners into Port Arthur won't take checks orother money--they want it slap down in solid gold before they will sail, and this gold had to be landed in Hong-Kong. 

"The Japs might send a couple of cruisers for it if they shipped itopenly, so they try to sneak it through like this, and with all theirhiding and lying and sneaking there was a leak somewhere, and thesefine chaps aboard us laid lines to git it--and here we are. "

"And still fighting, captain, " I said. 

"Did you ever hear of the Devil's Admiral, Mr. Trenholm?"

"I never did. Who is the gentleman?"

"I never believed in the stories myself, but Harris did; and now I amsure that he is right. Two years ago a ship left Singapore for Bombay, and never was heard from until her chronometer turned up in Swatow orsomewhere. A Portuguese Jew had them in a pawnshop, and he said he boughtthem from a chink for seven Mex dollars. They never found the chink; butthere was the ship's name, or the captain's name written in the case witha pencil. 

"Then last year the steamer _Legaspi_ left Manila for Hong-Kong withcattle and Christmas goods and passengers, and never was heard from. Somesaid she went out to run the blockade before Port Arthur, and the Japssunk her, but the others said the Devil's Admiral got her; and then thestories began, and when a ship was overdue or never heard from, peoplebegan to say the Devil's Admiral had her. "

"But who is he, captain?"

"That's it, Mr. Trenholm. Nobody knows. He never leaves a man alive totell the tale. Some say he's a big chink, some say he's a big black manfrom the African coast who was mate in a whaler, some say he was anofficer in the British navy. 

"They found a man dying from starvation and wounds in a boat that gotaway from him, and the poor chap told a crazy story that they couldn'tmake head or tail of, and he died before he told enough to help any, buthe said it was the Devil's Admiral and his crew that got 'em. 

"Pearlers he went after first, and then he got bolder and went aftersailing-ships; and now they say he went after steamers and got the_Legaspi_, and, Mr. Trenholm, I believe he's aboard here now. "

"But who--"

We heard heavy blows struck against a bulkhead, and the shriek of a dooras it was torn from its hinges. 

"They are breaking into the storeshold, " explained Riggs. "They have gotthe gold, and the next move will be to get away with it in the boatsafter they have opened her sea-valves, and down we'll go with the old_Kut Sang_. "

"But what makes you think we have this Devil's Admiral aboard?" I asked. 

"Thirkle is supposed to be the name of the Devil's Admiral. "

"And Thirkle is--"

"Our Rev. Luther Meeker, Mr. Trenholm. We are dead men. "

CHAPTER XI

A COUNCIL OF WAR

"We are dead men, " repeated Riggs, smiling grimly. "We'll never seeanother day. This slick devil will be back in Manila or up the Chinacoast, praying his way out of the country with the gold cached somewhereto wait until he comes for it. He can take enough of it with him to buy aschooner--part of it is in Bank of England notes--but the Rev. LutherMeeker will never be heard from again, because _he_ sailed in the_Kut Sang_. "

"He won't!" I raged, testing the weight of the belaying-pin. "I'll battermy way out of here and take him by the throat if it's the last act of mylife! If you won't fight, I will!"

I braced my feet on the plunging deck of the forecastle and shook my headlike a maddened animal. The seas outside assailed our bows, andtheir fury thrilled me, and seemed a part of my desire to slay. I toreoff my jacket and started for the scuttle with the belaying-pin grippedin my hand, bent on battering down the barrier which kept us from theupper deck. 

"Not that, " said Riggs, seizing me. "You'll have them down upon us, orthey'll turn the firehose down the scuttle and drown us like rats. I'vebroken too many mutinies, Mr. Trenholm. You can't do that. "

"But let's do something, " I pleaded. "We might as well be planningsomething as to be sitting here weeping over what has happened. "

We stopped to listen as the hammering between decks grew louder. Thepirates were smashing the chests that held the gold, and to us in ourprison the noise of their work was ominous--as if they were building agallows and we were condemned men. 

"They've got it, " said Riggs. "When they've stowed the boats with itthey'll open her sea-valves, and down we'll go. If there was a chance inthe world, Mr. Trenholm, I'd fight; but, being a landsman, you don'tunderstand how these things work out. They are probably driving hertoward the coast now--we've been making an easting, as I can tell fromher roll, and, as they'll be well off the steamer-lanes by daylight, theymay wait until they can see where they will make their landing. 

"But, if we give them trouble, they'll make sure of putting us out of theway before they abandon ship. Take it calm, and we may see a way out ofit; but there is nothing to gain by opening the fight again, fixed as weare. "

"It's a dismal outlook, " I confessed, impressed by his coolness in spiteof his surrender to the situation. 

"You may be right, but if you will put your wits to work you may see away. "

"If I had any cartridges--"

"Cartridges! Have you a pistol?"

He drew a heavy revolver from his pocket and dropped the empty cylinderinto his palm, and I gave a roar of joy at the sight of it, for I knewthat it would take the bullets I had found in Harris's pocket. 

"A forty-four! Here! These will fit!" and I plucked a handful of theprecious cartridges which were suddenly transformed from so much uselesslead and powder into deadly missiles which might yet save our lives andthe ship. 

"Our luck has turned!" I cried, slapping him on the back and putting sixof the greasy slugs into the cylinder and snapping it back into position. 

"We can fight them now, captain. Only let me get sight on one of thosemurderers and I'll drill him--Thirkle and Buckrow and the whole lot of'em!"

"You won't get the chance, " he said. "They are too wise to come prowlingaround if there is a chance of getting a bullet, and they won't bothertheir heads with us now--it's the gold they want--there they go again. "

There was a shot on deck, and then we heard heavy shoes pounding over thedeck and a wild yell over our heads as a man got a bullet or jumped intothe sea. 

I ran up the companion to the scuttle-hood and listened, and, withthe pistol ready, tried to make out what was going on. I could hearThirkle calling to Petrak, and then the screaming of Chinese, shots inrapid succession, and the patter of bare feet scampering on the irondeck-plates. 

In a few minutes the battle seemed to be transferred to thesuperstructure and the after-deck, and from then until the ports of theforecastle became gray disks in the false dawn there was scarcely aquarter of an hour that was not marked by a pistol-shot or the death-cryof a victim. We knew it was a ruthless slaughter, and that Thirkle wasworking out the ancient creed that dead men tell no tales. 

I lingered in the scuttle, and tried my luck on it with the broken knife, hoping that I might cut an aperture which would admit the muzzle of thepistol, or my hand, so that I might grasp the chains on the outside andpull them free. After an hour or more of labour I managed to split away asmall piece of board, but in the dim light from the swaying slush-lamp Imade slow progress. 

In my cramped position I had to hold fast with one hand, and, swayingwith the motion of the ship, work away splinters from the thick panelwhich moved from right to left in an iron groove. The scuttle was builton an iron frame, securely bolted to the deck, and I knew it could resistany attempt we might make to break it off by working in the narrowcompanion, which was not wide enough for two men. 

It was weary work, for the smoke below sought an outlet up the passageand made my eyes ache; the wind that whirled through the cracks of thehood brought spray with it and the water dripped constantly, and thethunder of an occasional sea as it swept the forecastle-head made such adreadful noise that I was sure each visitation meant that we wereoverwhelmed. 

Captain Riggs crawled up to where I was, and asked me if I had solved theproblem of getting out. 

"I don't guess you'll make much of a job of it, " he whispered. "It's aneven bet they've got a ton of chain lashed over the hood; and, if ye dugthrough the wood, ye'd need a file after that. Come on down and have abite. I found a sack of old sea-biscuit and a bottle of water stowed inone of the spare bunks. "

I went below with him, and we made a sorry meal of mouldy biscuit thathad been in the forecastle a year or more; and shared the water, whichwas satisfying--even though warm, greasy, and unpalatable. Rajah had goneto sleep in an upper bunk, and we ate in silence for a few minutes. 

I was on the verge of despair as I saw that Riggs had given up, in spiteof my efforts to hearten him. After the stories he had been telling thatvery evening about mutinies and wrecks and fights against odds, it seemedunbelievable that he should submit so tamely to Thirkle and his men. Ashe sat opposite me on the sea-chest and ate mechanically of the brokenbits of biscuits, I observed him closely, and it seemed that he had agedtwenty years in the last few hours. 

His hair seemed whiter, his face grayer, the lines in his cheeks andforehead deeper, and his chin and jaw had lost their firm set whichproved him a commander of men. As I considered all these things and sawthe pity of it I forgot his age and was angered. I was bound to make himdo something--put my youth and strength and hopefulness and fightingspirit with his experience and knowledge of ships and find a way out. 

I determined to make him do something, anything, rather than mope andwhine, even if I had to threaten him with his own pistol, which I hadtaken from him without so much as asking him for it. He didn't want it, anyway. 

"Now, Captain Riggs, " I began, "I know you have been a fighter all yourlife, and I know you can suggest something better than--"

"That's right, " he broke in, raising his hand to stop me. "I've lived toolong, and my fighting days are over. My years have come upon me all atonce, and they are a burden--too much of a burden to bear and fight, too. I am weary from fighting. I'm older than I thought I was. I have been inthese waters too long, and these latitudes take the mettle out of a manwhen he has reached my age. 

"I never felt it as I do now, and I guess the owners knew it, and that'swhy I didn't get one of their new boats. But this ain't my fault, Mr. Trenholm. Don't you see it ain't my fault? I should have known what wasaboard, and then I could have been prepared. As it is, this thing is toobig for me now, and I'm ready to strike my colours. It's my honour thatfrets me now. "

"Your honour! It wouldn't be the first ship that's been lost, captain, even if it is the first one you have lost, and--"

"I know what you are thinking of, boy. You think I'm afraid. Well, I'mready to die--that's nothing. If I thought I could save you and Rajahhere, I'd do it--it is my duty. I've been in harder places than this, andI was a hard man to handle; and I've had my battles and mutinies andworse, some of 'em before ye were born, lad. They all weigh me down now, and it's not what's ahead of me that's fretting me now; but what's afterme--the things they'll say, some of 'em who don't know me well. Don't yousee, they'll think I made off with the gold?"

I hadn't considered the case in that light; but now I saw that he wasworrying of what would be said, while I was thinking only of my life--heconsidered that he would lose life and honour; and, as he still had hisNew England conscience, honour weighed deeper in his scales. I feltashamed that I had planned to make his last hours harder. 

"I know how it will go, " he said. "It's been done and told of before, andthe master is always blamed; and this is no decent end for me. I'm knownfrom Saddle Rocks to Kennebunkport as a brave man and a capable master, even if old. 

"I stayed out here because I had a good billet with the Red Funnel peopleup to the time the Japs bought their ships. Then I took the _Kut Sang_, only for a year it was to be; but I held on longer, waiting to get a bigship to take back home, and then quit. 

"My boy is a lawyer in Bangor--and smart, too--and I've got a daughter aschoolma'am in Boston, and they've both been begging me to come home; butsomehow I hated to go back since my wife died. 

"Mr. Trenholm, I don't want to bother you with all this now; but it's nodecent end for me, I say. All the men scattered over the globe to-day, some that went as boys with me, will have to hear old man Riggs turnedpirate at the last and scuttled his own ship. That's how it will go, boy, and you can't understand. Fight! I'd walk into hell in my bare feet, withnever a thought of the way back, if I could die with an honest name--butthis ain't no way for me to go, along with a passel o' gold!"

"Then, if you are concerned about what will be said of the mystery of theloss of the _Kut Sang_, there must be a way to let the world know of ourend and the fate that overtook the ship, and at the same time a chance ofmaking trouble for our Mr. Thirkle after we are gone. "

"What do you mean?" he asked. 

"Some message, " I said, more to find something to interest him andbrighten him. "The story of the _Kut Sang_ and the Rev. Luther Meeker, Thirkle, the Devil's Admiral, or whatever he is called, should be told;and, as it is my business to deal in information, I can write it alldown, and we will seal it in this bottle and set it adrift. How's that, captain?"

"A good scheme, " he said, smiling at me. "The very thing, Mr. Trenholm. Ihave some papers and envelopes here in my jacket, and a stub ofpencil for the log-book, and while you are at your writing I'll fashion astopper for the bottle and a buoy. "

We poured out the last of the water in a pannikin and kept it for Rajah, and I ripped open a couple of envelopes and set to work on them with astub of pencil, while Captain Riggs took my knife and began to whittle apiece of board. 

I put down briefly but clearly the story of how the Rev. Luther Meeker, and Buckrow, Long Jim, and Petrak came aboard the _Kut Sang_, givingtheir descriptions as well as I could remember. Then I told of thekilling of Trego, and all that had happened aboard the steamer, and aboutthe gold and the plight we were in, "skeletonizing" the narrative, muchas if it were to be filed as a news-cable. 

Then I put down the names and addresses of my relatives, and those ofCaptain Riggs. It was a queer job, writing one's own obituary in theforecastle of the old _Kut Sang_, putting down the names of streets inBoston and Bangor and San Francisco, and making our wills--which we didwhen we found the space at our disposal getting scant, although I hadlittle enough to give or bequeath, chiefly a pair of Chinese jingals anda good pair of riding-boots with silver spurs. 

It took a deal of time, for I wrote in the smallest possible characters, and was careful to make them legible--no small task, considering that thevessel was still rolling and pitching, although it grew calmer towardmorning. 

We did not have any method of measuring the time, for no bells werestruck--at least, none that we heard--and Captain Riggs did not have hiswatch with him, for he had not been back to his cabin from the time I sawhim leave it with Harris to explore the mysterious cargo in thestoreroom. 

As I wrote I was hammering my brains for some solution of the problembefore us; for, although I took pains to make the story complete, I washoping that Captain Riggs would finally hit upon some scheme which wouldrelease us from the forecastle and give an opportunity to do battle withour captors. 

I took a measure of pride in writing the story, too, for I knew there wasa good chance that it might be my last, and I had visions of it beingprinted in the newspapers some day. 

"I'll cut a little pennant from Rajah's _sarong_, " said Riggs with agrin, and he reached up to the sleeping boy and hacked off a bit of hisskirtlike garb. "We'll make a fancy job of it, Mr. Trenholm, while we'reat it. The backs of those sheets, with the stamps and postmarks and theaddress to me, will be good proof that it is not a hoax. 

"Folks don't put much stock in bottles washed up by the sea these days, and we'll have to offer a reward for having it forwarded, say to my son, and then he'll be sure. I guess he'd give a hundred dollars to know whatbecome of his old daddy--and the girl, too. Put that in, Mr. Trenholm. "

"And I'll put in as a sort of P. S. That Captain Riggs intends to make afight for his ship as soon as he has signed this, " I said. 

"You better not put that in, " he said wearily. "It ain't so, and I'msomething of a churchman, even if it was only to please the wife. I'm nohypocrite, and I don't want to have anything in that sounds like a brag. Just sign it and let it go at that. "

"No, I'll put that in, " I insisted, looking at him seriously. "I won'thave them say after getting this that you gave up and took your fate tooeasily, which they might. You have been a fighter all your life, and Iknow you don't intend to quit now. 

"Here is what I'll say: 'Captain Riggs wishes it understood that, aftersetting this message adrift, he and Trenholm and Rajah determined to diefighting rather than go to their doom at the pleasure of Thirkle and hismen. As this is launched upon the waters of the China Sea, the wholestory is not told, and we are confident that the Devil's Admiral and someof his men will yet die. '"

"Oh, that sounds like a boy, Mr. Trenholm--you better leave it out. "

"No, sir. This is my story, and you will please sign it now for what itis worth. "

"It isn't the truth, " he demurred. 

"But it is, " I said; and he signed it, and I knew that he was taking newhope. 

He unscrewed one of the ports to leeward, and, although we let much waterinto the forecastle, he threw the bottle out at an opportune moment, and then slammed the port shut again. 

"Mr. Trenholm, " he said, as he climbed down from the top bunk, dripping and smiling, "I guess you were right about what you wrote therelast--I calculate that there's a bit of a fight left in Captain Riggsyet, although I don't for the life of me see what chance I've got offighting anybody. But, if you're ready to try, I'm ready to see what canbe done. "

"I knew it, captain!" I cried, taking his hand, "If you'll do theplanning I'll do the work, and we'll beat them yet. "

CHAPTER XII

THE BATTLE ON THE BRIDGE

Now, it was all very well for Captain Riggs and me to sit down there inthe forecastle of the _Kut Sang_ and consider ways and means of savingourselves and the steamer from the Devil's Admiral; but, although we mademany plans, we had to drop them all. There was no way out of the placeexcept through the scuttle, and we worked at that and schemed about it;but the wooden frame was bound inside with steel ribs, and on the outsidewith chains, and we had no tools equal to the task. Nothing but ajack-screw could wrench the covering from the deck. 

When the starboard ports turned gray with the light of morning we hadgiven up. There was nothing to do but wait for something to happen, andall we could foresee was our doom in the vessel. 

The sea had calmed, and Captain Riggs unscrewed one of the ports andlooked out just as the sun popped up over the hills of the Philippinecoast. 

"Land!" shouted Captain Riggs, as he opened the port, and I climbed up onthe bunks and opened a port for myself. "That's the Zambales coast ofLuzon, and they have been making a good easting all night; but we arerunning north now--see that point ahead? It's really an island--theLittle Sister, I am sure--and Dasol Bay lies to the north up the channelbetween the island and the mainland. He's running to get into thatchannel behind the island and scuttle her there--he knows his business. "

In a few minutes the island stood clear of the coast, and I could make itout, low and green and fuzzy, with a rim of white sand running back tothe fringe of the jungle and a ruffle of combers on the shingle. We couldhear the boom of the waves ashore, beating at the base of the barrenbrown hills of the coast. 

"He's well off the track of the steamers here, " said Riggs, "but he won'tdelay much longer now, unless he can get in behind the island and then hecan take his own time, because he can pick up a sail before he is sightedthrough the ends of the channel. That island caps a little bay, and he'llbe snug as a bug in a rug to do his work. Let's have a look on deck andsee what's up. "

Rajah leaped out of his bunk, and, after looking around for a minute inconfusion at his strange quarters, drank the water we had saved for himin the pannikin, and then put his face to a port-hole and surveyed theland. 

I took the lead up the companion with the pistol ready, hoping that oneof the pirates might be close to the tiny slit I had cut in the board andwould offer a target. I applied my eye to the hole. 

The Rev. Luther Meeker, still in his suit of duck and pongee shirt andbattered pith helmet, just as I had seen him on the mole in Manila, waspacing the bridge in the calm, commanding way that marks the manaccustomed to command. He was puffing contentedly at a cigar, and therewas something amusing in the manner in which he cocked his head to oneside to survey the sea and then the land with a critical eye. 

From side to side he tramped, swinging on his heel at each end of thebridge like a grenadier sentry, and giving Petrak, who had the wheel, astern look as he passed. Buckrow was at the port end of the bridge, witha glass to his eyes scanning the rim of the sea; but Meeker, or Thirkle, kept aloof from his men, and he might well have been an admiral on thebridge of his flagship--the Devil's Admiral, indeed!

"Take a look at them, " I whispered to Riggs, and made way for him at thescuttle peephole. 

"Blast him!" raged Riggs as he saw the scene on the bridge. "I neverthought I would live to see the like of that!"

"But how does he keep her engines going? The fireroom crew must know whathas happened, " I said. 

"What's left of 'em do, " said Riggs. "He's likely got a few men below whothink they will get a share of the loot if they keep up steam. Perhapsthe Filipino chief is at his post keeping the chinkies going--leave thatto the devil on the bridge--he knows his game. "

He drew back into the companion, and I looked out again. I could see apair of shoes sticking out past the donkey-engine, just abaft theforemast; but the machinery hid the man from me. Presently a strip ofcanvas fluttered in the breeze, and Long Jim stood up, with a sail-needleand a length of sail-twine in his teeth, and cut out a square oftarpaulin on the deck. 

"Look at the cockney, " I said to Riggs. "I can't make out what he is upto. "

He studied the sailor for a minute, and then drew back and whispered:

"Sewing sacks to carry the gold away. They are getting ready to scuttleher. The starboard boats are hanging in the davits, ready to lower awaywhen we are behind the island. There is a channel a mile wide in there, and deep soundings. He may find an anchorage until night and then getaway in the dark, but I'm afraid he won't take that long, because heknows a coast-guard cutter is liable to spy him out. This coast is beingwatched pretty close by the navy and the Japs and the customs, becausethere is so much blockade-running. "

"It may be that he is planning to maroon us on the island. "

"That wouldn't be his way. The Devil's Admiral never leaves a man alive. Four men will get out of the _Kut Sang_, and you know who they are. Heain't the man to take a chance of meeting you or me, or even letting ustell about him. It's 'Dead men tell no tales' with him, you may be sureof that. "

I took my turn at the little window, which was not wide enough to let themuzzle of my pistol through, or I would have fired upon them. Theyeach wore a pair of pistols, big, black, long-barrelled weapons. Thirkle's were quite plain, for he swung them from a belt over his whitejacket, as I could see when he approached the openings at each end of thebridge where the ladder-heads ended. 

