a single step, I shoot--to kill!
I remember the reputation you two men--and _you_ especially, Van Ryn--
earned for yourselves aboard the brigantine; you were perpetually
instigating trouble. But don't for a moment imagine that you will be
permitted to make trouble here, for I simply won't have it. At the
first hint of anything of that sort I'll hand you over to my friends,
the natives of yonder island, and ask them to take charge of you; indeed
I believe it would only be an act of ordinary prudence to turn you over
to them at once."

"No, no, Mister," interposed Svorenssen hurriedly, "don't think of it.
There ain't goin' to be any trouble, I assure ye. Don't take any notice
o' what Dirk says, Mister; 'is bark's always a lot worse 'n 'is bite.
He don't mean a half nor a quarter of what 'e says--sit down, you
thunderin' fool, and put away that knife of yours," he continued,
turning suddenly upon the Dutchman and forcing him back on the packing-
case upon which they had both been sitting, and seating himself beside
him. Then he leaned over his companion and began whispering hurriedly
and excitedly in his ear.

"Stop that, Svorenssen!" I exclaimed. "If you have any advice to give
that man, speak it aloud, so that I may hear. If it is good advice
there is no need to whisper it."

"All right, Mister," returned the Finn, "I was only tellin' him not to
make a bloomin' fool of hisself. And now, come on, Dirk, and let's do
what Mr Blackburn orders. What 'e says is right; he's skipper still,
and we may's well recernise it first as last. You knows as well as I do
that we can't do nothin' without 'im. Come along, Billy."

Thereupon the two men rose to their feet and proceeded to slouch along
the shore in the direction of the spot where they had left the punt.

"On second thoughts," said I, "go, you two men, and bring the punt round
here to the cove; and Billy and I will come out in the sailing boat to
meet you."

Svorenssen waved his hand to indicate that he understood, and the two
men continued on their way; the Finn, I observed, talking very earnestly
to his companion.

As soon as they were out of sight, Billy and I walked down to the boat,
boarded her, got under way, and worked her round to the south beach, off
which we fell in with and took the punt in tow. The breeze was blowing
moderately fresh, which enabled us to make the trip to Apes' Island in a
trifle over two hours, at the end of which we found the u