the davit, and snapped the irons upon his
wrist. Finch was fast there, out of whatever action there was to come.
And Joel's lips tightened with relief. He stepped back....

He saw, then, that some of the crew had heard, and three or four of them
were gathering amidships, near the try works. The two harpooners were
there; and one of them was that black whom Joel had brought from the
_Martin Wilkes_, and in whom he placed some faith. He eyed these men for
a moment, wondering whether they were nerved to strike....

But they did not stir, they did not move toward him; and he guessed they
were as stupefied as Finch by what had happened. So long as the men aft
allowed him to go free, they would not interfere. They did not
understand; and without understanding, they were helpless.

He turned his back on them, and looked toward Mark.

Mark Shore had watched Joel's encounter with Finch in frank enjoyment.
Such incidents pleased him; they appealed to his love for the bold and
daring facts of life.... He had smiled.

But now Joel saw that he had stepped back a little, perhaps by accident.
He was behind the man at the wheel, behind the spot where Aaron Burnham
stood. He was standing almost against the after rail, in the narrow
corridor that runs fore and aft through the after house....

The pistols were in his belt, and the two rifles leaned on the rail at
his side. Mark himself was standing at ease, his arms relaxed, his hands
resting lightly on his hips and his feet apart. He swayed to the movement
of the ship, balancing with the unconscious ease of long custom.

Joel went toward him, not slowly, yet without haste. He passed old Aaron
with no word, passed the wheelman, and faced his brother. They were
scarce two feet apart when he stopped; and there were no others near
enough to hear, above the slashing of the seas and the whistle of the
wind, his low words.

He said: "Mark, you've made a mistake. A bad mistake. In--starting this
mutiny."

Mark smiled slowly. "That's a hard word, Joel. It's in my mind that if
this is mutiny, it's a very peaceful model."

"Nevertheless, it is just that," said Joel. "It is that, and it is also a
mistake. And--you are wise man enough to see this. There is still time to
remedy the thing. It can be forgotten."

Mark chuckled. "If that is true, you've a most convenient memory, Joel."

Joel's cheeks flushed slowly, and he answered: "I am anxious to
forget--whatever shames the House of Shor