"It will take about an hour at this clip to have the island abeam, " saidRiggs, after he had gone below and looked through the ports. "They aredriving her again. Likely he has an agreement with the black gang tostick to the fireroom; but whatever it is he won't keep his word. It'sdeath for every man Jack of 'em when he has finished with 'em. "

Long Jim was plying the needle again, and Buckrow and Thirkle wereholding a conference at the wheel and studying a chart. I could see thered head of Petrak nodding to them as they submitted some point to him;but he kept his eyes ahead of the steamer, evidently steering for somepoint of land. Thirkle finally folded up the chart and tucked it inhis pocket; and Buckrow took his post again at the port end of the bridgeand studied the western horizon. 

I saw a Chinese in blue nankeen come out of the starboard passage belowthe bridge and cautiously look up at the bridge. He did not see Long Jim, so intent was he on looking up; but when the cockney drew a pistol hescreamed shrilly and fled into the passage, his long queue sticking outbehind like an attenuated pennant, so swift was his flight. 

Thirkle and Buckrow came down to the fore-deck and gathered the sackswhich Long Jim had fashioned. Before they went down the 'tween-deckscompanion Thirkle looked forward toward the forecastle and hesitated aminute, as if he were in doubt about our being secure enough. But he wentdown after the others, and we heard hammering behind the bulkhead again. 

Petrak remained at the wheel, a jaunty figure with a white canvas cap onhis flaming head and one of Captain Riggs's best Manila cigars betweenhis teeth. He managed the wheel with one hand, holding a pistol readywith the other, and looking the ship over from time to time. 

"They are steering to pass in behind the island, " said Riggs, as I wentbelow. "It is about four miles ahead now, and they are at half steamagain, because the reefs are bad in here--coral-banks and ledges runningout from the mainland. When they get her in the lee of the island they'llmake a quick job of her, and us, too. "

"If I don't make a quick job of them with the pistol, " I said. 

"You keep three bullets--you'll need them when the green water isspilling in here, " and he gave me a significant look. 

Despair was upon him again, but I could not bring myself to feel thatdeath awaited us. Weak and hungry and thirsty, life was still strong, andthe desire to live, if only to have vengeance on Thirkle and his men, kept up my courage. 

"There is some way out--some way we can get the upper hand. When thewater comes in I'll be ready to give up, but not until then. "

He smiled sadly and shrugged his shoulders, looking pityingly at Rajah, who was playing at some sort of a game with grains of rice in a pannikin. We went up the ladder again to see what the pirates were about, for itwas quite still in the hold, and silence seemed more ominous than atelltale clatter. 

Buckrow and Long Jim came up with a bulging sack slung in a rope. Thirklegave them a hand up the ladder to the boat-deck, but he let them do thehard work. 

Petrak slipped a lashing over the wheel and leaned over the bridge-rail, grinning down at them, and made some remark which caused Buckrow to laughso inordinately that he dropped his end of the rope, and the sack fell onthe head of the ladder. He pulled it up on the deck, and, thrusting hishand into his trousers-pocket, drew out a handful of gold coins andhurled them up at Petrak. 

They struck the remnant of the storm-apron and rattled to the fore-deck, some of the glittering disks pelting Thirkle, who was halfway up theladder. Petrak threw out his hand to catch the coins, and I saw that hiswrists were still encircled by steel bands. 

Thirkle reprimanded them, and Petrak went back to the wheel, and Buckrowand Long Jim hoisted the sack into the boat and stowed it. While Petrakheld the spoke of the wheel with one hand, he rasped at the iron upon itwith a file, cutting away the heavy manacle. 

Riggs and I took turns at the scuttle, and saw Thirkle and Buckrow andLong Jim carry up a dozen or more sacks. Some were put in the secondboat, farther aft and out of the range of our vision, hidden as it wasfrom us by the corner of the superstructure. 

During the time they were below we could hear them smashing thetreasure-chests. While they were busy in the storeroom I hacked away atthe scuttle-board, which was thick and of hard wood, well seasoned bycontinual wetting and drying in the tropic sun. 

To make matters worse, I found that it was full of brass nails driven infrom the outside, and Riggs told me some sailor had put a border of nailsround the board and made a crude nameplate by spelling out the name ofthe vessel with nail-heads. The blade of my knife encountered thesenails, and I made slow work of cutting a hole large enough to admit themuzzle of our pistol. 

When they had all the gold up they stowed the boats with tinned goods andcasks of water. Then they opened a bottle of wine and drank its contents, and Thirkle hurled it toward the forecastle, and it smashed on the ironplates within a few feet of us. Buckrow and Long Jim disappeared in thesaloon after this, and Thirkle looked his chart over again and motionedto Petrak to alter the helm. 

"He's heading her in for the strait, " said Riggs. "He had better allowfor that tide-rip that comes down through, or she'll have her head swunground at this speed before he knows where he is at. "

The steamer seemed to be gradually losing headway, and the throbbing ofher engines was becoming less pronounced. I observed, also, that thesmoke from her funnel was beginning to hang over her and curl down uponthe bridge. But, in spite of her slowing down, the musical ripple at herbow increased, and Riggs said it was due to the set of the currentagainst us, which came through the channel very strong, as the island cutout a deep current and brought it to the surface of the sea in the narrowpassage between the island and the mainland. 

"It's a bad hole in there, " he said. "He needs more speed to handle herright in there and--"

"Something is up!" I told him, as I saw Thirkle listen a second and stepquickly to the engine-room telegraph and throw it over. 

I could hear the sharp clang of the bell; but the next instant there wasa terrific roar, and the superstructure began to vomit steam through theengine-room skylight just abaft the little wheel-house. 

"The boilers!" yelled Riggs. "She's blowing off, and there is asteam-pipe gone, or somebody below has opened her whole insides up. "

The _Kut Sang_ was a white volcano amidships, and I saw Thirkle yellingfrantically, and Buckrow and Long Jim appeared in the passage below andyelled to Thirkle, waving their arms, and then dashed up the ladder tothe bridge. 

Suddenly they started back and grouped themselves about Petrak at thewheel with drawn weapons, and the next instant I saw a half-dozen formsemerge from the welter of steam and dash at the pirates. 

They were Chinese and Filipino stokers, but one of them seemed to be theleader, and he wore an engineer's cap and was stripped to the waist. Isaw the puffs of smoke from the pistols of the four pirates--Petrak puthis back to the wheel and fired over Thirkle's shoulder--but the awfulracket of the steam-pipes drowned the reports. 

Two of the Chinese fell at the first volley, and a third, evidentlywounded, turned in his tracks and jumped over the rail. Another hackedviciously at Thirkle with a long knife, but he could not reach him. Thirkle stood with his feet wide apart, and his helmet on the back of hishead and fired coolly and swiftly. 

The Filipino in the engineer's cap dropped the iron bar with which he hadadvanced in the rush, and put both hands to his stomach, and stood withinsix feet of Thirkle, looking at him in a surprised way, and finally threwup his hands as if he had lost his balance and curled over backward tothe deck. 

A Filipino toppled over the bridge-rail and struck in a heap on thefore-deck, and lay still, but I could not tell whether it was the fall ora bullet that had killed him. 

One Chinaman slid down the ladder-rail whirling like an acrobat in theair before he landed, and another followed him, but they were the twolast, and Buckrow and Long Jim started after them. The first started forthe forecastle and began to throw off the chains, standing between me andthe deck, so that I could not see what was happening for a minute. Heworked frantically, jabbering all the while, and, as I thought, callingto his companion. 

He couldn't have been at work more than a minute, but to me it seemed anhour or more, and I prayed that he might succeed in opening the scuttle, and I wondered at his surprise if he should throw back the sliding-boardand see me come out with upraised pistol. 

But a pistol spoke close at hand, and the narrow slit in the board let inthe sun again and I saw the Chinaman fall just outside. Buckrow and LongJim were running back to the bridge. Thirkle yelled something to them andthey nodded and went through the starboard passage. 

The uproar of the escaping steam was dying out, and I told Riggs what Ihad witnessed. The Filipino in the cap was the chief engineer, and weknew that he had led a last sortie against the pirates, determined to diein a last effort to defeat them rather than be shot down or left todrown. 

"Sally Ann!" said Riggs. "If that chinkie had cleared away the chainsthere we might have got out of here and put in a hand's work, too. Hewon't have steerage way on her--her engines have gone dead now. Feel herswing with that current?"

"They've started again, " I said, feeling a tremor in the vessel. 

"Here we go!" cried Riggs. "They've opened her sea-valves!"

We listened and stared at each other for a minute while the water suckedand gurgled and the _Kut Sang_ began to vibrate from the flood pouringinto her. Gradually her head began to swing to seaward away from theisland, as the current caught her, and, as I looked out I saw Thirkle andBuckrow in the forward boat, lowering away. 

"There they go!" I yelled, and we dashed below, hoping that we would havea shot at them as they got clear of the vessel, but, as the ship wasswinging outward, and our ports were so far forward, we were keptswinging away from them, and all we had was a bare glimpse of the twoboats pulling away from the ship, one of them being towed. 

The island was close at hand, a half-mile or more, although it seemedalmost within reach, but we lost sight of that in a minute as the head ofthe _Kut Sang_ stood toward the open sea, and her stern began to settle. 

"They had to get out of her when Pedro cut her engines out andlowered her boilers. It rushed their game, because he wanted to hideher in behind the island, but it won't make much difference now, Mr. Trenholm--hear that? She's filling rapidly. "

We were drifting broadside in the current now, sweeping down the coastand sinking at the same time. 

I ran up the companion and began to struggle with the scuttle-boardagain, hoping that the Chinaman who was seeking shelter from the pirates'bullets had made it possible for us to escape. The board was looser, andI slipped it to one side nearly an inch, and then it jammed again. 

"Trenholm! Trenholm!" yelled Riggs frantically from below. 

"What is it?" I called, hating to lose a second in my efforts to get theboard free. 

He did not answer, and I called to him again. Before the words were outof my mouth I was sprawling on all fours on the deck below. 

CHAPTER XIII

WE PLAN AN EXPEDITION

I had been thrown down the companion by an appalling crash and a suddenlurch of the steamer as she careened to port. It seemed to me that thebottom plates were being ripped out of her and she was settling on herside with a succession of thumps which I took to be her last effort tokeep afloat. The sea was almost to the open ports on the port side; and, as I tried to gain my feet on the tilted deck of the forecastle, I fellagainst the outboards of the line of bunks. 

"She's aground!" screamed Captain Riggs at me. "She's gone smash flatinto a bed of coral! See that green streak running away from us toseaward? That's a reef running out from the mainland and we've piled upon it, and if we don't slip off we're safe until it comes on to blow. "

He ran to the starboard side and climbed the bunks to look through theports there. 

"It's all around us! Hear her settling? She's making a bed for herself inthe coral-patch and she's not taking any more water. She's safe as achurch, Mr. Trenholm. If the tide don't lift her off enough to pull herinto deep water, or the current swing her, she'll hold until the seacomes up; but she's pretty deep and lays steady. She'll break up righthere. "

"That's small comfort for us, " I said, nursing my bruises. 

"They've gone in behind that point and made a landing, " said Riggs, stilllooking through the port. "We'll be out of here in jig-time now. Where bemy matches? Here! You and Rajah fish for water with these tins on astring, and wet down all these rags. Pull all the water in here you can. "

He lit the slush-lamp again, and I wondered what he was about. I was notquite sure whether he knew of a way to get out of the forecastle, or hadlost his reason. He was all bustle and business in a minute. 

"I thought we wanted to keep the water out, " I remarked. 

"Stow that talk and obey orders, " said Riggs sharply, digging grease outof the can of the lamp with his fingers and picking the wick to make itburn better. "Look lively now with that water and I'll show you a trickor two now that they've abandoned ship. I'll take a hand in this businessmyself. "

"What's the plan?" I asked. 

"Burn the cussed scuttle off a mite at a time. Grease a bit of the boardand then hold the flame of the lamp on it, and, when it gets too lively, heave some water on and put it out and begin again. Haul a couple ofbarrels of water in here and spill it under the bunks so we can git at itwith the pans if the fire starts to git away from us. Clap on, man;we need every minute now. "

Rajah and I rigged them with strings and set to drawing water through theport-holes on the port side, which was not a hard job, for the swellscame within a couple of feet of our hands as we held the tins outside. Wefilled sea-chests, the rubber crowns of a couple of old sou'westers, anddumped water through the slats of the tiers of bunks so that it lodged inthe angle between the side of the ship and the deck. 

While we were at this task Riggs was up in the scuttle, and from time totime we could hear the crackle of flames, and then the hissing of thewater as he extinguished the burning planks. The thick smoke came downthe companion and burned our eyes and nostrils as it escaped through theports. 

Riggs came down every few minutes to get a supply of water. He was blackas a chimney-sweep, but he reported good progress and grinned at ourdiscomfort from the smoke and heat. 

Finally we heard Riggs hammering at the charred board with thebelaying-pin. 

"I've got it through!" he yelled to us from a smoking shower of blackfragments of the board, and I ran up to him and saw the sun through thechains around the frame of the scuttle. The links were glowing with heatand we dashed water on them. In a short time we had wrenched them apartso Rajah could get through the strands. Then he threw off the bars of ourprison, and Riggs and I gained the hot plates of the sloping fore-deck, crawling over the body of the dead Chinese, which we rolled into thesea. 

"They are clean gone, " said Riggs, crawling up to the starboard side andscanning the island and the channel. "They went in behind that point, andit's a good chance they'll be back if they see she's still afloat. "

"Let them come, " I said. "Are there any more weapons in the ship?"

"I've got a few guns stowed where even Thirkle couldn't find 'em, or atleast Harris hid some away. Always afraid of mutiny, he was, and he gotone with a vengeance, poor chap. It's my ticket to a penny whistle we'llfind Thirkle and his men on the island. "

"Then you'll go after them, captain?"

"Well, I'd rather guess so, " he said vehemently. "I'm on fair ground now, and if they don't come back to burn the ship I'm the man to hunt them outof their holes ashore. But what I'm afraid of is they will hide the stuffand make for the mainland, or put off to the north in the boats to see ifthey can't be picked up by some steamer for the north coast. 

"They'll report the _Kut Sang_ lost, and Thirkle'll figure on gettingback here before folks are suspicious. Of course the people who shippedthat gold may smell a rat and keep tab on him, but he'll see that hegets clear. He'll report her foundered far from here--leave that to him. I doubt if he'll quit this place as long as he sees a foot of the_Kut Sang_ above water. Are you game to go after him, Mr. Trenholm?"

"I'm with you to the end of the whole game--I want to see it played outnow, win or lose. "

"I knew you would. I suppose I've been a bit of an old woman, Mr. Trenholm, but I never looked for the likes of what was aboard last night. There I was, alone, you might say, blind as an owl on what was going onaround me, and when things began to go bad they had you mixed in it so Itook you for one of 'em. They had me flat aback for a time there--Ididn't know my own name from Sally Ann's black cat. It looked like thewhole ship was against me, and, when I saw Harris go, I was cleanout of soundings. "

I told him that he had realized the danger better than I did, and that Ihad not been hampered by the sense of responsibility or the possibilityof disgrace. 

"Oh, I lost my wits for a time there, and we can't get away from it--Iwas all fuddled, but I'll show ye I've got more fight in me than ye lookfor, if ye'll see me through with it. "

"All or nothing, " I said. "We'll give him a gamble for the whole pot now, and I think it's time they got a run for their money. In my way ofthinking they have had it too easy. "

"That's business, " said Riggs. "Doggone my cats, but we'll give 'em somelead to go with the gold or my name ain't Riggs! We'll find out if thisDevil's Admiral, or Thirkle, or the Rev. Luther Meeker, or whatever hecalls himself, is so bad as he makes out to be--eh, Mr. Trenholm?"

We shook hands on the compact, lying there on the sizzling irondeck-plates that reflected the rays of the sun in shimmering heat-waves, making our exposed position intolerable after the thirst and smoke andhunger we had endured in the forecastle. 

"Then that's settled, Mr. Trenholm. Now we'll have to step careful untilI look up what's left of the weapons, and we can't know what trapsthey've laid for us about here. Come on, and keep close. "

We scrambled along the port side, taking care of our footing, for therail-chains were stripped off the stanchions, and with the deck at anawkward angle there was danger of slipping into the water. CaptainRiggs led the way up the saloon-deck ladder and we entered the passage. 

The captain and Rajah went to his cabin, the first door, and I ran aft tomy stateroom, hoping to find my pistols. The room was ransacked and mybag empty and the pistols gone. Some of my garments were thrown into thepassage, and I got a duck suit, a pair of deck-shoes, and a cap. 

"Here are my guns, " said Riggs. "Had 'em stowed down back of thechart-locker--three of 'em--and you'll find a canister of ammunitionfor that big gun of yours in Mr. Harris's room. That gives us two gunsapiece, and I guess we can give 'em some lively times if we come acrosstheir bows again. "

We belted on the weapons and hurried into the saloon, which we found awreck. There were bundles of tinned meat on the table and a litter ofropes and bits of canvas. Bottles of mineral water had been hurled atthe bulkheads and into the sideboard mirror. Curtains were torn down, table-covers gone, and the pivot-chairs smashed and the fragments piledin a corner, partly burned. 

"They were going to fire her, " said Riggs, "but that trouble with theblack gang and the loss of steam made 'em change their minds. They wereafraid the smoke would attract the attention of some passing ship. That'sonce Thirkle made a mistake--we never would have got out of her if hehad left this fire going. "

We gathered tins of biscuits and bottles of mineral water, and had afeast out of what the pirates had discarded. Rajah had his kris in theforecastle. While Captain Riggs and I enjoyed our cigars, Rajah wentout on an exploring trip through staterooms and galley and in the bridgewheel-house. 

"It's near noon now, Mr. Trenholm, and we ought to get away in an houror so. The boats they left are smashed, but I can rig a raft withhatch-covers good enough to take us to the island. 

"We'll take plenty of grub and water, and if they don't give us a fightfrom shore before we land, we can cache our supplies and take our timelooking for that sweet gang. We'll keep out of sight as much as we canbefore we leave, and we might wait until dark, but I'm for getting off injig-time, unless we see them coming back. "

"I would like to see Thirkle and the others rowing out here, " I said, having a mental vision of an ambuscade for them as they drew alongside inthe boat. 

"It's ten to one they will if they ain't too busy hiding the gold orhaving a fight over it. All I'm afraid of is they'll get away from us intheir boats; but before they leave it's a sure thing they'll take a lookat the _Kut Sang_ to see if she's topside yet, and then come out to burnher--which means stand by to repel boarders for us. 

"Likely they've got their eyes on us now, or on the ship, but we'll keepa sharp lookout, and if they come snooping back we'll blow 'em out of thewater. If Thirkle sees the steamer ye can leave it to him to come backand see how we are and make a clean job of it. I'm not so sure he didn'tplan that, anyway. Devil of a fine joke we'll make of it for him, if hedoes come out and thinks we're still cooped up in the fo'c'sle. "

We set about the work of getting ready to leave the ship, keeping to thestarboard side, which was low in the water and away from the island. Rajah was posted in the chart-room on the bridge with an old spy-glassRiggs dug up, and the black boy kept steady watch on the island and thechannel, with an occasional turn to the open sea in the hope of raisinga vessel. 

The chronometers were gone, along with the other navigating instruments, the log-book, and manifests. The cabin clock was stopped at twelve, andCaptain Riggs's watch, which had hung over his bunk, was missing. 

We found two dead Chinese in the galley, bullet-splintered woodwork, dried blood, and empty shells and burned rice on the galley stove. The ship's carpenter had barricaded himself in his workshop, a littledeck-house on the after-deck. The door was open, and we gathered thathe had deserted his stronghold when he heard the water rushing into thehold, but whether he had been shot or drowned we had no way of knowing. 

He had provided himself with a bucket of rice and bottles of water, evidently with the intention of preparing for a siege. Spent cartridgesat the head of the stoke-hole ladder told of a desperate fight there, probably before the attack on the bridge by the engineer and his men. 

But we wasted no time over these signs of what had happened during thenight, simply observing them as we went over the vessel to see if any ofthe crew were in hiding, and seeking such things as might be of use inbuilding the raft. 

All the tools were carried forward, and I helped the captain get off thehatch-covers of the forehold, and he nailed them together with planksfrom the top of the cargo. In this way we made a rude catamaran sometwenty feet long and five feet wide. A plank was put on its edge allaround, making a low freeboard to hold our provisions and to serve as aprotection against bullets in case the pirates should fire upon us whilerunning ashore. 

Life-lines were fastened to the sides, so we could take to the water inan emergency, and, with our bodies partially submerged, use our pistolsto good advantage and offer poor targets. Captain Riggs seemed to foreseeevery possible danger, and went about his preparations to meet thepirates as calmly and methodically as if he were fitting out to go on apicnic. 

Thirkle had taken every precaution to make the _Kut Sang_ another mysteryof the sea, without so much as a life-buoy being found with her name onit. We found the ring-buoys hacked to bits, especially that section ofthem which had the steamer's name painted on the side. The name paintedon the two smashed boats had been ripped from their sterns, andeverything that would float was locked securely in cabins or made fast. 

Captain Riggs fashioned a sail out of a tarpaulin, and stepped a mastwell forward, and with other things we took signal-pennants and a Britishensign, and from the foremast of the _Kut Sang_ he flew a signal ofdistress and a message in the international code about pirates or somesuch thing, so that, in case Thirkle should get away in the boat and bepicked up, he would have a great deal of difficulty in explaining abouthimself if the same vessel should sight our coloured flags. 

