was pressed,
he had decided not to split up his small force in the effort to repel
boarders. A scattered resistance would surely break down at one point
or another: there would be a rush of savages along the decks, a panic
among the Chileans, and all would be ended. On the other hand, when
fighting collectively under European leadership, and well aware that
the Indians would kill and spare not, the half-breeds might be trusted
to acquit themselves like men.

The canvas awning constituted a flimsy citadel in the center of the
vessel. Six men were stationed on the starboard side of the promenade
deck, and six on the port side. Tollemache and a Chilean, who said he
could shoot well, were told to frustrate any attempt to climb the after
part of the ship, while Courtenay, with his fowling-piece, would have
the lion's share of this work from the spar deck, as he undertook to
keep the rails clear forward and help the revolver practise if
necessary. With him was Suarez, who knew what was expected of him, so
the language difficulty offered no apparent hindrance once the fight
began. Finally, if the Indians made good their footing, the defenders
were to rally towards the saloon companion where steam jets were ready
to spurt withering blasts along the corridors.

It was a good plan, and might have kept at bay an enemy of higher valor
than the Alaculofs, provided they were not armed with rifles. Against
modern weapons of long range nothing could be done. If Suarez did not
exaggerate, therein lay the real danger. Courtenay wished to make sure
at the outset of the number of guns carried by the savages; it was also
important to know whether their marksmen were distributed, or crowded
together in one or two canoes. If the latter, he would give those
warriors his special attention.

His binocular glasses were not strong enough so he walked back towards
the chart-house to procure a telescope. Catching Joey under his left
arm, he climbed the short ladder leading to the spar deck, and pulled
it up after him, the bolts having been already removed to permit of
that being done. Walker was screwing tight the door of the
engine-room, in order to safeguard the fireman in attendance on the
donkey-boiler. Now that the screw-driving was actually in operation,
it very unpleasantly reminded Courtenay of the fastening of a coffin
lid. Neither Walker nor the man inside could guess the gruesome notion
which held the captain in its chill