e aft and secure Jacques Busson.
Just as they do so I will give a whistle loud enough for you and my
father to hear, and immediately you do so you both will spring on deck
and overpower the man at the helm. The rest of our people are prepared
to act as you have arranged; one of them will knock down the look-out
forward, while the others will throw themselves upon the other Frenchmen
and secure the hatches on those below. You wished Tim and me to keep
ourselves free to act according to circumstances; Tim was to get into
the boatswain's storeroom, and to cut as many lengths of rope as we
shall require. He will have them in readiness for the moment they are
wanted. There can be no mistake, I hope?"

"None, provided the Frenchmen don't take alarm," answered Owen. "You,
at all events, understand the plan perfectly."

"We may carry it out, too, I trust, without bloodshed," said Gerald.
"Shall I go forward and give the signal?"

"Yes. I feel well able to do my part, though my left arm may not be of
as much use as I should wish," answered Owen. "Call your father and
Norah, and then lose no time, or the lieutenant may be waking and give
us more trouble than is necessary."

Gerald then crept back into the state cabin. He first went into Norah's
berth, and uttered a few words in her ear in a low voice. She had not
undressed, having been warned by Owen of what was likely to happen, and
she had resolved to give every assistance in her power; though her arm
was weak, she possessed nerve and courage, and might be able to keep
watch over the French officer, or even to turn the scale in favour of
her friends, should any part of the plan miscarry.

"Give me the pistol," she whispered; "I know that it is ready for use,
as I saw the lieutenant loading it this afternoon."

"Do you think he suspected anything?" asked Gerald.

"That was no sign of his doing so," answered Norah; "he has frequently
withdrawn the charges and reloaded his pistols since he came on board."

"All right, you shall have it," said Gerald; "but you mustn't mind
shooting him if it is necessary. Remember, if you don't we may possibly
be overpowered, and shall be much worse off than we are now."

"I hope that no such necessity may arise," answered Norah, and her voice
trembled as she spoke.

"There, stay quiet till you're called, and I'll take the sword to our
father," said Gerald. The captain was awake, and prepared for the
attempt to recapture the s