"Take a look and see that the boy ain't busy up there at a nap, " saidRiggs, and I mounted to the bridge, keeping well covered and to theseaward side of the chart-house. Rajah was wide awake, lying just insidethe coaming of the chart-room door, chewing contentedly at his _betel_, and holding the spy-glass over the brass doorplate directed towardthe island. He grinned at me as I entered through the door on the portside. 

I took the glass and searched the horizon of the sea, but there was nosign of a sail or a smear of smoke; neither could I find any trace of thepirates on the island, which had a pile of volcanic rock rising out ofits northern end. I sought for some sign of human habitation on thebrown, bare hills of Luzon, baking in the sun, but that part of the coastwas a wilderness, desolate and forbidding. 

The _Kut Sang_ was lying secure as if in a dock, sprawled out on thecoral floor of the sea like some dead thing, her stern completely underwater, and her port rail, almost to the break of the forecastle head, atthe crests of the gentle swells. The island gave us a lee from the strongcurrent, but at the first sign of heavy weather she would break up. 

A school of small sharks scouted around her, and one big fellow, with hisfin out of water like a trysail, loafed at a distance, as if sure of hisprey. The combers purred on the shining stretches of beach, and theripples of the current whispered at the side of the vessel, and in thepeace that surrounded us Riggs's hammer made a terrific clatter. 

"Keep a sharp lookout, Mr. Trenholm, " he called up to me. "I've got a jobfor'ard which must be attended to now, and I'll call for you in a bit ofa while. "

He went down the forecastle ladder with his arms full of new canvas, andby the time I had finished another cigar he was up again, beckoning tous. I went below to him, and he took me into the forecastle, and I sawwhat I knew to be the body of Harris sewed up and ready for burial. 

"I know he'd want to go into the sea, rather than be buried ashore or beleft here, so I've done the best I could for him, " said the captain. "We'll take him along to deeper water, and, if you don't mind, we'lldrop him away from the cattle that have gone down hereabout, and nothingwill ever disturb him. I'll say some sort of a prayer. "

We carried the body up and got the catamaran over the side and stowedwith food and water and cigars and such things as Riggs knew we wouldneed if we had to make a camp on the island. 

I also wrote out a brief account of what had befallen us since leavingManila, closing with the explanation that we were going after thepirates. We left this message between the covers of an old book, andnailed to the saloon table, with chalk arrows drawn on the floor andabout the ship pointing toward it. There any person who should board thevessel in our absence would find directions to come to our assistance. 

But about the gold we said nothing, simply stating that there had been amutiny and that pirates had looted the ship, and offering a reward of tenpounds to each man in the party who should come to our rescue, and athousand pounds, or five thousand dollars, in general to the man whoshould direct the party to seek us--this to be claimed either by themaster of the vessel or the owners of the vessel which furnished theexpedition. 

Before embarking we had a hasty meal and drank a toast to our success andthe confusion of the Devil's Admiral and his men. We looked to ourpistols and ammunition, and, thrilled with the prospect of battle, feltbetter than we had since the death of Trego. 

As the ship was listed over so far, we had little trouble in getting theraft into the water. As it floated alongside I felt like giving a cheer, but as Captain Riggs had done most of the work and had gone about histasks as dispassionately as if he were building a hencoop, I stifled myemotions and held her off while Riggs stepped aboard. 

We caught the breeze from the land as soon as we cleared the steamer, andwe rounded her bows and headed for the island, steering to pass the pointof rocks which jutted out from the island into the channel. Riggs saidthat he would cut her in toward shore, or the coast of the mainland, before reaching the point, unless the pirates showed themselves. 

"We'll make a northing up the channel, " he said, "If they think we aregetting away they may take after us in a boat, or fire from the shore;but if we show we are going to land they will keep hidden and take us bysurprise. If we should head straight in now they would likely hide in thebrush and pot-shot us as we land when we are in the surf; but you watchold Cap Riggs, and if we don't give this Devil's Admiral the fight of hislife before this little party is wiped out, I'll go back on the farm inMaine. He can't come aboard me and perform like that without getting paidfor it--Bloody Thirkle, Devil's Admiral, nor nobody else. You watch mysmoke, young man. "

The leg-o'-mutton sail pulled steadily and we slapped along through thewater at a merry pace, with the water bubbling at the lee rail and theripples frothing up through the seams in the planks. It was a wet craft, but we were in our bare feet, with our trousers rolled up. 

Rajah was in the bow with his _sarong_ twisted into a belt, and his blackshoulders and arms bare to the sun, his head swathed in a turban madefrom a faded green port-curtain, giving him an outlandish aspect, reminding me of a pilgrim returning from Mecca. 

"We've got Johnny Sharkee for an escort, " said Riggs, pointing aft, and Isaw the fin of the big man-eater cutting the water in our wake. "If hedon't sheer off by the time we are ready to make a landing, we may haveto give him a bullet or two, but I want to get in without any racket if Ican. "

We were soon in deep water, and Riggs made fast his tiller while he reada burial service out of a pocket-testament, and we dropped the body ofHarris over the side. It was a brief enough ceremony, and I was inclinedto believe that Captain Riggs made it altogether too much a matter oflittle account, until I saw there was a tear in his eye, and he hastilyused the binoculars on the island. 

"Put your helm to starboard, " he directed. "I want to keep screenedbehind the point and gradually work in toward shore. Then we'll make aquick run for it in near the point, if they don't show by the time wehave the inlet on this side of the rocks abeam. They probably went aroundthe point, and we'll hunt for 'em on that side if we can make a safelanding. "

We slopped along for another while, and slowly worked in until we had thebeach less than five hundred yards away. 

"Swing her for the open sea again, " said Riggs. "I'll trim the sail, soif they are watching us they'll think we are making a board to run out. Keep low, all hands, and at the first shot drop to the deck and keepcovered, and we'll manoeuvre out of reach until dark. If they press us, we'll let 'em get up close, so they'll think we have no weapons, and thenwe'll open up on 'em at close range and settle it. "

The raft went about clumsily on the other tack and heeled over so thather port side was deep in the water, which afforded us good protectionfrom the island. We kept close watch on the edge of the jungle, butnothing menaced us, although the tangle of brush and creepers might havebeen full of men and we little the wiser. 

"Over with the helm now, but not too quick, and hold her steady when shestands for the land and don't get scared at a little surf. Keep her headon until she grounds, and then take to the water and rush ashore withsome of the gear while I get the rigging down. 

"See that you keep your pistols out of the water, and dump the gear inthe brush. Rajah will hold her steady while we lighten her a bit, andthen we'll drag her in with the swells. "

The raft turned in a great circle and plunged for the rollers straightbefore the breeze. The captain cut away the stays just before she struckand we went into waist-deep water on a hard, sandy bottom. The heave ofthe incoming swells threatened to break her open in the middle as sheswung broadside against the hard shingle. 

We lost a few things which didn't matter much, but, as our matches andbiscuits and spare ammunition were sealed in oil cans, along with saltand cigars, most of such stuff as broke loose floated ashore and we savedit. Our chief difficulty was in saving the small casks of water and thesack full of cooking utensils and camp tools. 

I danced a lively jig as I ran into the burning sand, and Riggs had tolaugh at me as I retreated out of it and put on my shoes while standingin the water, but he took the same precaution. When we had hidden ourstores just inside the fringe of the jungle, we sank the raft close underthe ledge of rocks by filling her with big stones; and, while we werebusy at this work, Rajah went up on the point and concealed himself amongthe boulders in a position where he could get a view of the beach beyond. 

We kept our pistols slung about our necks on shortened belts, and, whenever the opportunity offered, watched the beach and jungle. We werekept on the alert, for we could not shake off the disconcertingfeeling that we were being watched from the brush by the pirates, gettingready to ambush us at their leisure the minute we relaxed our vigilance. 

"Look at Rajah, " I said to Riggs. "He looks like a big red and green andblack lizard crouched up there in the rocks. "

"That black boy is a big help, " said Riggs. "The lad has more savvy thanye'd think. He seems to know just what to do in any emergency. Andfight! A mad Arab that I shipped in Aden made for me one day in the RedSea. I didn't mind the chap till he was 'most on me, and a bit more andhe'd had me. Rajah got him with the kris. 

"Lucky for Thirkle the boy had lost it last night when they had me goingover the bows! He was after Thirkle then, when a sea come over and upsethim, and away went his knife and--"

A pebble hit the water near us, and we looked up to see Rajah wildlywaving his arms to us. He had spied something on the other side of thepoint. 

CHAPTER XIV

THE PURSUIT ASHORE

Seizing our pistols we hurried ashore, and, when Rajah saw us coming, heturned his attention to the beach again and levelled the glass in thedirection in which he had found danger. 

The ledge was covered with loose fragments of soft volcanic stone, andRiggs and I had to be careful in making the ascent to the top of theridge, for every time we sought a foothold we threatened to bring down anavalanche of debris, and, not knowing what Rajah had seen, or how closethe pirates might be, we were afraid of giving the alarm with a crashof loosened rocks. 

I gained the top first, and bracing myself between a couple of boulders, took a careful survey of the beach on the other side before crawling overto Rajah. The point was an angle in the shore, and the beach ran offsharply to the left, five hundred yards away. 

The glare of the sun bothered me at first, and I thought the black boyhad given us a scare for nothing, until I detected a movement in thefringe of the jungle close to where the shore line merged with thewater of the channel. I watched it closely for a minute and made out thefigure of a man moving cautiously. 

Rajah wriggled himself over to me and I took the binoculars; and, when Ihad put them on the man in the distance, I saw Buckrow walking slowly inour direction with his head bent to the ground, as if searching for someobject. He was so close in the glass that I could see the stripes in hiscotton shirt and the buttons down the sides of his navy trousers. 

"What is it?" gasped Riggs, breathing hard after his climb, and testingthe rocks before he climbed up to where I was perched between twopinnacles of slatey stone. 

"Can you see anything, Trenholm?"

"It's Buckrow. He's acting queerly, and I can't make out just what he isdoing. Take a look and see if you can tell. "

He took the glass and studied the pirate, who was loafing along in anaimless fashion, stopping every few steps to scan the hills of Luzon. 

"He's taking bearings on that mountain-peak or some other beacon, " saidthe captain. "He's got a small compass. "

Without the glass I could see Buckrow get down on his knees in the sandand put something down before him. Then he stretched at full length, withhis hands raised from his elbows to shade his eyes from the sun. 

"He's taking sights on the big peak, " said Riggs. "It looks to me as ifthey got a bearing on it from where they have stowed the gold, andBuckrow wants to get the same bearing from the beach and leave a markeras a middle point and a guide to where the treasure is concealed. Theopposite reading of the compass from the bearing of the peak would be aleader to the cache. The bearing he takes, extended behind him, will runpretty near to where the gold is hidden. He's particular as a Swedeskipper with that sight he's taking. "

Finally, Buckrow crawled into the jungle again and disappeared. We waitedfor a quarter of an hour, keeping close watch on the beach, but we sawhim no more. 

"He made a little beacon with three stones, " explained the captain. "Iain't sure just what it means, but Thirkle ain't the man to leave suchwork to Buckrow. You can bet Thirkle will know how to find the gold againwithout asking Buckrow for the bearings. There is some deviltry afoot, and my best guess is that the pirates ain't getting along none too wellamong themselves with that treasure. 

"We'll have to scout along the beach and pick up their trail and run 'emdown carefully. Anyway, I'm glad they are here, but we'll have to hustlealong now or they'll be cutting out of this, and if they get the boatsinto the water, we'll have to let 'em go without a shot. That'll give usa hard job, because we'll have to take a chance of leaving the gold toget help and having them come back for it while we're gone. "

We were well satisfied to know that the pirates were on the island andthat we had found them before they were aware of our escape from the_Kut Sang_. Now we had a good opportunity to stalk them and give them asurprise. 

We scrambled down from the burning rocks, and filled our pockets withextra ammunition and biscuits, and each took a small bottle of water. Ourclothes were well dried, and, altogether, we found ourselves ready forbattle. 

"If we can crawl up on 'em while they are all together and turn loosewith our pistols from cover, we've got 'em, " said Riggs. "The three of usought to lay them out before they know what's up. "

"We ought to even the numbers before our pistols are empty, " I said. "Twoof them ought to drop at the first volley. "

"It's no quarter, either, Mr. Trenholm, unless we have one of 'em, so hecan't do any damage, and then we might give him a chance to live so hecan hang. But they'll have no mercy on us if they get the upper hand. "

"I'd like to take Thirkle back to Manila alive just to get at hishistory. "

"I'd like to get Thirkle myself, Mr. Trenholm; but it's Thirkle we'llhave to get first of all, if we can. He's more dangerous than all theothers, and, as you're the best shot, keep plugging at him until youget him. But I'm afraid it ain't going to be so easy as we figure out. 

"One thing is in our favour: they don't know we got out of the_Kut Sang_, and it's likely they've been so busy burying the gold theydon't know the steamer is above water; but if they get a sight of herbefore we drop on 'em, then we'll have a pretty pickle on our hands. "

The backbone of the point ran back into the jungle and we found it a hotand hard climb through the tangled vines and thick shrubbery. After wehad reached the other side we crawled out on the beach and made a carefulreconnaissance to the north. 

We progressed slowly along the rim of sand, where the brush was sparse, allowing us to keep a good lookout ahead. We went along a few yards at atime, stepping out occasionally to reconnoitre the sand-reaches ahead. Wefound that the northern end of the island was higher than we supposed atfirst, a labyrinth of ravines sloping down to the sea. 

"We ought to pick up the trail before long, " said the captain. "We'llprobably find the boats in some of these gullies where the water comesclose up; but they couldn't very well cover their tracks if they pulledthe boats out, and they wouldn't be minded to be so careful, not lookingfor anybody to be after them this early. "

The captain and I kept close together, sneaking along with our pistolscocked, quiet as possible. Rajah brought up the rear, and in thisformation we marched along, alert for danger. At times the rustle of abush in the breeze put us on our guard, and we crouched down with musclestense and pistols raised; or the flutter of a bird over our heads, or theshrilling of an insect, or the creak of a tree sounded an alarm whichwould delay us. But Rajah's sense of hearing was very keen, and wheneverwe stopped from such sounds he would grin at us and push on ahead. Wetrusted a great deal to his woodcraft, for he was at home in the jungle. 

Riggs was a few yards ahead of me when I saw him stop abruptly and motionme forward with a gesture of caution. He pointed through the bushes, andas I crept up I saw a white patch through a tangle of green leaves. 

"It's a boat, " he whispered. "It's here they made their landing and we'llhave to go slow now. Maybe Buckrow or some of the others are about, sleeping or keeping watch. "

We crawled up carefully, letting Rajah go ahead to scout. We found bothboats hidden in a patch of _colgon_ grass, screened from the sea by arank growth of vines and young bamboo. The boats were covered withfreshly cut palm-leaves and a litter of dead, dry vines pulled from anuprooted tree. There was a little inlet running right up into the jungle, so the pirates had had little trouble in getting the boats ashore, usinga block and tackle on a convenient cocoanut-palm. 

The grass and bamboo thicket were well trampled, and we could see themarks in the moist ground where the sacks of gold had been piled. One ofthe sacks had evidently burst, for we picked up several gold coins in themud, and found a sail-needle in a loop of twine where they had repairedthe sack. 

"Now, " whispered Riggs, when we were sure none of the pirates was lurkingabout, "we'll take the plugs out of the boats and hide them and theoars, and take a look around to see where our lads have gone. It's noeasy job to go very far with that gold, and they won't hurt themselveswith work, knowing they have plenty of time and thinking there is nobodyto be after them. "

We took the oars and boat-plugs quite a distance away up the beach andburied them in the sand opposite a tree of peculiar formation, and thenbegan to skirt the territory around the boats to pick up the trail of thepirates. We found where several bamboo poles had been cut close to thedry, rocky bed of an old stream, and the remnants of ropes. 

"They cut these poles to pack the sacks away, " said Riggs. "Their cachecan't be far away and we'll have to work like cats now. "

The old water-course led back into high ground through a caņon, and therewere unmistakable signs that the pirates had followed the waterway. Patches of sand where pools had formed during the rainy season were fullof tracks in both directions, and we knew they had made several tripsfrom the boats up the caņon, and we set out upon the trail. 

We let Rajah take the lead this time, for he had a way of getting throughthe overhanging branches silently, and his bare feet moved among theloose stones and sand with as little noise as a snake might make. Bentnearly double with his kris gripped in his right hand he kept in advanceof us. We might easily have been taken for pirates ourselves as weskulked along, with our pistols raised, crawling under low bushes, dodging behind tree-trunks, and peering ahead into the dim places of thejungle. 

In spite of the shade it was hot in that ravine. Labouring under theexcitement of the man-hunt, and suffering from loss of sleep and theweariness of the siege we had undergone in the steamer, the heatweakened us. 

The bed of the stream, full of dead twigs and loose stones, in places asuccession of steps where there had been cascades in the torrentiallittle river, was a hard road. It would have been hard enough totravel with no efforts at caution, but we were forced to pick every step, and keep bent low or fall flat to avoid a fall and racket. 

Captain Riggs made hard going of it, and had to stop every few yards toregain his breath. Although he made no complaint, I suspected that hisheart was troubling him, for he kept putting his free hand to his side, and when he got out of breath his face took on a purplish tint. 

"I'm afraid I'll have to rest a bit, " he whispered to me during one ofthese attacks. "I'll be all right in a little while, but I'm too old tokeep up to the pace of you and the black boy there. "

He crawled into the brush a few feet and lay down, and I saw he had aboutreached the limit of his efforts for the day. He was more exhausted thanI had realized. We called Rajah back, and while Riggs was resting I wentahead a way, with the idea of watching for the pirates to return andpreventing them from surprising us. 

"Don't go too far or stay too long, " cautioned the captain, as I set out. "We ought to keep close together, Mr. Trenholm, and fight together. "

Assuring him that I had no intention of leaving him with Rajah, I went upthe trail a few rods, and as I was about to turn back I saw a levelstretch ahead, where the trail of the pirates led away from the bedof the stream into a patch of high, thick grass. Thirkle and his men hadcut a narrow lane through this grass by trampling down the stalks, and mycuriosity got the better of my caution, and I decided to explore a littlefarther. 

Stooping low, I ran through this open space and gained the jungle on theother side and found myself near a ledge or low, rocky cliff that was soovergrown with rank weeds and vines and giant ferns it was hardlynoticeable until I was close against the wall. 

The cliffside was damp and green with mosses, and the ground was moistand springy. The cool of the place was grateful after the heat ofour climb up the rocky bed of the creek, I was about to return and urgeCaptain Riggs to press on to this place when I heard the subdued murmurof voices away to the right and the swishing of foliage. 

I was puzzled and alarmed to discover that the voices were in thedirection I had come from, or back across the trail. Fearing that thepirates were returning to the boats by some short route which might takethem to where Riggs was hidden, I ran through the grass lane again, and, finding that the persons I was stalking were still farther away, I leftthe trail and sneaked some twenty yards into the foliage, anxious to seewho they were and what they were about. 

They were making slow progress, seemingly going a few yards, and thenstopping to talk in low tones, when they would go on again, and, bymoving ahead while they were pushing through the brush and proceedingwith caution while they stopped, I rapidly overtook them, although theywere a good distance off the trail. 

"Keep over to port, " I heard Long Jim say. "Mind them brambles, or ye'llhave the eyes of me bloomin' well knocked out! I'm all skinned aboutthe neck from 'eavin' away at these poles. Drop it a bit, Red. "

CHAPTER XV

TWO THIEVES AND A FIGHT

There was a metallic thud as they let down a burden, which I knew must bea sack of gold. I lay quiet for a minute, and then began to wrigglethrough the brush to get a glimpse of them, and, in case it proved to bethe camp, learn what might be the most advantageous method for ourattack. 

"My back is broke, " I heard Petrak whine. "What with packin' the wholeblasted cargo into the hills and this jaunt now. Why couldn't he leave itclose to the beach, I want to know? Who wants to be packin' it out againsome day like a coolie? Snug enough, I say, close down to the water, andwho's to know? Think we was buryin' of it for Kingdom Come! Fine job he'smakin' of it!"

"'E's no bloody monkey, Thirkle ain't, " said Long Jim. "It's us that'sthe bloomink idiots! 'My last 'aul, ' says 'e. 'Your last haul, 'ell!'says me to him. I tells him to mind the rest of us 'as a 'and in the goldas well as in the gittin' of it. Ye think 'e's goin' to let us in onthis? Not Thirkle, Reddy. 

"It's every bloody man for 'imself now, and the devil take the 'indmost, which he will, I say. Thought 'e'd 'ave the whole of it all to himself, did he? I knowed 'e'd give us dirt when it come to some big cut likethis, and that's why I'm for gittin' mine and goin' on with it this wise. 'Eave up, Reddy, and skip for it. "

I crawled up and peered through the bushes just as they were shoulderinga bamboo pole from which was slung the sack of gold. They went on, and Ifollowed them, confident that they would lead me to Thirkle's camp, although the direction of their march puzzled me; and I could make nosense of their complaints other than that they disliked the labour oftransporting the gold. 

As I fell in behind them, following almost in their tracks, I discoveredthat they were following no trail, but were making a new way to thebeach. And when they came to where the going was easy they rushed aheadin such a panic that I suspected they were in flight from Thirkle, andwhen they began to argue over the direction they should take I realizedthat they were running away from Thirkle. They were stealing a sack ofthe gold and making for the boats to escape with it. 

"Bear to port, I say!" said Long Jim. "Keep off the old road, or ye'llhave the beggar after us. Keep to port if ye know what's good for us. "

They let down their burden again, and I saw Long Jim stoop to peer back;but I was off on their flank again, and kept well concealed. 

I was in a quandary now as to what to do. It might be better for us tolet them escape, for then we would have only Thirkle and Buckrow tofight, and a sack of gold mattered but little. Yet I knew that they mighttake both boats; and then Captain Riggs and I and Rajah would be maroonedon the island, except for the raft, which was not a fit craft to put tosea in. 

We would be but little better off on the mainland, and it would be weeks, probably months, before we could be rescued by a vessel, or could reach anative town on the coast. I had a mind to fire on them; but I did notknow where Thirkle was, and I was afraid of Captain Riggs getting lost ifhe set out in search of me on hearing the shots. 

"Told ye that, did he?" asked Long Jim. "Told ye to do for me, hey?"

"That was the lay, " said Petrak. "Told me he'd send ye down the trailwith me, and to keep drawed up close to ye; and when I see my chance tohook a knife into ye, and be sure and make a clean job of it. 

"But I'm no man for that, Jim. Mind when ye split a bob with me inRiccolo's boardin'-house in St. Paul's Square? I don't do for no man whatsplit a bob with me, and we was shipmates before we ever knowed Thirkle;and we'll be shipmates again, Jim. "

"With this 'ere?" asked Long Jim. "Ye think I'd look at a bloody shipshort of bein' owner myself, when we get away with this sack of guineas?It's a pub for the two of us in Liverpool, down near the Regent Docks, like gentlemen, or I'm a beggar. "

"Blow me if I didn't forget about the gold!" said Petrak, laughing. "ButI meant it the way of shipmates, Jim: and that's why I couldn't do for nosuch as he said. 'Hook yer knife in him, quick and sharp, under thekidneys, ' says Thirkle to me. He says he'll make a gent of me, being asthere would be only himself and Bucky and me left. There'd be upwards often thousand pounds, man and man, share and share alike, and all thesame. 

"That's Thirkle for ye, Jim--that's Thirkle. It was all fine long as wedidn't make no great hauls, just enough for a bit of a good time ashore;but now we're rich, and he wants to shut us honest chaps that helped getit out of the cup, up. 

"I'll take this sack for mine and split fair with ye, Jim; and it'sbetter than Thirkle would give the two of us, and I ain't savin' as howhe wouldn't slit our throats in the bargain to get back again what littlehe give. We best give him a wide berth, and he'll do for Bucky, too; mindwhat I say. "

"That 'e will, " said Long Jim. "'E's thick with Bucky now, but mind yereye when 'e gits Bucky close hauled goin' 'ome. Think Bucky'll everfind 'is way back to this place? Thirkle'll do for 'im--right ye are, Red--just as 'e'd done for the two of us, Red. "

"Bucky was a good sort, too. "

"We was all good sorts, " said Jim. "We was all good sorts and fine men, Reddy, when the bloomink loot was coming and there was windpipes to slit, and 'e had to 'ave 'ands to do the work for 'im. Ye mind what he told me, Reddy?"

"What was it Thirkle told ye, Jim? I'd give a bob to know. Was it aboutme, Jim?"

"Tells me the same bloody thing 'e told ye, " said Jim, shutting one eyeand making a grimace to impress Petrak. 

"What's that, Jim? I don't remember of what ye mean. "

"Tells me to do for ye down the trail. "

"The beggar!" said Petrak. 

"Gawd strike me blind if 'e didn't! 'Take a walk for yerself down thetrail with Petrak, ' he says. 'Mind when ye get a chance and 'ook a knifein his kidneys, and do it neat and clean; and then there'll be only threeof us to cut this pile 'ere three ways--me, Bucky, and yer own self, Jim. '

"That's what 'e said, Reddy; strike me blind! Like you did, I says I'lldo it. Ye see his gyme? We'd do for each other in a fight, and so takethe job off 's 'ands. Buckrow and 'im think it's done now; but 'e'll getBucky at the last, too, or I'm a beggar. 

"That's 'is gyme, Red--do for all of us and 'ave the gold all to'imself--and no sailormen what know what 'e's been up to out 'ere comingaround to tap on 'is window of a night when 'e's asleep and ask for theprice of a drink, or 'e'll have the police down on 'im and tell ScotlandYard' e's the Devil's Hadmiral. He wants the pile to 'imself, and never abit more does 'e care for the likes of us than for the throats we've cutfor 'im for the gettin' of it all. "

"Sure, " said Reddy. "He wants it all for himself, to be a fine gentlemanand a church member and have his tipple and fine eatin'. We better moveon a bit now, Jim, or they'll be after us. "

They shouldered the pole again and went on, and I followed them for atime, trying to estimate the position of Captain Riggs on the trail fromwhere I was; but in the excitement of following Petrak and Long Jim I hadlost my bearings. 

Their course through the jungle had been devious and without muchclearness as to a general direction, for first one would advise one way, and then the other another; and there were times when they had beencompelled by the brush and gullies to go out of their way. 

But I had a general idea that by turning sharply to the right I mightcome across the trail, and, even if it happened to be below where thecaptain and Rajah had stopped, I could soon come up with them. 

There was nothing to gain by keeping after Reddy and Long Jim, now that Iwas sure they were running away from Thirkle's camp rather than towardit. I thought it would be much better to let them go than to fire uponthem, and so either alarm Captain Riggs or warn Thirkle and Buckrow thatthere were others they had not counted upon on the island. 

Even Petrak and Long Jim might not get away very easily when they foundthe oars and boat-plugs gone. I reasoned that if we could come uponThirkle and Buckrow, and make short work of them, we might even overtakethe pair of thieves and capture or kill them. 

As we went along the jungle thinned, and we came into a forest where thetrees were sparse and there was little underbrush; and, as there was anopen space ahead, I concluded not to cross it, but to wait and see themgo out of sight, and then try to pick up the trail. When they entered theclearing they dumped the sack and fell upon the ground, and as they laylooking in my direction there was nothing for me to do but drop behind aconvenient shrub and wait for them to go on before I moved. 

They lit cigars and fell to gossiping, evidently in some argument, fortheir gestures betrayed their vehemence, although I could not make outwhat they were saying. They continued the conversation until I lost mypatience, and began to begrudge the time I was wasting to no advantage, while Captain Riggs was probably fretting about me, and might go away tosearch for me. I waited another ten minutes; but they showed nodisposition to go on, and I stealthily began to draw out of the bushes. 

We had come through a grove of wild hemp-trees, and, keeping the bushthat had concealed me between me and the pirates, I crawled to one ofthese wide-spreading bunches of gigantic leaves drooping to the ground, and managed to get behind it. But as I rolled under the stalks a birdrose near me and screamed shrilly in long-drawn cries of alarm, andseveral of its young, hunting for cover, set up a racket in the deadleaves on the ground. 

I lay still for a minute, hoping that the two pirates would not thinkanything amiss; but the mother bird wheeled above me, screaming anddarting down, and I heard Petrak and Long Jim cursing and running towardme. I jumped up behind the tree, and, looking through the big leaves, sawthem coming with drawn pistols. 

"Blow me if it ain't the bally pressman!" said Long Jim, stopping withina hundred feet and peering through the tree. "That's Trenholm there, orI'm a Dutchman!"

"That's who it is, " I called to them, cocking my pistol. "Come on and seewhat you get!"

"You're in the _Kut Sang_" said Petrak queerly, his knees shaking as ifhe had seen a ghost. "You're dead in the _Kut Sang_!"

"Have it your own way, " I told him. "Maybe I am dead in the _Kut Sang_, along with Captain Riggs and the rest of them. For that very reason youhad better not bother with me. "

I kept my pistol resting in the hollow of a hemp-stalk, thinking it wouldbe better not to let them know I had a weapon, for I knew they had nomore relish for using their firearms than I did. If I showed the gun tothem they would then keep in cover, and could attack me from two sides. 

If I could keep it a short-range fight, I had the advantage as long as Iheld the tree against them, and they would not hesitate to exposethemselves to my fire. 

"What ye doin' of 'ere?" demanded Long Jim. "Where's the skipper and allthe rest we left aboard?"

"That's for you to find out, " I said. "You wouldn't shoot a helpless man, would you?"

"Not a bit of it, " he grinned. "Come on out and 'ave a bit of a parley. "

He let his pistol drop, and he and Petrak exchanged glances whichbetrayed their glee at having me in their power, as they thought. 

"Go away and let me alone, " I said, simulating fear of them. "I don'twant to have anything to do with you. Leave me alone. "

"Ye was a follerin' of us, " said Long Jim. "Where the bloomink 'ell yebeen? Ye seen Thirkle?"

"Where is Thirkle?"

"Where ye'll never clap eyes on 'im, ye can be bloody well sure of that. Cut round t'other side of 'im, Red, and we'll settle 'is 'ash!"

Petrak started off to the left of him to circle and get behind me, andLong Jim began to draw near, cocking his pistol again and raising it andleering at me. 

"Don't ye turn about or move!" he said. "Turn yer 'ead and yer a dead'un!"

He was within five yards of me, and I saw him making a signal to Petrak, who was approaching me from behind. I glanced back quickly and saw thelittle red-headed man stealing up on me with his knife on his hand. 

I lifted the pistol, and saw Long Jim stop and open his mouth insurprise. I fired at the triangle of his naked breast where the shirt wasunbuttoned from the neck. He curled over backward, as if broken in themiddle, and fired his pistol straight up into the sky and then lay still. 

CHAPTER XVI

THE GOLD AND THE PIRATES

Certain that Long Jim was dead, I turned on Petrak and presented mypistol at him. The little fiend was surveying me blankly, taken aback atthe sudden shot. He stood within twenty paces of me, with his legs wideapart and his knees bent as if he were on the deck of a plunging vessel, dismay on his face and the blade he had intended for my back held limplybefore him. 

I could see the butt of a big pistol hanging from his belt in a holsterhe had made from the top of an old shoe, but he made no motion to reachfor it. The fingers of his left hand were twitching, splayed out as iffrom fear, and his mouth was open showing his yellow teeth. 

"If you move I'll kill you!" I said, having a mind to take him and compelhim to lead Riggs and me to Thirkle's camp. 

"Don't shoot!" he whined. "Don't shoot! Where did ye git the gun, sir? Wenever knowed as how ye had it. Don't shoot, Mr. Trenhum! Ye mind how Itook yer luggage aboard!"

"Where's Thirkle and Buckrow?" I demanded. 

"Up there, " he said, swinging his free hand in the direction we had come, and I saw the familiar crafty look come into his eyes. 

"How far?"

"Quite a bit, sir; in a cut of a clift with the booty. "

"How far?"

"Not far it ain't, Mr. Trenhum. Roundaboutish, but not far; and I'mthinkin' I might lead ye on to 'em, sir, if ye'd let me have the sack wehad, sir. Ye done for Jim right enough, but that's my sack now. "

"Throw down that knife and unbuckle your belt, and see that you don'treach for a pistol, " I said. 

There was something in his manner that led me to believe he had a trapfor me; either he had seen Long Jim move, or thought Thirkle and Buckrowmight come down upon us if he could keep me talking. 

He dropped the knife, and as he reached for the buckle of the belt Iturned my head in an involuntary movement to make sure that Long Jim hadnot recovered, an action bred by the suspicious manner of Petrak. Thepirate was lying as he had fallen, with his arms over his head and hispistol a yard away; but the little red-headed man turned and ran inthe flash of my eye. I fired at him as he scurried behind a sprawlinghemp-tree, but missed; and he never stopped, and I stood and listened ashe crashed through the brush. 

It would have been senseless to pursue him. As he had kept on toward thebeach, away from the direction of Thirkle's camp, I knew he was not goingback to the others, and reasoned that he would hardly dare to return toThirkle, who had probably missed the sack of gold, or would demandexplanations which Petrak would have difficulty in giving. 

I picked up the knife and went and looked at Long Jim. Seeing he was deadI took his pistols; but gave him scant attention, being afraid Thirkleor Buckrow might be about, investigating the sound of the shots. Petrak'sestimates on the distance of their hiding-place had been rather vague. 

I turned away to the west in the direction I felt sure the trail must be, and, when the ground was clear, ran as fast as I could. I made about halfa mile in as straight a line as I could, and then began to worry; for, although the ground had sloped in front of me, I felt that I should havecrossed the bed of the stream which was the trail we had followed. 

I kept on, my face and hands scratched by prickly vines and my clothingtorn by fighting through thickets, and a panic began to grow on me that Iwas lost, although I refused to admit it. I soon had to stop running fromexhaustion, the torment of the heat and thirst; and the four big pistolsdragged at my belt and the ammunition in my pockets began to hang heavy. I began to fear that darkness would come on before I could find thetrail. 

Despair began to get the upper hand, when I caught the dull boom of apistol-shot, and it so startled me that I could not decide the directionit came from. I stopped to listen, afraid that Thirkle had found CaptainRiggs and Rajah. 

Soon there was another report, and then a third, and what puzzled me mostwas that they seemed to be just where I had come from. The echoes cameback to me from the hills and died away in dismal reverberations in thejungle. It seemed to be some signal, but, whether from the captain orThirkle, I had no way of knowing. 

I was tempted to fire a shot in reply, but, deciding to wait for another, I turned in my tracks and started back, although not on the same trail Ihad come over, but to the right of it. 

I blamed myself for leaving the captain, for I should have kept with him, no matter what happened. I had made a fine mess of my scouting trip, butfound some excuse for myself in the fact that I did right in followingLong Jim and Petrak, and had a good reason to believe that they weregoing to the pirate camp. 

I tried to reason out the significance of the three shots I had heard. They might mean that Captain Riggs had fired on Thirkle, or that Thirklehad fired on him. In a kind of frenzy at my own helplessness I figuredthe various combinations of the three shots as I went along, but all thetime I was in a frantic haste to find the trail. 

Finally I found the dry bed of a little stream; but a careful searchshowed no signs of any person having been over it, and it seemed to me, in my upset sense of direction, that it should lead the other way. But, remembering that I had left the bed of the creek to follow Long Jim andPetrak, I came to the conclusion that the pirates had abandoned thecreek, or had turned off from it to cache the gold. 

I started down it, hoping that it was the one which would lead me to thecaptain. My courage was freshened, and, taking a slow trot jumping fromstones to the hard sand, dodging over-hanging branches, and scrambling upon the banks to avoid creepers, I covered a great deal of ground in ashort time. I kept close watch on the clear spaces for tracks, andcarried my two pistols in the front of my belt, Long Jim's pair wellbehind. 

I was running and jumping along in this way, as quietly as possible, whenI heard a low, peculiar gruff growl. I stopped in my tracks and listened. Crawling into the bushes I rested on my knees with a pistol in each hand, my mouth wide open so as to breathe silently, for I was panting from myflight. 

"Ye didn't look to Bucky for this, did ye?" I heard Buckrow say, so closeat hand that, it startled me. There was no reply to his question, andafter a few minutes I crawled toward him. I found myself in an outcrop ofvolcanic rock, and beyond the face of a sheer ledge. The soil was moistten feet away from the bed of the stream, and bamboo and the thick, coarse _colgon_ grass was as high as my shoulder. 

Keeping well hidden in the bamboo and grass I crept to a high spot, andright under the edge of the cliff I saw Thirkle sitting on a sack ofgold, with his hands across his knees, holding a piece of rope and gazingdown at it as if in doubt what to do with it. His bare, bald head wasbowed low. 

Buckrow was lying in front of him, with his chin propped in his hands. Hewas smoking a cigar and looking at Thirkle. Behind them were piled thesacks of gold, close to a wide crack in the cliff, a sort of caņon, wideenough for a man to enter, and overgrown at the top with brush and greenfronds, for the cliffside was wet and dripping, and veiled withmosses. 

"Got it in yer old skull that Bucky was a fool, hey?" said Buckrow, blowing a cloud of smoke at Thirkle. "Well, I'm Bad Buckrow, and I wasBad Buckrow afore ever I saw ye, and I had a bit of brains of my ownafore ever I met up with ye, Thirkle. Ye can bear that in mind. See howye come out when ye monkeyed with me. Them other two fools went off inthe wood and plugged one another, but that ain't me, Thirkle. Yer sharp, Thirkle; ye always was a sharp one, but ye ain't sharp enough for Bucky, and it's me that's tellin' ye that. "

Thirkle made no reply, but kept his head down, staring at the rope in hishands, as if he were considering some weighty problem. 

"Wanted it all, hey?" went on Buckrow. "Think I'm goin' to put my neck ina rope for ye and then let ye hog it all, hey? Maybe ye can fool theothers, but I'm Bad Buckrow, I am, and I don't let the like of you, Mr. Thirkle, hang nothin' on me--leastways, not so easy as ye looked for. Why, I had my eye on ye and every move ye made after ye sent Reddy andJim away to slit one another's throats! Thought I'd fall for it, did ye?See what come of it? Ye see, don't ye? I'm Bad Buckrow. "

Thirkle moved uneasily and cleared his throat, but did not lift his heador give any answer. But, when he put his head to one side and shook it, Isaw a red patch on his scalp over his right ear, and a smear of blooddown his cheek. Then I realized that the rope over his hands made him aprisoner, and that Buckrow had turned against him. 

"Wanted to do for me too, did ye. I knew yer game, old boy! I saw themeyes of yours on me, and murder in 'em, and it's me ought to know whenye plan to cut a man down--I know Thirkle. 

"Knew ye'd turn on me some day this way when we made it rich. The lot ofit was small pickin', but here's half o' London under our feet to besplit four ways; but ye wanted it all, and ye wanted us out of yer way soye could sleep o' nights. Nice game it was. Fine gent ye'd be, with allof us dead here, and nobody to ever tell who Thirkle was, or about the_Kut Sang_, or the others. 

"Get away in the boats, ye would, and come back some day for the gold andthen cut it for London, prayin' yer way out of the country, and folks'dwonder what come of the Devil's Admiral and his crew when no more shipswas lost the way we made 'em go. "

"Don't worry me, Bucky, " said Thirkle quietly. 

"Don't worry of ye! Don't bother, Thirkle. Yer sharp, but yer good asdead now. It's me that'll be the fine gent and wear walkin'-aboutclothes, and have my drink and comfort, and nobody to split on me. I'llplay yer own game, and leave ye here to rot. How like ye that, Thirkle?"

"Ye are on the wrong tack, Bucky, " he said quietly, without lifting hishead. "Dead on the wrong tack and shoal water ahead. "

"Nasty weather ahead for you, Thirkle--never fret about Bucky. "

"Dead on the wrong tack, " repeated Thirkle, as if talking to himself. "Ilooked to you for better than this, and trusted you too. I wanted to playfair with ye, Bucky, because ye've got brains, which a man wouldn't thinkto hear ye now. "

"Brains enough not to be cut down like a bullock by Thirkle, when thelast comes to the last. "

"Reddy and Jim were not fit men to trust with a heap of gold like this, Bucky, and it's you that knows the truth of what I say. They would havethe whole thing cut open in a week once they got into some port withtheir pockets full of sovereigns and their skins full of rum, and theirmouths full of babble in the public houses of their wealth and how smartthey be. 

"First we'd know Petrak would be telling how we took the _Southern Cross_and the _Legaspi_ and the _Kut Sang_, best of all, and last. Now wouldn'tthat be the way with him once he got at the gin? Hey, Bucky?"

"He could be watched and his lip kept shut, " said Buckrow. 

"Would you want to trust yer neck to Petrak's close lip? Tell me that, Bucky. Could ye sleep with Petrak and his bragging, and Long Jim and hisbragging, and the two of 'em whispering together, considering the friendsthey make when drunk. Why, Bucky, man! Long Jim would tell the whole taleto a barmaid for a smile, as he come near telling that girl in Malta, with the whole Mediterranean fleet ashore in Valetta. 

"If it wasn't for me we'd been in a jam, what with the stories that weregoing the rounds about us then, and a P. O. Out of the _Implacable_ tryingto chum with me. I wanted to play fair with ye, Bucky, because yer toosmart to let the drink get the better of ye--but what's the use. I don'twant to argue with ye. Go on and play it alone if ye think ye can. "

"Well, right ye are, " said Buckrow scornfully. "That's the true words yespeak now, Thirkle. Ye don't want to argue with me. Right-o--a man can'targue with cold steel--and what's more, ye won't, if I'm Bad Buckrow. Iknow ye've got a smooth lingo when ye get in a trap, but ye can't squirmout this time. I'll hold the weather of ye this commission, Thirkle. "

"Ye'll never get away with it, Bucky. It takes more brains than ye've gotto handle half a ton of gold. Not that ye ain't got the brains so much asye don't know how to handle 'em. There's many a man foremast with morebrains than his skipper, but that don't make him skipper. "

"It don't take no skipper to handle cargo of this sort, " said Buckrow. 

"Ye can't do it alone, Bucky. How about coming back for it? What'll yetell the crew that comes back with ye? Didn't I plan it all out to getit? I planned this job and made fair weather of it, didn't I?

"You and the others couldn't done it alone, you know that. Well, ye won'tget away with it, ye can be sure of that. It isn't in ye, Bucky, to dothe job. The hardest is to come yet, as ye'll see when ye go aboutgetting this away all clear. "

"Never ye fret about me, Thirkle. I turned a couple of tricks afore everI crossed yer bows, lay to that. I ain't the dog of a sailor ye take mefor. I was a gent once, and I'll be a gent again, and no thanks to ye, Thirkle. It don't take no brains to spend a guinea at a time, even if aman knows he has a house full of 'em, and I can be respectable, too, andtake my drink alone in my own house. "

"I'll grant ye are no fool, Bucky. It all looks nice and easy, but whotook ye out of the gutter in Sarawak? Where would ye be to-day if itwasn't for Thirkle? Tell me that, Bucky?"

Buckrow puffed at his cigar a minute, and seemed to consider the matterbefore replying. 

"I was down and out right enough then, Thirkle, but I ain't the kind tostay down long, Thirkle. What with fever and jail, and a bad cut in thehip, I was in a bad way, but no fault of mine, only my cussed luck. I'vehad my hard goin' in my life, and now I'm to take it snug. "

"The hangman was around the corner that time in Sarawak, and close-hauledon a course that would fetch him alongside ye in no time, " said Thirkle, looking up and smiling wearily. 

"Never ye mind about the hangman, Mr. Thirkle! He was around the cornerwith ye, too, for that, and more than once. Ye mind Hong-Kong? Whosaved ye from the hangman in Hong-Kong? I ask ye that. It was Bucky; butthat had no stop on ye here when ye planned to do for me. I saved yefrom the hangman, too, and now the score is even, and ye can't whine if Icome yer own game on ye. "

"I don't deny ye served me a turn in Hong-Kong, Bucky, and that's why Iwas to play fair and above board with ye here. Ye think ye know me, andwho I am, and who I was, but ye don't, Bucky, and if ye did ye'd havemore thought about what yer up to here. Thirkle I'm known as, and asThirkle I'll die, and I'm rough in my ways and language because I havefallen into those ways with my men. 

"When I'm a sailor I'm as sailors are, and when I'm a parson I know howto play it, but ye've never seen me as a fine gentleman. Maybe ye'd liketo know who I was before I was Thirkle and got to be the Devil's Admiral, as they call me for the want of something better, seeing I have played mygame careful and kept them all in the dark. "

"It's naught to me who ye was or are, Thirkle. Ye can't oil me out of itwith all yer fine talk--I'm to do for ye when I'm minded, and yer slicktalk can't save ye. "

Buckrow got up and slung a rope over his shoulders and began to make asling so that he could balance a sack of gold on each end of it. 

"I was an officer in the navy, Bucky, " said Thirkle, with a sly grin. 

"An officer!" exclaimed Buckrow, halting in his work. 

"An officer in the navy with the queen's commission at my back and anadmiral's flag ahead, " said Thirkle, pleased with the impression he hadmade. "That's what, Bucky. Now ye see I was the lad to finish the jobhere in fine style. That's why I can get away with this gold, which youcan't. I can show a wad of five-pound notes and not have Scotland Yard atmy heels, or charter a ship and crew and go about it businesslike, andtake my time at it. 

"Nice job ye'll make of it, coming back here for this gold. You've gotthe whip hand now, and I'll let it go at that; but when they've got ye onthe gallows, which they will, remember what Thirkle told ye, sitting herein the thick of it, which ye think ye'll spend for high life in London. Before ye ever get it to London ye'll find it's another tune ye'll play. Maybe ye think ye can fill a ship with gold and sail to the dockhead andlift it out and let it go at that--they'll take the gold and hang you, that's what. 

"No doubt ye think the owners of this gold won't have a word to say whenthey find the _Kut Sang_ overdue. Maybe ye think the looting of her wasthe easiest part of it; but ye'll find murder is easy, while keeping itquiet is another tale and another trick. Any man with a knife can go outand stab a man in the back, but he finds what comes after, the worst ofit. 

"It looks easy to ye because we got away with the _Southern Cross_ andthe _Legaspi_--but when ye mount the gallows ye'll see the best of oldThirkle's tricks was to keep his tracks clear and things running sweet. They'll take you and wring it all out of ye, the whole murderous story, and swing ye from a high place. Ye'll end on the gallows, Bucky. "

"Never ye fret about the gallows. I'll get this gold away neat and cleanif it takes me twenty years, and I'm the lad that can wait until the timeis ripe. "

"Maybe ye can, " said Thirkle, "but all I want you to remember is thatThirkle said ye couldn't, and my words will come to ye when ye take thosethirteen steps up to the rope. Just keep that in mind, Bucky. "

Buckrow made no reply, but busied himself again with the sling, and as hegot down on his knees with his back toward me, I decided that it was timethat I took a hand in the proceedings. With Thirkle bound, I had nothingto fear from him, and I began to draw myself up from the ground, intending to get on one knee and then empty my pistol into Buckrow, whowas not a dozen yards away. 

If it had not been that there was a great deal of high, dry grass, thatwould crackle if I tried to run through it, I would have attempted torush in on Buckrow and knock him senseless with the butt of a pistol. Butas Thirkle sat facing in my direction, and there was little chance ofgetting to Buckrow before Thirkle would see me and give the alarm, orBuckrow hear me coming, I knew the only thing to do was to kill or woundBuckrow, even though I had to shoot him in the back. It seemed an unfairadvantage, and nothing better than the act of an assassin; but I reasonedthat Thirkle or Buckrow would have little mercy on me if I fell intotheir power. 

So I arose cautiously, and, parting the grass before me, reached for mypistol. 

CHAPTER XVII

THE ART OF THIRKLE

"So Jim's done for, ye say, " said Buckrow. "Good job ye made of it comingback this way, and good job for me ye did, and the worse for Thirkle. "

"Clean job all around, Bucky, and I'm back to have my cut of the pile, "and then I was sure of dreaming, for that was the voice of Petrak, and itseemed to me that Petrak ought to be millions of miles away, although Icould not quite settle in my mind just how it was, except that I knew itcouldn't be Petrak speaking--I was dreaming it, and yet I couldn't bedreaming that awful pain in my head. I tried to open my eyes, butcouldn't. 

"Then the _Kut Sang_ didn't go down at all, " said Thirkle's voice. "Nicejob you two will have getting clear of this place with the gold now. Ourdear friend, Mr. Trenholm isn't alone, I'll bet a hat on that. "

"Bet yer hat with the devil himself for all the good it will bring, "growled Buckrow. "This ain't none of your affair, Mr. Thirkle, and I'llthank ye to pipe down and wait until we ask ye to talk. "

"What's up now, Bucky?" asked Petrak. "What's wrong now, and what's wrongwith Thirkle's head? Been up--"

"We got Thirkle, too, that's what. He tried to do for me and I sappedhim, and there he is, nice as pie. Wanted it all, he did, Reddy. Don't helook calm and peaceful there, with his hands crossed like a dead one?That's Mr. Thirkle for ye, all nice and snug, so he can't cut a man'sthroat when a chap ain't minding of him. Tried it on me no sooner as yeand Long Jim was gone, and I give him what he come for. "

"Blow me for a blind beggar!" said Petrak, and I opened my eyes and sawthe three of them, Thirkle, facing me, and Buckrow and Petrak standingover me as I lay on my back on the damp ground. 

"That's Mr. Buckrow, " sneered Thirkle. "He wants it all, Reddy, and he'llplay you the same when he gets it. He wants it all, and don't waste yourtime counting up the guineas ye'll have, because Buckrow will have 'emall, and you and I dead and gone under ground hereabouts. "

"So Thirkle wanted to do for ye, hey, Bucky? Who looked for it? But heought to knowed better as to come any smart tricks with ye, Bucky, andwe're pals, ain't we, Bucky? Say we're pals if ye like and I'll do mypart. "

"Pals we be, Reddy, and never ye mind enough of what he says to put inyer eye. We can split the gold ourselves and leave Mr. Thirkle here withthis friend of ours. Ye know I'll play fair with ye, Red--ye know that, don't ye?"

"Sure, " said Petrak. "Here's my paw on it, Bucky, and good luck to us andlong life and merry times. That's a heap of gold for two, Bucky. "

"Shake for a square show, " said Buckrow, and the two villains shook handsacross my body. I had closed my eyes again, but peeped through partlyopened lids as often as I dared. 

"And how come ye done for Long Jim?" asked Buckrow, and Petrak moveduneasily and cleared his throat. 

"Jim played nasty with me, Bucky. Never looked to him for it, but wewas down the trail a bit and he ups and turns on me with a knife. Cussed if I knows what for, and I didn't have time to ask himparticulars, but had to drill him, and drill him I did, as I'm no man tostand for knife-play, and as I was trotting myself back who should I comeon but the writin' chap, here, stretched in the grass, so for a time Ithought he had been stretched for good when up he pops and reaches for agun, and I give him the butt fair behind of the ear. 

"Lucky job, Bucky; lucky for ye and lucky for me, as he'd done for yeclean in another turnabout, and then, with Thirkle there as he is, a finetime I'd had of it. But it wasn't myself I was mindin', nohow, Bucky, butyou, as I had my gun and could have drilled him after he drilled you; butI couldn't stand to see ye get it in the back as he minded to give it. Lucky for ye, hey, Bucky? We can play fair on that score, can't we, Bucky? Not for me and he'd have ye and--"

"Oh, stop yer whining and lying!" said Thirkle. "It was yer own pelt yetook care of, and now ye want to get thick with Bucky, but it won't doye a bit of good, Reddy. He'll do for us all now; but if ye got any sensestir up Mr. Trenholm here and find what's become of the ship and hismates. 

"Step on the gentleman's neck and see if he's dead. While yer gammingaway here ye don't know how many more are in the bushes hereabout withguns ready to chip ye. Stir him up and let's see what happened to the_Kut Sang_ that he's here at all. It's plain she didn't go down. "

Petrak kicked me in the ribs, and I groaned and opened my eyes as if Ihad just recovered consciousness, for I did not care to let them know Ihad been listening to any of their conversation. 

"What's all the trouble?" I asked, looking about, and then sitting up andgazing at the three pirates as if I were still confused. 

"Everything lovely, " said Thirkle, grinning at me. "Your old friend, Mr. Petrak, put you to sleep. I am indeed surprised to find you so well afterall that happened on board the _Kut Sang_, and your belt there, whichBucky removed, seems to be well filled with weapons. What became of myold friend, Captain Riggs? And where is the _Kut Sang_?"

"She went down, " I said, knowing that my time would be short if they knewthe steamer was still above water, for every minute it lay on the reefthere was a possibility that it would be sighted by some passing vessel. I knew that if I told them it was still there Buckrow would probablymurder Thirkle and me and hasten away, either to burn the vessel orescape in the boats. 

"And how did you get away, and where is Riggs?" persisted Thirkle. 

"I cut away the forecastle scuttle with a knife and crawled through thechains just as she went down, but Captain Riggs could not get out. "

"That's all very fine, " said Thirkle; "but you collected a good deal ofhardware out of a sinking ship. How come you with four pistols? And, ifmy eyes serve me right, two of those belonged to Long Jim. "

Petrak winked at me at this, and I took the cue. 

"I found Long Jim dead in the trail and took his two pistols, and theothers were my own which I had when I went into the forecastle, and I hadhoped to use them on some of you fellows, but you got the better of me. "

"And how did you and Captain Riggs get along together?"

"We did very well after I had convinced him that I had no hand in themurder of Trego. You gentlemen certainly know your business, I must say. "

"Oh, don't include me in the compliment, " said Thirkle, bowing to Buckrowand Petrak. "These are the men who are entitled to the credit for thesuccess of the expedition so far, and, now that they have the gold, theyhave decided to dispense with my services; and, whatever is done, I willhave no further hand in it. 

"We will wish them luck, my dear Mr. Trenholm; and, as we are in the sameboat now, I trust that what little animosity you may have borne againstme in the past can now be forgotten. Mr. Buckrow has the game in hishands now. "

"Ye say the _Kut Sang_ went down clean?" asked Buckrow. 

"Not a sign of her, " I said. "Captain Riggs and the black boy went withher, and I hadn't a minute to spare. Perhaps it would have been just aswell if I had gone with her, too. "

"Good!" exclaimed Thirkle. "You see, Buckrow, I told ye she'd go like alead and bury her truck. I knew it would be a clean job, and now ye cango ahead--I quit. "

"Small thanks to you, " growled Buckrow. 

"Fine pair of fools ye'll make!" laughed Thirkle. 

"Stretch me, and the two of ye'll hang. Remember that, Reddy! The two ofye'll hang. It took Thirkle to plan the job, and it'll take Thirkle tofinish it. Mr. Petrak, will you kindly look in my jacket-pocket overthere; there's a bottle in it, and I'd like a bit of stimulant. "

Buckrow and Petrak ran for the bottle, and both took a long pull at it. 

"Give Thirkle a bit, " said Petrak, who still seemed to have a good dealof respect for the prisoner. "That was a nasty smash ye give 'im, Bucky. "

"Give it him, if ye mind, Reddy, but be polite to him. He was an officerin the navy afore he turned pirate, Reddy. "

"A navy officer? Thirkle a navy officer?" asked Petrak. "I was a navy manmyself when I was a boy. "

He stepped to Thirkle and held the bottle to the prisoner's lips. 

"Was ye an officer--a navy officer, Thirkle?" he asked, somewhatawestricken at the idea. 

"We had a little chat, Mr. Buckrow and myself, while you were away, " saidThirkle, after he had had his drink. "Real chummy we got. "

"Ho, yes; real chummy, Thirkle! So chummy, Red, he was ready to let aknife into me, and now he says he was in the navy; well up to his flag, too, and the queen's commission, all nice and handy. He thinks he's toonice to mix with the likes of us; he says as how we won't know how toblow the loot ladylike and decent. Mind that, Reddy? Ho, ho, ho!"

"It's this way, Reddy, " explained Thirkle. "Our old friend Bucky thoughtI was jealous of him, and wanted it all to myself. But I never had such athought. Long Jim was the one I didn't like, and never did, but you andBucky are two after my own heart and--"

"He likes us, Reddy, " interrupted Buckrow. "He likes us both, and youbest; but he likes us. Give him another drink and he'll cry for hissins. "

"Mr. Buckrow, I mean every word I say, " declared Thirkle, and he meantit, for the shrewd rascal was talking for his life. "There's goldenough here for all of us, and we'll divide it now, and each take hisshare and split it to the dollar. Leave it to me and I'll get it off foryou, safe and easy; but try to go it alone and the two of ye'll hang. Hang! Understand that, Reddy? The two of you'll hang; and it's Thirklethat says it, and Thirkle knows. But Thirkle can help ye if ye let him. "

"Taffy he's givin' us now, Reddy, " said Buckrow, seeing that Petrak wasbeing impressed by Thirkle's argument. 

"Ye'll hang, the two of ye, " said Thirkle. "Taffy, if ye like, Mr. Buckrow. "

"They'll have to take me first, and that's not so easy as ye make it, "blustered Buckrow. "Don't mind him, Reddy. "

"They'll get ye, " said Thirkle, nodding his head. "They'll get ye theminute ye land anywhere with a dozen of them gold pieces. Where'll ye gowith it? That's what I want to know. Where'll ye clear from? Tell methat. No doubt ye'll land in Manila with a boat-load of gold and say yerout of the _Kut Sang_, and she went down, and all were lost but you twoand the cargo of gold. And they'll let ye keep it and send ye on yer way, with no questions asked. "

"Ye mind what he says, Bucky?" Petrak was getting nervous. 

"Mind what he says, if ye like, " said Buckrow. "I'm man enough to getaway with it, Thirkle or no Thirkle. "

"That sounds very big, Mr. Buckrow; but where will ye go? Easy enough itwould be if this island was off the track of ships, but the minute yemake a westing ten miles with a boat-load of gold, or empty-handed, pop!ye go into the hands of a coast-guard cutter or a ship. Fine time ye'llhave telling ye found it, or that ye got out of the ship by yerself. Backto Manila ye'll go, and slam into Bilibid prison, and all about ye in thepapers, and all about the gold; and then ye'll be in a nice fix. 

"Ye think, because it was secret cargo, the owners of the gold won't kickup a row when the _Kut Sang_ is a minute overdue? Ye think they'll takeyer yarns when they find ye went in the _Kut Sang_, as the whole Sailors'Home knows? They'll stretch a rope for ye and Petrak--if ye let Petrakalong--and the two of ye'll drop together into the deepest hole ever yeclapped eyes on. "

"Of course, Mr. Thirkle could pack a ton of gold about, and it would bedifferent, and not a word said, " sneered Buckrow. "Perhaps ye know betterthan me what to do--hey, Thirkle?"

"Thirkle has his plans made for the last of it as well as he had for thefirst of it, and don't ye forget that, Mr. Buckrow, and never mind whatthey are. You go on now and play the string out, and I wish the two of yeluck; but remember that Thirkle said ye'd hang, and hang ye will. Whenthey put the rope on yer necks and the black caps over yer heads, justremember Thirkle said it would come out that way. They'll make a nice jobof ye. "

Petrak shivered and looked at Buckrow, who stood with arms folded, staring at the ground. 

"Oh, stow that gab, Thirkle!" he said. "Never ye fret about me and Reddy;ye'll be dead, anyhow, and ye won't mind. "

"Ye can thank Bucky for it, " went on Thirkle, craftily turning hisconversation to Petrak, who was more easily influenced and had a heartydread of death or prisons. 

"Thank Bucky when ye start up the thirteen steps. They'll be the hardestthirteen steps ye ever took in yer life, Reddy--and the last. A man's ina bad way when the shadow of the gallows falls across his bows and thepriest begins to pray. I looked for a better end for ye than that, Petrak; but go ahead and take his advice, and see where ye come to. "

"Don't mind him, Reddy, " said Buckrow hoarsely. "Pass the bottle and letthe old devil croak. You stick to Bucky. "

"Now, here's where I stand, " went on Thirkle. "It's the last I'll say onit, and I'll give you two chaps another chance to save yerselves. Takethe ropes off me and I'll bear no arms. You two take the pistols, and Iwon't have a knife. That gives you two the upper hand, and ye can do asye please, and I'll take my share and orders, and see that I get ye awayclear. 

"Once we make it safe ye can go about yer business, and I'll go aboutmine. Come on, now, lads--how's that? I ought to be worth that justto plan it out for ye and make sure ye get away. Better a third and along life than the whole and a rope afore ye spend a hundred pound of it, if ye get as much as a drink out of it alone. How now, Bucky?"

"Real sweet of ye, old cock, " said Buckrow, lighting a cigar. "A thirdand yer life looks better than none and a pile of bones. Thirkle has abit of a way to look to his own ends; what, Reddy?"

"Ye don't stand to lose anything, do ye? I'm not the man to squeal whenI'm down; but we went into this thing together, the whole of us, with oureyes open, to split it even. Here's the three of us, and we'll count itout right here by the piece or the sack. Then ye leave it to me to get itaway for ye, clean and neat. I'm a gentleman, I am, and I can play agentleman's game, which ye two can't. 

"I can buy a schooner or a yacht and look natural about it, and noquestions asked; and make a big show and live at the best hotels, andnothing thought of me having plenty of money. But you two--why, show aguinea, sober or drunk, and they'll grab ye on suspicion ye stole it. Ye'd look real nice, Mr. Buckrow, buying a ship to come back here for it, wouldn't ye--or mayhap ye'd leave that part of it to Petrak. "

"How'll ye get away with it if yer so sharp about it?" demanded Buckrow. "What can ye do outside what we can do--hey, Thirkle?"

"I've got it all planned out, ye can bank on that. I didn't get this goldhere without knowing what I was at, or how I was going to draw through. That isn't my way, as ye know. I have in mind a sloop-rigged yacht, lyingin Shanghai, waiting for a buyer. Pretty little white thing she is, andI can get her for a song, and take enough of this with me to turn thejob. 

"I can play Meeker again, which you chaps don't seem to know. I told the_Times_ man on the waterfront over the telephone, five minutes before wesailed, to make a personal item about how the Rev. Luther Meeker, missionary, would sail next week for Hong-Kong in the _Taming_, and totell the shipping-office to reserve a ticket for me. Nobody knows I wentin the _Kut Sang_ for sure, and I could drop into Manila to-morrow asMeeker, and not a man the wiser. 

"We'll buy this little yacht, and I'll turn her into a missionary boat, buying her with funds furnished by the London Evangelical Society, asI'll tell 'em. I'll call her the _Bethlehem_ and cruise along the Chinacoast, putting in at ports to hold services. Then we'll sneak away someday and drop down here, with chinks in the crew, and we'll get this goldaboard in such way they won't suspect what it is. 

"Then it's an easy matter to make away to any port we want and fill awayfor London in a liner, with the gold strewn along in the banks here andthere, or packed with books or other junk and freighted. How's that, mates?"

"And when it's all done we can go to the devil and you'll take the gold. I know the palaver, Thirkle. If ye please, I'll take my chances alonewith the gold, " said Buckrow. 

"Then hang! I wash my hands of the two of ye, and may the devil mend ye!"

Thirkle raised his bound hands as he said this, and there was tragedy inhis grim old face, and pity for the two on whom he had apparentlypronounced the death-sentence. But I could see in his shrewd eyes that hewas acting a part--he was laughing at them while pleading for liberty. 

Petrak began to whimper, and he looked at Buckrow appealingly. 

"Let him loose, Bucky, " he begged. "Let Thirkle loose, or we'll hang, ashe says, and we'll split it share and share alike. "

"Let him loose so he can do for us!" raged Buckrow. "Let him loose so hecan make off with it, and then knife us when it comes handy! I know hisblack heart!"

Yet, Buckrow was in a quandary and, in spite of his fear of Thirkle, seemed inclined to free him, evidently finding it hard to make his owndecisions, and preferring to have some one to give the orders. He tossedhis cigar away, and stood watching Thirkle chewing a blade of grass. 

"Ye can deal with me, mates, but ye'll find ye can't argue with thejudge, " went on Thirkle in a quiet tone, keeping his eyes on the ground. "Ye'll find ye can't talk the turnkey into liberty, and it will be toolate the morning the hangman opens the door and says 'Come!' and--"

"Stow that gab, or I'll let a knife into yer hide!" snarled Buckrow, andhe went over to the pile of sacks and began kicking the brown canvasnervously. 

Thirkle began to chuckle quietly, swaying his shoulders from side to sidein his simulated hilarity. Petrak, who was standing close to him, lookedat him in surprise. 

"It will be a fine joke, " said Thirkle in a low tone, as if speaking tohimself. "They do love to hang a red-headed man! Poor Petrak! They'llhave a great joke with him--Oh, ye there, Petrak, my lad! Well, I'm sorryfor ye; but ye can't blame me if Bucky gets ye in a jam. He says he cango it alone now, and doesn't need Thirkle; but wait until the death-watchis pacing outside the door like a Swedish skipper, and ye've only got anhour left on earth, and then ye'll wish ye'd stuck to Thirkle. 

"I'll bet all this gold here ye'll wish ye had Thirkle then, but Thirklewon't be there to help. I say stick to Bucky if ye like, but ye'll findhe ain't Thirkle. Good-bye, Reddy. I never looked for ye to come to this;but I can say ye'll hang if you go it with Bucky. "

"I didn't do it, Thirkle; I didn't put ye where ye be, " whimpered Petrak. "I'm for cuttin' ye loose, but Bucky ain't. "

"He's mad at me, and I can't argue with him, but if ye say a word or twohe'll mind ye; and remember, Petrak, if ye can't make him see it right, ye'll hang--the two of ye--and ye know Thirkle always has it as it is. "

Thirkle whispered something to Petrak which I did not catch, and then thelittle rascal went over to Buckrow and began to talk with him quietly, and finally began to plead for Thirkle. 

"Ye're afraid of him, " sneered Buckrow. "Ye're afraid of Thirkle withreef-knots on his hands, and ye'll be afraid of him when he's dead, yecoward!"

"I ain't afraid of him, Bucky, but he says we'll hang; and so we will ifwe don't let him have a hand gettin' this gold clear away. "

"He'll do for us; and then what good will the gold be to us? Reddy, yeknow the devil as I do; jind now he's got this pile he'll settle us whenhe sees his way to it. "

"Let him go, Bucky; let him go. The night'll be on us in an hour or so, and then what'll we do? Leave it to Thirkle and it'll come out all right;and I know it and you know it, Bucky. There's the two of us to him, andwe'll make him play it fair now. "

"The two of us'll play it fair without him, " said Buckrow. "Come on andstow this gold, and have done with the job. "

"That's an end of it, " said Thirkle. "No use to talk of it more. Do forme now; I ain't got much longer to live, anyhow. But I'll tell you chapswhat I'll do, so ye won't have to ask no favours at the end. "

"What now, Thirkle?" asked Buckrow. 

"They tried to make a preacher of me in my young days, and it was no go;and they put me in the navy, and I made a mess of that. But I'm good as anavy chaplain at saying a prayer; and if ye'll bring me the little Bibleye'll find in my jacket-pocket I'll say the burial service of the Churchof England over ye two, fine as a bishop would and good enough foranybody, with all the frills. How's that for Thirkle?"

"Let him go, Bucky, " whined Petrak, with quivering knees and terror inhis face. 

CHAPTER XVIII

BIG STAKES IN A BIG GAME

"I'd look a fine fish letting of him go now, after what's passed betweenus!" laughed Buckrow. "Ye mind what he'd do the minute he got his pawsfree. Reddy, if ye don't shut yer trap I'll drill ye, that's what. "

"No arms for me, " suggested Thirkle. "I bear no arms; and both of ye havethe bilge on me with all the knives and pistols in yer own hands. "

"That's all very fine for ye to say now, Thirkle; but what of when ye getin reach of a gun or a knife? What then?"

"I'll bear ye no grudge, " said Thirkle. "Never a word will I say, Bucky. That's done and gone, and we all have our little quarrels. Never a handwill I turn against ye, Bucky, and Petrak here to witness what I say. "

"No grudge ag'in' me for what I done?" demanded Buckrow doubtfully. "Yemean ye'll let this go and never a word ag'in' me, Thirkle?"

"Never a word. We'll slip all that and turn to at getting this gold away. What's a little mistake against all this here? Going to let a bit of arow stand between us and good times? I say no. Give me a chance to get yeall off here with the gold and I won't likely forget it if ye let me go, Bucky. I'm not the man to hold a small mistake of judgment against a matelike you, what's fought and worked with me so long, and ye was alwaysready, Bucky, when there was a hard job ahead. 

"Nearly two years we've been together, mate, and it would be a pity if wesmashed things now, when we've got a ship-load of gold. It's time wequit and took our comfort, and no more chances of getting a rope at theend of it. We've about played the game out, and we'd better not play agood thing too far or we'll find ourselves catching a crab one of thesefine days. I said we'd stop if we made it safe with the _Kut Sang_, andwe have and now that we've got plenty ahead, with eating and drinking anda good bed the rest of our days, let's square away for home. 

"We'll start fair and square again, mates, as we did when we first putour heads together for this fortune, and no grudges and all equal now, asthe worst of the work is over and the next is to get away with it, easyenough if ye let me pilot the job. In a month we'll be in London, and yeand Reddy, with a pub all yer own, and living at ease like gentlemen. "

"All equal from this on, Thirkle? Each has his say, and one as good asthe other?"

"Nothing without a council and two votes to decide, so ye two'll be yerown masters, having the two votes against me, with my advice for help. There's fifty thousand pounds for each of us, and we'll separate inLondon and go our own ways if ye like. I'll swear a black oath to that, and my word's good, as ye both know. 

"Did I ever break it to ye? Didn't I always cut the loot as I agreed? I'mThirkle, and when I say a thing I mean it. Now, Bucky, think it overbefore it's too late. Will ye go it alone, or will ye give me a fair playat the game, and come out with yer life and a fair share of the gold?It's for you to decide, and see ye don't make a mistake. "

"No arms for ye, split three ways, and do as we please when we're awayclear with the gold?" asked Buckrow. 

"That's it, Bucky. That's what I said and what I say, and I'll stick toit. "

"Swear to it, and nothing in yer mind. "

"I swear to it and nothing in my mind. It's a square enough thing, and Inever laid to do for ye as ye think. It was all a mistake, Bucky. "

Buckrow began to whisper with Petrak again, and Thirkle held his hands upand called to them sharply: "Here! Cut this rope!"

Petrak started for Thirkle with a sheath-knife, but Buckrow pulled himback. 

"I'll let him go, " he said. "This is my job, Thirkle, " continued Buckrow, approaching his prisoner. "I'm atween two minds with ye, and one is toslit yer neck, as I won't deny; but ye're a sharp cuss, and I guess yecan do this work better than I can. But I want to say to ye now, if everye turn on me after this ye're a dog. 

"I'll take my chance with ye, but ye bear me no love, and I know it; andever ye reach for a knife or a gun, mind that I don't see ye. It'splay fair from now on, but show a claw and yer done for if I can do it. "

He stooped down and slipped the blade of his knife through the bonds hehad put upon Thirkle, and then stepped away from him, with the knifeheld in guard, as if he expected the pirate to leap at him once he hadhis hands free. 

But Thirkle sat still for a few minutes, rubbing his wrists, and thencalled for the bottle. Petrak handed it to him, and he sipped the brandyand bathed his wounded head with it, sending Reddy to a pool of water atthe base of the cliff to wet his handkerchief, and then bound it aroundhis head. 

"It looks bad, but it didn't hurt much, Bucky, " he said, smiling. "Whathurt me more was to have ye turn on me the way ye did; but that's allpassed and gone, and we won't mention it again. "

"Mind ye, don't, " growled Buckrow, who was still in an angry mood andperhaps thought he had made a mistake in giving Thirkle freedom again. 

"Oh, limber up a bit, Bucky, " said Thirkle. "What's the use of us allgoing to Kingdom Come over a little fight, when we've had so muchfighting to get this? The gold turned all our heads, no doubt, but wecan't be fools through it. The stuff's no good here--the job's not doneyet, but I'll get ye all clear now if ye mind me and keep sober in port. Shake, old mate, and let's be friends again. "

He held out his hand to Buckrow, who took it, but awkwardly. I could seethat he feared Thirkle, even unarmed, and knew him for his master. 

"I'm cussed sorry, Thirkle, for what I done; but I felt ye wanted to dofor me, and I couldn't stand for that, " he said, with his eyes on theground. 

"All square now, Bucky, and never a word. Ye always did yer work well, and never a slip. "

"And didn't I do the same, Thirkle? Didn't I stand by?" asked Petrak, surveying his chief with an expression of surprise that he had beenoverlooked in commendation, much as a dog would seek petting. 

"You, too, " assented Thirkle, beaming on the little red-headed man. "Never was a better man when there was to be a knife used quick and neat;I'll say that for ye. Now, I want to take a little rest for a fewminutes, and if I was to have a word to say I'd suggest that you two getthe sacks stowed in the hole there. I want a little confab with Mr. Trenholm here, and I'll give a hand presently. If ye think it's fair, I'll rest a bit; but we ought to get that stuff snug away, and there's notime to be lost. "

Buckrow took away the belt and pistols, which had been unfastened from meafter my capture, and he and Petrak set to work carrying the sacks ofgold into the cleft in the cliff. 

"It looked bad for me a while back, Mr. Trenholm, " said Thirkle, sittingbeside me and offering a cigar, which I took. "I wasn't quite sure that Icould get myself out of that tangle. "

"You had a pretty good argument, " I commented, lighting the cigar, although my head throbbed so painfully that I knew I would not enjoy thesmoke. "I'm afraid I won't be able to have any plan to help you get awaywith the gold and so earn my own life. "

"My dear Mr. Trenholm, I'm sorry you didn't go down in the _Kut Sang_. Really I am, for you know I took quite a fancy to you in Manila. Youare of such an unsuspicious nature. "

"Oh, I had my suspicions well enough, but they were on the wrong track;in fact, I could not have done you justice--my imagination is not equalto it. The best I could do for you was to mistake you for a spy--aninadequate estimate, after what I have seen and heard of you. "

"You flatter me, my dear Mr. Trenholm. But it is entirely your own faultthat you are where you are. I tried to warn you, but you couldn't expectme to tell you my plans regarding the _Kut Sang_. I didn't want you inher, and I did my best to keep you out. Really remarkable, in a way. "

"What do you mean?"

"That you should happen to be a passenger--such an insistentpassenger--and as if you knew nothing about what was going in the ship. Really, you and Trego did well. "

"I think Trego made rather a mess of it, " I said. "If I had been in hisboots I would have told the captain what it was all about. "

"Why didn't you tell him? You could have told him about the gold as wellas Mr. Trego. "

"Indeed! Then, you believe I knew about the _Kut Sang's_ cargo. "

"I don't believe it, my dear Mr. Trenholm. I never accept a theory as afact. There was a time when I thought your connection with the affairended when you brought the orders from Saigon, but your persistence inpretending to buy a ticket in the _Kut Sang_ rather puzzled me for atime, and then I was afraid that you suspected me, and that I had gonetoo far in trying to keep you out of the vessel. "

"You are talking enigmas now. "

"But what surprised me most, " he resumed, disregarding my remark, "wasthat I purchased a ticket in the _Kut Sang_ at all. I looked for a trapthere, and if the game hadn't been so big I might have quit at the lastminute. "

"I am sure I don't know what you are talking about. "

"My dear Mr. Trenholm! Really, your attitude offends me. I cannot seewhat you expect to gain by pretending you knew nothing about thegold in the _Kut Sang_. That is absurd. You brought the order for it fromSaigon, and helped get the thing fixed, and yet you pretend that it isall a mystery to you. When I am willing to be so frank I cannot see whyyou should assume this manner. "

"Then, I knew all about the gold from the first, did I?"

"Certainly. What do you think Mr. Petrak and I kept so close at yourheels for in Manila?"

"Well, it did rather puzzle me for a while. Everywhere I turned you orthe little red-headed rascal seemed to be near. "

"And never seemed to remember having seen us in Saigon?"

"In Saigon? Were you in Saigon when I was there?"

"Left before you did, when we knew you had the order for the gold fromCommander Kousmitch. "

"Never met the gentleman. "

"Of course not. He got the cable-operator to have you deliver the orderin Manila for him. But I heard him and the cable-operator talk it over, and that was all I wanted, and left. So you didn't see us in Saigon? Itold Petrak you didn't, but he thought you did. That's one reason we gotso bold in Manila. "

"But the cable-operator told me the message didn't amount to much, andthat he would send duplicates by mail, anyway. "

"Of course he did. It didn't amount to much, except to give a code orderabout shipping this gold. And you dropped it in the bus, and I pickedit up, and you were rather rude to me, which proved that you either hadno suspicions about me, or knew it all and wanted to throw me off myguard. I believe you were actually laughing at me the last few hours inManila. I couldn't understand, unless you had things rigged to trip methe minute we sailed. 

"I was looking for it at dinner the minute we cast off; and what ascrimmage there would have been at that table if you had drawn one ofthose pistols! Why, Petrak and Buckrow and Long Jim were in the passagewith pistols ready to come in, and I would have shot you first, and thenTrego, for I knew Captain Riggs had no arms on his person. If I made awaywith you and Trego the next would have been Rajah, for the lad could havegiven a nasty cut with that kris. And I had to keep a close eye on Mr. Trego's malacca cane. "

"Oh, you did! I never suspected for a minute that you regarded Mr. Tregoas a dangerous character. "

"He never told you?"

"Never told me anything. I was introduced to him in a most casual way inthe bank, and was surprised to find him a passenger in the _Kut Sang_"

"He never told you about his cane? Most beautiful rapier you ever saw init. Always had it by him, but he overlooked it when he got up from thetable in the saloon last evening. Undoubtedly he was going for a pistol, but we had to get him when the time offered; and, besides, he was gettingready to tell Riggs all about me and my crew. There wasn't a second tolose. I met him as he was coming back and held him for Petrak, and we didthe job quietly. "

"It was something to be proud of, " I remarked. "I never would have giventhe Rev. Luther Meeker credit for it. "

"That's what made the character so valuable, " he grinned, feeling thebandage about his head tenderly. I saw that he was weaker than he hadled us to believe, and that he was suffering from his wound. 

"But you puzzled me when they found the body. I expected you to denounceme; but you foolishly kept in front of me, and I was ready to blow yourback out if you said a word, and we were all ready for the finest kind ofa fight, although I did not want to precipitate matters so soon. Really, you had me guessing for a time, and I couldn't understand your attitude, knowing what you did about me and the gold. Then I saw that you had plansof your own, and wanted it yourself. "

"It is you who flatter me now, " I told him, surprised at his revelations. 

"But you did want it, although I couldn't see how you figured to take itaway from me, or why you didn't tell Captain Riggs what you knew. "

"But I didn't know anything. I thought you were a spy, who mistook me forone, and I was letting you have your little joke out. "

"You didn't know about the gold, or Trego, or me?" he demanded. 

"I regret exceedingly that I didn't. If I had I would have blocked yourgame at the first opportunity. I suspected you were not a missionary, but I had never even heard of the Devil's Admiral. "

"Most extraordinary. "

"I agree with you. "

"I mean that you didn't know about the gold, when I thought you did. Imust confess that I made a tremendous mistake there. Really, it camenear being a failure--it would have been if Captain Riggs had not beenled to suspect you. I advised him to put you in irons after you were sentto your room--it seemed to be the easiest way to get you out of thefight. I was really afraid of you, Mr. Trenholm. "

"You seem to have gotten over it. This seems to be getting more of atangle all the time, and a sort of mutual-admiration society. I have noobjection to keeping up the conversation, but you pique my curiosity asto how it is all going to come out. As I have already remarked, I can'tsee any argument that would lead you to let me walk away from here unlessI tell you, as you told Petrak and Buckrow, that you'll hang. "

"Now, tut, tut! You can't play my game. I thought you had moreoriginality than that. You know too much now, and it would be prematureto tell the story of the _Kut Sang_ for several years. I'm afraid thatI'll have to write my own memoirs, but for posthumous publication, ofcourse. "

"I'm sure I would like to read them. You have turned murder into a fineart--you should have been a contemporary of the Borgias. "

"Do you know, Mr. Trenholm, I have thought of something like that myself. I am quite proud of my success. I would like if my career could bewritten down by a good hand at such things; but of course that isimpossible, for no man ever knew the Devil's Admiral and lived. I regretto say that you will be no exception in that respect, Mr. Trenholm. I'msorry you didn't go down in the _Kut Sang_ and save me what is bound tobe a disagreeable job. "

"In that case I would have missed the little drama between you and Mr. Buckrow. I rather enjoyed it. You seem to be an artist at other thingsbesides slaying men. "

"I am glad you liked it, but Bucky is rather hard to handle at times. There will be another act or two, and I'll give you a chance to see theclimax. "

"That's kind of you, although you upset dramatic conventions and I willfind it rather hard, I am afraid, to be a competent critic. Besides, Imight be prejudiced, having a personal interest in the outcome. "

"That won't matter much, " he smiled. "My critics are always short-lived. Bucky there came nearest to getting me, though. If it hadn't been forPetrak I never could have handled him. They can't bear the thought of arope. Whenever there was a hanging I took them to see it. Being a manof the cloth, I was admitted to all sorts of places, and, while I didn'ttravel openly with my men, I could mingle with them more or less in thecharacter of a missionary. "

He looked up at Buckrow, who stood over us scowling suspiciously, and hishand was close to his pistol. 

"What's wrong, Bucky?" purred Thirkle, moistening a cigar between hislips and giving Buckrow a searching glance. 

"I don't like that place in there for the gold, Thirkle. It's too wet tosuit me. "

"The dampness won't do any damage, Bucky. That's the best place on theisland, to my thinking; but, of course, if you don't like it we'llconsider it. "

"The gold will rust in there, " said Buckrow; and I knew he was in adangerous mood again. 

"Gold don't rust, Bucky, " called Petrak, standing in the crevice andgrinning at Thirkle. 

"That's the best place on the island, " said Thirkle soothingly. "This isthe ideal place. But if you don't like it in there, we won't put it inthere, and that's an end of it, Bucky. "

"But it'll all rust up into great gobs if it's left any great while--Idon't like so much water drippin' over the place, Thirkle. "

"Gold don't rust, Bucky, " called Petrak, and he laughed immoderately andslapped his knees with his hands. 

"But what better place is there, Bucky? It's getting late now, lads, andthat's the best place for it. "

"Then I vote to stow it and pipe down with the gabbin' with the writin'chap, " said Buckrow savagely. "It's time we got clear of here and tookto the boats by dark, Thirkle. I'm not for cruising over this blastedisland in the dark, and I don't fancy ye and the writin' chap gettin' sothick all of a sudden. If there's to be talk, we want to know what it'sabout, and I don't see no great gain in so much gossipin'. "

"That's entirely my idea, Bucky. My vote is that we put it in the crackthere and slick up around here so nobody can know what's been afoot. ButI want a rest, and there are some things I want to say to Mr. Trenholmhere that will be of use to us. Clap on, lads, and I'll be there soon. "

"That's my vote, " assented Petrak, grinning at Thirkle. "No argumentthere, Bucky. "

"Then, lay on again, ye fool, " growled Buckrow, turning to the sacks oncemore. "Cuss ye, Reddy, yer goin' to side with Thirkle ag'in' me, I cansee that. "

They picked up a sack and staggered into the caņon with it, and Thirklegrinned at me, and lit his cigar again. 

"See that, Mr. Trenholm? If I had let Bucky rule then I would have beenas good as dead. I had another chap in my crew like that. After he sawthe way I worked the game he wanted to kill me and take command himself. While he was making his plans to settle me the police got him for amurder he didn't do, and I trumped up the evidence against him, but neverappeared at the trial. 

"When he was condemned I told him I'd get him out all right. I had turnedthe trick before, with saws in the binding of Bibles, for some of my menin prison, and he had absolute faith in me, as all my men have. I wentaway on a little expedition after pearls down Mindanao way, and got backthe day he was to hang. I visited him an hour before he was to swing, andtold him it was all right and he was to escape at the last minute. 

"I walked up to the trap with him, and, while praying with the prisonchaplain, kept whispering it was all right, and he kept quiet until theyhad the cap over his head, and then he knew I had him. He tried to yellthat I was the Devil's Admiral---but it was too late then. I felt that Iwas justified---he would have killed me the next day. But it was a finejoke, to my mind, Mr. Trenholm. "

"Ain't ye goin' to quit gammin' with that chap and give us a hand here?"demanded Buckrow. "Is that what ye call all bein' equal, Mr. Thirkle?If ye do, I don't. "

He came toward us in a threatening manner, and Thirkle, seeing that hemust submit with good grace, got up and met him with a smile. 

"By all means, Bucky, we are equal, but I didn't think ye'd begrudge me alittle time after what happened. How does the gold fit in there?"

"Wet as a junk. We put the first sack in the eyes of her, but it's nokid's play, and we ought to have help, Mr. Thirkle, if we get clear awayfrom this island to-night. We can't swear there won't be no moon, and, moon or no, we want to be out of the jungle and at the boats by sundown. And what's the game with the writin' chap here? I'm minded to have him doa bit of this work. "

"Gold don't rust, do it, Thirkle?" asked Petrak. "I told Bucky gold don'trust but he don't like the water in there. "

"Oh, dry up!" growled Buckrow. "What with yer talk we'll be at this joball night--"

"I vote--" began Petrak. 

"To the devil with ye and yer votin'!" said Buckrow. "It's time we got towork, all hands, and so we will, and the writin' chap'll turn to and dohis bit, or I'll know why. If he ain't to do his part, or we don't makeno use of him, I say we'll up and do for him now and have it done with. Next ye know he'll make his getaway, and then a nice mess we'll be in. "

"We don't intend to let Mr. Trenholm get away, " said Thirkle. "I was justthinking, lads, that there are three of us, but counting Mr. Trenholm wemake four, and we can rattle him down so he can lift and carry, but notmuch else. "

"Then, lash his flippers down and put a bight on his legs, " said Buckrow;and he brought rope and began to fashion it into knots. 

There was a minute when I was tempted to jump and run for it; but itwould have meant certain death, for the three of them stood over me, twoof them loaded down with pistols, and I would have had a poor chance ofgetting away. 

There was a promise of delay in the work to be done; and, not knowingwhat had become of Captain Riggs, there was the bare possibility that hemight come upon the pirates' camp and attack them from ambush when he sawthat I was a captive. 

If I made the slightest resistance to the hampering ropes they put on me, with the cunning knots known to seamen, I knew they would not hesitate tomake an end of me. So I stood up and allowed Buckrow to lash my wrists tomy knees in such a way that I was bent nearly double, but with my handssufficiently free to grasp a burden, and my feet hobbled for shortsteps. 

We began the work of putting the sacks of gold into the hole in thecliff, and I set at the task with a prayer that before it was finishedand my life was of no further value to the pirates I might find anopportunity to escape. 

CHAPTER XIX

"ONE MAN LESS IN THE FORECASTLE MESS"

"Ye can let him work with ye, Thirkle, " said Buckrow. "As ye and thewritin' chap seem to have a lot of chin, pair off with him; and, as thetwo of ye don't bear arms, he can't get his paws on a gun or knife thatway. You two work ahead of me and Petrak, and then we can keep an eye onthe both of ye. 

"It strikes me you and the writin' chap is gettin' thick--too blastedthick to suit me, Thirkle, if ye want to know. Mind ye don't come none ofyer smart tricks now, or I won't wait for ye to go explainin' of what yemean. Savvy that?"

"Tut, tut, man!" said Thirkle. "How can you have any doubts about whatwill happen to Mr. Trenholm? I suppose you think I want to take himalong with us so he can write this all up for the newspapers? I'msurprised at you, Bucky. Don't you know my ways yet?"

"That's all right, " growled Buckrow, who was in an ill humour. "We was towork even, and ye ain't been doin' yer part, Thirkle. A bargain's abargain I'd have ye know, and I'm to see ye keep to yer part of it. "

"Pipe down--pipe down, Bucky, " said Petrak, who seemed in glee after thebrandy he had had. "It's the drink talkin', Bucky. We're all good chaps, and Thirkle's A No. 1, and we got the gold to stow. "

"Don't come no bos'n manners to me, " retorted Buckrow savagely. "I ain'tgoin' to stand for none such from ye, Red. Yer sidin' with Thirkle, and Iknow that, and I'm as good a man as Thirkle; and I'm boss here, even orno even. I'm boss! Understand that? Thirkle and ye can have yer votes ifye want; but I'm boss, and I'll drill the two of ye. "

"Ye ain't goin' to fight, be ye Bucky?"

"I'll put all hands under ground--that's what, if ye don't turn to; andthere's too much gammin' and gabbin' here to suit me, I'd have ye know. "

Petrak looked at Thirkle as if in doubt about Buckrow's sanity, andThirkle gave him a look that seemed to me to be a message, and he made afurtive signal which I was not able to interpret. 

"Steady as she goes, mates; steady as she goes, " purred Thirkle. "This isno time to quarrel. We'll have a gunboat down on us if we don't getaway soon, and there's a lot to do yet before we leave. Let Bucky alone, Red. "

"Then ye and the writin' chap lay on and move lively, " snarled Buckrow, and Thirkle had me take hold of a sack behind him, and, with him leadingthe way, we carried it into the miniature caņon. 

The sacks were heavy, but were bound with ropes which served as handles, and were not hard to move until we got into the narrow cleft, where Ifound that my shoulders bumped along the walls as I swayed from side toside, or missed my footing on the damp, slippery ground. 

Buckrow and Petrak followed us in with another sack, and when Thirkle hadgone as far as he could he pulled our sack forward under his feet andstowed it in the angle where the walls joined. Then I had to pass thesecond sack on to him, taking it from Petrak, who was next to me, andthen we turned in our tracks and went out again. 

The brush on the top of the cliff overlapped the crevice, so that it wasquite dark a few feet from the entrance. The walls were slippery with athick, funguslike moss, from which cool water dripped. 

"That gold will rust in here sure as a nigger's black, " grumbled Buckrow, as he felt his way out. "I don't like this place at all. "

"Best place on the island, " whispered Thirkle. "Tell him it's the bestplace on the island, Reddy. "

"It's the best place on the island, Bucky. I don't see as we could dobetter. "

"I don't care what ye think of it; I say it'll rust in there, " saidBuckrow. 

"You had better go in backward this time, " said Thirkle. "You may find ita little harder, Mr. Trenholm; but perhaps it will be more convenient. "

"What's that?" demanded Buckrow. "Who go in first?"

"It will be easier if Mr. Trenholm goes in first, " said Thirkle. "He'llhave to go backward, but he'll find it easier to navigate. "

"Oh, no, he won't!" said Buckrow. "I see your game, Thirkle. Ye want tocome out behind Mr. Petrak and borrow a gun. We'll let you go in first, and the writin' chap can come out atween ye and Petrak. Don't come noneof them games on me, Thirkle. I'm too old a fish. "

We went in with the second lot of sacks in the same order, but I sawanother exchange of signals between Thirkle and Petrak before we stoopedfor our burdens. 

Before we had gone ten feet inside the crevice Thirkle coughed, andPetrak, close behind him said: "Gold don't rust. "

"I say it do, " declared Buckrow. "Six months' time in here'll have thisstuff with whiskers on it like a Singapore tramp that hasn't been dockedin a dog's age. "

"I say gold don't rust, " persisted Petrak. "How about it, Thirkle? Doesgold rust? I say it don't, and Bucky says it do. "

"You're right, Reddy, but don't quarrel now, " said Thirkle. "It won'trust because gold doesn't rust. "

"I don't give a tinker's hang what Thirkle says!" cried Buckrow, throwingdown his end of the sack. "I'm here to say gold will rust if it's keptwet, and that's an end of it. Gold do rust, Thirkle or no Thirkle, and Isay it. "

"All right, " agreed Reddy. "Lay on, Bucky, and let's get this job overand done with!"

"White-livered little fool!" I heard Thirkle mutter. "He doesn't dare doit!"

I heard Petrak and Buckrow coming on, and we were soon at the end of theblack hole. 

"This is a fine place, lads, " said Thirkle. "It will keep in here as wellas if buried in white, dry sand. "

"Maybe it will and maybe it won't, " growled Buckrow. "I don't call no wethole like this fine, and never did, and I'm minded to bury the rest ofit outside. "

"Never a bit of hurt in the water, Bucky, " said Petrak cheerily. "We'llput many of these shiners over the bar of the Flag and Anchor, Bucky, andhave many a pipe over our drink. "

"Ye don't catch me in no Flag and Anchor. I'll have my drop of liquor inthe Flagship and you can go to the devil for yours, for all I mind. Whatif this blasted hole closes up some day? What then? It'll be a fine placethen, no doubt. Hey, Mr. Thirkle? What then?"

"No fear of that, " said Thirkle. "It's wider at the top than at thebottom, and the tops hang away. I looked into all that when I decided toput it in here. There isn't as much water as ye think, Bucky; and it'sunder foot what there is of it, and, the way we've got it stowed here, one atop of the other, only the bottom one'll be very wet--and gold don'trust. "

"These guineas will be thick with scale, and ye'll need a chipping hammerto clean 'em when ye have 'em outside again. Ye talk about folks bein'suspicious of gold, but I say they're quicker to turn up their noses andsay things about gold that's been stowed in the wet and turned black. "

"But gold don't rust, Bucky. That's sure--gold don't rust, " said Petrak. 

"That's all very well: but I mind when I dropped half a crown in a poolback home, and in a fortnight it was thick as my hand. Think I'm a fool?I know what I'm talkin' about, if ye don't. Go ahead and side withThirkle if ye like. "

"That was silver, Bucky. Gold don't rust like that. I always knew golddon't rust, and now Thirkle says it don't, and Thirkle knows, as healways did. Mind we always asked Thirkle?"

"I'm not asking him any more if ye want to know, vote or no vote. My voteis as good as Thirkle's, and it's good as yours; and ye can side with himif ye want. "

"But gold don't rust, " said Petrak mockingly. 

"Ye think I'm a fool?" shrieked Buckrow, turning on Petrak. He wasnearest the outside, and I could see his figure silhouetted against thelight at the entrance. He stooped down and put his face close to Petrak. 

"Fool or not, gold don't rust, I'm telling ye Buck--"

"Then take that from a fool!" And Buckrow struck him square in the facewith his fist, hurling him back on my shoulders, so that I fell forwardon my hands. 

"That's rotten mean, Bucky, " I heard Petrak whining. "That's rotten meanin here in the dark, Bucky. "

"That _is_ rotten mean, Petrak, " said Thirkle indignantly. "I wouldn'tstand for that if I were you. "

"Oh, ye wouldn't, hey? Well, we'll see what ye stand for soon's ye comeout into the clear--that's what we'll see, Thirkle. "

"It's rotten mean, " whimpered Petrak. "I wouldn't do the likes o' that toye, Bucky; not if ye never agreed along with me--it's rotten mean. "

"Ye'll get worse as that is. Now, does gold rust, ye little runt? Say it!Does gold rust?"

"That's hardly fair, Bucky, " said Thirkle. "That's hardly fair on thelittle chap after he's stood by ye so long. "

"Fair enough for me, Thirkle, and fair enough for ye it'll be when yecome out. "

"What do ye mean by that, Buck?" demanded Thirkle, speaking over myshoulder; and then he whispered to Petrak: "Give it to him, Red--now'syer chance. Quick, lad!"

"Soon enough ye'll find out what I mean, Thirkle; that's what. If the twoof ye think yer going to side together ag'in' me, well and good; but lookout for Bad Buckrow, I say. I'll make my meanin' blasted clear, too. Mindthat. "

"My jaw's broke!" cried Petrak, struggling to his feet, breathing hard. Then without warning he sprang on Buckrow's back with a snarl like ananimal, and the two of them went down in the narrow passage. 

"Gawd a'mighty!" screamed Buckrow, with every bit of air in his lungs, and I heard Petrak strike again. 

"Red--he got me--he--"

"Good!" said Thirkle into my ear, as if speaking to me. "I never thoughtthe little chap had the innards for it, but he did as long as he couldstrike from behind. "

Petrak was holding Buckrow down, and his victim was breathing hard andwrithing under him, with his face buried in the ground. He coughed twice, as if there was something caught in his throat, and then was still. 

"Did ye get him Petrak?"

"I done for him, Thirkle. I done for him good. That's the last of Bucky. Mind how I fooled him, Thirkle? Said my jaw was broke. "

"Good work, Reddy, lad. Good work, but be sure or he'll wing ye yet. Surehe ain't playing chink with ye?"

"Oh, he's done right enough. That leaves two of us--hey, Thirkle? Ye knowBucky would a done for ye but for me--wouldn't he, Thirkle? Ye knowthat's right--don't ye, Thirkle?"

"That's right, Reddy, " said Thirkle. "It's a good job he's done for--andnow there is two of us, you and me, Reddy. I never did like Bucky; but Ilike you, Red. He wanted his fight, and he got it. I knew ye wouldn'ttake that from him. No man could stand for such as that in here. "

"That leaves all the more for us--don't it, Thirkle?"

"All the more for us, Reddy. Drag him out, and now we'll settle thisnavvy's job. It's one man less in the fo'c'sle mess, and dead men tell notales; and now we'll have to do the work a bit short-handed; but we canclean it up between us now, and no more fighting going on. "

Petrak pulled the body out after him, and Thirkle helped him carry itinto the brush, where they dumped it without ceremony, and Thirkle foundanother bottle of brandy and offered it to Petrak. 

"I'll just take a pair of these pistols, Reddy, " he said, relieving himof the belt he had taken from Buckrow. "You don't need all those pistols, now that Bucky is done for. "

"But ye was to bear no arms, Thirkle, " grinned Petrak. 

"That's what I told Bucky, but you and me'll get along better than we didwith Bucky; and ye don't intend to hold me to that--do ye, Red?"

"I was only joking a bit, Thirkle. We're together now on the split, ain'twe? Well, friends don't have to make such agreements. I sail with you, and you sail with me; and no articles signed beyond that, I say. What, Thirkle?"

"That's what. Have another drink, Red. That was a good job ye did for mewith Bucky, even if he did play you mean. "

"He was a bad one, all right, " agreed Petrak, wiping his mouth and givingThirkle the bottle. "Bad Buckrow they called him when I first knew him, and bad he was to the end; but I never looked to give to him, leastwisenot the way I did, in a hole like that. Howsome it be, I don't stand forno smash in the mouth like he give me--ain't that right, Thirkle?"

"Right you are, but it's time we had this stuff cleaned up now. You andMr. Trenholm set at it while I put Bucky under ground. "

Petrak and I resumed the work of carrying the sacks into the crevice, while Thirkle busied himself at digging a grave in the soft sand near theplace they had deposited Buckrow's body. The little red-headed man beganto whistle a music-hall tune softly, but Thirkle cautioned him againstmaking any unnecessary noise. 

I was in an agony from my cramped position, and tugging at the sacksserved to increase my torture. The tangle of ropes which Buckrow had puton my ankles caught in loose stones and chafed the flesh until the bloodcame; and my wrists, pulled down with tight knots, which I had to strainagainst to keep my balance, throbbed and pained and tingled, my armsbeing numbed by the blood in the bound arteries. 

Petrak kept before me, with the sacks between us, and his bloody knifepulled to the front of his belt. After he had stowed each sack he helpedme back out, or assisted me to turn, which was always a hard task for me. 

If I let my end of the sack slip out of my fingers he was ready for mewith knife or pistol, so there was no opportunity to take a pistol orknife from him, even if I had not been helplessly hobbled. 

"Mind ye don't try any monkey-business with me, " he warned the secondtime we went in. "If ye do, I'll give ye what Bucky got, and ye mindthat. I'm no gent to fool with, as ye ought to savvy by this; and if yethink I be, try something. "

But, for all his warning, I was ready to risk death if I saw the chanceto make a fight. I hoped that Thirkle would give him more of the brandy, but Thirkle kept the bottle to himself. When we pressed into the creviceI wore the ropes on my wrists against the stones as much as I could, trying to cut the bonds on the rough points of the walls. Once I stumbledand fell and groped for a splinter of stone, but he menaced me with hisknife and kicked me until I got to my feet again. 

I had given up hope of being rescued by Captain Riggs. Even if he foundthe camp, I doubted that he would attack until it would be too late forme, as he would naturally suppose Buckrow and Long Jim to be near by. 

It was coming on toward twilight, and there were still seven sacks to becarried in. Thirkle had finished burying Buckrow, and set to dragging thesacks close to the entrance of the crevice, so we would not have to carrythem so far. 

Petrak made several attempts to talk with him; but Thirkle made shortanswers, for when he took the pistols he had dropped his mask ofaffability and assumed his old commanding airs. 

"It'll be dark before we get back to the boats, " suggested Petrak, as westood over the five sacks which were left. 

"Mighty dark, " said Thirkle gruffly, sitting cross-legged, counting apacket of English banknotes. 

"That's what ye want, aint' it?" asked Petrak, who noticed that Thirklewas not so friendly as he had been. 

"You keep to work and never mind so much talk, " said Thirkle. "If yestand there that way, it'll be morning before we get away. "

"I'm workin', ain't I? Can't a man stop to breathe, himself, I'd like toknow?"

Thirkle made no reply, but went on running his thumb over the ends of thenotes. I stood and watched them, waiting for Petrak to stoop and takea sack. 

"Yer goin' to play fair with me--ain't ye, Thirkle?" whined Petrak, atrace of fear crossing his face. "We're in together, share and sharealike now--ain't we, Thirkle? I can ask that, can't I?"

"Ye'll get yer share, Reddy, " said Thirkle, smiling. 

"That's half--ain't it, Thirkle? Ye mind what I done for ye with Bucky, don't ye?"

"Aye, half of it, of course, Red. Reef that jaw of yours now, lad, andclap on. Don't stand there like a Jew and wrangle over the loot. Want tostop and count it now, lad?"

"Ye told Long Jim to do for me--didn't ye, Thirkle?" Petrak grinned, andhis fingers twitched toward the butt of a pistol. I knew what was in hismind. 

"What's that?" demanded Thirkle. "Oh, run along now, Red, like a goodchap, and get the gold stowed. Didn't I tell ye to get Long Jim, anddidn't ye get him? What more's to be said? Run along now, Reddy, and packit away. "

"That's what Long Jim said, " insisted Petrak doggedly. There was murderin his eyes, while his face was livid with fear. 

"Then he lied, and ye ought to take my word against his. Don't be a foolnow, Reddy, like the others. Ye'll get your share, bank on that. Yer agood sort, Petrak; and I need ye to help me get it away, and we'll shareand share alike, as I told ye. Do you think I'd play dirt with ye afterall we've been through together, Reddy?"

"Course not. Don't mind my lip, Thirkle, old chap. No harm done, isthere?"

"No harm done, Reddy, " said Thirkle, glancing at me suspiciously, as ifhe thought I had been turning Petrak against him. 

"No harm in what I say, Thirkle, " and Petrak took up the end of the sack. His mistrust of Thirkle gave me an idea, which I put into play as soon aswe were well inside the crevice. 

"Petrak, " I whispered dropping my end of the sack, and compelling him tolet it down. 

"What's up now?" he whispered. 

"He'll kill you, too, Reddy. He's planning it out; and if you let him, he'll kill both of us before he quits this island. Are you going to lethim do it, Reddy?"

He growled out something and fumbled at his belt, and it was touch and gowith him whether he would knife me and then run out and tell Thirkle togain credit with him. 

"His mind is made up, Reddy. He may let us help him get a boat into thewater, but that's all. He'll murder both of us like dogs. "

"Old Thirkle's all right, " he said weakly, as if he felt the truth ofwhat I said, but lacked courage to attack Thirkle. 

"Reddy, he'll kill you!" I went on, seeing that I was on the right track, and that fear of death at Thirkle's hands was uppermost in his mind. 

He had caught enough in Thirkle's manner since the death of Buckrow tosee that he was not going to get a just division of the loot, at the veryleast, and, knowing the ruthlessness of his master, he had doubts aboutescaping with his life. Besides, I believed he had been tempted by thethought that he might kill Thirkle and then have it all to himself. 

"He told Long Jim to kill you? Don't you see the way the devil had itplanned to get rid of you? He planned to kill you all, once he had thisgold on the island. You should never have come back after I shot LongJim. Why did you come back? You know he'll kill you. "

"I wanted to see where they hide the gold, that's what. Then, when Iraised you there in the grass it come in my head to grab ye, and come infor my share of the gold, seeing Long Jim was done for. "

His friendly mood encouraged me, but, if I let him ramble on with his ownaffairs, I would not be able to convince him that Thirkle was plotting toslay him. So I began with him again. 

"Thirkle will kill the both of us. You heard what he said about being agentleman. He has been an officer in the navy, Reddy, and he won't wantyou or any other man to know he was a pirate when he goes back to London. He wouldn't feel safe if he let you live. He cares no more for you thanhe did for Buckrow or Long Jim--you ought to know that. "

"Oh, Thirkle is all right, " he said in a way that exasperated me. 

"He wouldn't look at you twice in London or anywhere else. He'll ridhimself of you as soon as he needs you no more, which will be as soon asthe gold is stowed and he has a boat in the water. Now is your chance ifyou ever had it. "

"Thirkle is all right. "

"He had it planned to kill Buckrow. Then he argued the two of you intoletting him go. Can't you see that he is playing the game to have it allfor himself? Are you going to be a fool all your life, man?"

"Then ye'd do for me after I done for him, " he said. 

"Give me a gun and cut me loose and I'll shoot him myself and I'll seethat you get your share of the gold, which you won't from him. You canhave it all if you'll let me kill him, and if he kills me you can sayI cut my hands loose and grabbed a gun. You don't stand to loseanything--come on. Cut me loose and I'll take the chance you don't dareto. "

"Thirkle's all right, " he droned, picking up the sack again. "I know yourgame--ye want to do for the both of us and have it all for yourself. Finejob that would be! Nice I'd look givin' you a gun, wouldn't I! Lay onthat sack. "

"He's all very pleasant now, " I went on as I stooped for the rope. "Waituntil he has finished with us and the gold is packed, and then see whatwill happen--you'll wish you had listened to me. "

"Pipe down with that, " he growled, and I saw the uselessness of trying tomake the lout see reason. I now began to fear that he would tell Thirklewhat I had said to him. 

When we went out for another sack, Petrak looked over at Thirkle andhesitated as if he wanted to say something, but Thirkle was writing in alittle book, with a pistol between his feet. 

"Well, what is it now?" he demanded truculently, having seen somethingsuspicious in Petrak's manner. "What's the lay now? What have ye got yerhand so close to that gun for? Take a shot at me if you want--go on, takea shot at old Thirkle, if ye're that game. "

"Only a habit o' mine, keepin' my gun well for'ard, Thirkle, " whimperedPetrak, shivering. "I have to keep a close eye on the writin' chap, Thirkle. No offence, I hope. "

"Look lively now, lad, " said Thirkle, turning amiable again, but only toreassure Petrak. "Here's the last of it and get it away and we'll getunder way. "

We carried another sack in and I waited until we were at the far end andhad dumped it before I began again with Petrak. I knew his naturaltreachery was near the surface, and it needed but little urging to bringhim to the point when he would turn against Thirkle. 

"We might as well say good-bye now, " I said as mournfully as I could. "You remember I treated you pretty well in Manila, and I'm sorry for younow. It doesn't matter much with me how I end now, because Thirkle hasthe drop on me, but I'm sorry for you--you ought to have your share ofit, and Thirkle ought to play fair with you, but he won't. That devil outthere will kill us both in the next ten minutes unless you give me a gunand let me kill him. I'm not afraid of him--give me a gun!"

"Thirkle ain't bad, " he said, as if trying to convince himself that hewas not afraid of Thirkle. "He ain't bad--he said he'd play fair with me, and he will. "

I laughed gently. 

"Yes, he'll play fair--with himself. He's out there now putting downdirections for getting back here--alone. Give me a gun, and let me free, and I'll kill him for you. When I've settled him I'll call you, and if hegets me it's all the same--except that you'll lose in the end. 

"But with me you have a chance to win--can't you see that? You haven't achance with Thirkle. If he gets me, don't trust him--shoot him theminute you can get the muzzle of your pistol on him. If you let metry you have two chances at him, and you can kill me if you chooseafterward--or give me a knife if you don't dare to let me have a gun. "

"He'll do for ye. Not a chance for ye with Thirkle in gun-play. "

"But give me a chance to fight for my life, " I pleaded. "If I can put himout of the way, so much the better for you; but it's death for both of usif we go on this way. Give me a gun, and I swear I'll let you go free ifwe ever get off this island. "

"He'll kill you and then come and get me, " he whined. "There ain't achance to get Thirkle as easy as that. He'll do for me if you take a shotat him. "

"Of course he will if we stand here and argue about it until it is toolate!" I stormed at him. "Pass me a gun--don't be a fool, Reddy. Quick!Cut these ropes from my hands and give me a pistol and let me show youhow to draw your Mr. Thirkle's teeth!"

CHAPTER XX

THE LAST

"What's all this social chatter between you two?" demanded Thirkle fromthe entrance to the crevice. I did not know how much he had overheard, but I determined to make one more effort to get the pistol. 

"Quick, " I whispered to Petrak. "Hand me the gun and free my hands!"

"It ain't me, " whined Petrak. "It's the writin' chap here. Get alongout, " and he struck me over the head and I knew I had lost, althoughthere was a doubt that Petrak would ever have given me the pistol. 

"What's he up to now, Reddy? What's the nice young man trying to do?"

"Wanted to do for ye, that's what, Thirkle. Wanted a gun, but he got nogun from me. Said you wouldn't play fair with me, Thirkle, but I saidye would. "

"So ye want to take a hand in things here, do you, Mr. Trenholm?" saidThirkle as I came out. "Still got an idea you can beat old Thirkle at hisown game. Learning new tricks, I see. Before long ye'd be ready to bossthe job. Didn't take ye long to forget what I told ye of the other smartchap who wanted to settle me and take command himself, did it?"

"You stick to your pen and typewriter, Mr. Trenholm, and let me run myown crew--nice pirate ye'd make, with silk underwear and a typewriter, "and he and Petrak laughed loudly at the joke, "I told him you would kill him, and so you will, " I said, mustering asmuch defiance as I could under the circumstances. 

"Kill Mr. Petrak here! Ha, ha, ha! Why, he's my partner, Mr. Petrak is, and we're going to share this gold together, share and share alike, asgentlemen do. "

"He wanted to do for ye, Thirkle, " said Petrak, flattered by his masterand unable to see the sly sarcasm of Thirkle in his joy at being assuredof his position, and of getting his share of the gold. "I never give himthe chance, Thirkle. Now if it was some--say Buckrow or Long Jim, theymight give him a gun, but not Petrak. Ye know I ain't the kind to turn ona pal, Thirkle, and I say you stick to me and I'll stick to you, comewhat do. Ain't that right, Thirkle?"

"Reddy, yer true blue, " and he took Petrak's hand and shook itvigorously, and patted the little rat on the back. "Stick to Thirkle andThirkle will stick to you like a Dutch uncle, and never mind what Mr. Trenholm has to say. He's not in this, or won't be long, and it won't bemany days before we are counting out the gold between us. 

"I've got enough five-pound notes here to buy the little yacht, and I'lltake some of the gold, but not much. We'll be back here before the monthis out, all slick and snug, and then away for London. "

"I'll stick like paint, Thirkle; lay to that, " said Petrak, grinning atme. "I knew he was on the wrong course when he come that gun talk to me, and I told him Thirkle was all right, and that I knowed ye better thanhim, and so I do--hey, Thirkle?"

"You had better give me your pistols until you are done, Reddy. Ye can'ttrust these gentlemen who write--they have too much imagination, andthey are too foxy for men like you and me, Reddy. There's no telling whathe might do in there if you have guns and knives on ye. Pass 'em over, Reddy, or he'll do for us yet. "

Petrak gave up his weapons joyfully, not realizing that he was beingdisarmed for the very purpose I had warned him about--Thirkle was gettingready to finish his job in earnest. 

"Now get along and dump the last of it in there, and move navy style orwe'll be here at dark. No more soldiering, Petrak: and see that ye keepyer jaw battened down, Mr. Trenholm, or I'll take a hand in this that yewon't relish and attend to ye in a way ye won't fancy. "

"Ye'll play fair with me, won't ye, Thirkle?" asked Petrak. 

"Fair as ye deserve. Move along with that cargo. "

Petrak began to whine to himself, and I said nothing more until we wentin with the last sack. 

"You fool, he'll kill you as I told you he would, but you are too latenow. "

"Oh, Thirkle's all right, " he grumbled; but he seemed worried since hehad given up the pistols, and he saw plainly enough that Thirkle's mannerhad changed in no undecided way since Petrak had surrendered his weapons. 

"All clear, " said Thirkle, as we came out. He was measuring rope, and hadhis jacket on and a bundle rolled up, and all the camp litter was removedand dead leaves scattered over our tracks. 

"Can I have my guns now, Thirkle? I don't like to go down the trailwithout a gun--no knowin' what might happen. "

"Never would do yet, Reddy. Take this knife and cut the lines away fromMr. Trenholm's feet, and we'll fix him so he can navigate back to theboats. You take the lead back, Reddy, because you know the way betterthan I do, and I'll make Mr. Trenholm fast to ye, and follow on. We'llneed to look sharp to make the beach before dark. "

"But I want my guns, Thirkle. Fair play's fair play, and I want my guns. "

"Never mind the guns, I say. Mr. Trenholm will be right at your back allthe way down, and we can't take any chances now, Reddy. I'll settle himwhen the boats are off, and then you won't have anything to worry about. Cut his feet loose. "

"What style of a funeral would suit him?" asked Petrak, busy with thecords at my feet. 

"We'll have to select something special for Mr. Trenholm. How about thesame go-off we gave Caldish? Remember Caldish? Wanted to say his prayers. Quick and neat it was, and no mess. "

"If he helps with the boats, how about a tow out at the end of a painter, Thirkle? He'll make good shark bait, only some skinny. "

"That would do for him nicely, Reddy. We'll let him push the boat wellout, and, when he has her clear, pull away and give him plenty of line. That's a capital idea, Reddy, and we'll use it. "

They bound my arms to my sides, and put the end of the rope roundPetrak's waist, so that I was about five feet behind him when it wastaut. In this way we set out for the beach, with Petrak in the lead andThirkle, carrying his bundle and smoking a cigar, treading on my heels, to make me keep close up. 

The sun was not quite down, but the jungle was filling with shadows, and, once the sun got below the horizon, night would close down on us with thetropical swiftness that knows no twilight, and the day would go out likea candle under a snuffer. 

Thirkle had been drinking of the brandy, and was in a jolly mood, and hehad given Petrak a good swig of it to lighten the little rascal's feet, but I refused the bottle when it was offered to me, for, low as myspirits were, and racked as my body was, I could not come to accept theirghastly hospitality. 

If I let the rope tighten between me and Petrak, Thirkle prodded me withthe point of a knife, and, as I was faint with hunger and thirst, andutterly worn out, I frequently stumbled and fell, when they both set uponme and beat me to my feet. Petrak pulling me up with the rope, whileThirkle scourged me with a leather thong. 

We had been on the road about half an hour when I recognized the spotwhere Captain Riggs had crawled into the brush to rest, and I began tocomplain loudly and made as much noise as possible, hoping that thecaptain and Rajah might still be concealed near by. 

"Keep close!" yelled Petrak, as I let the rope tighten and hung back. 

"Get along or I'll flay ye alive!" thundered Thirkle, which was what Iwanted him to do. 

"Then don't let those low limbs fly back on me, " I cried as loudly as Idared without exciting their suspicion of my purpose. "They knock me offmy feet, and that's why I can't keep close up. "

"Shut yer jaw, " said Thirkle, and I stumbled along again, wondering whathad become of Captain Riggs, and wondering if he had been lured into thejungle by the shots I had exchanged with Long Jim, and was lost. 

I kept straining at the cords about me, but although I hurt the wounds onmy wrists until I was weak from pain, I could not free myself. If nothingbetter offered, I was determined to make a dash at Thirkle if he freed myhands to work at the boat. If I could not surprise him in the dark andget hold of a knife or pistol, I could at least give him a fight even ifI died in a last attempt to save myself. I much preferred to die fightingthan at the end of a rope in the water, as Petrak had suggested. 

I knew they would have to find the oars before they could get a boataway, and the missing plugs might cause them a deal of trouble if theylaunched the boats without noticing their loss. I hoped that I might finda chance of escape in the darkness if the boat filled with them afterthey got it into the water. 

Finally we came to level ground, and I knew we were close to the beach, for we could hear the rollers. The brush was thicker in the marsh, and wegot off the trail, but we could see patches of the moonlight on the waterahead, and caught the white flash of the waves tumbling on the shingle. 

Petrak left the bed of the brook and pushed his way straight aheadthrough the dense foliage which shut us off from the beach. I fell andmade a great racket, setting up a wail about my leg and swearing that Ihad broken it, and begging Thirkle to help me. 

He struck at me with his thong, and, although he missed, I screamed atthe top of my voice, as a warning to Captain Riggs, in case he should belurking about. Besides, I hoped my play that I had been badly crippledwould give me a better opportunity to escape or to attack them, as theywould be more careless if they thought I was perfectly helpless. 

"I'll give ye something to yell about soon, " said Thirkle. "Just wait awhile and I'll give ye something to make a real fuss about. Maybe yethink there's a ship near--maybe there is; but it won't do ye much good, so let's not have any more of this bawling. I thought ye was gamer thanthat, my fine Mr. Trenholm. "

"Here we are, Thirkle!" cried Petrak, pushing the wall and bushes asideand showing us the moonlit sea and the loom of the mainland shoulderingup into the stars. "It can't be far to the boats, Thirkle. "

We went out into the still warm sand. The moon, lean in its firstquarter, hung over the top of the island, silvering the sand and playingwith the gaunt shadows of the palm-trees, distorting them into queershapes and making grotesque patterns under our feet. The breeze, thesnoring of the waves, the sense of freedom after the hot, reeking jungle, refreshed me, and I almost forgot the doom that threatened. Thirkle stooda minute and scanned the channel, muttering to himself. 

"Looks all clear, sir, " said Petrak. 

"All clear, Reddy. Push on, lad; the boats are right ahead. "

"Here we are, sir, all snug, " called Petrak, and I saw the indistinctpile in the shadow of the brush which marked the cache of boats. 

"No matches, Reddy. Mind ye don't make a flash or we'll have some crafton the prowl along here. We can't take any chances. "

"Cut me loose from this cussed line, Thirkle. We can take a turn on atree and hold the writin' chap until we have need for him. "

Thirkle cut him free from me, and they bound me to a broken palm-stump. Ipleaded to be put on the ground, complaining about my leg, and Petrakfinally wrapped the rope about my legs and threw me to the ground, moreto keep me quiet than to ease my supposed suffering. They left me layinghelpless in a thicket of young bamboo shoots, with my head and shouldersin the sand. I managed to wriggle on my side so that I had view of theboats, and, what was better, I got my teeth into the rope on my hands andbegan gnawing it desperately. 

"Which boat has the stores, Reddy? I'm twisted all around. "

"The nighest, Thirkle. The nighest has the stores, and the other thetackle. "

"You go round the other side for the block, Reddy. We better take thespare boat with us and set it adrift after we clear the channel, or loadit with stones and let it go down after we are clear of the island. Thenwe'll get the wind and slip down the coast to the first native town. That's better than waiting to be picked up and having to answer questionsthat wouldn't carry by. No Manila-bound boat for us, to land about thetime the _Kut Sang_ was reported overdue. "

"Right ye are, Thirkle, " said Petrak, stumbling about in the dark. "It'sblack as a Kroo boy in here, " and presently he began to drag the blockthrough the dead leaves and brambles. 

"'No need for the tackle, sir, once we get clear of the sand, in my mind. We can skid 'em with oars, and lighten the stowed one--hey, Thirkle? Iain't for leavin' no marks hereabouts, and we can drag some bushes overthe wake we leave in the sand, so--"

"We'll see about that when we get clear, " said Thirkle gruffly. "Hold yerlip now. "

Thirkle was busy pulling the palm-leaves from the boats and clearing thelitter with which they had covered their cache. I could hear him tuggingat the sail which they had spread over the outer boat. The moonlight wasgetting brighter, and more stars were coming out, and the jungle wasbeginning to awaken. A lizard set up a monotonous croak in the branchesoverhead, and insects and unseen things began to stir in the foliage. 

"Blast this mess of halyards and gear Bucky strewed alongside--"

I heard Thirkle draw his breath sharply as he left the sentenceunfinished. He drew away from the boat in a quick, involuntary movement, and I managed to twist my neck so that I could observe him. He stoodmotionless for a minute, his figure a queer fretwork of light and shadowfrom the creepers and palms. 

"Reddy!" he called cautiously. "Oh, Petrak!" Something in his tones--asuggestion of suspicion that everything was not right--thrilled me. Petrak did not hear him as he was fumbling with the block in the sand andmuttered about a jammed rope. 

"Petrak!"

"Aye, " said Petrak. "I'll give ye a hand next minute, sir. "

"Come here, " commanded Thirkle with a hand on a pistol. 

"What's up?" demanded Petrak, getting to his feet. "Can't ye startit--what's wrong, Thirkle?"

"Come up here and haul out some of the gear in this boat--move navystyle, lad--we can't be wasting the whole night! Reach in there andclear that mess of halyard. "

But Petrak did not move. He knew something was wrong; but whether it wasThirkle he feared, or what Thirkle seemed afraid of, I did not know. Ithought he suspected treachery. 

"What's wrong, Thirkle?" he demanded. 

"Come on up here, can't ye?"

"What ye want, Thirkle? No funny business for me. Speak out what ye want. Ye ain't goin' to do me dirt, be ye, Thirkle--not Reddy?"

He was whining now, and he was in terror of Thirkle. 

"Oh, shut up!" growled Thirkle. "It's nothing, but it give me a turn. "

"What was it, Thirkle? What frightened ye?"

"I thought I put my hand into a mess of hair and--"

"Oh, ho!" laughed Petrak. "That's a ball of spun yarn Bucky left. It'snaught but spun yarn, Thirkle. I minded it myself, " and Petrak turnedto the block again. 

Thirkle moved toward the boat, saying something about how he was gettingold and nervous, and I saw him bend over the gunwale. I watched himclosely, for a hope had sprung up in my withered heart--a hope which Ihardly dared tell myself might possibly be true, after the train ofdisasters which had overtaken me since I went aboard the _Kut Sang_. 

I saw a form spurt up out of the boat, and, as it arose, like thefountain that pops out of the sea after a shell strikes, there came aheavy blow and a deep-throated grunt, followed by a hiss that wasmerged with a shrill death-cry. 

"Black devil! Black devil!" said Thirkle in a quiet, matter-of-fact way, and then he began to sob and squirm; but the figure that had come up likea jack-in-the-box held him pinned across the gunwale, with his shouldersand arms inside the boat, and his legs writhing and thrashing in the deadpalm-leaves. 

"What's wrong, Thirkle? What's wrong?" wailed Petrak. 

He stood a second waiting for an answer, and then he started for theboat, but stopped at the edge of the shadows. 

"What's wrong, Thirkle? Sing out, can't ye? What's gone amiss?"

Thirkle's legs were quiet now, but I could hear his heavy breathing, andit reminded me of the steam exhaust from an ice-factory. 

In spite of the mystery about me, I set my brain to work trying toremember what particular ice-factory sounded just like Thirkle'sbreathing. 

"I'll hold him, Rajah, " said Captain Riggs. "Go get the other, " and thefigure of the Malay boy sprang from the boat and leaped toward Petrak. The little red-headed man gave an incoherent gurgle, and he took to hisheels down the beach. Rajah let him go, and ran to me, where I wastossing about like a dying fish. He hissed to me and swiftly cut me free, and I rushed to the boats, with a tangle of rope still clinging to myfeet. 

"Captain Riggs, " I cried, "it is I, Trenholm!" and he lifted his handfrom the shoulder of the dying Thirkle and took mine. 

"All's well, " he said calmly. "Glad to see ye alive, Mr. Trenholm. I gaveye up, and we came back here and went to sleep in the boat, but Rajah wason watch when he heard ye coming back, and I guess he's made an end ofthis beauty. Here, strike a match and let's look at him. "

I held the flame down to Thirkle's face, and his clenched teeth grinnedat me through snarling, open lips, but his eyes were glazed with death. We stripped him of his arms and lay him down in the palm-leaves, quitedead. 

"Did that other rascal get away?" asked Riggs. "We'll have to wait a bitand see if we can't find him. But probably we better get to sea. Ye knowwhere ye left the plugs and oars? That little red-headed chap can't domuch harm, and if he gets away we'll find him some day. We'll be backhere in the shake of a lamb's tail, anyhow. "

We rigged the tackle and hauled the boat into the sand with littletrouble, and, while Rajah held her on an even keel, we tugged at thepainter and soon had the water lapping at her bows. The stock ofprovisions and water was restowed, and then we smashed the extra boat andtook the oars. We covered Thirkle with sand, but Riggs said he wouldcarry him back to Manila with the gold. 

Rajah was in the boat, and we were prying it off the shingle and waitingfor a favouring wave when we were startled with a hail from the jungle. 

"Cap'n Riggs! Oh, Cap'n Riggs!"

"Who's there?" I shouted, although I knew. 

"Petrak--don't leave me here, cap'n! Take me away from this cussedplace--please, sir, please. I'll be good, only don't leave me on thebeach--I'll die afore mornin', sir. "

We took him. He came creeping out of the jungle, sniffling and wailing, and begging not to be hanged, and saying Thirkle and the others had doneit all. We bundled him into the bows, telling him he was a dead man if hemade a suspicious move; but the little cur never had enough courage tofight unless he could stab a man in the back. 

Once in the channel we filled away to the south, scooting past the blackupper-works of the _Kut Sang_, as we caught a stiff breeze from thenorth. Then Captain Riggs made me sleep. 

It was long after daylight when the captain shook me, and right over uswas a square-rigged ship. She was hanging in stays, and a boat was comingto us from her when I looked over the gunwale. She was an oil-carrierfrom Kobe to Manila. 

"Four men out of the _Kut Sang_, ashore on a reef, " said Captain Riggs, as we went over her side. "You may put the red-headed gentleman in irons, if you please, sir. Thank you. "

And so we went back to Manila, where Petrak was hanged, and the only menwho ever sailed with the Devil's Admiral and lived to tell of it wereCaptain Riggs, and Rajah, and myself, and the story was not written untilafter Captain Riggs had fallen asleep under the poplars of his Maine homeand forgot to awaken. As I write the last of the tale, the wind howls inthe chimney, and the fleecy fog is coming over Russian Hill from thePacific, and hiding the ships in San Francisco Bay, and the last sheetsfrom my pen are gathered up by Rajah, wearing in his girdle the kris thatkilled Thirkle. 

THE END